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All That Is in God: Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism
All That Is in God: Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism
All That Is in God: Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism
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All That Is in God: Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism

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Increasing numbers of conservative evangelicals are denying basic tenets of classical Christian teaching about God, with departures occurring even among those of the Calvinistic persuasion. James Dolezal's All That Is in God provides an exposition of the historic Christian position while engaging with these contemporary deviations. His convincing critique of the newer position he styles "theistic mutualism" is philosophically robust, systematically nuanced, and biblically based. It demonstrates the need to maintain the traditional viewpoint, particularly on divine simplicity, and spotlights the unfortunate implications for other important Christian doctrines, such as divine eternality and the Trinity, if it were to be abandoned. Arguing carefully and cogently that all that is in God is God Himself, the work is sure to stimulate debate on the issue in years to come.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 28, 2018
ISBN9781545910337

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Rating: 4.487804829268293 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Even though we cannot comprehend God fully, that doesn't mean we cannot comprehend Him truly. That is one of the main ideas James Dolezal is arguing for in his book. It is always refreshing for human soul to remind itself that God is the Creator and we are creatures. This statement is not lacking consequences. One of them is that God is infinite and cannot be contained or fully understood by his finite creatures. This is the point from where the author tries to affirm the historical, biblical view on God, His works and relations with His creation which, during last centuries, have been corrupted in the evangelical and even in some Reformed spheres.
    James Dolezal approaches each subject offering his readers complex, yet concise information about the topic with relevant quotes from Church history, thus proving the view of classical theism as being the one with the strongest roots. In contrast, the mutualistic theism, its claims and its adjustments that it proposes, are dissected and shown to be, as the author wrote, not slightly different ways of saying the same thing, but two separate ways of thinking about God. The mutualists want to provide a way of viewing God as being authentic in his interaction with his creation. And that is a noble desire. But their claim that in order that the relationship between God and his creatures to be real, meaningful and authentic, God needs to change, is dangerous. From this point, one can easily misunderstand the relation between God and his attributes, his nature and his essence. At stake is the doctrine of divine simplicity, which has deep connections with vital elements of Christian faith, such as Trinity.
    What James is offering us is what always existed from ancient times, was perfected and better explained during Reformation and is a solid ground to every believer now, namely the idea that all that is in God is God. This is the strong reason why the God of classical theism is truly and intimately concerned with the conduct of his creation and has deep, meaningful relationship with it. God's concern is not depending on us and is not an object that can be augmented or diminished. Why to expect, or even desire, the relationship between God and humans to be of the same nature and appearance as the relationship between humans, just for the so-called authenticity, when I could have the profoundness of a relationship which emerges from God's nature and his eternal decrees?
    It is encouraging that the God that is 'I am', whose subsistence is in and of Himself, who is without body, parts, or passions, is the God with whom we have fellowship in Christ.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great introduction to an indispensable topic. Helpful survey of the modern landscape and proponents.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    If you are looking for a book detailing the Doctrine of God (Theology Proper) from the perspective of Thomistic metaphysics, this is an excellent book. If, however, you reject Thomism, which I do, then this will look like a book utilizing outdated philosophical ideas to attempt to understand God, and spectacularly failing due to its flawed philosophy.Also, as an FYI, the Scriptures do not teach Aristotle or Thomas Aquinas. So one is most certainly not required to use Thomistic metaphysics in one's understanding of God.