Abstract
In this encyclopaedic but accessible work on Christian theology, Anthony Towey aims to provide an introduction to ‘theology as thoughtful conversation about God’ (p. xxii). This ambitious project consists of twenty-six chapters which are divided into five parts (completed with the sixth part providing further reference and readings). It has an extremely vast scope ranging from Biblical world to classical heritage and then to contemporary context.
Part One discusses how theology is understood as a conversation about God, from the aspects of divine-activities, anthropology, philosophy and history. By proclaiming that ‘reality is God based’ (p. 4), Towey regards theology as a channel through which meta-narratives of meaning for human life can be expressed, rightly and authoritatively, in Scriptures, the Creeds and the Confessions of the Church.
Part Two explores the ancient heritage found in the Old Testament, namely, the creation account and divine covenant, the key biblical figures such as Abraham and Moses, the Prophets and Wisdom literature. All of these serve as rich reflections on God, creation, humanity and its fall, and the resulting violence and disorder. And these actually prepare the way for the coming of Messiah and function as the prophecy of His salvation on the basis of God’s faithfulness.
Subsequently, Part Three moves to the New Testament, focusing on the Jesus event and the relevant theological contemplations recorded in the Gospels, Acts, Pauline epistles and Johnna writings. The focus on the Person and Work of Jesus, in the theological landscapes of Judea and beyond, manifests that ‘God has definitely interrupted history for the good of humanity’ (p. 83). The followers of Jesus Christ and those who reject His Messiahship has been involved in a constant tension and conflict from the dawn of this divine interruption.
Part Four explores the events in the classical period that had significant impact on Christianity in the following centuries. First, it examines how the central creeds and doctrines were progressively formulated, though through a long and painful process of debating and defining the fundamental theological loci. Second, it discusses how theological controversies and disputations tragically created divisions among Christian people, though these were probably the efforts, in the very first place, that aimed to ‘find language to express the God conundrum posed by the Jesus revelation’ (p. 208).
Part Five investigates how theology is being discussed in modern and post-modern contexts. It starts with the various challenges that confront Christian theology in the contemporary era, viz., philosophy, science, anthropology, as well as theological thoughts and biblical interpretations from diverse perspectives. Then it moves to creative areas of having interactions with God, including dialogues in ethics, prayer and faith.
As an extensive survey of biblical, historical and practical theologies, in this publication Towey attempts to weave the various themes of vast scope by a historical approach combining a hermeneutical and paradoxical methodology. It could prove to be a very useful introductory textbook and a helpful basic reading for the theology students. The language is simple and straightforward, but the discussion of different theological loci is by no means simplistic. Surprisingly, this volume ends without a section on eschatology. And this lack of Christian hope of the eschatological future is arguably a pitiful imperfection to this ambitious work.