Book Review

Faith Seeking Understanding: An introduction to Theology.
Daniel L.Migliore
Eerdmans, 1st Edition 1991
This edition, 2004. 439 pages

Review by Ray Hoekzema

“Everything has changed!” - was the common cry after Sep 11, 2001. Security concerns are now paramount. But, says Miglore, what has not changed is a world groaning in bondage to sin, death, and destruction, where the poor and vulnerable are still forgotten. What also has not changed is the good news of the gospel of God’s forgiving and transforming love, the promise and power of God’s work of reconciliation in Jesus Christ. What the church needs at all times and especially in times of crisis is clarity of conviction and purpose. Every theology must be critical reflection on the beliefs and practices of the faith community out of which it arises. It is a quest for truth. Faith seeks understanding and does not pretend that it has arrived at its goal.

In the first chapter it becomes clear that if we are to communicate our clear convictions then we need to practice the pursuit of theology that continues to search for the fullness of the truth of God made known in Jesus Christ. A common conviction of the classical theological tradition generally, is that Christian faith prompts inquiry, searches for deeper understanding, and dares to raise questions. These questions thrust themselves on us in times of crisis. If we believe in God, we will have to become seekers, pilgrims, pioneers with no permanent residence. We will no longer be satisfied with the unexamined beliefs and practices of our every day lives, says the author.

Christian faith is not blind faith but “thinking faith”; Christian hope is not superficial optimism but “well-founded hope”; and Christian love is not romantic naivety but “open-eyed love”, says Migliore. As a matter fact, faith seeks understanding passionately and relentlessly, or it languishes and eventually dies. Luther reckons that “it is by living, no - more - by dying and being damned to hell that one becomes a theologian, not by knowing, reading or speculating.

Migliore advocates that faith does more than think; it sings, confesses, rejoices, suffers, prays, and acts. For what we need is not more theology but simple faith. Christian faith is indeed simple, but is not simplistic. And it must not be reduced to a euphoric feeling or to a religious cliché. Faith is a matter of transformation – personal, social, and world transformation. It is being willing to put your life on the line for the sake of Christ and his gospel.

So, theology is the continual process of inquiry that is prompted by the surprising grace of God. If the task of theology is properly understood, it will not be seen as an activity that can be abandoned. The author gives an overview of the various branches of theology but in this book focuses on systematic theology. Its particular task is to venture a faithful, coherent, timely, and responsible articulation of Christian faith which is a critical and creative activity, and it requires both courage and humility.

All Christians, and especially those who exercise leadership in the Christian community are constrained to ask at least four basic questions that bear upon every phase of Christian life and ministry. Firstly, are the proclamation and practice of the community of faith true to the revelation of God in Jesus Christ as attested in Scripture? All questions of theology are finally aspects of this question. What is the Christian gospel, the “good news” of God made known in Christ and how is it to be distinguished from its many misrepresentations and distortions? On this question hang the very identity of the Christian community and the faithfulness of its proclamation and life.

The other three questions can be drawn together into one, do the proclamation and practice of the community of faith: a) give adequate expression to the whole truth of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, b) represent the God of Jesus Christ as a living reality in the present context, c) lead to transforming practice in personal and social life? Asking questions, is part of being human, and asking tough questions in the light of the grace of God in Jesus Christ is part of what it means to be a Christian. What is theology? It is neither mere repetition of church doctrines, nor grandiose system building. It is faith, asking questions, seeking understanding.

This book reflects comprehensive research, great insight, and deals with the essential elements of systematic theology. I would regard Migliore as a theologian among theologians; and regard this edition of extra-ordinary value. Any serious student of the Bible would benefit greatly by adding it to his library.

 

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