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Book Review
Reformed Theology Identity and
Ecumenicity
Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co
Editors - Wallace M. Alston Jr. & Michael Welker 2003, 449p
Review by Ray Hoekzema
This volume of essays is the result of a consultation of systematic theologians from a broad spectrum, convened by the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton. The consultation held, and the papers delivered there, and now published, is an attempt to reflect anew, a catholic Reformed community of inquiry, and a Reformed identity in the midst of a pluralistic setting and rapid cultural changes. There are a number of dominant factors that play a role but not least of all, shifts in paradigms and mentalities; the power of market, media and technology; massive injustice and poverty; the threat of cynicism, relativism and apathy; and dissatisfaction with a theology and church that appear incapable of providing leadership and giving guidance.
The consultation was seen as a success in that the participants could freely display differences and similarities without fear and embarrassment. Since the volume includes contributions from a wide spectrum of theologians, it is well nigh impossible to draw a single conclusion other than that the participants together were representative of an “ecclesia reformata et semper reformanda”.
One of the participants, Daniel Migliore, touches a chord when he addresses the issue of trinitarian ecclesiology in Reformed perspective, suggesting that genuine human community has its ultimate basis in the communion of the triune God. He begins by noting the challenge of pluralism to society and to the life of the church, how it has both creative and destructive potential and which the church must learn to distinguish. Pluralism, which has followed the disestablishment and marginalisation of the church, challenges the church to achieve a greater clarity about Christian identity and the meaning of Christian life in community.
From a Reformed perspective, the right
understanding of the church as a communion in faith calls for openness
to different and often disturbing voices. Yet, it requires faithfulness
and openness in confessional expression; and with a freedom that is
accountable to the scriptural witness to the freely gracious God made
known in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Migliore says
that in a pluralistic world marked by the quest for community, yet
threatened by fragmentation, the church is called to bear witness to
God’s gift of a new community in Jesus Christ by the power of the
Spirit. Trinitarian ecclesiology understands the church as a communion
in faith, in love and in hope. It's a theme highlighted throughout this
valuable book It is insightful when it comes to Reformed theology and
perspective.
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