An Exploration of Christian Theology. By Don Thorsen. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2008. Pp. xxii + 453. Hardback, $34.95, ISBN 978-1-56563-236-3.
Don Thorsen is Professor of Theology in the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. He contends that since people are made in God’s image, it is imperative for them to learn about God, as knowledge of God is critical for their well-being. Unfortunately, however, beginning theology students are often bewildered by the diversity of beliefs within the Christian tradition. This textbook is accessible as an introduction to Christian theology. While not intended to be exhaustive, it does not avoid the many profound and difficult theological concepts and gives a cogent summary of Christian doctrine. Moreover, it is explicitly ecumenical in that it presents prominent attempts by Christians to formulate Christian doctrine (including Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and a variety of Protestant traditions). Although Thorsen does his theology from a particular background (he was trained at Asbury, Princeton, and Drew University, thus drawing from Evangelical, Reformed, and Methodist perspectives), he presents Christianity in a manner that is fair to all sides. At the end of each chapter, there are study questions which serve to engage the reader in further reflection. Although generally laudable as an introductory text, I have one complaint: the line art included throughout the book, while probably intended to draw college underclassmen and women into the material, may be self-defeating in that it will distract some readers and even actually turn off students seeking to move to adulthood.
Bradford McCall
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.