William A. Dyrness and Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Global Dictionary of Theology: A Resource for the Worldwide Church (Downers Grove: IVP, 2008), xix + 996 Pps. $40.00
Theological dictionaries are the primary starting point for any theological endeavor I embark upon. Theological dictionaries are invariably written from a unique perspective, no matter how many different authors are compiled within its pages. Unfortunately, there is a preponderance of dictionaries that deal with standard, but few that truly deal with both global issues and standard issues from a global perspective. However, with this new dictionary, IVP fills the lacuna aforementioned, and does so quite well. William A. Dyrness and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen edit approximately 250 articles written by over 100 contributors that represents a truly global spectrum of theological perspectives.
The editors give demonstration to the idea that all theology is contextual; as such, they take great pains to acknowledge the diversity that is inherent within twenty-first century Christianity. And although all of the standard theological entries are present (e.g. Trinity, eschatology, Christology, pneumatology, etc.), they are openly placed within definite cultural contexts, and as such, the perspectives are novel. They present these entries, however, from a largely Evangelical and ecumenical perspective. A guiding principle in the selection of articles for inclusion into this dictionary, the editors note, was that the emphasis be given to movements that reflect their theological significance (xii). Unlike other theological dictionaries, there are no articles on individual theologians; rather all of the articles are on themes, country and area studies, movements, and traditions. Another difference between this dictionary and others is that the individual articles are longer in length than one would ordinarily expect from standard reference theological dictionaries.
In sum, for anyone desiring a fresh perspective on some ‘old’ topics, this theological dictionary is for you. The bibliographies alone make this dictionary well worth the price. Pastors, theological teachers, theological students, and Christians in general will find the Global Dictionary of Theology to be an invaluable resource.
Bradford McCall
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.