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Title: Symphonic Theology: The Validity of Multiple Perspectives in Theology by Vern Sheridan Poythress ISBN: 0-87552-517-2 Publisher: P & R Press Pub. Date: August, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $9.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Doctrinal counterpoint
Comment: Have you ever been arguing some doctrinal point with somebody, and found yourself rejecting what they say without thinking it over, just assuming you are right and finding some immediate, thoughtless response to what they are saying that will shift the focus back on your position? I had been doing this sort of thing in my debates with people, and I started seeing how ungracious it was. I began trying to actually think about what people were telling me, and find what element of truth they were clinging to--because I knew the people I was talking with were ultimately rational, and there was some sensible point they were holding to, even if I wasn't seeing it because of adherence to my own position.
This thought pattern was what led me to this book. I read a review expressing how Poythress suggests that we can glean knowledge from other people's arguments even if, in the long run, we end up disagreeing with them overall. I thought that a symphonic theology was exactly what was needed in theological debate--the recognition that there really are different facets of the truth (but not in some scepticist, there-is-no-truth-sort-of-way), and that we should be more gracious in debate as a result.
Well, this book didn't disappoint me in that regard. Poythress developed a very fascinating method of how to do theology in this symphonic, multiperspectival way. He pointed out a couple things I hadn't been thinking about. One of these (which was actually more the main point of his book than what I had been thinking) was that he pointed out the various perspectives even within Scripture. He showed how the Scriptures talk about Scriptures in gloriously multi-faceted ways, and that boxing these into nice systematic theological categories often destroys the symphonic beauty of God's Word. Calvinist type thinking can over-emphasize God's divine decree, while neglecting man's will, and Arminian thinking can over-emphasize free will, at the expense of losing a vision of God's sovereignty. There are Scriptures expressing God's sovereignty *and* man's free will, and we need to see the theological counterpoint going on here, and only if we see it will we really be able to prosper from and understand the Bible. This was quite helpful to me.
Very good book on understanding the symphonic, multi-faceted nature of God's truth. Not some relativistic, skepticist understanding of truth, however. A view highlighting the beauty of God's Word, and outlining a method of creating a beautiful theology. Enjoyable.
Rating: 5
Summary: A great promotion to unity & humility in theological thought
Comment: Irenic and scholarly, this book represents the theme of Poythress's philosophy of theology. He advocates humility and unity in the body of Christ by showing the validity of the many perspectives contributing to the world of theology. While one camp of theologians may think they have the "true" and "only" position on a matter, Poythress shows that every perspective in the realm of orthodoxy must be regarded in order to understand more fully the scope of God's wonderful truth. Just like the 5 five blind men feeling an elephant in different places in a well know parable, many people are claiming that they have a corner on the truth, while the fact may remain that they all have something important to contribute to the whole. Thus, dogmatism and strife are untenable positions. In our pilgrimage to know the Word of God more fully, all Christians must unite and "play fair" in their analysis of one another's doctrinal understandings. As one teacher of mine once said, "Dogmatism is oftentimes nothing but grown up puppy-ism."
Read this book to develop a Christ-spirited methodology of hermeutics that will revolutionize the way you think biblically. You may never read the Bible, or view the debates of Christians over hermeneutical issues, the same way again! This book is truly honoring to Christ and seeks to call all His people to a better understanding of His Word with a corporate effort founded out of humility and love.
Rating: 4
Summary: Multiperspectival Exegesis
Comment: Symphonic theology is Vern Poythress' proposal of a new paradigm for doing biblical and systematic theology.
He begins by noting the influences our worldviews and presuppositions have on the way we interpret the data with which we come into contact. He applies this insight to the way we read the Bible, encouraging us to use multiple perspectives in our exegesis and interpretation. For example, those accustomed to reading the Bible for devotional purposes would do well to read it for theological and ethical insights as well. Likewise, theologians often neglect the devotional side of the Scriptures and thus miss the rich wisdom to be gained from that perspective. Although many perspectives can be expanded to apply to the whole Bible - Poythress mentions the 10 commandments as an example of an ethical theme that can be used as an interpretive grid for all the ethical teachings of the Bible - there are some analogies that should not be overextended.
Poythress then moves to a brief examination of semantics and semiotics and their relation to multiperspectival hermeneutics. Words have "fuzzy boundaries," Poythress explains. One word can mean many things, depending on context. Thus, in interpreting the Bible, we must not act as if the author intends the same meaning for a word every time he uses it. The Bible does not use its terms with as much technical precision as systematic theologians might desire. Biblical scholars should also realize that different Scriptural authors approach their subjects from varying perspectives. Matthew is not necessarily concerned with the same things that his counterparts are. Poythress concludes with examples of how symphonic theology can aid believers in the apologetic task and applies the symphonic model to the problem of miracles.
Symphonic Theology is, in my opinion, largely successful in its intention to encourage a more faithful interpretation of God's Word. Along with Carson's Exegetical Fallacies, it stands as a good example of evangelicals applying the insights of secular philosophy, in this case the linguistic philosophers, to the task of Christian theology. It will prove useful for Biblical and systematic theologians alike. However, the work could have been improved in a few areas. First, Poythress needs to clarify the distinction between analogies and motifs. Poythress warns exegetes not to stretch analogies beyond their intention, but argues that motifs can be applied universally. Wherein lies the difference?
Second, Poythress spends too much time regurgitating the same sloppy thought long propounded by Reformed theologians regarding the analogical nature of language. As Gordon Clark and E. J. Carnell repeatedly pointed out, man is not confined to thinking thoughts merely similar to God's. Our knowledge is univocal with God's. Even analogical language has a univocal element that saves it from meaninglessness. In addition, the analogical-language proponents seem to be far too credulous toward 20th century linguistic philosophy, most of which presupposes language as an evolved skill of man. This assumes not only naturalism but also empiricism.
The Christian view, on the other hand, sees language as a capacity endowed by God for the purpose of communication with Him. Our language about God is not, therefore, analogical to our experience. Rather, our experience is analogical to God. For example, when we call God father, our language is not analogical; it is univocal. The analogy occurs when we call our human parent a father. Our earthly father is meant to be an analogy of our heavenly father. Like many things, 20th century philosophy got it all backwards!
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Title: The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses by Vern Sheridan Poythress ISBN: 0875523757 Publisher: P & R Press Pub. Date: May, 1995 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
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Title: God-Centered Biblical Interpretation by Vern Sheridan Poythress ISBN: 0875523765 Publisher: P & R Press Pub. Date: April, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: Pierced by the Word : Thirty One Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper ISBN: 1590521730 Publisher: Multnomah Publishers Inc. Pub. Date: 02 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: Synopsis of the Four Gospels : Completely Revised on the Basis of the Greek Text of the Nestle Aland (English-only text) by Kurt Aland ISBN: 0826705006 Publisher: Fortress Press Pub. Date: December, 1983 List Price(USD): $18.99 |
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