What, if anything, is it that makes the human uniquely human? This, in part, is the question that G.K. Chesterton starts with in this classic exploration of human history. Responding to the evolutionary materialism of his contemporary (and antagonist) H.G. Wells, Chesterton in this work affirms human uniqueness and the unique message of the Christian faith. Writing in a time when social Darwinism was rampant, Chesterton instead argued that the idea that society has been steadily progressing from a state of primitivism and barbarity towards civilization is simply and flatly inaccurate. "Barbarism and civilization were not successive stages in the progress of the world," he affirms, with arguments drawn from the histories of both Egypt and Babylon.

As always with Chesterton, there is in this analysis something (as he said of Blake) "very plain and emphatic." He sees in Christianity a rare blending of philosophy and mythology, or reason and story, which satisfies both the mind and the heart. On both levels it rings true. As he puts it, "in answer to the historical query of why it was accepted, and is accepted, I answer for millions of others in my reply; because it fits the lock; because it is like life." Here, as so often in Chesterton, we sense a lived, awakened faith. All that he writes derives from a keen intellect guided by the heart's own knowledge.

 

 

"My plan in this book," writes Father Danielou, the eminent French theologian, "is not to record what I say of God, but what God has said of Himself… to place religions and philosophies, the Old Testament and the New, theology and mysticism, in their proper relationship with the knowledge of God." God and the Ways of Knowing is a classic work of theology and spirituality that presents a subtle and penetrating interpretation of the ways by which man comes to the knowledge of God—each form of knowledge carrying him both higher and deeper.

 

 

Amazon reader review: Robert Capon's "Genesis: the movie" is a typically unconventional Capon ride. What makes the book most interesting (and this is true of his work generally) is that for all of its "unconventionality," it is born of a deep and foundational theological orthodoxy; I can't think of the last time I read a new book that worked so extensively with Augustine! Even the sections that might make some self-proclaimed orthodox readers shudder (and here I would highlight his idea of God's "ecology of good and evil") are rooted in a wrestling with the deep traditions of Jewish and Christian biblical interpretation. Besides, I know of few theological writers who have so much fun doing theology, and that has to be worth a great deal in a discipline that can easily become dry and dusty.

 

Amazon reader review: This is yet another fascinating small book by Karl Barth on the nature of theology. In particular it will be of help to students that find themselves disillusioned with academic theology. For those that think theology is lifeless and stale, Barth is a breath of fresh air as he shows what it means to be a theologian in the service of the church. This book touches on numerous issues related to what theology is and what it means to be a theologian. Worship, community, preaching and witness are among the many issues that Barth explores in his examination of what it means to be an evangelical theologian. Highly recommended.

 

Amazon reader review: For those that want to begin to tackle Karl Barth, but don't know where to begin, this book is a good place to start. It is really Barth's commentary on the Apostles Creed, but it does indeed serve as the outline of a dogmatic theology. Barth's thoughts are profound and lucid. In particular, his theological treatment of time is good. He speaks of how, from a Christian perspective "the present" is the resurrection of Christ, "the past" is the times of sin before Christ and "the future" is Christ coming again. These and other profound thoughts make this book an excellent read and a good introduction to Barth's theology as a whole. Highly recommended.

 

 

Amazon reader review: This is a short, readable introduction to the man who has influenced 20th century religious thought more than any other. The book is actually a collection of three separate essays. The first is a critical analysis of 19th century theology with its tendency to focus on human beings rather than on God. The second essay addresses the nature of God and God's relationship to humanity. The final essay addresses the issue of Christian freedom and Christian responsibility. The collection is theologically deep enough to entice academics, while readable enough to be approachable by any serious layperson.

 

 

Capon describes himself as having had, for almost 50 years, a vacation to the priesthood. It is a vacation he has shared in an array of breezy, sometimes flippant, always dependably and engagingly playful writing. He is still on vacation, and readers who know him as well as those who don't will be grateful. Needless to say, there is nothing formal about this history; but it is packed with information gleaned from decades of pastoral experience and theological reflection. And it is a serious proposal for a transformation of Christianity thoroughly grounded in Christian tradition. Capon maintains that the heart of Christianity is a proclamation of the end of religion; that much of church history has been a denial of that heart in the construction of Christendom; and that the transformation of Christianity demands the death (not just the prolonged dying) of Christendom. Capon's message to Christendom is "drop dead" --an astonishing message from a priest, perhaps, but astonishment is what resurrection is all about.