Across the Spectrum

Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology
Gregory A. Boyd & Paul R. Eddy
Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2009

This is a pretty good introduction to evangelical theology, particularly the disputes between evangelical Christians on secondary matters that they disagree about. It is reminiscent of the "Counterpoint" books that present two to five different points of view on disputed doctrine or practice. Across the Spectrum does a similar job in a series of some 17 debated topics each covered by two or three short essays putting forward the arguments for and dealing with common ojections against a number of important subjects. There's also an appendix that deals with a good few other topics very briefly. There is also a decent glossary of terms explained in straightforward words.

To gain an overview of the broad spectrum of evangelical views, this book is ideal.

Some readers would no doubt question how wide the boundaries of evangelicalism are drawn in this book. For example, open theism is presented as a legitimate evangelical option. Also, kenotic theory is discussed alongside the traditional view on the deity of Christ. And other views of the atonement apart from penal substitution are presented.

Personally, I'm fairly sanguine about drawing the edges of evangelicalism a good deal wider than Reformed confessional orthodoxy. We do well to remember the adage popularised by Puritan Richard Baxter: in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

One criticism that may possibly be fair is that there is perhaps a lack of balance detectable in some of the essay pairs. Greg Boyd is a well-known open theist, and though Paul Eddy's views are harder to find, it is clear he is no Calvinist. It would perhaps have been more useful to have Calvinist or Molinist views put forward by people committed to these views.

However, in the main, the authors are pretty fair with other views. The reading lists suggested for each topic covered are valuable for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the issues involved.