By Michael Jinkins
IVP: January 2001
ISBN: 978-0-8308-1562-3
$24.00
Resensie deur Coenie Burger
Hierdie boek is die neerslag van Jinkins se inleidende klasse in teologie en bediening by die Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas, VSA. Dit is ‘n wonderlike boek vol wysheid en evangeliese drif.
Jinkins het sy teologie by die Skotte – by name die Torrances – geleer. Teologie is vir hom “the essential business of faithful reflection on human life lived conciously in the presence of God”. Die teenwoordigheid van God is ‘n belangrike tema in Jinkins se werk. Hy vind verder ook sterk aansluiting by die perikoresis-denke van mense soos Moltmann en La Cugna sodat sy definisie van teologie nie net te doen het met kennis van God en die evangelie nie, maar ook met ons deel word van die onderlinge gemeenskap van die Triniteit met mekaar.
Jinkins kies om die lyn van die AGB te volg in sy inleidende klasse – wat goed sin maak en vernuftig deur hom uitgewerk word. Die eerste twee hoofstukke gaan oor die inleidende vrae, maar in hoofstuk 3–11 kom hy by feitlik al die wesenlike teologiese vrae uit.
Behalwe dat die teologie goed is, skryf hy ook onderhoudend en passievol. Jy kan agterkom jy lees iemand wat opgewonde is oor die evangelie.
Die formaat van die boek is so dat dit Jinkins se klasse vertaal vir ‘n tuis-leerervaring. Richard Mouw skryf in sy evaluering dat hy behoorlik gevoel het of hy in Jinkins se klas sit – met huiswerkopdragte en al!
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About the Book
Are you intimidated by theology? Confused? Bored?
Michael Jinkins knows it doesn’t have to be that way. “Theology is our critical and prayerful reflection on the totality of life,” he writes. “We all do theology on a regular basis, whether or not we are conscious of the fact.”
In Invitation to Theology Jinkins offers a knowledgeable, helpful and caring guide to walk you through the basics of the Christian faith. Following the pattern of the ancient summary of the Christian faith, the Apostles’ Creed, Jinkins highlights the key doctrines of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, humanity, church, salvation and resurrection. He cuts a clear path through theological terms, traditions and debates. And in the spirit of C. S. Lewis, he invites you to consider some of the most profound reflections–from the distant past to the present day–on Christian belief. Throughout this fascinating journey, the main road is always kept in view:
“The meaning and shape of our life together as a community of persons is grounded in the inner life of God, the Trinity, and has been revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
If you are eager to think about your faith, to examine what and why you believe and to reflect on how such faith can be lived out in our world, Invitation to Theology is the book for you.