Product Description

Evangelical thinkers in recent years have thrust differing and sometimes nontraditional views on the doctrine of God, the composition of the human person, and the nature of hell into the spotlight.

Across the Spectrum, written by Gregory A. Boyd and Paul R. Eddy, offers a service to students by carefully examining the various positions taken by evangelical scholars on eighteen seminal issues‹both classic concerns and those of more contemporary interest. Rather than taking sides, however, the authors give readers the resources they need to explore evangelical theological options.

Among the many topics discussed are baptism, the nature of the self, the foreknowledge and providence of God, the interpretation of Genesis 1­2, the destiny of the unevangelized, and the Christology debate.

In the spirit of the popular four-views books, Boyd and Eddy carefully lay out the biblical, theological, and philosophical arguments for each position and discuss possible objections in point-counterpoint fashion. Each chapter also includes a bibliography. A helpful appendix touches on nine additional theological issues.

Across the Spectrum is a theology primer that all beginning theological students will want and need.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #469157 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Back Cover
This accessible yet comprehensive primer explores the breadth of viewpoints on major issues in evangelical theology by examining positions taken by evangelicals on seventeen seminal issues. The second edition retains the helpful features of the first edition and adds an appendix that addresses thirteen peripheral issues in contemporary evangelicalism.

Praise for the first edition

"The authors do what no book on the market does: In one volume they faithfully present divergent views on the crucial issues that divide evangelicals, and they do so in an unbiased, succinct, and lively manner. This book is perfect as a supplemental text in an introductory theology course or as a manual for church study groups. It will help everyone arrive at his or her own conclusions within the parameters of the evangelical tradition."--Dennis Okholm, Azusa Pacific University

"Across the Spectrum succeeds with distinction in at least two respects. First, it represents a very useful tool for those who wish to begin grappling with different approaches to difficult theological problems. The book will be most helpful to beginning students in evangelical theology, the target audience. Second, the work presents various perspectives in fair and unbiased tones. . . . If used with care, it will repeatedly reward the reader with its fair and even treatment of different theological views."--Nathan D. Holsteen, Bibliotheca Sacra

"I've been waiting for this book for some time. Due to its brief, nontechnical format, it can be used in a variety of ways in undergraduate theology courses. Although a concise volume, it succinctly outlines multiple arguments, both pro and con, for (incredibly!) over two dozen issues in disputed, largely non-fundamental areas of doctrine. The professor can present positions in favor of particular views or leave the issues open. It's settled--I'm requiring it!"--Gary R. Habermas, Liberty University

"A collective sigh of relief will arise from the evangelical student body when it discovers this book! It helpfully and critically surveys the many legitimate evangelical theological options and convincingly demonstrates that there is no single authentically evangelical viewpoint on a wide range of controversial issues. It constitutes a small library between two covers."--Roger E. Olson, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University

About the Author
Gregory A. Boyd is professor of theology at Bethel College and author of God of the Possible. Paul R. Eddy is assistant professor of biblical and theological studies at Bethel College and coeditor of Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views.

Customer Reviews

"Unity, liberty and charity" in this unique book
To paraphrase a saying, "In essentials unity; in other things liberty; in all things charity." With "Across the Spectrum", Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy have put this into practice, surveying a wide variety of what I call "next-tier" Christian doctrinal questions. In this unique book, each chapter deals with a different issue in Christian doctrine, each issue the subject of considerable past and/or present interest and debate among evangelical Christians, and each one outside the common ecumenical core of Christian doctrine. Or rather, not outside that core, but at a more-detailed level of extrapolation and understanding of that core, while remaining within it.

For example, Body and Eddy explain in their first chapter, all traditional and evangelical Christians affirm the divine, infallible, and unique inspiration of the Bible. This is a core (ecumenical) doctrine. But what does it mean to say the Bible is inspired of God in this way, particularly with respect to mundane and spiritually-ancillary Biblical details such as geneologies, chronologies, observations of nature and creation, and so on? Is it to say that the Bible is without face-value error in all its statements, even these? Or is it to say that the Bible faithfully communicates what God intends it to, without pollution that would interfere with his redemptive message - a position allowing for imprecision or inaccuracy in Biblical details extraneous to faith and practice?

In other words, is it verbal, plenary, inerrant inspiration? Or infallible concepts transported by human literature? This is the "next tier" to the inspiration doctrine, and most other Christian doctrines likewise have "next tiers" of their own. In these "next tier" issues, Christians have long had liberty to explore and debate, even while both affirming the general doctrines within which they nest, and charitably acknowledging one another's faith.

"Across the Spectrum" affirms this charity, presenting chapters on such issues as:

- What does it mean to say God is in control? Predestination? Or mere foreknowledge?
- What does it mean to affirm humans are free and morally responsible? Is this compatible with predestination and election? Or not?
- Was Christ's atonement limited or not? Does God save (and condemn) by election? Or by human response to his grace?
- What happens to the unevangelized, those who die without the knowledge of the core Christian doctrines?
- What is a permissible way of interpreting the "days" creation account in Genesis? Is Genesis 1 scientific and historical fact (perhaps phrased phenomenologically)? Or is it storied theology?

Each chapter begins by summarizing the issue and presenting the core, general doctrinal stance taken by all traditional Christians at all times, in contrast to modernist or non-Christian views on the issue. Each chapter then, in sections, puts forward a well-argued case for each position. Arguments are based primarily on Biblical exegesis, but include some theology and philosophy and also include counters to common objections. Naturally, space limitations constrain each argument to a high level and just a few pages. But arguments for each position are nonetheless faithfully, fairly, and forcefully presented (I often found myself agreeing with whichever position whose argument I read most recently :-).

In summary, charity for the diversity of viewpoints within Christianity is perhaps the hallmark of this unique book. For that reason, some conservative Christians will have a hard time with this book, believing many of these "next tier" issues are, in fact, obviously answered by Scripture, and that those answers are thus squarely part-and-parcel of the general core doctrines themselves. Thus no debate over them is legitimate, and other views (such as many of those presented by this book) flirt with apostasy. For a doctrinely-legalistic Christian, who defines the saving essentials so that they include a hundred or more narrow, systematic theological claims that would take dozens or hundreds of pages to explicate, "Across the Spectrum" will be a hard swallow. For Christians more inclined to the example of the Bible itself - a work of anything but systematic theology - "Across the Spectrum" will be a valued resource.

Missing the point
Most of the reviews of this book are missing the point of this book. The varying views given in this book have come out of thought and interpretation of what is written in the Bible and who they believe God to be. The point is for the reader to not only read the different views given in this book and "pick and choose", but to thoughtfully read along with the Bible and try to come up with their own coherent worldview.
Not to mention this is only an introduction to the different evangelical viewpoints that are around. It's not that they are supposed to choose one or another (more than likely their views are already solidified), perhaps it could be viewed as a tool to understand and communicate with christians who have different views on God, Creation, etc... Maybe even a way to debate with someone who you might think has the wrong view.

A wonderful introduction to issues in practical theology
Boyd and Eddy have written something close to a masterpiece when it comes to discussing issues in practical theology. In this book, arguments for each side are clearly presented, argued, and argued against. In the end, the reader is left to decide what they think is true, and is given resources to help them figure out what is true.
Howeverm, one may object (as Mr. Scott does) that the Bible is the sole source of truth, and we must follow its word. Granted, but what exactly does the bible say about these issues? That is the issue at hand, and to simply reject one side of the discussion without careful thought is outrageous. Indeed, if the Bible were as clear as many people would like to believe, then there would be no need for this book. However, to sustain this position, one needs to simply denounce the works of many evangelicals, without regard to the work God has done in their lives, dismissing it as the work of Satan.
I apologize for that excursion, but such character attacks are silly and unfounded, and the authors deserve to be defended against such attacks. The book they've written, though not perfect, is a model for how evangelicals should deal with differing viewpoints; in love, and with an open heart and mind.