Theology History

Christian Theology: An Introduction

The Main Themes Presented by Alister E. McGrath

Christian Theology is one of the more complex philosophies that one can endeavor to understand. To fully comprehend the true nature of Christian Theology is to fully grasp the nature of mankind with all of his faults, excesses, accomplishments-to realize with complete assent, the capabilities of man to engage in truly destructive behavior. Those who study Christian Theology are often beset by the inherent contradictions between the teachings of the philosophy and the actions of its greatest purveyors in Christian texts. In his work "Christian Theology: An Introduction" Alister E. McGrath takes a purely systematic approach to explaining Christian Theology. His approach assumes the reader knows little, if anything, of Christian Theology and embarks upon a quest to lay before the reader the essential precepts and maxims that have defined this history changing philosophy for nearly 2,000 years. The exploration into these deeper themes is the premise of this essay. This essay will not engage in a simple recitation of the facts or produce a juvenile "book report" but rather will focus, quite succinctly, on the interplay between the systematic approach to teaching theology and McGrath's work.

Before we can examine the main themes within McGrath's work, it is imperative that brief amount of time be spent laying the foundation for this examination through the revelation of the basic components of McGrath's piece. McGrath divides the study of Christian Theology into several components. There is the historical aspect wherein, McGrath discusses the four periods of Christian Theological development; periods denoted by their historical significance, key players and the emergence of the first critical "Christian theological terms" are revealed. The second portion of the McGrath's work explains the genesis of Christian thought-essentially, it represents McGrath's attempt to demonstrate where Christianity ascertains its ideas from. Finally, the last portion of McGraths's book involves the major doctrinal issues of Christian theology; their reasons for believe in God, Jesus, Heaven and Hell. This information is presented in a thematic, cogent, format in order for the reader to avoid being bogged down in intensely philosophical prose.

Now that the main anatomy of McGrath's work has been established, the examination can now turn to the development of the "systematic approach" that McGrath takes to analyzing the main precepts and maxims of Christian Theology. Prima Facie explanation of the inner workings of the "systemic approach" is needed in order to adequately analyze its interface with the main suppositions of McGrath's work. In brief, systematic theology integrates biblical, historical and often philosophical theology into its methodology. The main goal of systematic theology is to draw a clear description of what the Bible teaches about a particular doctrine. Systematic theology recognizes the cause-effect relationship between various doctrines of Christian faith. If there are changes to one doctrine, there will inevitably be changes "down-stream" a sort of Newtonian construct.

There are several places within his work that McGrath utilizes this level of theological analysis. Probably the most significant is within Chapter 10, when McGrath applies this systematic analysis to the difficult philosophical principle of the "Holy Trinity." McGrath begins his analysis of the "Holy Trinity" by conceding it is the most difficult of all Christian Theological principles for humanity to grasp. McGrath utilizes one of the hallmarks of "systematic theology" into this analysis of the Trinity by recognizing the inherent contradictory nature of the doctrine itself. McGrath asks a very poignant question, how could a monotheistic religion, wholeheartedly endorse the practice of worshiping three separate Gods? In an effort to ascertain the root cause and formulate a logical conclusion, McGrath takes it upon himself to utilize the logic of former President Thomas Jefferson and his statement that the Holy Trinity represents one of the greatest "metaphysical insanities" that can corrupt and infiltrate the logic of humanity and render mankind unable to ponder the very nature that defines himself. This premise creates a framework that McGrath can utilize to examine the nature of the Trinity in an attempt to explain its plausibility. Ultimately, McGrath lays the fault of the inability to comprehend at the feet of human lexicography. Simply, McGrath states that humanity's own lack of linguistically fortitude renders it nearly impossible from the start of any logical examination to fully comprehend and speak in terms that lay bare the philosophical nature of the Holy Trinity-therefore the confusion is not from a "metaphysical disaster" as Jefferson would suggest but rather from the inability to operate a higher plane of cognitive activity.

Conclusion

Through the analysis of McGrath's work, it can be demonstrated that his use of "Systematic Theology" is the core philosophical construct used in his endeavor to draw conclusions from the Bible regarding the variety of complex and intricate themes and philosophical precepts. This is clearly demonstrably established when McGrath applies the logical framework of this construct to the doctrine of the "Holy Trinity." This does not suggest hat McGrath views this concept as more difficult for humans to grasp than others; however this is the one doctrine, according to McGrath that renders Christianity an inherently contradictory philosophy when one attempts to grasp and reconcile the principles of monotheism integrate with a very basic form of polytheism.

Response to Alister E. McGrath's 'Christian Theology: An Introduction"

Reading McGrath's attempt, as noble as it appear to be, to discern the very nature of Christian Theology as it relates to the lending assistance to understanding why Christians think the way they do-which for all intents and purposes is McGrath's main goal of the work, the question that still remains unsolved is that if a concept such as the "Holy Trinity," borrowing a phrase from Jefferson can be a "Metaphysical Disaster" then who is to say the whole of Christian faith is not along the same lines? The concept of the "Holy Trinity" is one of the cornerstones of Christian Theology and if it can be relegated to the level of a metaphysical faux pa then what is to hold the rest of the Christian Theology from the same fate? When one asks themselves these questions, especially if one is a devout Christian, it is not a far leap from simple questions to full blown crises of faith. McGrath does his best; however, to keep the theoretical glue that binds one's faith and religious intellect from blowing apart by attributing the lack of understanding to what essentially amounts to human ignorance.

But to what degree can human ignorance be attributed to a lack of understanding of the "Holy Trinity"? Can one then take this hypothetical model and apply it to all aspects of Christian Faith? McGrath seems to take great pains in detailing how some of the great philosophers, including St. Augustine, grappled with some of the deepest and most meaningful questions and principles that formed the bed rock of the Christian faith. Would McGrath attribute human ignorance to St. Augustine's continued struggle to comprehend the essential nature of "truth" as it relates to the divine and the relationship the divine has with man? In my opinion this idea of attributing everything to "human ignorance" remains to convenient of a scapegoat for McGrath to rely upon. Is it McGrath's way of ensuring that the reader doesn't become to analytical and systematic and begin treating the bible and its theoretical tenants as scientific rules or hypothesis?

I firmly believe that McGrath is sincere in his statements that humanity is unable to fully comprehend the true philosophical nature of the essential precepts of Christianity. After all if a great theologian such as St. Augustine is unable to reconcile something as begning as "truth" then how can it be expected that a normal individual, a lay person, could reconcile two competing, deeply inherent, complex philosophies as monotheism and polytheism-in the case of the "Holy Trinity." In many ways, through his "systematic" approach to studying the bible, McGrath is attempting to justify the concept of "faith." This is a readily apparent justification and one the reader may attempt to accept without question as the underlying explanation as to why humanity cannot fully comprehend the true meaning of what they, those who are Christians, believe. Indeed if one cannot readily accept the construct of faith then the entire logical premise of Christianity is threatened to its very foundation.