The great theologians: a review

¶ … Great Theologians

The purpose of the present paper is to review in depth Gerald R. McDermott's book "The Great Theologians, A brief guide." The first part states the author's basic thesis while analyzing the targeted audience. Its purpose is that of understanding if the author succeeded in meeting his goal. The second part is an analytical summary focused on the book's major points. The analysis, which takes into consideration each of the chapters is supposed to help us better understand the arguments which the author used in order to support his thesis. The last part of the paper is an overall evaluation of the book.

The book is organized in thirteen chapters. The introduction is a short answer to the question why one should study theology while the conclusion underlines what theologians teach us about theology. The other chapters are dedicated to those historical figures whom McDermott considered to be the most relevant in the area of theology: Origen, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Friedrich Schleiermacher, John Henry Newman, Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Blathasar. The purpose of the book, as declared by the author in the first chapter is the one of providing the general public (who is interested in theology) with brief, yet relevant information regarding the people who make a difference in the area of the study of religion.

The target of the book, according to McDermott is represented by all the individuals who believe in god and are interested in religious arguments. His purpose is to help believers understand god and their faith better. He believes that theological matters are too complex in order to be understood without proper knowledge. The basis of this proper knowledge is supposed to be found in the book. Being a scholar in the field of theology, the author believes that he has enough information and insight on the subject in order to fulfil his goal.

By theology in a broad sense, McDermott refers to the paradigm, or put in a simpler way, the perspective through which one judges the facts from the bible and anything that has to do with religion. According to him, people have a personal theology, but at the same time become contaminated with the theology of the others through the contact with their writings, opinions, etc. Since god and the relation between him and life are not simple matters, the author sets his goal at guiding believers in the attempt to better understand them.

The individual study of the bible, in the absence of any other reference point is considered an act of pride and ignorance. Presenting the most important contributions of the most influential theological figures ought to help readers reach a superior state of wisdom.

One of the first aspects which generated controversy is represented by the selection of the figures under McDermott's analysis. There have been voices who have wondered about the criteria which the writer used in order to end up with this final result. The readers might ask themselves if these are the greatest theologians of all times or if someone has been left out, taking into consideration the fact that the list includes eleven names only. And if other figures have been left out, why so.

The author declares that the list of theologians which he takes into consideration is not exhaustive and that his choice was guided by his personal interests and common sense. At this point we might ask ourselves if the book can be reliable and if its overall perspective is not biased- taking into consideration the fact that the selection has been made based on subjective criteria.

However, we must underline that in no passage of the book does the author claim that his view is objective or the best there is. Readers who are interested in the argument and who have already gained some insight can evaluate the book's value on their own, while keeping in mind McDermott's educational background, as well as his professional one. People with different religious orientation may find that the list does not do them justice, but nobody has ever claimed that the book is an encyclopaedia. The chapters analyze the main contributions of the theologians and explaining their impact in the contemporary world while also including some reference to their lives.

In an educational and pleasant tone, the author gives factual information regarding Origen's life in order to help us better understand his importance. He also informs us about his bad reputation or controversial ideas such as the one f absolute freedom of choice. According to McDermott, his greatest contribution is represented by the perspective upon the trinity, the fact that the son is generated by the father and the relationship between the human and the divine nature which could be met in Christ. Asceticism is another idea that we ought to thank Origen for. Furthermore, the perspective according to which the bible and also the church had to have an interpretation of spiritual nature is also owed to him.

The fourfold interpretation of the passages in the scripture is another contribution which we should think Origen for. Origen's contribution is also to be found in the conception that both testament are generated by god and therefore part of a unitary message. In addition, it is him who gives the church the role of truth. According to the author, Origen believed that false doctrine was way worse than false morality and he struggled in order to impose a doctrine of truth while having an open and critical eye regarding the available religious writings. At the end of the chapter the author underlines the main three contributions that Origen brought and suggests not only further readings, but also discussion points which can make the readers better comprehend the chapter's content and its relevance on their own.

Athanasius, the subject of the third chapter is considered "the black monk who saved the faith." In his case as well we are given information regarding his life and episodes which can help us understand how he marked both his contemporary world and ours. one of the conceptions considered to be of utmost importance is the fact that god's divine nature had manifested itself in the human form through the person of Jesus. This divine contamination helps people get closer to god and therefore to the truth. Besides being famous for his opposition against Arianism -- which also got him exiled, Athanasius is to be appreciated for his conception regarding god's incarnation, regarding the reasons for which it was possible and necessary. In addition, we should know that he is the one who underlined the importance of god as a means of salvation and access to eternal afterlife (eternity being one of the characteristics of divinity). The chapter explains how Athanasius succeeded in defeating the arguments of the Arians. The last part is dedicated to explaining the main contributions of the figure under discussion, especially the manner in which he demonstrates the relationship between the holy father and the son.

The fourth chapter is dedicated to the figure which the author considers to be the most influential theologian of all times, namely Augustine. McDermott explains why and how Augustine influenced Christian thought. The writer gives examples of other famous theologians whose works had as a starting point Augustinian ideas ( such as Calvin's ideas about sanctification or predestination). The author then underlines the fact that various concepts brought by Augustine were controversial and he also explains why. One observation that we could make up to this point regards the length of the chapters-considered within the context of the argument on which they debate. As other critics have suggested, the length of the chapters is short and at this point we could ask ourselves if the material which they contain is relevant enough in order to understand the issues which they present. Augustine's conceptions are a relevant example in this regard. Despite the fact that the chapters are not extremely long, the author succeeds in briefly explaining the most important issues. Taking into account that he conceived the book as a mere guide and not as a complex analysis of the eleven theological figures, we could state that his method helped him reach his goal. Just like in the case of the others we get to find out relevant information about Augustine's life, his most important contributions, their impact on the environment in which they were conceived and the "why" of their relevance today. Although he does not cover all of Augustine's ideas in depth, the writer succeeds to explain the basic ideas. Not only does the reader acquire enough information in order to understand the basics of the Augustinian philosophy, but he is also able to evaluate its importance for the Christian thought today.

Another chapter is dedicated to the figure of Aquinas. McDermott presents the relevant facts about his life in an attempt to show the readers how he became the most prominent representative of what is generally called natural theology. In explaining his theories and conceptions regarding the divine nature, the writer helps us understand what the Thomistic school of thought is. It must be underlined that the Thomistic conceptions reach a very profound philosophical level. Regardless of this the author of the book under review manages to introduce them to the general audience through a language and a manner which make them accessible to everyone. Religious issues such as the revelation, the creation of the world in general and of things in particular are briefly explained in a manner which allows the reader to grasp their fundamental meaning. In addition, the writer makes some notes about the Thomistic virtues, explaining Aquinas' contribution to the development of the religious thought.

It is interesting to notice that McDermott's selection includes figures who come from various backgrounds and environments. From Aquinas we pass to Martin Luther, who, in his opinion is the monk who rose up against heaven and earth. Perhaps one of the most exciting idea in the religious filed is that according to which salvation does not derive from a good and morally valid behaviour but is a gift which god makes to man in order to manifest his generosity, to repay him for his faith and to clean him from sin. This writer helps us understand the importance of this distinction. Luther's conceptions as well as relevant data regarding his life and social events which may have influenced his ideas are also presented. Those who did not know that the idea according to which the only source of religious truth is the bible and not the books written and diffused by the church belonged to Luther have the chance to find out now.

John Calvin is introduced as the greatest theologian of the reformed tradition. We get the chance to find out about his main ideas and his most important works. The writer presents interesting facts regarding his life, giving us a hint about the manner in which the social events and the religious atmosphere of his time influenced the development of his religious and philosophical thought. In a brief chapter McDermott succeeds to help the reader understand what is the traditional thought and what its reform consisted in. As the presentation evolves on the temporal axis and society changes, so does the manner in which the religious thought is transformed. McDermott's style helps the reader grasp this aspect as well and this is definitely another strong point in his favour.

It is interesting to notice the classification which the author makes of his chosen figures. If the former one was analyzed in the context of the cultural transformations of his time, Jonathan Edwards is presented as America's theologian. It is the only time that the nationality of the character is considered to be such a determinant factor. We soon understand that this determination has to do with the social, historical and cultural context in which Edwards produced his works. The author explains his main ideas as well as the manner in which they influenced the development of American society at that time.

According to McDermott, the father of liberal theology is Friedrich Schleiermacher. Less known to the general audience compared to the figures previously analyzed, Schleiermacher benefits from the same type of presentation. The readers discover the social persona of the German philosopher and theologian, being introduced to his main ideas and their impact upon the contemporary religious perspective. McDermott underlines the fact that at this point the religious thought is heavily influenced by the development of the religious one. The religious conception of god is no longer free from the philosophical one. The focus shifts more and more towards morality and those elements which are supposed to support it.

John Henry Newman is the Anglican theologian who swam the Tiber. McDermott explains his contribution to the contemporary theologian view, as well as the events which led to his consecration. As the book gets closer to its end, while the construction of the chapters remains the same, the ideas presented undergo significant modifications. In this case faith seems to be the central argument, which is understandable if we are to take in consideration the historical period we are dealing with.