The End Is Music: A Companion to Robert W. Jenson's Theology

by Chris E.W. Green

Robert Jenson has been praised by Stanley Hauerwas, David Bentley Hart, Wolfhart Pannenberg, and others as one of the most creative and important contemporary theologians. But his work is daunting for many, both because of its conceptual demands and because of Jenson's unusual prose style. This book is an attempt to give Jenson the kind of hearing that puts his creativity and significance on display, and allows newcomers to and old friends of his theology the opportunity to hear it afresh.

Genres: Theology

118 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2018

Reviews

[David S Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intro to Jenson that is also a piece of theology itself

I don’t know much about Robert Jenson, so this book served for me as not just companion but introduction.

Green frames the book around six chapters - God; Truth; Creation; Salvation; Church; and Kingdom. Each offering a particular perspective on this major point of Jenson’s theology.

In each chapter he captures the intended goal of “companion” well. You feel like a friend of Jenson’s is showing you through Jenson’s most prized thoughts. This is done with Green’s obvious joy in Jenson’s work. Put simply, this book makes me want to read more Jenson.

However, I also think the book stands as its own piece of theology. The chapter on Creation is quite brilliant (I note the resonances with JKA Smith’s recent work on time).

Green writes in a wonderful way. It’s a gift to explain theology as he does. So while I expect to go and read more Jenson now, I’m not sure if I’ll enjoy reading it as much as this.

[Dominic Budhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As somebody who has read Jenson’s Systematics, this book is what I wish I had read before I had waded into them. Green offers a brief, yet packed analysis of Jenson’s work and which proves to be an incredibly clarifying map to appreciating and understanding the vast, complex and fascinating work of this theologian. If Green was aiming for people to discover more of Jenson’s work and to develop their understanding of the God he wrote so passionately about, then the book is a great success. I have dug out several essays from Jenson while reading this book, because this book compels readers to go to the source material. But without this book I would have to say Jenson’s thought would remain largely inaccessible to me. Thankfully, this book exists.

[Jon Håversen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veldig imponert over hvordan forfatteren har oppsummert Robert Jensons innviklede teologi på en forståelig og håndterbar måte. God pedagogisk! Det er mye med Jensons teologi som er kontroversielt, og det kunne vært litt gøy å fått med litt mer av det. Samtidig opplever jeg også at forfatteren hopper bukk over noen av de viktigste delene i Jensons teologi, feks hans bibelsyn. Ellers en meget god og leseverdig bok om man ønsker å forstå en litt annerledes luthersk teolog.

[Kathleen Krynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Jenson is very difficult to understand, but this book was quite straightforward! Green is very good at explaining. I don't know that I fully grasped all of it but I'll definitely be returning to this as I study Jenson more this fall. I do suspect Green is probably being too charitable in some places, especially regarding the doctrine of God.

[James Criswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I don’t know Jenson’s work well enough to know how accurately this book represents his theology, but I hope it does because I found so much of this book helpful in my own theological wisdom.

[Graham Hoppstock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful guide to Jenson’s theology. Very well written and makes Jenson quite accessible. Responds well to much of the bad scholarship that has surrounded Jenson’s reception also.

[Joel Stockstill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

This guide to Jenson's theology is approachable and yet remains very potent. Green does a fantastic job summarizing the work of a theological giant. I highly recommend!

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My intro to Jenson, on Green's recommendation. I'm liking Jenson so far...