Christian Theology in the Pluralistic World: A Global Introduction

by Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

Kärkkäinen’s acclaimed five-volume constructive theology abridged in one accessible volume

Providing a new and unique way of doing theology in our pluralistic world, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen presents historic Christian doctrines in relation to the natural sciences and four other living faiths—Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. This textbook covers all systematic topics along with a host of current issues such as violence, colonialism, inclusivity, sociopolitical liberation, environmental care, and more.

Accessible and student-friendly, Christian Theology in the Pluralistic World is the ideal text for exploring a theological vision at once rooted in the Christian tradition and constructive in its engagement with the complexities of our global, pluralistic world.

Genres: Theology

1020 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2019

About the author

Veli-Matti Käkkäinen is professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He has published numerous articles in international journals of theology.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veli-Matti is a fascinating theologian for two reasons. One the one hand, the reader gets the sense that he is just another progressive theologian along the lines of Ottati or Gerrish, to name a few recent examples, with his sympathetic reading of feminist, liberation and eco-theologians. On the other hand, he holds to a classic Christology and affirms a (more-or-less) traditional eschatology in light with more traditionally voices. Added to this is the author's conversation with four living faiths: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Based on Veli's eclecticism, a few highlights are in order. First, he describes his doctrine of God as panentheistic. Second, he subscribes to theistic evolution. Third, he argues that justification is a transformative event. Fourth, while he denies dogmatic universalism, he argues for something approaching the hopeful universalism of Barth. Fifth, he argues that, while God does supernaturally heal people, he doesn't do so all the time. Sixth, he dismisses classical dispensationalism without hesitation because of its lack of historical attestation. Seventh, he advocates for a social trinitarianism.

The greatest strength of this book is Veli's comparison of Christianity with the four living faiths. Additionally, while some may disagree, his engagement with liberation theology offers food for thought. In sum, this abridgement of his five-volume systematic can be summarized in this way: progressive without being liberal (he even uses the word 'liberal' negatively), evangelical but not fundamentalist, irenic yet with conviction, in dialogue with other faiths without relinquishing the essential soteriological exclusivism of Christianity, and, finally, modern yet traditional. Worth reading for any serious student of Christian theology as it relates to the pluralism of our (post)modern age.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much better systematic theology textbook than previous ones by fundamentalists. It truly is an introduction that delves into each of the key doctrinal systematic or constructive theologies--see the table of contents. This one seeks to be Ecumenical, while introducing newer theologies such as Liberation Theology, Feminist, and Womanist theologies. Not much time is spent there but they are mentioned and footnoted to encourage the reader to go to the source and go deeper. It attempts to decenter the Global North and Western Patriarchal HeteroNormative views and does a decent job. The author is an ecumenically-minded Finnish Seminary professor and acknowledges his own views and biases. I appreciated the inclusion of other faiths for a comparative religion approach, but also felt some of those views were often stereotypes and fail to account for the range of views and perspectives in various religions. Abrahamic Religions are mentioned with the addition of Hinduism and Buddhism, but these again were marginal. It's a chunky book, but a great reference for your home theology library. The language is academic, but it does a good job explaining terms and breaking things down, and includes historical context of how certain doctrines or creeds came to be and why they were important. See "against heresies" and how the creeds were written against very specific heresies about the nature of God, Trinity, and Christ, which really helps put them into perspective and they're importance for the wider church.

[Graydon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book about Christian theology in the modern world. It covers so many theological topics and covers how other major religions approach similar ideas. This is a great reference to have on the shelf!

[Iona Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very thorough understanding of Christianity and other religions/world views, however it was too progressive for me and my beliefs in the Christian faith.