The Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology . a critique
The believer wishing to learn something of traditional systematic theology will need to look elsewhere. This volume is not for such.
The introduction announces “Evangelical theology has come of age…. [it] has accepted the collapse of foundationalism—the notion that there are, or should be, logical or rational grounds for belief.”
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11: 3
This book is produced by the elite of the modern theologians with the intent of deposing God. It is edited by Gerald R McDermott, PhD, Professor of Religion at Roanoke College. AND what is not revealed in this book: His “expertise” includes Mormon-Evangelical Dialogue.
Emerging churchism is being presented in which absolutes do not exist and where a Jesus is revealed who bears no resemblance to the Christ of Scripture, being rather, a man who gradually became aware of his identitiy.(p.213)
Conversion becomes a process, and is certainly not a crisis experience. Baptism of the Spirit coincides with water baptism. We quote, “Might this be a way in which Charismatic and evangelical Christians can find common ground? Locate the baptism of the Spirit clearly and explicitly in the experience of water baptism.”.(p.218)
The thrust of this book is summed up in the statement,
The recent evangelical engagement with missional ecclesiology is but one sign of convergence—drawing together diverse historical traditions (catholic, charismatic, social-ethical, and evangelical), and distinct parties in today’s church (conciliar, Roman Catholic, evangelical, and so on)—to produce a more complete and convincing witness to the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. —The Lausanne Movement and Contemporary Evangelical Mission Theology; OHET; p.351
There is no mention of the Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists in this statement, but they are involved in this drawing together. There is no mention of Fundamentists here but they are excluded and there is no conciliation offered to them.
Fundamentalists are essentially those who have experienced a biblical conversion and are Bible believers.
The Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology presents apostasy as “a more complete and convincing witness to the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ”.
Published by OUP; 2010.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Cor. 6: 17