Boyd, Gregory A. in The Books Store

Across the Spectrum, written by Gregory A. Boyd and Paul R. Eddy, offers a service to students by carefully examining the various positions taken by evangelical scholars on eighteen seminal issues‹both classic concerns and those of more contemporary interest. Rather than taking sides, however, the authors give readers the resources they need to explore evangelical theological options.

Among the many topics discussed are baptism, the nature of the self, the foreknowledge and providence of God, the interpretation of Genesis 1­2, the destiny of the unevangelized, and the Christology debate.

In the spirit of the popular four-views books, Boyd and Eddy carefully lay out the biblical, theological, and philosophical arguments for each position and discuss possible objections in point-counterpoint fashion. Each chapter also includes a bibliography. A helpful appendix touches on nine additional theological issues.

For some Christian thinkers, the traditional view that God always knows what will happen in the future raises biblical, theological, and philosophical questions. In this accessible, concise, and provocative book, Gregory Boyd shares his process of investigating this important subject and outlines why he believes an alternative view is necessary.

Boyd begins by interpreting and analyzing the most important biblical passagesfirst those that point to the classical view that God possesses exhaustive definite foreknowledge, then those that appear to require an open view of God and the future. A discussion of the practical ramifications clarifies the issue. He then goes on to address eighteen frequently asked questions and objections to the open view and concludes with an appendix examining other open view passages.

A long history of biblical exegesis and theological reflection has shaped our understanding of the atonement today. The more prominent highlights of this history have acquired familiar names for the household of faith: Christus Victor, penal substitutionary, subjective, governmental. Recently the penal substitutionary view, and particularly its misappropriations, has been critiqued, and a lively debate has taken hold within evangelicalism. This book offers a "panel" discussion of four views of atonement maintained by four evangelical scholars. The proponents and their views are:

• Gregory A. Boyd: Christus Victor view
• Joel B. Green: kaleidescopic view
• Bruce R. Reichenbach: healing view
• Thomas R. Schreiner: penal substitutionary view

Following an introduction written by the editors, each participant first puts forth the case for their view. Each view is followed by responses from the other three participants, noting points of agreement as well as disagreement.

This is a book that will help Christians understand the issues, grasp the differences and proceed toward a clearer articulation of their understanding of the atonement.

• Pastors and thoughtful lay people
• Students and professors of theology

• Gives the opportunity to see proponents of various views put forth their case and respond to others.
• Offers perspective on an important debate in evangelical theology.
• Helps readers shape their own views.