The Problem with Evangelical Theology

Ben Witherington III is Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary. His publications include Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (2007), Making a Meal of It: Rethinking the Theology of the Lord's Supper (2007), The Living Word of God: Rethinking the Theology of the Bible (2007), What's in the Word: Rethinking the Socio-Rhetorical Character of the New Testament (2009), and The Problem with Evangelical Theology: Testing the Exegetical Foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism, Wesleyanism, and Pentecostalism, Revised and Expanded Edition (2015).

Overture: The Legacy of the Reformers PART ONE. Augustine's Children: The Problems with Reformed Theology 1 Oh Adam, Where Art Thou? 2 Squinting at the Pauline "I" Chart 3 Laying Down the Law with Luther 4 Awaiting the Election Results PART TWO. On Dispensing with Dispensationalism 5 Enraptured but not Uplifted: The Origins of Dispensationalism and Prophecy 6 What Goes Up, Must Come Down: The Problem with Rapture Theology 7 Will the Real Israel of God Please Stand Up? PART THREE. Mr. Wesley Heading West 8 Jesus, Paul, and John: Keeping Company in the Kingdom 9 New Birth or New Creatures? 10 Amazing Prevenient Grace and Entire Sanctification PART FOUR. The Long Journey Home-Where Do We Go from Here? 11 Reimagining the Mystery 12 And So? Coda: Rebirth of Orthodoxy or Return to Fundamentalism? Notes Works Cited Index

Evangelicals of all stripes need to take account of Witherington's contentions here--to make us exegetically honest and theologically responsible. He takes on the three streams of evangelicalism: Reformed, Wesleyan, and Dispensationalist views to examine their exegetical foundations and theological structures. The result is critique, but also a call for biblical orthodoxy and proclamation of biblical truth in postmodern society. His perspectives should gain a wide hearing. --Donald K. McKim, Editor, Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith For Baptist ministers and lay people who are willing to be challenged, however, this book would be a lively read. Witherington identifies biblical illiteracy as a serious problem among evangelicals today. --Warren McWilliams "Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry" This volume has given me a renewed appreciation for our Restoration Plea and its great hermeneutical and ecclesiastical potential. And it has chastened me to not only champion the authority of Scripture alone but continually to allow that holy book to reform my theology. --Robert C. Kurka, Professor of Bible and Theology, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary "Stone Campbell Review" Witherington has much to commend in his new edition. He interweaves an illustrious career of technical exegesis with humorous and serious exhortations to scholars and laypeople alike. --Benjamin B. De Van "Wesley and Methodist Studies"