Michael Allen - Reformed Catholicity: The Promise of Retrieval for Theology and Biblical Interpretation

2015 by Michael Allen and Scott R. Swain

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www . bakeracademic . com

Ebook edition created 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-2041-7

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

To anyone familiar with recent initiatives in Protestant life and thought, it is no surprise that Allen and Swain would coauthor such a stirring summons to embrace the fullness of historic Christian catholicity. What many will find surprising is that their renewal through retrieval manifesto takes the form of rehabilitating the much-abused doctrine of sola Scriptura , by turns defending it from detractors and rescuing it from misguided champions. In their hands, this venerable doctrine resumes its function as a guide for engaging the riches of the churchs historic confession, not as an excuse for ignoring pre-Reformation exegesis. Here is Protestant theology that understands itself, its source, and its context with refreshing clarity.

Fred Sanders , Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University

Reformed Catholicity is a timely and important book. While slim in size, it is weighty in its message, which not only encourages us to recognize how we are all traditioned in our faith but also invites us to enter this lively stream that flows from the Scriptures through the people of God to us. Thankfully, these wise authors avoid the growing forms of naive primitivism becoming popular in some circles while also steering clear of the sectarian theological isolation proposed by others. Instead, they invite readers to embrace Reformed catholicity, a theologically informed approach that humbly responds to the revelation of the Triune God, recognizing the organic connection between Scripture and dogma, consciously drawing upon and in conversation with the wisdom of the historic church in both her universal and particular expressions.

Kelly M. Kapic , Covenant College

A refreshing and encouraging retrieval of the churchs rich tradition is occurring among evangelicals in a manner and depth that would have been well-nigh unimaginable thirty years ago. Reformed Catholicity admirably reflects this engagement and will help Reformed readersand those from other traditionsto embrace ever more deeply the wonder and glory of the blessed Trinity.

Christopher A. Hall , Eastern University