The eminent New Testament scholar, Craig Keener, in his article on “Transformed Thinking in Paul’s Letters,” introduces and investigates an important area of Pauline theology that has not received adequate attention among biblical scholars. Exploring select passages on mind in Romans and the Corinthian letters, Keener seeks to unearth Paul’s treatment on human reasoning which is corrupted by sin and the possibility of its being renewed by the Spirit into the image of God.
In his paper on “Development Economics: Biblical Perspectives,” Simon Samuel attempts to bring out the biblical perspectives on development economics by unpacking three anecdotes on development in India. The author fears that development patterned after the the great European and American dreams as well as the traditional development model that promotes an industrialized and urban-centered economy is detrimental to the lives of people and environment. Drawing on the biblical creation and land theology which was further affirmed by Jesus, Samuel underlines the importance of an economic paradigm grounded on the principles of egalitarianism and stewardship in the use of earth’s resources that must characterize the life and praxis of the church in India.
Hans Schwarz, in his article on the Trinity, brings a caution on the contemporary Trinitarian explorations which he regards as unwarranted speculations of a doctrine which does not have sufficient biblical warrant. He disapproves the attempts to delve into the ontological mystery of the Trinity which cannot be made subject to the conjecture of human reasoning. In his opinion, it should suffice us to be content with belief in one God, the Father, who has revealed himself in the Son of God, the human face of God, and is active in the world through the Holy Spirit. While affirming his unflinching faith in the Trinity, Schwarz is making a plea for exercising intellectual modesty and theological restraint in our attempts at fathoming this divine mystery.
John Davis, in his article on divine immutability, proposes a revision of this doctrine as taught in classical theism represented in Thomas Aquinas. The author bases his proposal on three arguments. First is a move from Being and substance to a Trinitarian concept of person as the point of departure for the discourse on the biblical doctrine of God; second, a distinction between God’s ability to experience the mutable and painful emotions in relation to the world and the inherent divine ability for experience at a metaconscious level; and the third, proposal for a new technical term, analogical complementarity, to conceptualize the relationship of time and timelessness in relation to God. This reformulation attempts to recognize how God, while being immutable in being and character, can be truly responsive to human needs and emotions.
In his article on Clement of Alexandria, P. V. Joseph examines Clement’s attempt to build a bridge between Christianity and Greek philosophy. Clement attributed the presence of truth in Greek philosophy to the biblical God and regarded Greek culture and philosophy as providentially intended as a praeparatio evangelica. The author believes that Clement’s critical engagement with Greek philosophy provides a paradigm beyond the extreme postures of broad condemnation and naïve acceptance of non-Christian faiths to one that is grounded on Christian orthodoxy as well as one that is broad enough to appreciate lights on the other side.
In his paper on the emerging paradigm shifts in Christianity, Timothy Tennent examines the major paradigm shifts in global Christianity identified from a study of global revitalization movements. These paradigm shifts include the gospel’s prophetic role in a post-Christian context and its fresh encounter with challenging situations in the world, the remarkable growth of a fourth branch of Christianity, and the postmodern challenges to Christian mission. The author seems convinced that the global emergence of Christian revitalization is a witness to the ultimate triumph of the gospel.
The final paper in this issue, although a little removed from the typically academic tone, by the renowned Old Testament scholar, Walter Kaiser, offers valuable and practical lessons on marriage, family, and parenting from the book of Proverbs. Kaiser’s insights are instructive and timely in the context of increasing breakdown of families and the changing concept of marriage in our society.