Overview

Most systematicians take as their starting point the nature of God, and scripture as the means by which God's nature is revealed, but what would a systematic theology look like that began with an experiential knowledge of God? Here, Edmond Chua offers a method for just such an approach. Beginning with realms of human experience including psychology, cultural diversity and religious plurality, he builds the framework of a systematic theology that is inclusive and pluriform, while retaining the core tenets of a Christian doctrine of God. Notwithstanding his novel methodology, Chua's argument remains biblically rooted and appreciative of the Christian tradition. In the latter half of the book he returns to the classical doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, evil, sin and salvation, allowing his inclusive view of the human religious experience to shed new light on the wisdom bequeathed by Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Barth, and others. The result is a bold Christian vision that is culturally engaged and globally applicable, of interest to systematic theologians while contributing to interreligious dialogue.

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Reviews

Edmond Chua rethinks systematic theology within a global context that engages religious diversity from a conservative Christian framework. Far from a liberal and pluralist account, Chua takes a conservative Evangelical approach, with a literalist biblical hermeneutics, to meaningfully engage interreligious dialogue and learn from other religions. A refreshing voice in the conversation. Paul Hedges, Professor of Interreligious Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Chua offers a stimulating combination of a solid grasp of the Christian tradition with a capacity to proffer novel ideas that may yet resolve theological conundrums, or at least open up the possibility of fresh theological thinking actually making a difference. This is an exciting, must-have book. Douglas Pratt, Honorary Professor in Theological and Religious Studies, University of Auckland, New Zealand In his book Experience, Culture and Religion in Systematic Theology, Edmond Zi-Kang Chua attempts the ambitious multi-volume project of reformulating Christian systematic theology from the global perspective. Gathering insights from experience, culture, and world religions to serve as a foundation for this global theology, Chua reinterprets the doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, theodicy, and sin and salvation. In the process, Chua displays a remarkable familiarity with classical and contemporary theologies and critical insights that are rare even in seasoned theologians. Chua's global theology is still in the making, and one looks expectantly forward to his further reconstruction of the remaining loci theologici. No doubt Chua will be a major player among Asian systematic theologians. Peter C. Phan, Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J. Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Georgetown University, USA.

'Edmond Chua rethinks systematic theology within a global context that engages religious diversity from a conservative Christian framework. Far from a liberal and pluralist account, Chua takes a conservative Evangelical approach, with a literalist biblical hermeneutics, to meaningfully engage interreligious dialogue and learn from other religions. A refreshing voice in the conversation.' - Paul Hedges, Associate Professor in Interreligious Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore   'Chua offers a stimulating combination of a solid grasp of the Christian tradition with a capacity to proffer novel ideas that may yet resolve theological conundrums, or at least open up the possibility of fresh theological thinking actually making a difference. This is an exciting, must-have book.' - Douglas Pratt, from the Foreword    

Author Information

Edmond Zi-Kang Chua (PhD, University of Otago, NZ) is an academic researcher specialising in the Trinity, systematics, patristics and Asian theology. He is author of 'God-ness', 'God-ity', and God: A Historical Study and Synthesis of the Christian Doctrine of the Divine Being, on Trinitarian coherence; and A Systematic Theology from East Asia: Jung Young Lee's Biblical-Cultural Trinity.

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