Review: John McClean, From the Future.

-->

Review: John McClean (2013). From the Future. Getting to Grips with Pannenberg’s Thought. Paternoster. 157 pages plus endnotes, references and indices.

Wolfgang Pannenberg illustrates some dilemmas in modern theology. How can the faith of the Bible as further defined through the years be re-presented in a listenable form to the modern reader? And again, how can complex matters (described as seeing through the window darkly) be explained in a way that both befits the world of the theologians and the world of every-person?

From the Future arises from the author’s doctoral thesis and sets out to explain and comment on central ideas in Pannenberg’s ideas. The book is well-presented, although there is an error on p16 (last para).

McClean sets Pannenberg in context, introduces his theological method and key themes and then proceeds to an explanation and discussion of some of these themes. McClean has deep respect for Pannenberg but is not afraid to critique his views from within the confessional Presbyterianism with which the author identifies.

Why should anyone apart from professional theologians read this book? Firstly, Pannenberg is a major modern theologian. He is one of those people that serious Christian readers need to be familiar with. Secondly, this is a lucid work both in the exposition of Pannenberg’s views and in McClean’s interactions. Thirdly, it is a book that will help beginning theological students come to grips with a major modern theologian and also think about how to do theology in the present age.

Pannenberg is a difficult writer and leaves readers peering at the glass dimly. McClean makes the glass clearer and resolves some dilemmas for readers of modern theology.

(David Burke is a colleague of John McClean at Presbyterian Theological Centre, Sydney Australia.)