Review
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Title: The Thiselton Companion to Christian Theology
Author: Anthony C. Thiselton
Publisher: Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2015
Number of pages: 860
Binding: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-8028-7232-6
Price: $75.00
Reviewed by Dale E. Luffman for the Association for Mormon Letters
It’s not often that one encounters a significant single-authored volume touting itself as a companion to Christian theology. Many such one-volume texts on Christian theology are usually written, and edited, by a number of scholar/authors. Usually such volumes are written to provide a convenient, contributive resource to a specific reading public as is this volume. But therein lies the difference. Whereas volumes written by a variety of authors offer the reader competent and helpful material, the very nature of multiple writers often produces mixed results. The treatment of various subjects and topics sometimes is frequently uneven, corroding the quality of such a volume.
The Thiselton Companion to Christian Theology is a unique, single 860 page volume written by a single author, a work produced through a singular lens. One might draw back from this if this volume were being written by anyone other than this particular author/theologian. This is an exceptional work, written by one of Great Britain’s leading theological scholars, offering a one-volume authoritative guide to most aspects of theology in contemporary Christian faith. It should be noted that Anthony C. Thiselton is professor emeritus of Christian theology at the University of Nottingham, England, and the author of many books and scholarly articles. There appears to be, for the most part, a certain judicious balance in Thiselton’s work. It is written in the form of an A-Z theological dictionary, written in such a manner so as to serve as both a research tool as well as an excellent teaching resource. Its coherence is rather astounding.
Several distinctive features regarding the Companion to Christian Theology should be noted. Firstly, there are over 600 articles in this book, all carefully written by Thiselton. In reviewing the volume the reader will discover, secondly, that articles that appear are given various amounts of attention and print based on their significance and relevance to contemporary Christian theology. For example, the entry titled “Epistemology” (page 301) is given three sentences and six lines of print, whereas articles such as “God”, “Christology”, and the “Holy Spirit” vary between 20,000 to 28,000 words apiece. And the article on “Atonement” warrants in excess of 16,000 words. A unique feature of the longer entries is that they are often sub-divided into topically identifiable categories, making for quicker access to the information being sought. Many of the entries [those in excess of 700 words] are accompanied by bibliographies and recommendations for further reading.
408 entries are what I would describe as shorter articles in that they do not exceed 1,000 words. Not only are various theological and doctrinal topics given consideration, but one of the wonderful contributions of this volume is the treatment of seminal contributors to Christian theology. Karl Barth, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Martin Luther, Augustine, John Calvin, Karl Rahner, and many others receive competent and careful treatment, as well as a host of lesser known, but also important, contributors to Christian theology such as Ambrosiaster, Boethius, George Fox, Gotthold Lessing, Richard of St. Victor, etc. This is a specifically Christian theological volume. Thiselton intentionally avoids any attempts at exploring views of other religious traditions. This is important to note.
Opening the volume, one is encountered almost immediately by several very helpful resources [page xi –xxiii]. A “Time Chart” listing entries based on their historical location greets the reader. The Time Chart is based on the listing of historical figures and events [e.g. “Conversion” of Constantine] by centuries. For example, the “Second Century” lists Ignatius of Antioch, Didache, Justin, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Marcion. These listings are then found alphabetically in the Companion itself. The “Time Chart” is followed by a “List of Entries,” from Abba to Ulrich Zwingli. These two charts allow a reader to immediately check the front of the volume to determine whether or not the topical entry and commentary is in the volume. This is a nice touch.
Despite the remarkable breadth and scholarly erudition evidenced in this volume by its author, I need to state several concerns about the content. I note a glaring absence of both a listing of women historical figures as well as issues not exclusively associated mainly with traditional Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions. It is Orthodox light. And significantly lacking are entries for women. Only five are included: Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, Sarah Coakley and Kathryn Tanner. Fideism and Fundamentalism are addressed as topics, but not Feminism. Why? These are unfortunate oversights and exclusions, surprising for a valuable contemporary reference that otherwise evidences a remarkable breadth, and given the scholarly erudition of the entries in this volume. This being said, one of the refreshing characteristics of this volume is that Anthony C. Thiselton often offers his own judgment or comment, while making every apparent attempt at being clear and accurate in his writing. This is reflected in the “suggested reading” that appears at the end of a number of longer articles.
Despite my misgivings regarding the oversights of this work, this volume remains a work worthy of being carefully referenced and studied. For teachers and students of theology as well as educational institutions, Thiselton’s work warrants a place on the shelf. I have placed it in a conspicuous place in my library for quick access.
For persons and educational institutions in the Latter-day Saint community there would be a significant benefit from owning this volume and having it secured in an accessible place on the book shelf. Latter-day Saints will benefit by comparing the unique elements of the LDS religious tradition in relation to the manner in which Thiselton has represented Christian theology in this volume. It would be difficult to find a better reference.
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company is to be commended for publishing this timely and helpful one volume work — The Thiselton Companion to Christian Theology. As the title suggests, it has the potential of accompaniment, and will serve as a valuable guide and companion to its user, be it for teaching, research, or understanding. Recommended for purchase.