Dialogic Evangelical Theology of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

In this book, established scholars from different religions, regions, and disciplines continue the dialogue that Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen began in his A Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World series and respond to his work in light of their diverse expertise and context. Each of the three parts focuses on a key area of Kärkkäinen’s engaging work: 1) highlighting how his method shaped each volume, 2) highlighting his commitment to global perspectives, and 3) highlighting his interreligious and interdisciplinary dialogue partners. Together, these essays seek to deepen and extend the impact of Kärkkäinen’s work, taking it seriously as a substantive model for contemporary systematic theology in listening and engaging with this world.

Kärkkäinen's five-volume magnum opus is probably the first major evangelical constructive theology this century which takes into account the religious, cultural, and ideological pluralities that the age of globalization has thrust upon us. This collection of wide-ranging essays is the first concerted attempt at critical engagement and it certainly will not be the last. For those unfamiliar with Kärkkäinen's work, it also serves as an excellent point of entry.--Simon Chan, editor, Asia Journal of Theology, This group of diverse scholars do much more than offer critical, dialogical, and rigorous engagement with Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen's 5-volume project; they further the conversation in significant ways about what it means to envision a Christian constructive theology for the religiously pluralistic and secular world of the third millennium. Anyone interested in what it means to do theology in a "post-everything age" will find this volume invaluable.--Cheryl M. Peterson, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen is an unusual theologian. Both prolific in his output and yet always open to new insights; committed to the broad contours of historic Christianity, and yet desirous of dialogue with thinkers whose views diverge from his own; rooted in European thought, and yet committed to theology as it is expressed in the New World; and evangelical in his Lutheranism, and yet also attuned to the emerging theologies of global Pentecostalism. His five-volume systematic theology is a significant restatement of Christian doctrine that reflects the concatenation of these influences. The authors in this symposium have done a magnificent job of engaging some of the major themes of his project. It is a fitting tribute to the work of an important and influential ecumenical systematic theologian. I warmly commend it.--Oliver D. Crisp, University of St Andrews

Peter Heltzel is a visiting researcher at Boston University School of Theology.Patrick Oden is affiliate assistant professor of theology and church history at Fuller Theological Seminary.Amos Yong is professor of theology and mission and dean of the School of Mission and Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.