Monthly Archives: October 2018

Soulen-clearing the way for a better story

Posted on October 31, 2018 by theoutwardquest

After a couple of days thinking about the fatal event that happened in Pittsburgh on Saturday, I return to R. Kendall Soulen’s The God of Israel and Christian Theology. Three theologians feature in Soulen’s attempt to reinterpret the Christian gospel. … Continue reading →

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On American Anti-Semitism

Posted on October 30, 2018 by theoutwardquest

I haven’t had cable TV in this century.  So I don’t see CNN, MSNBC, or FOX News.  I gather, though, from what I read online that they are being very politically slanted in their coverage of the Squirrel Hill synagogue … Continue reading →

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Heartache

Posted on October 29, 2018 by theoutwardquest

When I drove to church yesterday morning the radio had Bonnie Tyler, with her unique throaty voice, rasping though “It’s a Heartache”. Somehow that set my mood for the day. Of course, the song is really about a romantic breakup. … Continue reading →

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Soulen-blessing through others

Posted on October 26, 2018 by theoutwardquest

The story Christians tell is often one that moves from the brokenness of sin and separation from God to redemption and reconciliation. It is like the story a recovering alcoholic may tell of reaching rock bottom and then recovering. Or … Continue reading →

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Soulen-fixing the story we tell

Posted on October 24, 2018 by theoutwardquest

In The God of Israel and Christian Theology, R. Kendall Soulen proposes an alternative to the standard story Christian theologians have told since the 2nd century. In a short chapter, he tells us what the rest of the book will … Continue reading →

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Soulen–Barth, Rahner and missed possibilities

Posted on October 22, 2018 by theoutwardquest

R. Kendall Soulen, in The God of Israel and Christian Theology talks about how in the mid to late 20th century the two Karls, Barth and Rahner, attempted to modify the standard Christian model. Both of them were responding to the … Continue reading →

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Soulen-the inward quest of Kant and Schleiermacher

Posted on October 18, 2018 by theoutwardquest

Beginning with the church fathers, the standard canonical narrative told a story that displaced Israel.  However, the God of Israel as portrayed in the Hebrew Scriptures still strongly influenced Christian theology. The rationalist turn in modern theology, especially in Germany, … Continue reading →

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Soulen-Irenaeus and the wrong turn

Posted on October 17, 2018 by theoutwardquest

In The God of Israel and Christian Theology, R. Kendall Soulen often talks about “the standard canonical narrative.” This is the way Christian thinkers have told the biblical story since the second century. Soulen thinks this standard narrative is flawed. … Continue reading →

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Soulen-Jews and Christians beyond PC

Posted on October 15, 2018 by theoutwardquest

I am re-reading R. Kendall Soulen’s The God of Israel and Christian Theology. Soulen makes four preliminary points to his alternative to replacement theology. First, he says that the motive for opposing such theology must have to do with theological … Continue reading →

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Soulen-Israel’s God for Christians

Posted on October 10, 2018 by theoutwardquest

A book I read more than a decade ago has had a profound influence on me. It is R. Kendall Soulen’s The God of Israel and Christian Theology. However, I loaned my copy to somebody or somehow left it behind … Continue reading →

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