The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology

Taking sharp issue with Lindbeck's The Nature of Doctrine, Vanhoozer insists that doctrine originates outside of ourselves in the very words of Scripture itself. It is therefore the Christian's vocation to discern and play one's role in the drama of redemption with "creative fidelity." 488 pages, softcover. Westminster/John Knox.

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Reviewed by S Lowery (Glen Ellyn, IL), October 16, 2009

Vanhoozer's book explores how theology guides and shapes the Christian's efforts to live out their faith. This book is both challenging and exciting to read! One particularly fantastic aspect of this book is that Vanhoozer keeps reminding the reader of the role all believers have in thinking about and being a part of the divine theodrama. Theology is for all believers, whether professional theologians or not!

Reviewed by Steve Duby (Denver, CO), July 22, 2008

The praises of McGrath, Tanner, and Webster featured on the back cover of this book are well-deserved. Vanhoozer demonstrates a depth of insight and creativity that ought to sharpen and inspire a great many Christian thinkers. His situating Scripture within the economy of God's redemptive engagement of humanity and his references to the canon as the "normative specification" of the gospel are refreshing ways of construing something of the nature of Scripture. From this vantage point, he offers a well-aimed critique of Lindbeck's regulative theory of doctrine, emphasizing that the ultimate theological authority is not the church's use of Scripture but rather God's use of Scripture. Yet Vanhoozer ceaselessly emphasizes that theological reflection on canonical teaching gives rise to more (not less) than assertions about certain features of reality. In his view doctrine also directs the people of God concerning how we may fittingly participate in the theo-drama unfolding in our midst. In turn, I think that this book may be a powerful tool to encourage pastors' to delve more deeply into theological reflection. Those who wish to benefit from this book will be obliged to learn to speak Vanhoozer's language (words and phrases like "canonical practices" and "performance interpretation" abound), but the effort will indeed be worthwhile!

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