Samuel Adams: The Reality of God and Historical Method
In chapter five, Adams tries to explain how one should write and understand history assuming the reality of God as a theological given. Here, he makes explicit the implied assertion that history must look very different when done theologically. He argues that the cross marks the end of human history and that, as a result no knowledge of Christ whatsoever can be derived from it. Accordingly, Adams argues that the way Wright limits theology to an element of the biblical authors’ worldviews is actually anti-theological. Adams claims that knowledge of God must be approached differently, but does not put forward an alternative historical method: “Hearing and proclamation might be better. Prayer and doxology come to mind as well” (227; italics original).
This is an exciting and frustrating book, and the tension can be seen in the difference between its title and subtitle. The broad question of the title is one which is vitally important in our current academic climate. Indeed, Adams does well to ask how the reality of God should impact historical-critical research. This is a vital question believing scholars would be foolish to ignore. The answer he gives – summed up in his subtitle – is the weaker for being easily dismissible, as it appears to assume direct knowledge of God. As a result, Adams occasionally seems to be writing from a God’s-eye perspective and simply replaces history with theology. This is ultimately unconvincing, as the Christian faith is intimately tied to the historical reality of Jesus Christ.
Reviewed by Mark Wreford
Publisher’s page: http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=4914
Category: In Depth, Spring 2016
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