Neil B. MacDonald (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is currently a lecturer in theology at the University of Surrey Roehampton in London. Academic specialization can lead to a lack of communication among closely related disciplines, with theology and biblical studies being a case in point. MacDonald attempts to bridge these two disciplines with help from analytic philosophy. So then, this volume is an attempt by a non-evangelical to overcome the barriers between biblical studies, philosophy and systematic theology.

Within this volume, MacDonald covers a broad range of theologians and philosophers, including Aristotle, Anselm, Augustine, and N. T. Wright, though he approaches theology from a broadly Barthian perspective. MacDonald seeks to bridge systematic theology of the Old Testament with systematic theology of the New Testament, and he does so by illustrating the God of Israel as essentially a judging, yet desisting, and forbearing entity. This judging, yet desisting, and forbearing God reveals himself in creation, in the Exodus, in primeval history, in Deuteronomistic history, and ultimately within the Gospel narrative.

MacDonald insists that thinking about God in terms of divine identity is more profitable for a comprehensive systematic theology than is thinking about God in terms of the patristic concept of ousia (i.e., substance). MacDonald believes that it is only by understanding the Old and New Testaments in terms of the identity of the God of Israel – and the historical man Jesus of Nazareth – that systematic theology can be done. Thus, MacDonald argues that the heart of systematic theology is a God who is self-determining. In so arguing, MacDonald asserts that God creates whatever is necessary for the existence of events other than himself. In this way of thinking, God created time and space by determining himself to be the creator time and space. Therefore, MacDonald argues that God creates out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo). In so arguing, MacDonald suggests that God’s self-determining self is a sufficient cause (read that very slowly…). This idea will likely find many supporters within the readership of The Pneuma Review.

However, MacDonald does posit some ideas that may conflict with the readers of The Pneuma Review. For example, he strongly asserts that every sub-discipline within the biological sciences – genetics, molecular biology, immunology, general medicine, and so on – cannot function either theoretically or experimentally without the theory of genetical evolution via natural selection (better known as Neo-Darwinism). Moreover, MacDonald intimates that humanity is imago dei (i.e., in the image of God) only by happenstance, as any relational creature could have been such – if decreed by God – no matter what their natural properties may have turned out to be. In so defining the image of God, MacDonald disregards centuries of scholars and laypeople alike who have thought of the imago dei as consisting of some type of rationality or righteousness.

All in all, MacDonald does a good job of drawing the salvation work of God together in both testaments and firmly integrates Christian salvation history with Jewish scriptural traditions, though he fails to overcome the classic problems of natural theology by inadequately defining the somewhat vague and ambiguous term “determines.” However, MacDonald is not convincing in arguing that God possesses both time and space, nor that the classical view of God as outside of space and time represents a limit upon his freedom.

Reviewed by Bradford McCall

Originally published on the Pneuma Foundation (parent organization of PneumaReview.com) website on May 23, 2008.

Gordon MacDonald, Ordering Your Private World, expanded edition (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997) 228 pages, ISBN 9780840733863.

This book has become a classic among Christian leaders, and I can whole-heartedly agree. The general theme of this book is the necessity of putting the inner life in order and how to do so. Books on managing time or on ‘managing’ other spheres of life are common. This book is different in that Gordon MacDonald looks at ordering all areas of life including mental, spiritual, recreational, educational, and motivational.

MacDonald’s main points include the following:   recognizing and diagnosing the problem of disorganization, understanding the importance of ordering the inner life (spiritual life), recognizing the root of our motivation, coming to grips with the proper use and misuse of time, the necessity of continuing to grow, building spiritual strength through the proper use of spiritual disciplines, and understanding God’s intention and purpose for the shabbat (sabbath rest).

I found this book to be immensely challenging and something I will need to return to more than once in the future. Although I did not personally find MacDonald’s stories particularly memorable, his broad use of illustrations helped to draw me in to his point and see with clarity what he was pointing out. I realized that the areas of motivation/calling, use of time, mental growth, building trust in God, and partaking of true rest are areas I need to continue to grow in. Some of these struck me as areas I best not be slack in. The chapters on the use and misuse of time were very eye-opening and gripping for me. I have come away from this book with a sense of urgency to put my use of time under greater scrutiny and thereby, by the grace of God, engender a more fulfilling spiritual life. Also I have recognized the necessity of establishing a better expression of the shabbat in my family while my children are still young.

I believe most readers will find some real food for thought in these pages.

Reviewed by Raul Mock