Discerning the Divine: God in Christian Theology - Callen, Barry L. Westminster John Knox, 2004. 238p. $19.95, paperback. ISBN-10: 0-664-22752-X. ISBN-13: 978-0-664-22752-4. 231 God (Christianity). Theology, Doctrinal.

Barry Callen is a professor of Christian studies and the editor of Wesleyan Theological Journal. He has provided an exploration of Christian theology, citing many resources “ancient and contemporary, conservative, without overloading the reader with incomprehensible language.”

Callen states that this text seeks to use Christian theology to answer basic questions about God. He provides a range of answers that Christians have developed across the centuries. Topics considered include the complex God question, the theistic quest, God known as God acts, current readings of the classic Christian tradition, an obituary for the divine, our suffering and God’s, and many others. Each chapter begins with relevant quotes, and many contain helpful lists or diagrams.

As with other books on theology, this text requires an active reader willing to contemplate and wrestle with the ideas presented. But this one is easier for the novice reader of theology than most. Discerning the Divine is appropriate for congregational and academic libraries and will prove helpful for those seeking a greater understanding of the concept of God through theology. A user-friendly glossary is included.

Sharon Hinton
First United Methodist Church
Floydada, Texas