The Paradox of Holiness and Faith in Search of Obedience: His Last Two Unpublished Works

by Donald Bloesch

Publisher:

Hendrickson

, 2016

Overview

For more than forty years, beloved American evangelical theologian Donald Bloesch published scholarly yet accessible works on Protestant beliefs and practices, while remaining in the mainstream of modern Protestant theological thought. Within these pages are his last two previously unpublished works. The Paradox of Holiness is how to live the spiritual life, and Faith in Search of Obedience is how Bloesch himself sought to live that life.

The Paradox of Holiness is a book of devotion as well as theology. It is a venture into the theology of the spiritual life (theologia vitae spiritualis), which flows out of a theology of the Word of God. We need to rediscover the paradox that only those who believe can become holy, but only those who make progress in holiness can believe in the giver and author of holiness—Jesus Christ.

Faith in Search of Obedience is Donald Bloesch’s spiritual autobiography—a theology based on a “faith in search of obedience.” Although we are converted when we are awakened to faith, this conversion must continue as we labor to realize the demands of faith in daily life. As Christians, we are called not only to articulate the faith but also to remain true to it on our earthly sojourn. The Christian life might be depicted as a pilgrimage of faith toward its transcendent goal—the perfection of love through the Spirit.

Key Features

• Points toward the hope, encouragement and new life that comes through the triumph of Christ on the cross
• Provides an honest and sober account of the challenges that may arise throughout the Christian pilgrimage
• Explores the paradox that exists in the pursuit of holiness for those who believe

Contents

• Foreword by Gerald R. McDermott
• Preface by Frederick R. Trost
• Prologue
• The Road to Holiness
• Faith
• Self-Control
• Godly Sorrow
• Joy
• Meekness
• Holy Boldness
• Long-Suffering
• Interior Peace
• Wisdom
• Ardor
• Humility
• Generosity
• Piety
• Love
• The Parad ox of Holiness
• Epilogue

Praise for the Print Edition

Donald Bloesch’s final two books are accurate portraits of the theologian many of us had the honor to know and wonderful introductions to the thought and temperament of a faithful disciple whom others can now have the privilege to know. One book illustrates what I always found most impressive about Donald, while the other helps us to understand how that all came about. For Donald modeled for me how a theologian could keep the main thing the main thing—the good news of God’s grace that has come to us in Jesus Christ—while finding something worthwhile to enrich our theology and our piety in every fellow disciple’s writings and life. Yet, at the same time, he could warn us of the extremes we must avoid if we are to remain spiritually healthy. These books are instructive for those who want to learn how to keep Word and Spirit—doctrine and life—together, while practicing a discerning hospitality toward those who are on the same grace-filled journey.

—Dennis Okholm, Professor of Theology, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California

Donald Bloesch’s spiritual autobiography, Faith in Search of Obedience, and his study of holy, biblical character virtue, The Paradox of Holiness, are a most welcome surprise gift to all thoughtful Christians—pastors, laity, and theologians alike. These two posthumously published works take us straight into the heart, as much as the mind, of one of the greatest theologians of the twentieth century. And there we encounter love for God, not just knowledge about God.

—David W. Gill

Product Details

• Title: The Paradox of Holiness and Faith in Search of Obedience: His Last Two Unpublished Works
• Author: Donald Bloesch
• Publisher: Hendrickson
• Print Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 200
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:PRDXHLNSSNPWRKS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2021-03-22T17:56:06Z

About Donald Bloesch

Donald G. Bloesch Donald G. Bloesch (1928-2010), a noted American theologian, is Professor Emeritus of Theology (1957-1992) at Dubuque Theological Seminary. Bloesch earned a B.A. from Elmhurst College, a B.D. from Chicago Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He did postdoctoral work at the universities of Oxford, Tübingen and Basel, and has written numerous books including the seven-volume systematic theology, Christian Foundations.

(From Theopedia.com. Freely redistributable under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license.)

Sample Pages from The Paradox of Holiness and Faith in Search of Obedience: His Last Two Unpublished Works