The Dialogic Evangelical Theology of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

Kärkkäinen’s five-volume magnum opus is probably the first major evangelical constructive theology this century which takes into account the religious, cultural, and ideological pluralities that the age of globalization has thrust upon us. This collection of wide-ranging essays is the first concerted attempt at critical engagement and it certainly will not be the last. For those unfamiliar with Kärkkäinen’s work, it also serves as an excellent point of entry. -- Simon Chan, editor, Asia Journal of Theology
Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen is an unusual theologian. Both prolific in his output and yet always open to new insights; committed to the broad contours of historic Christianity, and yet desirous of dialogue with thinkers whose views diverge from his own; rooted in European thought, and yet committed to theology as it is expressed in the New World; and evangelical in his Lutheranism, and yet also attuned to the emerging theologies of global Pentecostalism. His five-volume systematic theology is a significant restatement of Christian doctrine that reflects the concatenation of these influences. The authors in this symposium have done a magnificent job of engaging some of the major themes of his project. It is a fitting tribute to the work of an important and influential ecumenical systematic theologian. I warmly commend it. -- Oliver D. Crisp, Principal of St Mary's College and Head of the School of Divinity, University of St. Andrews
This group of diverse scholars do much more than offer critical, dialogical, and rigorous engagement with Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen’s 5-volume project; they further the conversation in significant ways about what it means to envision a Christian constructive theology for the religiously pluralistic and secular world of the third millennium. Anyone interested in what it means to do theology in a “post-everything age” will find this volume invaluable. -- Cheryl M. Peterson, Trinity Lutheran Seminary