The Depth of the Riches: A Trinitarian Theology of Religious Ends (Sacra Doctrina: Christian Theology for a Postmodern Age)

Rating:
Summary: Most significant recent advance in interreligious dialogue
Review: As someone who has studied, written, and taught in the area of interreligious dialogue for the last decade, I judge Dr. Heim's most recent work of great significance. He offers a theological model that presents a way beyond the current exclusivist-inclusivist impasse in discussions about the relative truth of major world religions. The focus is on the goal or "end" of the various religions. While explicitly Christian in perspective, Dr. Heim's analysis presents non-Christian traditions in a manner that would be acceptable to their "insiders." While challenging for those without at least some academic theological background, the author's wonderful use of concrete examples should make the work accessible to a patient reader. This is a "must read" for those involved in interreligious dialogue, and for serious seekers with the requisite background. The author presents an exceptionally clear, nuanced description of the ultimate "destination(s)" possible in major world religious traditions. My hope is that his next work will be on "how to get there."

Rating:
Summary: Most significant recent advance in interreligious dialogue
Review: As someone who has studied, written, and taught in the area of interreligious dialogue for the last decade, I judge Dr. Heim's most recent work of great significance. He offers a theological model that presents a way beyond the current exclusivist-inclusivist impasse in discussions about the relative truth of major world religions. The focus is on the goal or "end" of the various religions. While explicitly Christian in perspective, Dr. Heim's analysis presents non-Christian traditions in a manner that would be acceptable to their "insiders." While challenging for those without at least some academic theological background, the author's wonderful use of concrete examples should make the work accessible to a patient reader. This is a "must read" for those involved in interreligious dialogue, and for serious seekers with the requisite background. The author presents an exceptionally clear, nuanced description of the ultimate "destination(s)" possible in major world religious traditions. My hope is that his next work will be on "how to get there."

Rating:
Summary: Deep and Rich..but..
Review: but Heim is confusing in spots - pg 291 -"the testimony of the religions is essential for internal Christian life." Hmmmmm? I am sure Peter tells us that in Christ we have everything we need in order to have a thriving internal Christian life. Does Heim mean that until I study other religions my Christian life won't be all it can be? This is ludicrous.

Rating:
Summary: Deep and Rich..but..
Review: but Heim is confusing in spots - pg 291 -"the testimony of the religions is essential for internal Christian life." Hmmmmm? I am sure Peter tells us that in Christ we have everything we need in order to have a thriving internal Christian life. Does Heim mean that until I study other religions my Christian life won't be all it can be? This is ludicrous.

Rating:
Summary: Incompatible Ideas Loosely Related
Review: In this book Heim attempts to take the core principle of the Trinity - that of the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and develop a theology that attempts to answer some of the thorny questions posed by questions related to religious pluralism. Heim advocates the belief that each of the world's religious traditions will yield the ultimate end it promises. As an example, Buddhism will most likely lead to the selflessness that it advocates; but no religion will yield the ideal state which is accessible only to those who have embraced Christianity. Heim's position is frankly incompatible with C.S. Lewis' belief that he found it hard to believe that "a Muslim boy raised in a Muslim land who knows only the Muslim God and desires to follow Him will be disappointed." Heim's theology requires us to believe that this Muslim boy, through no fault of his own, will be forced to a lower place in the afterlife because he did not place his faith in Christ alone. John Hick answers Heim in a good review that can be read on-line at Hick's site.

I found the core thesis in this book largely inaccessible; I just could not understand how the Trinity provided an insight into multiple religious ends. I loved Heim's treatment of Dante's Inferno and how that view has been folded into his theology. I am interested in how far people like Heim are willing to go in projecting theologies wholly outside of Scripture, and yet so unwilling to be as philosophically rational when debating that which is within Scripture. I think we all need to be very sensitive to speaking for God as to His ultimate motives, plans and directions. Heim's book is interesting, but unfulfilling and largely inaccessible.