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Mouw is searching for a theology of commonness that does not categorically endorse "the moral and rational capacities of human beings in general." He wants instead a hermeneutic of caution that breeds "an ad hoc approach to evaluating the moral and intellectual capacities of the unregenerate." This means holding on to the classic understanding that the church stands over against society, both as a positive witness and as a prophetic critique.

Third, common-grace theology combats the historic evangelical tendency to devalue works of mercy and artistic creations except as entry points for evangelism. Unlike classic liberalism, common-grace thinking does not downplay the Doctrine of Redemption as it lifts up the Doctrine of Creation. It simply echoes God's own "very good," participating in his delight in the creatures he has made and their accomplishments.

Mouw concludes his book with reflections on messiness and mercy—on messiness because common-grace thinking calls us to stand between categorical embrace and categorical rejection. But common-grace thinking is not really so much about tolerating theological messiness as it is about experiencing mystery. Mouw aptly quotes Thomas Weinandy's remark that theology is a mystery-discerning enterprise rather than a problem-solving one. And in the end as in the beginning, he reflects on mercy because "God's deep love for humanity persists even despite the effects of sin," and common-grace thinking calls us to participate in that love.

David Neff is editor of CT.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also appearing on our site today:

The Uncommon Benefits of Common GraceAn Interview with Richard Mouw.

He Shines In All That's Fair received an Award of Merit in the 2002 CT Book Awards and is available from Christianbook.com.

Read more about Richard J. Mouw at Fuller Seminary's Web site.

Previous Christianity Today articles by Mouw include:

'You're Right, Dr. McIntire!'In the world of ecumenical Protestantism, some owe Carl McIntire an apology for dismissing his warnings. (May 17, 2002)

Resisting Church DivorceDenominational conflicts may arise from views of God rather than competing worldviews. (June 18, 2001)

The Chosen People PuzzleWhen it comes to relating to the Jewish people, should we dialogue, cooperate, or evangelize? (March 9, 2001)

Fundamentalism RevisitedEvangelicals would do well to remember fundamentalism as family history. (November 11, 2000)

This World Is Not My HomeWhat some mainline Protestants are rediscovering about living as exiles in a foreign culture. (May 5, 2000)

Mormon MakeoverAn effective evangelical witness hinges on understanding the new face of Latter-day Saints. (March 9, 2000)

Abraham Kuyper: A Man for This SeasonThe surprisingly relevant advice of a Dutch statesman for engaging postmodern culture. (Oct. 5, 1998)

To the Jew FirstWitnessing to the Jews is nonnegotiable. (Aug. 11, 1997)

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July 8 2002, Vol. 46, No. 8