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Theology in the News

My Top Ten Theology Stories of 2009

Counting down the events, debates, and books that shaped evangelical theology over the past year.

Collin Hansen | posted 12/28/2009 09:10AM

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Theology is not a discipline perfectly suited for annual evaluation. New insights and challenges may bounce around theological journals and conferences for decades before breaking into popular discourse. But unexpected events often intrude on these discussions and bring certain doctrines to the forefront. My criteria for compiling such a top ten list are admittedly subjective, based on another year of tracking evangelical life, thought, and mission for Theology in the News.

1.Both NIV and TNIV Will Be Phased Out Being people of the Book, evangelicals are sensitive about their Bible translations. So the evangelical world reacted with shock when Zondervan and Biblica announced that the best-selling NIV and controversial TNIV would both be phased out to make way for a new translation in 2011. This story won't disappear soon, as the translation committee headed by Doug Moo must decide whether to retain the gender-inclusive language that prevented many NIV readers from switching to the TNIV.

2.SBC Seeks a Great Commission Resurgence Old rifts were healed. New vows were made. There was a lot to cheer when the Southern Baptist Convention created a task force that would explore how to faithfully fulfill the Great Commission. Other denominations will be watching to see how the task force streamlines mission agencies that have been cutting back due to the economic downturn. The GCR Declaration drafted by Johnny Hunt and Danny Akin deserves a wide reading among evangelicals.

3.ELCA Okays Gay Unions, Pastors Few observers were shocked when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America approved same-sex unions and decided gays and lesbians living in partnered relationships could serve as pastors. We've seen this story unfold in other denominations, and now we await the exodus of conservative churches. But natural events and questions about their supernatural origins turned this story into a hot topic when John Piper weighed in.

4.Coral Ridge Hires Tullian Tchividjian, Critics Break Away Succession is rarely smooth. How do you replace a revered, internationally known pastor when he is the only shepherd a congregation has ever known? Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church tapped Billy Graham's grandson, Tullian Tchividjian, to succeed D. James Kennedy and merged with nearby New City Church. Tchividjian talked often of carrying on Kennedy's theological vision, but his leadership didn't accord with some Kennedy loyalists. Tchividjian survived a vote to oust him, but several leading critics left Coral Ridge to start their own congregation.

5.Manhattan Declaration Prods Culture, Invites Pushback Despite disconcerting cultural trends, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox leaders united around a statement declaring their fidelity to biblical morality. But the Manhattan Declaration produced an unintended consequence by pitting allies against one another and reigniting a fierce debate over whether evangelicals should engage in ecumenical dialogue and joint social activism.

6.Adoption Push Gains Steam Adoption is a practical, sacrificial way that Christians live out their pro-life convictions. It also happens to be one of the most important Christian doctrines. We "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Rom. 8:23; cf. Gal. 1:5; Eph. 4:5; Rom. 8:15). Conferences and books that connect the doctrine with the action have equipped Christians to embody their beliefs. A high-profile example hit the big screen with The Blind Side.

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December (Web-Only) 2009, Vol. 53

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Rick Knox

January 04, 2010 9:39am

As I read the choice of stories with David Lim's global perspective in mind, I think that those stories selected reflect a largely ethnocentric view (i.e., USA issues, mainly), and have missed the exploding growth of Christianity among Muslims, the growing collaboration of Christians regarding the plight of Refugees and Trafficked people, and the continuing shift of Christian vitality to the Global South, where the most dynamic stories seem to be.

David Lim

January 03, 2010 1:32am

From my Asian global perspective, I think in a couple of years, we will see that 2009 to be visible manifestation of the present-day forms of church multiplication movements through the mainly post-Pentecostal house church networks globally, esp. in India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, etc.

Gary Ware

January 01, 2010 2:05am

VT Drew, I don't have the resources of a multi-media company at hand, but during 2009: The Church of Scotland left a homosexual minister in place, providing evangelicals in that movement with a great challenge about their future relationship with it. In England, N.T. Wright continued to publish material about justification that challenges existing evangelical understandings of the doctrine. In Australia, a couple of movements, one entirely home grown, have established church planting networks which see independant evangelical congregations being planted outside of, and across, existing evangelical denominational frameworks. A new evangelical church grouping is being nurtured in East Timor. These are a few that spring to mind. Hope they help.

VT Drew

December 30, 2009 4:47pm

Gary Ware and Ranger, I am personally very uninformed on international developments in evangelical theology. So I would appreciate it if you could enlighten us all, and tell us what international developments in theology rank high in importance in your opinions. Thank you.

Ted Hewlett

December 30, 2009 4:12pm

The "Manhattan Declaration" ought indeed to be considered a major development of the year. It is a carefully-thought-out, clear, and bold statement of a stand on three issues on which one might expect Evangelicals, as well as members of other conservative Christian groups, to be united. The reaction of those who have theological scruples about statements from those of differing theologies working together is not surprising, if regrettable. What is more disturbing is the reaction of one Christian leader at least, which superciliously belittled the Declaration, in effect stating that a more nuanced, less forceful reaction was needed in response to those basic issues (abortion, same-sex "marriage," and euthanasia). Nevertheless, the signature of thousands on such a declaration shows that there are many who will not bow the knee to the baal of political correctness, and the challenge is out for all of us to stand for what is right and healthful in society. .

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