I enjoyed reading this book. The book is featured with both English and Nepali language so that any reader can read, understand and learn theological subjects both in English and Nepali. The book is typically designed as facilitator and not as teaching or defending particular view-point in theological controversies. It covers several important topics that has been of great concern today. By reading this book, interested readers can further investigate on specific theological view-points to explore more.
Honourable Loknath Manen has given his beautiful insight on one page entitled with 'Role of Nepali Writers' regarding necessity of Nepali churches to understand how theology is progressing and how we can interact in Christian circle with respect and charity. He encourages us to be updated with all sorts of theological progress going around in the world and to understand how difference in opinions keep on emerging among churches and denominations on secondary and tertiary theological topics. He then asks readers to have discussion with their own church leaders to explore more on particular theological belief they hold.
The book makes us clear regarding 'Cardinal Doctrines' or 'Fundamental Non-negotiable Doctrines' and 'Secondary theological doctrines'. The former is about foundational doctrines in which all Christians, regardless of any denominations, must agree whereas the latter is about such theological issues which has divided Christian circle into denominations, practice and church administration. In the former case, all Christians unite while in the latter case, Christians divide but interact with one another with love, respect and tolerance. The former is based on 'Clear Specific Non-negotiable Scriptural Teachings' while the latter is based on 'Obscure passages on which serious Christians also have difference in opinions regarding the intended probable meaning of verses'. The book also shades light on 'Heresy' vs 'Error' in regard to latter subject. It has excellent articles dealing more with latter subject with respectful insight and balanced conclusion.
The book has New Testament and Old Testament articles supplemented with guides namely 'Panels'. Most articles discuss controversial subjects without taking any particular side. The book presents Major supporting verses relevant with the topic and then presents all sorts of views Christian have regarding the topic. Every topics are closed with beautiful conclusion. The book neither debunks nor support any theological ideas but present them as they are believed and practiced by Christians.
This book is on the Basics level and readers can be benefitted with Bird's eye view over theological topics and dilemma. This book can help learners to explore what kind of theological development have been carried out on controversial subjects. The readers can participate in healthy discussion, agree to differ, love one another, respect one another, be in one fellowship and interact together, tolerate one another and finally have charity in all but united in fundamentals. This is need of our generation.
- Let us not divide 'in hostility' over differing views but learn to unite on fundamentals.
- Let us not be dogmatic on controversies but be open theologically in tolerance and respect.
- Let us learn to hold particular view according to our church practice and denomination but have a respect towards opposite poles avoiding personal attack, mockery and hatred.
- Let us learn that scripture is not certain and clear about every subjects we have query on. There can be either error in understanding or difference in opinions but this is not barrier to our relationship with God as heresy does.
- Let us learn that 'What Bible teaches?' question cannot be implemented for secondary or non-essentials topics just as we usually think it works for Fundamentals and serious Christians have difference in opinions throughout the history.
- Let us learn that level of theology is progressing throughout the world and we have to make ourselves updated with it even if we disagree with some.
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