Bible Translation as Missions

JBTM Book Reviews51Through this work, Jones provides rich background to trace the theologians and theologicalissues leading up to Basil’s day. The work is robustly researched and documented. Sidebars areprovided to define key theological terms or movements.Basil of Caesarea provides an excellent introduction to the thought of Basil the Great. Ihighly recommended it for both theologians and pastor theologians.– Steve W. Lemke, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LAThe End of Apologetics: Christian Witness in a Postmodern Context. By Myron Bradley Penner.Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013. 180 pages. Softcover, $19.99.Myron Penner is an Anglican priest who serves in Edmonton, Alberta. In The End of Apologeticshe presents an argument that Christian apologetics should shift away from the sort ofclassical apologetics that has sought to address the challenges of modernism, toward a newapologetics that addresses the concerns of postmodernism. Penner argues correctly that postmodernthinkers discount the rational arguments of classical apologetics as representing thelogocentric perspective that they reject. The author proposes a kinder, more person-centeredapologetic based on witness and proclamation that is more fitting for a postmodern era ratherthan one based on rational arguments. The postmodernist-sensitive apologetic that Penner proposesis drawn from multiple sources. He applies Søren Kierkegaard’s distinction between theapostle and the genius to argue that Christian apologetics should focus on witness rather thanargument. He applies Richard Rorty’s use of irony to argue that Christian apologists should beironic apocalyptic prophets. He applies Gabriel Marcel’s concept of disposability to assert thatChristian apologists should be more dialogical and person-centered than argumentative. In allthis, Penner makes a valuable contribution. His concern is well taken for crafting apologeticapproaches that are more persuasive for postmodern hearers.With this said, The End of Apologetics also has significant problems. The first problem is thetone of the work in its nay-saying. To call for a new paradigm for apologetics is one thing, butPenner doesn’t stop there. He accuses contemporary Christian apologists of arrogance; of beingmotivated primarily by money; of being more concerned about winning arguments thanbearing witness to Christ; and of practicing or legitimizing oppression, “apologetic violence,”mistreatment, and exploitation of persons. The basis for these claims is dubious. Anyone whois familiar with the apologists named by Penner (such as William Lane Craig, Doug Groothuis,or Steven Cowan) knows that Penner is far off the mark in these claims. Furthermore, whatPenner counts as oppressive or coercive is laughable. For example, Penner believes that to callpeople “unbelievers” who do not believe in Christ is to commit “apologetic violence.” Actually,calling someone an unbeliever who does not believe is simply descriptive. Penner’s tone is sonegative toward his fellow Christians that one could be excused for getting the impression thatit is the expression of some sort of personal agenda or bitterness. His overkill of classical apologeticsis unnecessary and undermines his own presentation, and is somewhat hypocritical sinceby doing so he is not practicing the kinder, more personal approach he advocates.