Joshua McNall: Perhaps

Perhaps (IVP, 2021)

WHO: Joshua McNall, associate professor of pastoral theology, ambassador of church relations and director of the honors program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

HE SAYS: “My book defends a form of speculation in theology and in the Christian life, albeit with some important cautions.”

THE BIG IDEA: Reclaiming the word “perhaps” on certain contested topics leads to reclaiming the place of holy speculation and turning to Scripture.

THE PROGRESSION: In Part 1, “Understanding Perhaps,” the author presents his argument that a certain form of faith-seeking imagination is essential. Part 2, “Against Dogmatism,” examines the trouble with religious certainty. Part 3, “Against Doubt,” discusses how Scripture counters a divided heart and secular doubt. The book concludes with Part 4, “Practicing Perhaps,” a look at resurrecting the imagination.

“We must learn from Scripture and tradition how to say perhaps, and we need guardrails for the journey. With these in place, a certain form of speculation can lead not heresy or oddity but to a more robust orthodoxy.”

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