A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Edmund Bloedow is Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Ottawa.
The Untapped Power of Sheer Christianity, Clark H. Pinnock, Burlington, Ontario: Welch Publishing Company Inc., 1985, 107 pp.
This little book is dedicated to ‘all the men and women in Canada who struggle for reformation and renewal in the churches of our land’, a subject that is not new to the readers of Channels. Clark Pinnock, who is already well known by his numerous writings and public lectures, is a fairly rare type. He is one of those few native Canadians of his generation who has risen to high theological rank in the academic world and at the same time combines a keen intellect with a strong Evangelical persuasion. At the outset he also pays tribute to Francis Schaeffer. who has exerted a powerful influence on his thinking. At the same time, however, it is clear from his writings that he has charted out for himself very much a position of his own.
This little book is not a closely argued thesis on an intricate theological theme, rather is it essentially a personal testimony, but at the same time also a strong call to return to and/or stand fast in “the faith once delivered to the saints”. These two aspects Pinnock, with his clear analytical mind, organizes into three chapters, designated as three keys to renewal: 1) “Loving the Truth”: 2) “Walking in the Spirit”: and 3) “Obeying the Lord”.
Although in terms of his personal testimony, Pinnock writes specifically from the Baptist perspective within which he grew up and within which he still functions academically, in terms of his overall approach he surveys Christianity from a very broad and comprehensive viewpoint. He is therefore extremely well informed about current trends, and so far as Canada is concerned, given the lucid writer that he is, he articulates these very succinctly but equally effectively. His discussion of ‘The Great Defection’ is a case in point. It will take the reader no more than ten minutes to acquire a solid understanding of conditions in Canada at the moment.
The title of Chapter Two is no accident. Pinnock places great emphasis on the Holy Spirit, and shows himself very flexible towards the manifestation of the Spirit in contemporary church life. It is at the time a well balanced but provocative discussion.
In Chapter Three he is even more provocative, but at the same time gives the impression of being a little less sure of himself. Here he still in the process of feeling his way. He nonetheless addresses pertinent issues which affect Christians specifically in matters of daily life. These include such things as the general character of our ‘pagan society’, the family, the modern media, technology, education, abortion, capitalism. Petro-Canada, capital punishment, Canada’s role in NATO, and so forth. Although Pinnock is here essentially ‘thinking aloud’ and will doubtless refine his views on a number of points in future, this chapter should stimulate every reader to think hard for himself/herself on many relevant problems.
Finally, if the reader wishes to know Pinnock’s broader theological stand, he includes in an Appendix his Inaugural Lecture, delivered in 1977 when he joined the faculty of McMaster Divinity College. In addition, there is, on a selective basis, up-to-date bibliography for all chapters.
This little book can be read within the space of two to three hours, but there is enough within its pages to stimulate one’s thinking for months and one’s living for many years. It is highly to be recommended.