Paul S. Fiddes

Much has been written in the past century to refute the traditional notion of an impassible God. Fiddes provides not only a survey of the various schools of thought in this trend but also a critical engagement with each. His own view of how God can truly suffer — not only through his Son on the cross, but in the life of each of us — while retaining his freedom and transcendence, lands closest to German “theology of the cross” in the wake of Karl Barth, leaning more heavily on show more Heribert von Mühlen and Eberhard Jüngel than on its third exponent, Jürgen Moltmann. But Fiddes modifies, corrects, and expands this based on his examination of others, particularly process thought among followers of Whitehead and Hartshorne. Along the way, Fiddes provides the clearest summary of Whitehead’s system (including his idiosyncratic vocabulary) that I’ve yet encountered.

I enjoyed this book and learned a great deal from it. This is serious theology, but it is clearly written. Admittedly, there were sections where it took me half an hour to read six pages, but that included note-taking and reflection. Time well-spent. show less

I first became aware of Paul Fiddes several years ago. I was doing a class in Baptist theology and doctrine and Fiddes's Tracks and Traces was one of the texts. While I ultimately didn't land in the Baptist camp, I appreciated that Fiddes approach was more sacramental then most other Baptist theologians we read. Fiddes is a British Baptist at Regent's Park College at Oxford.

Participating in God grounds ministry practice in the Trinity. Fiddes unfolds the implications that at the center show more of Christian belief is God in relationship--Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For Christians, our way of naming God thus describes the relationship with in the Godhead. The mutuality and distinctions within God has implications for pastoral ministry (as pastors strive to remain open to relationship within appropriate bounds). Fiddes shows how our doctrine of the Trinity underpins our community practice and our understanding of authority.

Fiddes brings Trinitarian doctrine to bear on Intercessory Prayer, theodicy, the practice of forgiveness, the threat of death, the practice of spiritual gifts, and living sacramentally.

I don't agree with Fiddes everywhere. I think he moves to close, for my comfort, to process theology, but he is a good dialogue partner and he interacts well with Barth, Zizioulas, Gunton, Moltmann. show less

The authors explore the idea of church covenants, what editor/author Fiddes calls "the fourth strand of the Reformation," among the early Anabaptist and their influence on covenanting in the early Baptist churches. One, a vertical covenant upwards to and through Christ; two, a horizontal covenant between church members, "walking together," and aiding each other in morality and sanctification. It's an interesting book, short, and strengthens the shady ties between the first English Baptists show more and the ideas of the Anabaptists. show less

I would rate this really high in the category of books on Baptist Identity, but it deserves a middle of the road rating when compared with normal books. Paul Fiddes is a good Trinitarian theologian and there are many beautiful passages. I also like that as a Baptist, he doesn't just present bastardized ordinances but conceives of the Lord's supper and Baptism sacramentally.