BOOK REVIEW:
Introducing the Reformed Faith: Biblical Revelation, Christian Tradition, Contemporary Significance. By Donald K. McKim, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001. 261 pages. ISBN: 0664256449. 

Introducing the Reformed Faith, the most recent book from Donald McKim is just what many will expect it to be—a good book for the church. Although written by a self-avowed, practicing Presbyterian, and published in Louisville, this is not a Presbyterian book. McKimhas written a Foreword to the Christian faith as that faith is commonly expressed across the generous center of the Reformed Tradition. Christians within the tradition will be able to self-identify with deeper understanding. Readers shaped by different interpretations will better understand the difference. 

McKim and his book represent Reformed folk well. From the cover design to the choice of font and layout, there is nothing glib, glitzy, or glamorous. The writing is the same. Other publishers might have attempted to package a pew-focused work like this with the title 16 Things You Can Believe and Still Be Reformed spewed out in a graphic assault of orange, luster gold, and dark teal with a “text” based on bulleted lists and cute anecdotes. McKim and Westminster/John Knox respect their audience too much to stoop to commercialistic kitsch. 

This book is designed to introduce core beliefs of the Reformed Tradition to thoughtful “lay” people. While seminary academic types will not stop here too long (though some might find this helpful reading), recent graduates of many “Reformed” seminaries may want to hide the book inside the current copy of The Christian Century and catch up on what they’ve missed. Each one of the core doctrines is presented in helpful subdivision: Biblical Bases—Christian Tradition—Reformed Emphases. In addition to the expected endnotes and indices, the last eighty pages offer quick-list information on Reformed beliefs, a few FAQ’s, and a “succinct” 52-week catechism which McKim has designed to be “both Reformed and ecumenical.” 

While one could wish for a bit more genuine passion in the prose, this book would be fun to teach. Questions for Reflection at the end of each chapter offer one possibility, but even more enjoyable would be the opportunity to flesh out the information presented in the congenial company of interested congregation folk. Who exactly was Origen or Augustine, or the Niebuhrs or Ruether? What is the important difference between belief in scriptural inerrancy (briefly mentioned) and scriptural infallibility (indexed but not included)? Any pastor worth her or his salt (see comment above) should jump at the opportunity to lead this type of discussion. This book provides an accessible framework. 

One unfortunate reality has little to do with the author. After more than twenty years of linguistic miss-fire demanded by the idolatrous preoccupation of academics and “sensitive” publishers with gender insecurities, even a writer of McKim’s ability cannot present certain essential theological categories (like Agency and Immanence) without falling over bad attempts at the Divine possessive, effectively creating a description of intimacy with a God sheathed in latex. But then, perhaps good theology is also better when it is experienced than when it is described. 

Paul E. Detterman
Pastor, Calvin Presbyterian Church
Louisville, KY 

PUBLISHED IN THE BULLETIN OF THE INSTITUTE FOR REFORMED THEOLOGY, SUMMER 2002, VOL. 2, #4.