By the Renewing of Your Minds: The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine

Readers of this volume will be taken on a crash course ride through some of the major names of pre-modern theology. By putting these foundational theologians back into the pre-modern context in which they wrote, Charry succeeds in giving both the Pastor and the layperson the space to reclaim the aretological power of these works. However, I feel that the real center of gravity of Charry's work is the theoretical and theological framework that she sets up for this exploration. By engaging in an essentially post-modern critique of the limitations of the thinking of modernity while not claiming the (problematic) label of "post-modernity," Charry gives the readers the tools s/he needs to reclaim the aretological power of not just these texts, but other pre-modern texts and in fact the Faith itself. Not intended to be a works of apologetics, this framework can serve as a strong apologetic critique the twin fundamentalisms of the religious right and the insurgent "new atheism." Strongly recommended to all theologians, laypeople, and pastors interested in freeing themselves from tyranny of modernity that is found in its rigid dualism.

As someone who has sat through many lectures and read many articles that have showcased fussy and pedantic theology, I find Dr. Charry's book to be a breath of fresh air. She is reclaiming theology from the academic elite and bringing it back to the Church and its people. Unlike some theological works by contemporary professors, Dr. Charry's book serves to bring people closer to the Triune God. She carefully guides the reader through the writings of the Apostle Paul and some of the major patristic theologians, as well as some Medieval and even one Reformed theologian.My one criticism of this otherwise fine book is that, to me, it seemed too heavily weighted towards Medieval theologians at the expense of the theologians of the Reformation traditions. Surely some reflection upon Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards and Karl Barth could draw the reader closer to God, as well.

Dr. Ellen Charry understands the writings of early patristic fathers and mothers to be more than just apolgetics. Dr. Charry gets to the core of their writings by discovering that the authors are calling for excellence (aretology) in each and every Christian. This book brings clarity and flavor to the classical Theologians of early Christian history.