The title of this post says mid-book review. Actually it is spurred by my positive change in interest of the book in chapter 6.
I have not particularly enjoyed Bloesch's book up until this point. I have found his summaries lead to dead end or deflated points. Though an author need not be inventive, nor even innovative I have found no real punch or urgency in Bloesch's points. It reads stalely.
Chapter 6, "Marks of the Church," however, is quite the insightful chapter, including a section on the marks of a false church. The section is not innovative, however its inclusion is unique among many systematic theologies. I like the contrasting sides and the polarity in the marks of the false church that Bloesch presents.
I look forward to other chapters resounding in the urgency and punch that chapter 6 has. I expect to experience more influences from Forsyth and Barth and maybe a few others. Bloesch is limited on his influences, sampling different major theologians, including Kung. I wish that he would develop his own thoughts above his quick mention of agreeance or disagreeance with the summarized theologian.
I think I would still recommend this book, especially to newer, more theologically conservative folks. He is very Reformed, biased in such a direction, and unashamedly gives his account of the opposing theologies in negative lights. Though it may not do justice to his opponents, his inclusion and occasional affirmation does any reader good.
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