Clark Pinnock’s uneasy journey
Intellectual biography of Canadian theologian provides some answers
MAXWELL
RYAN
Special to CW Life
Canadian Clark Pinnock, professor of theology at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, is one of the best known and–for some–the most controversial contemporary evangelical theologians, the darling of some and vilified by others.
For those who do not normally travel the circle of theological disputes, author Barry L. Callen has brought together a well-researched and very helpful tour guide of Pinnock’s thought and influence.
Published by Evangel Publishing House in cooperation with the Wesleyan Theological Society, Clark H. Pinnock: Journey Toward Renewal argues that Pinnock has employed a Wesleyan approach to theology throughout his career, much to the discomfort of some of his erstwhile Calvinistic brethren.
The 320-page paperback is organized into six chapters, each of which marks a milestone in Pinnock’s thinking. As well, there are seven appendices, which are selections from Pinnock’s writings, and his comments on how his thinking has changed. This is followed by Pinnock’s afterword, in which he gives his reaction to the book.
Writes Robert Brow, “I love the appendices. This is a gracious example of how evangelical theology should be engaged.” The afterword concludes with “I proceed with the work of reforming fundamentalism and of bringing to light more of the glorious mysteries of Christ’s everlasting gospel.” Amen to that agenda.
CW interviewed both the author and the subject of the book.
Maxwell Ryan is a former editor of the War Cry who has held many editorial positions with The Salvation Army in Canada and the U.K. He is one of CW’s senior editorial advisors.
A conversation with Clark Pinnock
MR: What is your response to having an “intellectual biography” written about you?
CP: I’m embarrassed. My wife thought it shouldn’t be done and I agreed with her. But I’m delighted with the book, which has shed light for people who are following a similar path.
MR: What theologian has influenced you the most?
CP: It’s hard to choose one particular person. Jurgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenburg have influenced some of my ideas. I started thinking a certain way, and discovered them there to help me. They gave help on specifics. I have a knack of finding fellow travellers, and appropriate truth wherever it comes from.
MR: Are you charismatic?
CP: Yes, all Christians are charismatic, i.e., believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the 1960s I had a charismatic experience in a prayer meeting, though I have remained in a mainline church. The new Vineyard music has been very influential in churches that do not consider themselves to be charismatic. Credibility for charismatic theology comes from such scholars as Gordon Fee and Wayne Grudem.
MR: What are you writing these days?
CP: I am writing a book about the openness of God, in which I will try to do a better job of explaining my position than I did in The Openness of God by taking into account something of what my critics have said.
MR: And your future plans?
CP: I have never had a long-term plan for my life. Rather I have tried to be open to the Spirit. I have about two more years teaching left (I will then be 65), though there might be some adjunct teaching to be done. This year I am writing, and next year I will be teaching theology, pluralism and related topics. My eyesight is now not too good; I have a cataract on my good eye, which I hope to have attended to before too long.
MR: Where is the Holy Spirit leading the Church?
CP: The Church is becoming more open to the Holy Spirit. A new approach to music and worship is bringing a breath of fresh life. Denominations are becoming secondary. For example, the church I attend is changing its name by removing the word Baptist. Such designations mean less and less to people.
Heretic and unbeliever?
MR: R. C. Sproul is quoted in the book as saying you are a heretic and an unbeliever. There are similar sentiments from J. I. Packer. What is your response?
CP: Under the evangelical “big tent” there is much pluralism. The main difference is between the freewill theists and the theological determinists, between the early Church fathers and the Augustinians-Calvinists. Present day evangelicalism has a Reformed root. And this is represented by Sproul and Packer. Unfortunately, there is little appreciation for openness in such a theological position.
MR: Do you consider yourself an heir to John Wesley’s thought? You are quoted in the book as saying that you are a Wesleyan. Is it possible to be a Wesleyan Baptist?
CP: The direction of openness to which I have moved and am still moving is Wesleyan. I got on the same track as Wesley and then discovered him. I am comfortable with the thought. Wesleyanism is winning the day, which is why the Calvinists are so defensive.
MR: What do you hope this book will accomplish?
CP: I am so honoured by the book. It is a wonderful gift that fairly represents my thought at the end of my career.
A conversation with Barry Callen
MR: Why did you write the book? Is it an expression of Arminian glee that a major theologian has moved from Calvinism to support what is a minority viewpoint?
BC: Arminians will take encouragement, not glee. This gives them a fresh way to appreciate their stance, and it gives importance to their struggles. I wrote the book because I was and am interested in Clark’s work. A narrative, biographical approach is more inviting to people than a theological tome. The book should open these ideas to the wider evangelical world. The material has been very well received in classroom teaching, and gave rise to vigorous theological discussion.
MR: Why do theologians say Clark Pinnock has changed? Has he changed?
BC: There are criticisms that Clark is constantly changing. But he is not faddish. He has changed because his environment has changed. He has had two major influences: the irenic spirit of F. F. Bruce and the combativeness of Francis Shaeffer. In his early years he was the appointed spokesman for the evangelical rationalists. But Clark is a learner; he is not afraid to learn from students.
MR: How important is Eastern Christian thought to Pinnock?
BC: His journey is a movement toward key Eastern insight such as mystery. It is a therapeutic approach, which is quite different to Calvinist rationalism.
A bridge to dialogue
MR: You say Pinnock has become a bridge. In what way?
BC: Clark is a bridge because he is available for true dialogue. All schools of theological thought take him seriously. He is a listener, and has built relationships with people from all theological camps. He looks for the proper boundaries, is irenic by nature and is willing to take risks.
MR: Please elaborate on your comment that the question of the proper evangelical way of doing theology has always been central for Pinnock.
BC: He thinks highly of the Wesleyan quadrilateral, but is open to many traditions. However, for him the Bible is the norm, the standard. Scripture is the benchmark. He is open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Clark is out in front of many evangelicals.
MR: Why do you refer to The Flame of Love as provocative?
BC: The book says things in fresh ways, moves into fresh territory, deals with taboo subjects, nothing is off limits. Speaking as a Wesleyan, I do not find it provocative, though some have.
MR: What do you hope Journey to Renewal will accomplish?
BC: It is my hope that the book will make Pinnock’s works accessible to students so that they will think about what it means to do theology. Some will question how open a person should be. This book will give guidance in that area. I also hope that the book will be a voice to various denominations and spark needed dialogue.
MR: Has your opinion of Clark Pinnock changed?
BC: My positive view of Clark has only increased. When I attended church with him in Hamilton, I found him to be an ordinary Christian in a congregation of ordinary people. An academic said to me that she found him to be the “most together theologian” she had ever met. He has warmth, openness and is a wonderful human being.