Contents
13
Acknowledgments
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 15

Eight Traditions 17
Structure of the Chapters 21
“Classical” Traditions of Theology 24
Purpose and Agenda 26
To the Reader 28
For Further Study 29
CHAPTER 2: A GOSPEL OF GRACE: LUTHERAN THEOLOGY 31
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 32
Historical Origins and Development 32
Diversity 39
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 40
Role of Theology 40
Theological Method 42
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 46
The Hinge of Grace: Justification 46 47 * *
Means of Grace: The Sacraments 50
Conclusion: A Gospel of Grace 55
For Further Study 56
CHAPTER 3: FAITH FOR RADICAL COMMUNITY: ANABAPTIST THEOLOGY ... 58
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 59
Historical Origins and Development 59
Diversity 68
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 68
Role of Theology 68
Theological Method 72
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 75
Community of Discipleship 7 75
Peace 79
Conclusion: Faith for Radical Community 81
For Further Study 81
CHAPTER 4: To THE GLORY OF GOD AND GOD ALONE:
REFORMED THEOLOGY 84
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 85
Historical Origins and Development 85
Diversity 95
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 98
Role of Theology 98
Theological Method 98
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 103
The Sovereign God 104
The Grace of God 107
Conclusion: To the Glory of God and God Alone 112
For Further Study 112
CHAPTER 5: THE SPIRIT OF A VIA MEDIA: ANGLICAN THEOLOGY 114
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 115
Historical Origins and Development 115
Diversity 125
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 128
Role of Theology 128
Theological Method 129
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 133
Ecclesiology 135
The Sacraments 138
Conclusion: The Spirit of a Via Media 143
For Further Study 143
CHAPTER 6: Freedom for Immediacy: Baptist Theology 145
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 146
Historical Origins and Development 146
Diversity 154
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 158
Role of Theology 158
Theological Method 159
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 162
Ecclesiology 163
Baptism 1б7
Conclusion: Freedom for Immediacy 169
For Further Study 170
CHAPTER 7: Grace-Full Holiness and Holy Wholeness:
Wesleyan Theology 172
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 173
Historical Origins and Development 173
Diversity 182
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 183
Role of Theology 183
Theological Method 186 Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 190
Grace: Prevenient Grace 190
Holiness: Entire Sanctification 193
Conclusion: Grace-Full Holiness and Holy Wholeness 198
For Further Study 198
CHAPTER 8: Rightly Dividing the Scriptures:
Dispensational Theology 201
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 202
Historical Origins and Development 202
Diversity 209
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 212
Role of Theology 212
Theological Method 212
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 217
Israel and the Church 219
The Covenants 222
Conclusion: Rightly Dividing the Scriptures 225
For Further Study 226
CHAPTER 9: The Spirit of Continuity: Pentecostal Theology 228
Context: Historical and Ecclesiastical Background 229
Historical Origins and Development 229
Diversity 237
Approach: Theological and Hermeneutical Method 239
Role of Theology 239
Theological Method 241
Theology: Characteristic Beliefs 245
Baptism in the Holy Spirit 246
Gift of Divine Healings 250
Conclusion: The Spirit of Continuity 253 CHAPTER 10: CONCLUSION: THEOLOGICAL TRADITIONS AND
Christian Hospitality 255
The Challenge of Divisions Within Christianity 256
A "Both/And” Approach to Unity and Diversity Within Christianity . . 257
A Call to Christian Theological Hospitality 262
The Character of Christian Hospitality 264
The Potential of Theological Hospitality 270
Epilogue: Some Fruit of Theological Hospitality 276
Notes 281
Subject Index 363
Scripture Index 371

Protestant is shorthand for a spreading family tree of church and theological traditions. Whether you are an insider to one tradition, a hybrid of two or three, or—as many Christians today—an outsider to all, Exploring Protestant Traditions is a richly informative field guide to eight prominent Protestant theological traditions: Lutheran, Anabaptist, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist,Wesleyan, Dispensational and Pentecostal. Clearly and evenhandedly, David Buschart traces their histories, explains their interpretive approaches to Scripture and highlights their key beliefs. Readers will gain a sense of what it is to believe and worship as a part of these traditions, who their heroes are and where their theological accents are placed.
This book is a model of theological hospitality that encourages us to open our doors to the various ways Protestantism has taken root in history and human society.