Asbury Seminary Faculty Member Wins Christianity Today 2024 Book Award
Dr. Thomas McCall, along with Dr. Matt T. Friedeman and his son, Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman, won a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award in the Theology (academic) category. They authored “The Doctrine of Good Works: Reclaiming a Neglected Protestant Teaching” (Baker Academic). Dr. Thomas McCall is the Timothy C. and Julie M. Tennent Chair of Theology at Asbury Seminary; Dr. Matt T. Friedeman, Asbury Seminary alumnus, is the John M. Case Chair of Evangelical Studies and Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary; and Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman is the David A. Case Chair of Biblical Studies and Associate Research Professor of New Testament at Ohio Christian University.
In their award-winning book released July 25, 2023, they draw attention to the necessity of good works, or “works of mercy” in the words of John Wesley, highlighting Old and New Testament Scriptures as well as historical Protestant theology. According to Christianity Today’s book review by Rhyne Putman, the authors “seek to expose the flawed theological assumptions” behind the behavior of Christians that assumes repentance, obedience and service are not owed. They define “works of mercy” as loving our neighbors as ourselves. Putman says, “To be truly biblical (and truly Protestant), they argue, is to see good works as a necessary aspect of the Christian life and even our salvation.”