Religion: Theological Awakening?

This bushy-browed, energetic man of 56 does not look like the popular picture of the dour theologian—much less like a neo-Calvinist theologian. But among top prophets of neo-orthodoxy's contemporary "theology of crisis," Dr. Emil Brunner ranks second only to his fellow Swiss, Karl Earth.

Basic neo-orthodox premises: the Bible is the authoritative—though not necessarily literal—source of divine revelation; fallen man is innately so "other" than God that he can accomplish virtually nothing by good works, prayer or fasting, but must nevertheless keep trying, in hope of rescue by Divine Grace.

Last week, after...