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The subject of this review essay is Aidan Nichols’ book G. K. Chesterton, Theologian. Nichols has used Chesterton’s two best known books, Orthodoxy (1908) and The Everlasting Man (1925) (especially the latter), in explaining five “theological” Chestertonian themes, following an explication of various principles characterizing Chesterton’s authorship. The author, a well-known theologian, seems to view the first part of his book as focused upon philosophy and the second part being essentially theological. He not only is “speaking theologically” in the latter but also maintaining that Chesterton is doing theology as well. For example, he refers to The Everlasting Man as the “theological masterpiece” of Chesterton’s maturity. In the first section of this commentary, the message of G. K. Chesterton, Theologian is summarized briefly. In the second section, there is a question raised of whether Chesterton was really a theologian despite the Christian orientation of his writings. The purpose in raising this question is not to answer it decisively, but to notice some factors that must be considered in order to answer it, at least in a preliminary manner. Much of my own inquiry in this second section is addressed to the general nature and some principles of Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man, attempting to view them in accord with Chesterton. The subject of this review essay is Aidan Nichols’ book G. K. Chesterton, Theologian. Nichols has used Chesterton’s two best known books, Orthodoxy (1908) and The Everlasting Man (1925) (especially the latter), in explaining five “theological” Chestertonian themes, following an explication of various principles characterizing Chesterton’s authorship. The author, a well-known theologian, seems to view the first part of his book as focused upon philosophy and the second part being essentially theological. He not only is “speaking theologically” in the latter but also maintaining that Chesterton is doing theology as well. For example, he refers to The Everlasting Man as the “theological masterpiece” of Chesterton’s maturity. In the first section of this commentary, the message of G. K. Chesterton, Theologian is summarized briefly. In the second section, there is a question raised of whether Chesterton was really a theologian despite the Christian orientation of his writings. The purpose in raising this question is not to answer it decisively, but to notice some factors that must be considered in order to answer it, at least in a preliminary manner. Much of my own inquiry in this second section is addressed to the general nature and some principles of Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man, attempting to view them in accord with Chesterton.
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