Exploration of Christian Theology

Don Thorsen

Description

This introduction to Christian theology explores the whole Christian tradition in a simple and straightforward way. Leading Wesleyan theologian Don Thorsen surveys the theological views represented within historic Christianity and discusses the variety of positions held without favoring one over another. The book includes helpful end-of-chapter questions for further reflection and discussion, a convenient glossary of theological terms, and sidebars. The second edition is marked by a thorough updating of the text and the addition of two new chapters on apologetics and the future of the unevangelized.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian theology

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 21 avril 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493422463
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2008, 2020 by Donald A. D. Thorsen
Published by Baker Academic
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakeracademic.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2246-3
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Dedication
To my daughters Liesl, Heidi, and Dana, whose love encourages me, and whose questions both challenge and inspire me.
Contents
Cover i
Half Title Page ii
Title Page iii
Copyright Page iv
Dedication v
Preface xi
Abbreviations xiv
Part 1 | Basics of Theology 1
1. Theology 3
What Is Theology? 4
Theology and Scripture 4
The Meaning of Theology 6
The Divisions of Theology 8
Augustine: A Classic Model of Theology 8
Theology and Apologetics 9
Theology and Ecumenism 10
Conclusion 11
Questions for Further Reflection 11
2. Revelation 13
What Is Revelation? 14
Understanding Revelation 15
Models of Revelation 16
Revelation and Mystery 20
Conclusion 20
Questions for Further Reflection 21
3. Authority 22
What Is Authority? 23
Developments in Religious Authority 23
Conclusion 34
Questions for Further Reflection 34
4. Scripture 36
What Is Scripture? 37
Canon 39
The Inspiration of Scripture 41
The Truthfulness of Scripture 43
The Interpretation of Scripture 48
Conclusion 50
Questions for Further Reflection 51
5. Apologetics 52
What Is Apologetics? 53
Ancient Church Apologetics 54
Medieval Church Apologetics 55
Reformation and Counter-Reformation Apologetics 56
Modern (Enlightenment) Church Apologetics 56
Postmodern Church Apologetics 59
Conclusion 62
Questions for Further Reflection 63
Part 2 | God 65
6. Who Is God? 67
What Is God Like? 68
The Doctrine of God 71
Tensions in the Doctrine of God 72
Language about God 74
Conclusion 79
Questions for Further Reflection 79
7. The Trinity 80
What Is the Trinity? 81
The Development of the Doctrine 82
The Relevance of the Trinity 84
Contemporary Concerns 87
Conclusion 88
Questions for Further Reflection 88
8. Knowing God 89
Does God Exist? 90
Rational Arguments 90
Empirical Arguments 91
Doubts about God’s Existence 93
Volitional Justifications for Belief in God 94
Conclusion 95
Questions for Further Reflection 96
9. The Works of God 97
What Are the Works of God? 98
Creator 98
Providential Caregiver 100
Lawgiver and Judge 100
Savior 101
Sanctifier 102
Conclusion 103
Questions for Further Reflection 103
Part 3 | Creation 105
10. Creation 107
What Is Creation? 108
The Development of the Doctrine of Creation 109
Creation and Evolution 111
Creation and the Environment 115
Conclusion 116
Questions for Further Reflection 117
11. Providence and Evil 118
What Is Providence? 119
Evil 122
God’s Care for People 125
Conclusion 125
Questions for Further Reflection 126
Part 4 | Humanity 127
12. The Image of God 129
What Does It Mean to Be Human? 130
Christian Anthropology 131
The Image of God 132
Human Freedom 133
Original Righteousness? 134
Conclusion 135
Questions for Further Reflection 135
13. The Human Person 136
What Are the Parts of Personhood? 137
The Human Soul 139
Male and Female 141
Individuality and Community 143
Conclusion 144
Questions for Further Reflection 145
Part 5 | Sin 147
14. What Is Sin? 149
Understanding Sin 150
The Origin of Sin 152
Conclusion 155
Questions for Further Reflection 155
15. The Nature of Sin 156
Perspectives on Sin 157
The Extent of Sin 161
The Sin of Innocents 164
Sin, Ignorance, Misery, and Bondage 166
Conclusion 166
Questions for Further Reflection 167
Part 6 | Jesus Christ 169
16. Who Is Jesus Christ? 171
Who Is Jesus? 172
The Birth of Jesus 173
The Early Life of Jesus 174
The Adult Life of Jesus 175
The Suffering and Death of Jesus 180
The Resurrection of Jesus 180
The Search for the Historical Jesus 182
Conclusion 184
Questions for Further Reflection 184
17. The Incarnation 186
What Is the Incarnation? 187
The Development of the Doctrine 188
Why Did God Become Human? 189
Contemporary Christological Concerns 191
Conclusion 193
Questions for Further Reflection 193
18. The Works of Jesus Christ 195
The Names and Titles of Jesus 196
The Estates of Jesus Christ 197
The Offices of Jesus Christ 198
The Atonement 200
Conclusion 204
Questions for Further Reflection 205
Part 7 | The Holy Spirit 207
19. Who Is the Holy Spirit? 209
The Holy Spirit as Spirit 210
The Holy Spirit in Scripture 211
The Development of the Doctrine 212
Contemporary Concerns 217
Conclusion 218
Questions for Further Reflection 218
20. The Works of the Spirit 220
The Biblical Background 221
The Holy Spirit at Work 223
The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life 225
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit 226
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit 231
Conclusion 232
Questions for Further Reflection 233
Part 8 | Salvation 235
21. God’s Grace and Our Choice 237
The Biblical Background 239
Historical Development 242
Calvinism and Arminianism 247
Open Theism 249
Conclusion 250
Questions for Further Reflection 251
22. What Is Salvation? 252
The Order of Salvation 253
Developments in the Christian Understanding of Salvation 255
Grace, Calling, and Illumination 258
Conversion 259
Faith 260
Repentance 262
Regeneration 264
Justification 265
Conclusion 266
Questions for Further Reflection 267
23. Living as a Christian 268
More on the Order of Salvation 269
Assurance 270
Union with Christ 272
Sanctification 273
Glorification 278
Conclusion 279
Questions for Further Reflection 279
24. Christian Spirituality 281
What Is Christian Spirituality? 282
Spiritual Formation and Direction 283
Spiritual Disciplines 284
Christian Virtues 285
Varieties of Christian Spirituality 286
Conclusion 299
Questions for Further Reflection 299
Part 9 | The Church 301
25. The Church 303
What Is the Church? 304
The Marks of the Church 305
The Reformation Churches 307
Types of Churches 310
Differences among Churches 311
Ecumenism 312
Church Governance 313
The Church and the World 314
Problem of Hypocrisy 315
Conclusion 316
Questions for Further Reflection 316
26. Ministry 317
What Is Ministry? 318
Developments in Ministry 319
Types of Ministry 321
Contemporary Concerns 326
Conclusion 329
Questions for Further Reflection 329
27. The Means of Grace 331
Channels of Grace 332
The Sacraments (Ordinances) 333
Baptism 340
Communion 344
Conclusion 348
Questions for Further Reflection 349
Part 10 | The Future 351
28. Eschatology 353
The Scriptural Setting 354
Doctrinal Developments 356
Conclusion 364
Questions for Further Reflection 365
29. Future of the Unevangelized 366
Judaism and Christianity 367
Exclusivism, Pluralism, and Inclusivism 368
Conclusion 374
Questions for Further Reflection 374
30. Heaven and Hell 376
The Scriptural Setting 377
Humanity’s Future 378
Hell 385
Heaven 388
Conclusion 392
Questions for Further Reflection 393
Epilogue: From Theory to Practice 395
Glossary 397
Notes 410
Name Index 414
Subject Index 416
Scripture Index 427
Back Cover 435
Preface
L et me invite you to explore Christian theology—what Christians believe, value, and practice. This is no easy task! Over the centuries, Christians have held a variety of viewpoints. Yet there is a family resemblance among Christians that is recognizable and describable.
In exploring the full Christian tradition, we are likely to run into a variety of family members. We will meet aunts and uncles who live far away. We will meet some we never knew we had! Some relatives will be friendly; others will be odd; and others will be outright embarrassing. Fortunately, some relatives will be quite familiar—some a comfort and some inspiring. All these represent important members of the family we call Christian.
The study of Christianity in general, and of Christian theology in particular, is not a study like other studies. From a Christian perspective, these studies are critically important. If God created people in God’s image, then it is imperative that they learn about God as well as themselves. Such understanding is critical for their individual and social well-being in life here and now. Studies in Christian theology are also imperative for the eternal well-being of people, which only God can provide. In a sense, these studies are a matter of life and death for the present and future welfare of people.
About the Book
This book is an invitation to explore Christian theology as people conceive it in various church traditions, both past and present. It serves as an introduction designed for readers unfamiliar with Christian beliefs, values, and practices as they developed in church history. Although the intent is to provide a simple presentation of theology, the ideas discussed represent a profound summary of Christianity.
This book is a simple, ecumenical introduction to Christian theology. It is ecumenical because I present different views of theology in ways that do justice to prominent historic attempts by Christians to describe their beliefs, values, and practices. It is simple because I i