Alister McGrath’s Christian Theology: An Introduction is one of the most internationally-acclaimed and popular Christian theology textbooks in use today. This 5th edition has been completely revised, and now features new and extended material, numerous additional illustrations, and companion resources, ensuring it retains its reputation as the ideal introduction to Christian theology. Fully updated 5th edition of the bestselling textbook, incorporating expanded material, numerous student features and new illustrations Features new sections on Copernicanism and Darwinism Includes extended discussions of Augustine’s doctrine of creation, Trinitarian theologies of religion, and the relation of Christianity to other faiths May be used as a stand-alone volume, or alongside the Christian Theology Reader, 4th edition for a complete overview of the subject Retains the chapter structure of the 4th edition, ensuring comparability with earlier editions and courses based on these Accompanied by a revised instructor’s website featuring expanded resources including study questions and answers; visit www.wiley.com/go/mcgrath for more details and to register for access

A new edition of leading theologian Millard Erickson's classic text.

This splendid introductory textbook for Christian theology presents two essays by leading scholars on each of the major theological questions. William Placher provides an excellent discussion of the history and current state of each doctrine while the essays explore the key elements and contemporary issues relating to these important theological concepts.

"CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: The Christian's Ultimate Guide to Learning from the Bible" is a comprehensive exploration of Christian doctrine, offering an in-depth understanding of the essential teachings and principles of the faith. This extensive work is an invaluable resource for both seasoned theologians and those new to biblical study. In this meticulously crafted volume, readers will delve into the essence of Christianity, examining the dynamics of faith that form the bedrock of Christian belief. The book begins with a profound introduction to the core tenets of Christianity, laying a solid foundation for the intricate theological concepts that follow. The journey continues through the complex realm of biblical doctrine, where divine revelation, the process of inspiration, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the formation of the canon are examined with scholarly precision. Principles of biblical interpretation are explored in detail, providing readers with the tools to understand Scripture within its historical and cultural context. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the Doctrine of God, delving into His identity, divine attributes, and the enigmatic nature of the Trinity. The book also illuminates God's law and His active role in the world, offering insightful perspectives on His interactions with humanity. The Doctrine of Christ receives thorough attention, exploring Christ's eternal existence, His miraculous birth, sinless nature, and the profound significance of the crucifixion, atonement, resurrection, and ascension. The ongoing role of Christ in heaven is also examined, highlighting His enduring influence in the Christian faith. The Holy Spirit's doctrine is not overlooked, with chapters dedicated to understanding His work, indwelling, and active role today. The Human Doctrine follows, offering an exploration of the creation of humanity, the concept of being made in God’s image, and the descent into sin. In the Doctrine of Redemption, readers will find an in-depth analysis of atonement, ransom, reconciliation, sanctification, and the multifaceted nature of salvation, including perspectives from Calvinism, Reformed Calvinism, and Arminianism. The book also ventures into Angelology, providing insights into the nature of angels and the roles of key archangels like Michael and Gabriel. The Doctrine of Satan and Demonology are addressed, shedding light on the essence, strategies, and realm of demonic forces. Ecclesiology is explored in depth, covering the origins, essence, and functions of the Church, the significance of church membership, and the dynamics of church leadership, along with an examination of first-century church administration as a model for today. Finally, the book culminates in a detailed study of Eschatology—the Doctrine of the End Times. This includes interpretations of prophecy, the signs of the end times, the Rapture, the Tribulation period, the Millennium, and the various divine judgments leading to eternal punishment or life. "CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: The Christian's Ultimate Guide to Learning from the Bible" is a masterful blend of academic rigor and accessible writing, making it a must-have for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Christian theology and its profound implications on personal faith and practice.

There has long been a need for a comprehensive but truly introductory single-authored textbook in theology. By introducing the reader to the biblical, doctrinal and contemporary dimensions of Christianity with the help of illustrated examples from selected primary texts, the book provides an excellent grounding in theology for both students of the discipline and the general reader. The work explores key 'tools' for the scientific study of theology, endeavouring both to affirm the rationale behind Christian thinking, and also to familiarize the reader with significant contrary positions. The solid foundations in biblical theology and hermeneutics given in the book will enable students to read Judeo-Christian scripture intelligently. Key testimonies regarding Jesus Christ are scrutinized and the nature of the New Testament discussed. As well as the emergence of doctrinal orthodoxy and the later disagreements which have shaped contemporary Christianity, the reader will become familiar with the dimensions of current Christian thinking in its dialogue with post-modernity.

“Thomas N. Finger has chosen an approach to the systematic presentation of Christian Theology which I also have taken since the publication of my Theology of Hope in 1964. He begins with the goal: with eschatology. With that goal in mind, a new light is cast on every single doctrine of Christian theology—the light of redemption—and the work of the theologian becomes a labor of hope. This is a ‘theology of the way.’ With the kingdom of God kept steadily in view, it becomes an invitation to walk the way of Jesus. “Tom Finger’s theological prospectus makes a brilliant contribution to ecumenical theological dialogue from the Anabaptist tradition. He offers an eschatologically oriented theology for which I can only congratulate him.” —Jürgen Moltmann, Professor of Theology, University of Tübingen While many systematic theological texts are shaped by academic discussion of ancient thought and/or modern philosophies, Finger centers on the kerygma of the biblical text: that the “last things,” or “eschatological” events expected at history’s climax had already occurred through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, though they were not yet fully realized. To present eschatology as a living hope that always has motivated, and still motivates, Christians and Christian communities in all things, Finger does not follow the discipline’s traditional order where eschatology appears last, but places it first. Volume II will culminate with the doctrine of God, which usually comes first. This is hardly to minimize God’s importance, but to maximize it as the Christian faith’s most profound mystery. Volume I begins with eschatology to present it as a dynamic, boundless atmosphere in which theological reflection unfolds. While this dynamism envelops Christian life and mission, it is not merely “subjective.” It is hope for the transformation of all creation. It is not only celebrative, for it also struggles against the gruesome evils that seek to dominate all things. From this vantage point, eschatology in Volume I seeks to articulate the significance of the resurrection, the last judgment, heaven and hell, the return of Christ, and the millenium’s coming. These reflections lead to revelation, beginning from the final revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3–13). Revelation’s dimensions are treated as personal; as historical, extending forwards from Genesis; and as propositional, or its way of converying its contents. These point theological reflection to revelation’s center, Jesus Christ, chiefly to his saving “work” in his life, death, and resurrection. Here the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional substitutionary and moral influence theories are examined. But when placed within their revelational or historical sequence, Jesus’ conflict with the powers of evil stands out. These prove to be gigantic systemic forces which have always ordered, but also imprisoned, humankind, such as the Roman Empire. Yet their horror and power stretch beyond any social or psychological explanation. In Jesus’ life and death, these powers appear to conquer him. But through his resurrection, Jesus conquers them. This drama is best articulated by the Christus Victor approach in which Jesus, with his Father and Spirit, defeats these powers, but does not totally destroy them. This is why their eschatological reign is “already” present, but evil is “not yet” destroyed until the end.

In his book, poised to become a standard historical theology textbook, Roger Olson takes us on a journey of events ranging from the apostolic fathers to the Reformation to the present.

Welcomed on first publication as the best one-volume dictionary of theology available, here is an indispensable resource for students and clergy.

In recent years, the flow of Christian theology has been channeled in diverse streams represented by such trends and movements as black theology, liberation theology, feminist theology, and womanist theology. To survey this abundance and diversity of current Christian theology, this book examines the theologies of representative theologians. Particularly to help students navigate the sea of information, the editors have identified various routes for reading, and have traced several threads or issues common to many of the essays, thus demarcating such recurrent concerns as the ways in which the theologians consider the sources and goals for theology, their variant assumptions and conclusions about the nature of God, their divergent approaches to understanding the person and purpose of the Christ, and their distinct expectations for the destiny of history and faith.

This major new study examines the history of Chinese theologies as they have navigated dynastic change, anti-imperialism, and the heights of Maoist propaganda In this groundbreaking and authoritative study, Chloë Starr explores key writings of Chinese Christian intellectuals, from philosophical dialogues of the late imperial era to sermons and micro blogs of theological educators and pastors in the twenty-first century. Through a series of close textual readings, she sheds new light on the fraught issues of Chinese Christian identity and the evolving question of how Christianity should relate to Chinese society.