An Introduction to Christian Theology

A journey in Christian theology through biblical, historical, and thematic perspectives, with special attention to the context of today's world.

Richard J. Plantinga (Author), Thomas R. Thompson (Author), Matthew D. Lundberg (Author)

9781108810784, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 November 2022

686 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 3.2 cm, 1.1 kg

Far from being solely an academic enterprise, the practice of theology can pique the interest of anyone who wonders about the meaning of life. This introduction to Christian theology – exploring its basic concepts, confessional content, and history – emphasizes the relevance of the key convictions of Christian faith to the challenges of today's world. Part I introduces the project of Christian theology and sketches the critical context that confronts Christian thought and practice today. Part II offers a survey of the key doctrinal themes of Christian theology, including revelation, the triune God, and the world as creation, identifying their biblical basis and the highlights of their historical development before giving a systematic evaluation of each theme. Part III provides an overview of Christian theology from the early church to the present. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition of An Introduction to Christian Theology includes a range of new visual and pedagogical features, including images, diagrams, tables, and more than eighty text boxes, which call attention to special emphases, observations, and applications to help deepen student engagement.

Part I. Introduction to Theology: 1. What is theology?
2. The critical context of theology today
Part II. Key Themes of Christian Theology: 3. Revelation and knowledge of God
4. A tale of two theisms
5. The triune God
6. The world as creation
7. Humanity in the image of God and the disfigurement of sin
8. The problem of evil and the question of theodicy
9. The identity and person of Jesus Christ
10. The reconciling work of Jesus Christ
11. The person and work of the Holy Spirit
12. Dimensions of salvation
13. The church and its mission
14. Christianity in a global context
15. Hope and the future
Part III. Historical Survey of Christian Theology: 16. Theology in the patristic era (c. 100–500)
17. Theology in the middle ages (c. 500–1400)
18. Theology in the Reformation period (c. 1400–1700)
19. Theology in modernity (c. 1700–1960)
20. Theology in the contemporary period (c. 1960–present).

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM], History of religion [HRAX]