Fallen: A Theology of Sin

Theology in Community #5

by Gerald L. Bray (Contributor), David B. Calhoun (Contributor), D.A. Carson (Contributor)

From marital infidelity to global war, the world is obviously broken, leaving people desperate to find an explanation for our universal sin problem. In the latest addition to the Theology in Community series, Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson have assembled an interdisciplinary team of evangelical thinkers to explore the biblical doctrine of sin from a variety of angles. Among other contributors, popular scholar D. A. Carson discusses the contemporary significance of sin; seasoned professor Paul House details sin in the Old Testament law, prophets, and writings; and New Testament expert Douglas Moo explores sin from Paul’s vantage point. This team of top-notch scholars offers modern readers a comprehensive overview of this oft-neglected, biblical theme so that readers might learn to live better in a sinful world.

Part of the Theology in Community series.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Biblical Studies

410 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Gerald L. Bray (Ph.D., University of Paris--Sorbonne) is director of research for the Latimer Trust, based in London, and a research professor at Samford University, teaching in the Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. A priest of the Church of England, Bray has also edited the post-Reformation Anglican canons. He has edited several volumes of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture and Ancient Christian Texts, as well as volume one of the Ancient Christian Doctrine series, all for IVP Academic. General EditorTimothy George (Th.D., Harvard University) is a renowned Reformation historian and author of Theology of the Reformers, as well as many other theological and historical works. He is founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and an executive editor of Christianity Today.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! The concept of Theology in Community is wonderful, and the group of scholars contributing to this book is great. They deal with the heavy topic of sin in a way that is thorough and academic, but also easy to follow and understand. The topic of sin can be a discouraging and defeating one, but this book presents not only the dark realities of sin, but the power of Christ to overcome. This book is so Gospel-cantered and encouraging in that manner. After exploring sin in the biblical story and applying a theology of sin to our modern context, the authors also discuss how to deal with sin and temptation and then conclude with a chapter about repentance and the joy that it brings.

Needless to say, I would love to read another book of the Theology in Community series, and I highly recommend this book for a biblical theology of sin and modern day application of it!

[Marc Cortez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the end, Fallen is a tremendously helpful book. It brings together a combination of biblical, theological, and practical perspectives on an important topic, packing an awful lot into just 300 pages. And it will be most useful when you understand what it really is—a biblical theology of sin with a quick overview of how that biblical material relates to several theological and practical issues. To get the most out of Fallen, then, I think you would do well to pair it with a book that offers a more constructive theology of sin (e.g. Plantinga’s very readable Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin or Shuster’s more involved The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as Sinners).

For more information, you can read my full review here.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the theology of sin. after reading this, I grew more convinced of my sin and all its angles and possible manifestations... and grew more grateful to my Savior who rescued me. Worth the read!

[Franklin Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although sin is becoming a taboo topic in recent years, the authors of these essays tackle the topic in a thoughtful, studious and practical way.
Some chapters are way too academic for me, but I must admit I learned quite a bit as well.
Sin is a huge problem for humanity, one that no one can escape. It should not be watered down or brushed aside, and yet we must be very careful in the application, especially since we tend to see everyone else's sin before we see our own.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of 11 essays on the doctrine of sin, from 11 American evangelical scholars. The first half of the book takes a biblical-theological approach, while the second takes a more systematic approach. A good read, but not a stand-out one. I also find it disappointing that Crossway decided to assemble a group of writers who "care about the global church", rather than bringing together a genuinely diverse set of authors.

[Monte Hickingbottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being that this book was a series of 13 essays, some parts of the book were incredible and some parts were a struggle to read. Chapter 13 was perhaps the greatest treatise on the subject of repentance that I've ever read. Incredibly convicting. Worth the purchase for that chapter alone, but there are great nuggets of truth in the entire book.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid, biblical, reformed treatment of the doctrine of sin (hamartiology). The format of inviting different authors to write each chapter results in a book that reads differently chapter to chapter, and some chapters are more helpful than others. Still, this is a helpful, biblical, theological survey of our fallenness.

[Ante Ivankovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for all who seek to better understand human nature and effects of sin in our lives ❤️. Love this series Next on the list From this series “Kingdom of God”

[Tyler Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some excellent contributions in this volume. Especially noteworthy are Moo's, "Sin in Paul" and Page's, "Satan, Sin, and evil."

[Peter Overduin]

I'm already frustrated.

More and more, I get the feeling that christian publishers unfairly bilk their buyers when they choose the ebook format. This book is an example. The price of this ebook, relative to the hard copy, is inexcusable. I will not be purchasing this title. What a shame.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. Good essays on the doctrine from biblical, systematic, historical and pastoral approach.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chapters by Carson, Moo, Bray, and Chapell were especially good. I didn't care for Mahony's chapter.

[Jeff Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, not great, not bad. Just Ok. Nothing which made it a must-buy.

[Nathan Whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book filled with great essays.