Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology

by Daniel L. Migliore

Daniel Migliore's Faith Seeking Understanding has been a standard introduction to Christian theology for more than a decade. The book's presentation of traditional doctrine in freshly contemporary ways, its concern to hear and critically engage new voices in theology, and its creative and accessible style have kept it one of the most stimulating, balanced, and readable guides to theology available. This second edition of Faith Seeking Understanding features improvements from cover to cover. Besides updating and expanding the entire text of the book, Migliore has added two completely new chapters. The first, "Confessing Jesus Christ in Context," explores the unique contributions to Christian theology made by recent theologians working in the African American, Asian American, Latin American, Hispanic, feminist, womanist, and mujerista traditions. The second new chapter, "The Finality of Jesus Christ and Religious Pluralism," addresses the growing interest in the relationship of Christianity to other religions and their adherents. Migliore's three delightful theological dialogues are followed by a new appendix, an extensive glossary of theological terms, making the book even more useful to students seeking to understand the history, themes, and challenges of Christian belief.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Reference

457 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Matthew Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good read for those who want to understand some of the basic principles and beliefs of Christianity. Many major topics are covered, examining multiple approaches to those topics, and giving criticism. The focus of the book, rightly describing Christianity, is on a Christ centered belief system, where the causes for the poor, the discriminated, and alienated are held at high importance. Reading and understanding the material was easy, as it was organized and presented in a user-friendly format. There was a nice mixture of common words along with religious terminology, which again, aids in understanding. With this said, it is not a quick read as the material is hefty.

All in all, I learned a lot from this book, and the author did not seem to present too much bias, that is, until the last chapter. I cannot make up my mind concerning the chapter of eschatology. I liked the unique approach that was taken, which went beyond defining views such as amillenillism, post-tribulational, and such. The main focus of the chapter was a discussion on the basic, universal Christian hopes and reaction to those hopes. But I am also really troubled with this last chapter, as he readily dismisses those who believe in the Rapture, but does not give any explanation to defend his argument. Then, he talks about essential symbols of Christianity, such as hell, questions them, and states that they are only symbolic, and should not be taken literal. I was very discerned by this. I almost knocked the book down to a four-star rating on this one rough chapter.

Ultimately, if you want to learn, through unbiased explanation, the basic beliefs behind Christianity, and how it should be conducted, this is a good book. But if you are looking to expand you knowledge about specific books of the Bible, or about apocalyptic beliefs, this book does not aid in these areas.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first theology text I read all the way through and enjoyed while I learned, and I am not saying that because I am friends with the author. I read it before the Presbyterian ordination exams in 1991ish, and really loved it. And it helped.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in tandem with my systematics class this semester and found it thorough and accessible -- though I think it's best read in chapters as the subject interests you. Migliore's style is incredibly gentle and invitational, yet I think you still get enough information/rigor to ascertain some good info about the field of systematics from an overview standpoint.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing theological entry point. Migliore’s language for and exploration of God is beautiful and refreshing whether one is just beginning or needs a “reset” on the tenets of Christian faith. We just completed a spiritual journey through FSU as a church and oh, how enriching it was to locate ourselves within a theological framework in community.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach Introduction to Christian Theology at Thorneloe University. I have often said that this subject needs two courses. There are a lot of great later systematic theologies like Stanley Grenz's Theology for the Community of God, Joe Jones' Grammar of Christian Faith, Robert Jenson's Systematic Theology, or McClendon's Systematic Theology. But those are too large for single courses.

But in the case of a single course introduction, one is really strapped to find good smaller introductions. Thomas and Wondra's Introduction to Christian Theology, a more liberal Anglican introduction, which the course I teach currently uses, is well researched, but often skips right into very abstract topics without giving a simple overview of the doctrinal basics. Similarly, Alister McGrath's Christian Theology: An Introduction is good, but it is like sipping wine through a fire house, cramming so much in such a small space.

Finding Daniel Migliore's Faith Seeking Understanding, especially this newer addition, has deeply impressed me. Migliore is able to present topics in a succinct yet comprehensive manner. He is ecumenically minded and global-minded. His theology displays a sensitivity to Black and South American liberation theology, feminism, and Asian theological conversations that are often ignored by mainstream western, male-dominated theology. His chapter on dialogue with other religions, notably Judaism and Islam, is just the thing that needs to be in an introduction. Migliore is a good writer that gives a certain richness to topics that are often very dry.

I don't know what I would have done differently. I am not the master Migliore clearly is. I thought his section on the atonement was a bit too short for how important the topic is. On every chapter, there was, of course, much more he could have gone into, but A good introduction delivers substance but does not overload. It wets the proverbial whistle, which Migliore definitely does. Each chapter informs the reader, but also invites them in deeper.

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to wonder if the folks who wrote the first reviews read the same text that I did! This was my basic text for an intro. theology course I took at Princeton, where Dr. Migliore was teaching. He is classically trained, very disiplined, and a real gentleman. But, as this book demonstrates, he can't be termed a great theologian.
While he claims to be a Barthian, and he does use Barth's categories, he would not be recognized as such by Barth. He might be described as more a "string of pearls" thinker -- he takes things he likes from a variety of contradictory sources, with no apparent anchor or controling principle. What you get is more of a "mood" than a tangible response to God's voice in Scripture.

This is a very weak, very inconsistent, very frustrating work. I hardly ever score things poorly on Amazon, but I had to comment on this when I saw the other glowing reviews. There are all kinds of good theology texts, both to the "left" and to the "right" of Migliore. Louis Berkof, for example, is a classic that is clear and helpful.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily the best 'introduction to theology' that I've ever read. Having taught the class myself once or twice in years past, I would unquestionably use this book again -- even in an environment where English is a second language.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: An introduction to theology, covering all the major topics of systematic theology.

Over the years, I’ve been tempted several times to pick up this volume. The seminary I attended used different introductory texts for its systematic theology sequence, which is the primary audience for this work, though hardly exclusively so. I would observe that the clear and highly readable coverage of all the major theological topics makes this a great introduction for any layperson willing to invest the effort to work through its pages. Since I have not read or have access to earlier editions, all I can note is that the author claims to have updated the text throughout, including the bibliographies at the end of each chapter. The text evidences engagement with current questions of the environment, global Christianity, and relating to other religious beliefs.

In my review, I will not attempt to discuss every chapter or topic in this work but rather make some basic observations. One is that the title Faith Seeking Understanding reflects the overriding approach of this book, shaped by the profound influence of Karl Barth interpretation of the Reformed tradition on the author. He contends that a mature faith is a questioning faith, turning to God’s self-disclosure in Christ and the scriptures for understanding.

Those who hold to conservative beliefs on the inspiration and infallibility of scripture will take exception with Migliore who would call this “biblicist.” He would argue for scripture as a witness to the living Word, especially through the narratives concerning Jesus, through which God encounters us authoritatively and transformatively.

The chapter on the Triune God is one of the best in the book and left me pausing to worship. With elegance, clarity, and concision, Migliore discusses the development of belief in the Triune God, the errors to which the councils responded, the attributes of God and election in light of the doctrine of the Trinity. He is emphatic that for Christians to speak of God, we must speak of the Triune God. In the following chapter on creation, the transcendence and immanence of the Triune God provides grounds for our care for a good but groaning creation.

The chapter on the person and work of Christ masterfully discusses both past and present issues of Christology. I was surprised to find that he collapses the discussion of models of the atonement to three: Christus Victor, satisfaction, and moral influence, collapsing the substitionary model under satisfaction. He notes that no single model is supported by the creeds, and commends that all be drawn upon. He offers a helpful response to the critique of violence and the cross in framing the cross as God’s response to human violence, to reconcile the violent to God. The author also includes a chapter on contextual Christologies, outlining Latin, Mujerista, Asian American, feminist, and Black Christologies. A new addition to this edition is a “Christ and Cosmos” addressing the critique of Christianity as detrimental to ecological concern, considering the implications of the incarnation, cross, and resurrection for our care of creation.

One of the highlights of the chapter on “The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life” is a succinct identification of the marks of Christian maturing: as hearers of the Word, in prayer, in the exercise of Christian freedom, in solidarity with all creatures, in thankfulness and joy, and in hope. Similarly, he offers a trenchant exposition of the marks of the church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. He offers a thoughtful discussion of Christian faith and other religions and the approaches of inclusion, exclusion, and pluralism. He contends that we ought relate with those of other faiths in confidence that God’s grace in Christ through the Spirit is at work, recognized or not. This requires both genuine dialogue and gospel faithfulness and ought happen at the grassroots, as part of everyday life.

Finally, eschatology is framed around Christian hope. He considers the hope of the resurrection, both in time and in the eschaton. He discusses judgment and hell, contending we cannot be presumptuous in speaking for God or beyond what scripture discloses but also that we ought to hope in God.

One of the interesting features carried over from previous editions is found in the appendices, each of which are fictional dialogues between Karl Barth and other interlocutors on natural theology, the resurrection, political theology, and atheism. A fifth appendix is devoted to a theological glossary. Once again, Migliore excels in saying a lot with clarity in very little space.

I can see why this work is popular in seminary use. Migliore, while admittedly Barthian, writes a work that is generally fair-minded to different perspectives and represents these where Christians differ. His coverage of majority world theologies as well as western, classical approaches reflects our global Christian world. I do wish that he would not throw around the term “biblicist” for those whose view of scripture is more conservative than his and that he would have dealt with substitutionary atonement in greater depth. Yet this is a work that exalts God, is centered in Christ, envisions the greatness of Christ’s work in us, and the beauty of our future hope. For those who hunger to know what they believe as Christians, or to even understand what Christians believe, this is a good introduction, remarkably elegant and concise for the breadth it must cover. I’m glad that a copy finally came my way and to have read it and to have it for future reference.

________________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.

[C.H.E. Sadaphal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bottom line: Modernity and theology meet yet ultimately, modernity triumphs over God.

From the back cover, Faith Seeking Understanding sets out to present “traditional doctrine in freshly contemporary ways” as well as to “hear and critically engage new voices in theology.”

This vision is undergirded by the notion that one of the central themes within theology is that faith and inquiry are inseparable. This is a noble idea and a task that certainly yields greater wisdom, comprehension and insight. However, in the process of inquiry ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/faith-seek...

[Michaelpatrick Keena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading this book is as refreshing as drinking from a muddy river. This neo-orthodox writer is promoted as major defender of the Reformed Church and Christian orthodoxy. Occasionally backing Biblical soundness, Migliore undermines the very Word he is describes and investigates. I have read better from the papers used to line the bottom of parrot cages... after being soiled.

[Samuel Kropp · Rating 2 out of 5]

This text was required reading for a systematic theology class. Not a huge fan. Within the first few chapters it falsely equivocates holding to sola scriptura to papal infallibility. A wild stretch to say the least. Overall, not a compelling book, there are certainly other books more worth your time.

[Kate Wester · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unreadable

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

A splendid primer on the subject. From Pentecost to liberation theology, most of the key events in Christian theology have been covered by Daniel Migliore in an engaging and memorable account. It is much to get through but Migliore has done a good job of surveying this protean area and making clear the context into which each particular stream of theology is speaking into. The constructed dialogues in the appendices were by far and away the highlight of this book. It was splendid to witness an inspired 'Barthian' take on the likes of Nietzsche on atheism, Niebuhr on political theology and Bultmann, Pannenberg and Moltmann on the status of historical evidence in Christian theology and its witness. The appendices alone are worthy of 4 stars themselves. The only thing to criticise the book was that the main body of the work, within the individual chapters mostly within the middle of the book, appear to develop their own structure which made relating to them and taking stock of the information, at times, more difficult than one would anticipate. But that may well be down to my unfamiliarity with the peculiarities of diverse developments within theology.

[Michael Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok introduction into systematic theology. Migliore offers up a kind of Christocentric liberation theology. Like some liberation theology, it occasionally paints in broad brushes and lacks discretion. Migliore definitely wants to have his cake and eat it too. On a given doctrine, he offers up a “thesis” (usually a premodern/traditional position) then an “antithesis” (usually a modern or liberation position) then a “synthesis,” in which he marries the best of both worlds. But this rhetorical move gets old after a while; it seems as if he’s able to do what no one else can: marry premodern/traditional theology with modern/liberation theology. In the back of the book he’s included some hypothetical conversations between pioneering theologians that are sort of interesting, as well as a glossary of theological terms that readers will find helpful.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this for my intro theology class! i’m not religious and had very limited knowledge about christianity before this. i enjoyed the way Migliore broke down Christian theology, his arguments were very clear and well organized. i also appreciated that he always introduced several views on each topic rather than only including his own view. overall, this helped me see the appeal of a religion like Christianity. still think it’s important to acknowledge that there is a big difference between what Christianity was meant to be and what it actually has existed as in the world and in history and i don’t know if it’s justifiable to say that the hateful side of Christianity is a “misinterpretation” of the religion when it has so often been used that way.

[Terri Milstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often I will look to sell books after class, but this one I will keep and I have even jotted some things down that might be good to explore in sermons. In fact, I have quoted from this book in a sermon already. Migliore's writing is quite beautiful and is also well organized. I like the use of numbered points with italicized statements. It makes the book easy to work through and digest. He presents a lot of information on different theologies around key doctrines, discusses weaknesses and strengths of them, and presents his improvements upon them. Improvements might be a strong term, but I'll leave it there. The underlying theme: it's the Trinity. Always the Trinity.

[Steve Irby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished "Faith Seeking Understanding" by Daniel Migliore.

It was really good. It may be the most odd theology text I have ever read. The writer is a Princeton theologian of the Presbyterian persuasion. In there he calls for a reinterpretation of the attributes of God (Immutably, Impassibility etc.) which were near and dear to Augustine/Calvin. He also says election is corporate rather than individual, which left me pleasantly surprised since it is a denial of full Theological Determinism.

In the beginning you assume it will be a reformed theology text. He says it will be a systematic theology text but his writing points to liberation theology, mildly.

[Sparowhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The impetus for reading this book came after listening to a thought-provoking sermon, one that drew on a more contemporary view of Reformed theology. I was curious to learn more and asked the preacher for suggested readings. He lent me his copy of this book (the 1991 version), which he had read while in seminary.

The cover quotes a review that describes the book as "[a]n ideal primer," but the author presupposes that the reader already has a primary knowledge of the subject. The discussions, therefore, too often come across as more conclusory than foundational. Perhaps that is inevitable in a textbook intended to survey in one semester a subject about which other writers discuss in voluminous treatises, but the evident gaps and unsupported assertions made this less than a fully satisfying read.

That is not to say, however, that the book failed to serve the purpose for which I read it. Troubled by the religious right's embrace of a seemingly antithetical president, I wanted to try to assess whether that embrace was justifiable on religious, rather than solely on political, grounds. After reading this book, I conclude that the answer is no. The pursuit of political power by these religionists, and their attempts to create or preserve a privileged place for their views, is inconsistent with the irreducible core of the scriptures they profess to believe. Their conflation of the religious with the political weakens both religion and politics.

[Linden Leman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any attempt to summarize the entire Christian tradition of theology is monumental, but Migliore is just so dry and impersonal. In some chapters I could have sworn the Holy Spirit had never touched this man a day in his life. A good read if you're trying to completely forget the entire point of doing the whole Christian thing altogether. I recommend Guthrie's "Christian Doctrine" instead—a lot more readable and relevant, although it isn't a survey of all theologies, but his personal systematic theology with some outside support brought in.

[Kim Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not agree with everything Miglorie says, but this was an excellent introduction to Christian doctrine. I needed to see a view other than evangelicalism, and this was really helpful. Migliore pays attention to wholistic and trinitarian theology and avoids unnecessary polarization. He writes with humility, and I found that was much needed. I was also introduced to other theologians who are not necessarily popular with evangelicals (eg., Jurgen Moltmann, Karl Barth) but who provide helpful discussion.

I wish I'd read this years ago.

[Lindsey Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 outta 10 would recommend. Being the slight theology nerd that I am, I would say this is a great book for someone to start off with. It is easy to understand, extremely engaging, and will cause you to delve more into what you believe and why. This book will also give you a good foundation to lead into many other theology books that may strike your fancy in the future.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for an Intro to Christian Theology Seminary class. Succinctly outlines the major doctrines and theologies of the Christian faith. Wasn't as hard to read as I thought it would be (because it was organized so well). Lots of good information that explains and clarifies the main theologies of the Christian faith.

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall a decent summary of Christian theology. I appreciate the gender-neutral language for God. But I’m unconvinced of his argument for the Trinity. And this book seems too long. I’d recommend this for anyone who already is convinced of the Trinity.

[Wayne Kwok · Rating 4 out of 5]

A required text for Theology Overview class. Provide a good overview of the various doctrine beliefs in Christianity.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent academic resource. I used it for preparation for an essay on The Trinity.

[Lilly Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of Christian history.

[ashley mcqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for beginners studying Systematic Theology. Easy to follow and understand, and extremely well written. I'll go back to this for years to come.

[Rick Brookens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable theology book. Reframes theology in an interesting way. I have a few disagreements, but overall very good.

[Kyle Vanover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers and assesses a lot of topics, well thought-out, but is extremely “heady” and I often had to reread sections to follow what was being said.

[Del Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great intro to theological studies. The glossary alone is an excellent resource. Highly recommended for theology students or anyone seeking a more sophisticated theology.