Creation

Truth and the Christian Imagination

by Alister E. McGrath

In this illustrated volume on the theme of creation, Alister McGrath seeks to deepen our appreciation of the riches of our faith through stimulating both the mind and the imagination. Seven paintings, each portraying an aspect of creation, are reproduced in full colour. The author's illuminating and detailed commentary on the ideas conveyed through each work is woven through with poetry, prayer and theological reflection.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality

87 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great! The first book in a 6-book series, each dealing with a different Christian doctrine. McGrath's writing is accessible, and the paintings are a lovely visual accompaniment. A great combination of a theological refresher course and devotional.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uses the arts as a window into theology. Really cool!

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGrath delivers a fine devotional book - which can be used as 7 readings / devotions - where he uses Art as well as quotes from Great Christian Thinkers, in addition to the use of Scripture, to cover the theme of Creation.

I must admit to being a bit of a barbarian when it comes to Art and I do enjoy how this give the background as well as the interpretation (often several) of the work.

Note that I haven't been reading this in order, so probably would have appreciated the series a bit more if I had :)

[Stephen Dufton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

This is about a discipleship of the imagination in which the great themes of the doctrine of creation nourish and delight us in a glorious vision of the God-created world through painting and poetry.

A good knowledge of the doctrine is assumed...