An Introduction to Christian Theology

Introduction to Religion

by Richard J. Plantinga, Thomas R. Thompson, Matthew D. Lundberg

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.

Genres: Theology

686 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sooho Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Introduction to Christian Theology, to be sure, is quite a pedagogical feat. More specifically, condensing 2000 years of (mostly Western) Christian Theology into moderately accessible 600 pages of reading. However, it is its versatility that I find is its most praiseworthy feature. Though more systematic in its approach, the historical chapters are crucial to its argumentation. Although it is an introduction/reference -- therefore, not limited to be read linearly -- I wish its historical chapters (Part III) were either prior or sparsed through its systematic chapters (Part II). Its prolegomena (Part I) is also helpful and well worth the read.

Not everything Plantinga, Thompson, and Lundberg wrote I agree with, and I do not have to. Some chapters really show their cards and impress their biases (e.g., social trinitarianism, sanctioning mutability for the doctrine of God, and kenotic Christology), and other chapters are more distant (perhaps, much less is at stake for them). 

$35 (amazon price) might seem a steep price for a book, but it is actually cheap for a theological reference/introduction. 

cf. www.sooholee.wordpress.com

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant in its concision breadth and depth. Anyone looking to understand the structure and history of Christian belief would do well to start here. It’s a goldmine of information that I will continue to use throughout my life.

[Joel Wentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never before have I so thoroughly enjoyed reading an intro-level textbook (for any subject), so much so that I read it cover-to-cover after finishing the course which required me to buy it! This blows other similar texts by people like McGrath and Karkainnen completely out of the water for one simple reason: the authors do not even attempt to hide their interpretations. In fact, at the end of each chapter, which provides the requisite survey of whichever theological topi they are addressing, the writers explicitly suggest what they see as a helpful step forward, and what they appreciate or even dislike about the tradition they just surveyed. This is a huge breath of fresh air in the world of systematic theology!

Furthermore, the writers are extremely thoughtful and thorough with their surveys (although one could argue that they could include more theology from outside Europe/North America, but this problem plagues all such theological writing), and the writing itself is accessible. I can't say enough about this book, and I think it should be on the shelf for every preacher, non-profit minister, and student of theology, both as a reference tool and as a masterful introduction to thinking systematically about theology.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It never ceases to amaze me that a 600 page book can be called an "introduction," nevertheless, when you're surveying 2,000 years of historical theology, 600 pages is an achievement in succinctness. This book is a pleasure to read--well written and thorough, leaving few (if any) stones unturned. I appreciate that the authors identify their personal stances on many doctrines; the reader does not have to guess about the author bias, and the result seems to be that, having defined their own opinion for the reader, the authors can talk about other stances more objectively. I'm happy to have this book on my shelf. I will be coming back to it as a future reference.