Christian Theology - An Introduction 6e

""Christian Theology: An Introduction" is a work of prodigious learning and notable clarity. Alister McGrath here combines a mastery of the history of doctrine with his gift of communication to produce the finest university textbook available in this field." "Professor Gabriel Fackre, Andover Newton Theological School, USA""There is much to admire in Dr McGrath's skill as a pedagogue. The range of issues he deals with is marvellously broad, and he says a great many things which are important, beautiful, true and worth knowing." "Church Times" "McGrath has surpassed even himself in his latest work, "Christian Theology: An Introduction"." "His assumption that the reader has little theological expertise and reads only English, makes the book extremely valuable to beginners in theology." "Beginners in theology will want this book, I do not say on their shelf, but rather, in their hands; and yet advanced theologians will not regret digesting the material presented as well." "His purpose is not to pre-scribe but to de-scribe Christian Theology." "Trinity Journal" "This is a wonderfully clear presentation of major questions on each of the topics discussed. The author is a skilful teacher who knows how to explain what is at issue in the different debates and disagreements without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary detail." "ACT Digest" "'Introduction' is perhaps too modest a word for a book which gives a basic introduction to almost every aspect of the history and theology of Christianity. It is clearly written, fairly argued, and very reasonably priced. McGrath has set a standard that will not be broken for a very long time." "Theology" "This is an admirable textbook which will soon grace many shelves." "Expository Times" "This book is an extraordinary achievement, a "tour de force" by McGrath which will establish his reputation as one of Britain's most important theologians. It will also introduce thousands of students to theology as a discipline

Alister E. McGrath is currently Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford; he was previously Professor of Theology and Education at King s College, London. He is regarded as one of the world s leading Protestant theologians and is the author of some of the world s most widely used theological textbooks, including the bestselling Science and Religion (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), Christianity (Wiley-Blackwell, 2015), Christian Theology (Wiley-Blackwell, 2016), and The Christian Theology Reader, (5th edition, 2016). He is in constant demand as a speaker at conferences throughout the world, especially in Southeast Asia.

List of Illustrations xxi Preface xxiii To the Student: How to Use This Book xxvii To the Teacher: How to Use This Book xxix The Structure of the Book: The Fifth and Sixth Editions Compared xxxiii Video and Audio Resources xxxv PART I LANDMARKS: PERIODS, THEMES, AND PERSONALITIES OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 1 Introduction 3 1 The Patristic Period, c.100 c.700 5 2 The Middle Ages and the Renaissance, c.700 c.1500 21 3 The Age of Reformation, c.1500 c.1750 38 4 The Modern Period, c.1750 to the Present 57 PART II SOURCES AND METHODS 81 5 Getting Started: Preliminaries 83 6 The Sources of Theology 104 7 Knowledge of God: Natural and Revealed 135 8 Philosophy and Theology: Dialogue and Debate 152 PART III CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 173 9 The Doctrine of God 175 10 The Person of Jesus Christ 207 11 The Nature and Basis of Salvation 246 12 The Holy Spirit 280 13 The Trinity 299 14 Human Nature, Sin, and Grace 327 15 The Church 354 16 The Sacraments 381 17 Christianity and the World Religions 405 18 Last Things: The Christian Hope 426 Jargon-Busting: A Glossary of Theological Terms 449 Sources of Citations 456 Acknowledgments 465 Index 466