Dr. Justo L. Gonzalez – författare

An introduction to the core Christian doctrines, the historical context in which they arose, and their ongoing importance to contemporary Christian belief and practice.Justo González has long been recognized as one of our best teachers and interpreters of the church’s belief and history. In this new volume he lays out the answers to three questions crucial to understanding the Christian tradition: First, what are the core Christian doctrines? What ideas and convictions form the heart of Christian identity? Second, Where did these doctrines come from? What are the historical contexts in which they first rose to prominence? How have they developed across the history of the church? Finally, what do these doctrines mean today? What claims do they continue to place on Christian belief and practice in the twenty-first century?Written with the clarity and insight for which González is famous, A Short History of Christian Doctrine will serve the needs of students in church history, historical theology, and systematic theology classes in college/university settings, as well as seminaries/theological schools.

A treatment of the evolution of Christian thought from the birth of Christ, to the Apostles, to the early church, to the great flowering of Christianity across the world. The first volume introduces the central figures and debates culminating in the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon among which the theologies of the early church were hammered out.Volume 2  #9781426721915Volume 3  #9781426721939

A treatment of the evolution of Christian thought from the birth of Christ, to the Apostles, to the early church, to the great flowering of Christianity across the world. The final volume begins with the towering theological leaders of the Protestant Reformation and traces the development of Christian thought through its encounter with modernity.Volume #2  9781426721915Volume #1  9781426721892

This book helps beginning theological students grasp the basics of Christian theology. Consciously avoiding the perspective of one school of thought or confessional tradition, the authors provide the reader with a brief, broad overview of the questions and contents of theological study. Their accessible use of language, clear organization, and careful explanation will prove of invaluable aid to those who are getting their theological feet wet for the first time."In the words of its authors, this book offers an introduction ''to the fuller spectrum of Christian theology as it has developed through the centuries.'' Few writers address the historical development of the classic doctrines and the contemporary resonance as adroitly as Gonzalez and Perez. The chapter on Jesus Christ, for example, presents concise summaries of the treatments of Christ''s person leading up to Chalcedon, while suggesting a need for a multiplicity of images in understanding the work of Christ that liberates the whole person and restores all creation. Beginning students, as a result, are invited into a living theological conversation, where the contested claims of the past have continued relevance in a contemporary era beset by its undervaluing of the body and creation. Broadly ecumenical in tenor, with reference to theologians from nearly every century, the work should appeal to both a popular readership and introductory students in college and seminary. One disappointing aspect of the book is an absence of Latino/a, feminist, and liberation perspectives. For a work that argues for the contextuality of all theology, and from authors whose previous work has been monumental in Hispanic theological education, this lack is surprising."---David H. Jensen, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Religious Studies Review, Volume 29 Number 3, July 2003.

One of the chief difficulties in studying the history of Christianity is the lack of prior exposure to the subject that students often bring with them. Struggling to keep up with the large numbers of names, dates, and places presented to them, it is easy for students to lose sight of the "big picture," the broad sweep of movement and change that instructors most wish to communicate. Justo Gonzalez has written this book to help students gain just such a quick and basic grasp of the main periods and issues in the history of Christianity. Drawing upon his own extensive experience and that of others, he contends that having been introduced to the essentials of church history in a brief and accessible form, students are far better able to understand and appreciate what they encounter in more detailed lectures and reading.Gonzalez provides a comprehensive opening chapter that summarizes major issues and concerns of each of the principal eras of church history. Subsequent chapters focus on the ancient church, the Christian empire, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, and the twentieth century and the end of modernity.

An in-depth look at Christian theology through Hispanic eyes. It weaves the doctrinal formulations of the early church on creation, the Trinity, and Christology into contemporary theological reflection on the Hispanic struggle for liberation.This volume offers a major theological statement from a respected theologian and author. Richly insightful and unique, Manana is one of the few major theological works from a Protestant representative of the Hispanic tradition. Justo L. Gonzalez offers theological reflections based upon unique insights born of his minority status as a Hispanic American.

By looking at the wide variety of Hispanic Christian worship that exists within the Hispanic community, Alabadle! highlights the cultural, generational, and denominational elements that comprise the spectrum of Hispanic worship. Justo L. Gonzalez and seven other contributors provide an insightful look into the variety of worship styles that exist among numerous church traditions including Assemblies of God, United Methodist, Catholic, American Baptist, Presbyterian, and Disciples of Christ. And yet, in the midst of this variety, is a common thread of excitement - about worship and about the gospel! Anyone interested in exploring worship, music, and liturgy styles from a particular Hispanic perspective will find Alabadle! a valuable learning tool.

Introducción a la historia de la iglesia es una obra formidable en la que de manera amena, entretenida y sin dejar de ser académica, el Dr. Justo González repasa los acontecimientos fundamentales que sucedieron en la historia de la iglesia y que le han dado cuerpo. Este libro es fundamental como introducción para entender el porqué la iglesia tiene la forma que tiene en la actualidad, y servirá de base para cualquiera que desee adentrarse en los detalles de tan extensa y a veces complicada historia. Written in Spanish by the renown Hispanic author Justo L. González, this easy-to-understand and entertaining, yet academic introduction to the history of the church reviews the major events that happened in the history of the church and how they shape today’s church.  This book is ideal for helping readers understand today’s church structure, and serves as guide for those interested in the extensive, and at times, complicated history of the church.

El ministerio de la palabra escrita constituye una guía práctica para todas las personas que estén contemplando la idea de escribir y publicar un libro. De una manera amena y entretenida, Justo González nos introduce en el mundo del escritor y las dinámicas de publicación. El autor ofrece en este volumen sus años de experiencia como escritor y editor, y anima al lector a participar en la producción de material escrito para el pueblo hispano-latino con afán de solventar su escasez. This title, translated as "the ministry of the written word" constitutes a practical guide for all who contemplate writing and publishing a book.  In a practical, and easy-to-understand manner, Justo González introduces to the world of the writer and the dynamics of publication.  The author offers in this volume his many years of experience as the writer and publishing, and encourages readers to participate in the production of material written for the Hispanic-latino American communities where there is a shortage of quality ministerial books.

This volume, condensed from Dr. Justo González’s popular three-volume history, is revised and updated.While retaining the essential elements of the earlier three volumes, this book describes the central figures and debates leading to the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon. Then it moves to Augustine and shows how Christianity evolved and was understood in the Latin West and Byzantine East during the Middle Ages.Finally, the book introduces the towering theological leaders of the Reformation and continues to trance the development of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christianities through modernity in the twentieth century to post-modernity in the twenty-first.

Una clara, concisa y atrayente introducción a un campo que esta regresando una vez mas, especialmente entre los laicos comprometidos con el renovado interés en el crecimiento espiritual dentro del contexto de una tradición eclesiástica. Como historiadores del cristianismo, los autores de este libro ofrecen una introducción a las doctrinas cristianas tradicionales. Escrito en un estilo claro directo, este libro presenta una reseña de las raíces, los contextos particulares, y los entendimientos doctrinales de temas como la teología, Dios, el ser humano, Jesucristo, la iglesia, y la esperanza.A clear, concise and attractive introduction to a field that is returning once again, especially among the laity committed to the renewed interest in spiritual growth within the context of church tradition. As historians of Christianity, the authors of this book provide an introduction to traditional Christian doctrines. Written in a direct style, this book provides an overview of the roots, contexts, and understandings of issues of doctrine and theology, God, man, Jesus Christ, the church, and hope.

Sharing the Good News might be understood as the prime directive of the Church from its earliest times, but the Church soon discovered unforeseen obstacles and its own set of temptations, including its lust for power and domination. Although the gospel might be joyfully offered, it was not always received in the same spirit. And the Church was not always gracious with dissent and criticism. Even so, the Church continues to reach out to the least, the last, and the lost—attempting to bring them into the family of God. But for mission to be effective today, it must take advantage of indigenous resources and recognize its limitations as well as its gifts.This book broadly introduces prominent missionary practices and major historical figures using three perspectives. First, it takes into account the missionary activity proceeding from the margins rather than only discussing the center of theological and ecclesial activity. Second, it narrates the cross-cultural, cross-confessional, and cross-religious dynamics that characterize Christian missionary activity. And third, it emphasizes that much missionary activity is generated by national rather than international missionaries. The text concludes with a chapter on the postmodern and postcolonial world.

How and why God loves us—God''s good creationThis book will talk about the doctrine of creation and invite us to look closely at who God is and who we are in relationship with God. As people of faith, we believe that our gracious God created all there is, but does that also mean that God also created evil? How does creation jive with what scientists are telling us about the origin of the universe? What does the doctrine of creation tell us about what we call "the creation," that is, the world, its value, purpose, etc? How does understanding the world as God’s creation teach us about our role in creation care?The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and earth, but does that deny the science of the Big Bang? What does believing that God is the Creator say about how God loves, redeems, and sustains us today or does creation say something only about the past? What about the "new creation''''? Does this have anything to do with the old creation? Does it mean simply that God is so tired of the rebelliousness of creation that it seems best to erase the present one and start anew? Or is there a connection between the two?What does the doctrine of creation say about us? Aren’t we created in God’s image and aren’t we part of the good creation of a loving God? If so, why is there evil and rebelliousness in us? Where does our ill-will, our desire to do evil, come from? Is there freedom of the will or are all things preordained by God? Just how detailed is God’s plan for us?While no one author can deal with all these questions, this book will help us begin the conversation and gain new understanding of how the doctrine of creation can help us address these very human and timeless questions.Series Description:Belief Matters: How to Love God with Your Mind is a series of books written by widely recognized authors who will help readers think more clearly about their faith and better understand their beliefs, so that they can live more faithfully. These books will also help readers become aware of thoughtful resources and conceptual frames of reference that not only will deepen their faith, but also help them better understand what we say and do in Church. Conversational in tone, these books are reflections on major theological topics and are suitable for a 4-session individual or group study. The intent of the series is to help readers feel as though they are sitting, having coffee as authors share their “take” and show that by thinking more clearly about the faith, persons can love God more fully, live with confidence, and change the world.

Three Months with the Spirit is popular author Justo Gonzalez study of the Acts of the Apostles. Eminently readable, the study uses the see-judge-act method to bring readers closer to the text and informs and challenges the daily life of the Christian. These thirteen studies can be used for Sunday school, for evening Bible study, for home study meetings, for faith communities, for retreats, and for personal Bible study. In addition, Three Months with the Spirit can easily be used as a daily Bible study as each lesson is divided into seven parts.

Este libro es una introducción a las doctrinas básicas cristianas, el contexto histórico en que surgieron y la continua importancia que tienen para la creencia y práctica cristiana actual. El Dr. Justo L. González una vez más nos muestra su habilidad para interpretar las creencias (doctrinas) e historia de la iglesia. En este libro, expone las respuestas a tres preguntas fundamentals para entender la tradición cristiana. La primera es: ¿cuáles son las doctrinas cristianas básicas? ¿Qué ideas y convicciones forman el corazón de la identidad cristiana? La segunda es: ¿De dónde provienen esas doctrinas? ¿cuáles son los contextos históricos en que comenzaron a destacar? La tercera, ¿qué significan estas doctrinas en la actualidad? ¿Qué reclamos siguen poniendo a la creencia y práctica cristiana en el siglo veintiuno?Escrito con la claridad y entendimiento por los que el Dr. González es conocido, Breve Historia de las Doctrinas Cristianas servirá a estudiantes que estén tomando cursos de historia de la iglesia, teología histórica y teología sistemática en universidades, seminaries o facultades de teología.Translated from the English version published in January 2006, this book is an introduction to the core Christian doctrines, the historical context in which they arose, and their ongoing importance to contemporary Christian belief and practice.Justo González has long been recognized as one of our best teachers and interpreters of the church’s belief and history. In this new volume he lays out the answers to three questions crucial to understanding the Christian tradition: First, what are the core Christian doctrines? What ideas and convictions form the heart of Christian identity? Second, where did these doctrines come from? What are the historical contexts in which they first rose to prominence? How have they developed across the history of the church? Finally, what do these doctrines mean today? What claims do they continue to place on Christian belief and practice in the twenty-first century?Written with the clarity and insight for which González is famous, A Short History of Christian Doctrine will serve the needs of students in church history, historical theology, and systematic theology classes in college/university settings, as well as seminaries/theological schools.