Approaching the Study of Theology: An Introduction to Key Thinkers, Concepts, Methods & Debates

by Anthony C. Thiselton

Overview

From the opening pages of the Bible, we learn of God as one who communicates with humankind—offering us first steps toward knowledge of the divine, the very foothold of theology. On this basis, Approaching the Study of Theology presents an engaging introduction to the breadth and depth of the study of theology, mapping the significant landmarks as well as the main areas of debate. The book is divided into three parts: Part I (Approaches) describes the major approaches to theology that have emerged and developed over time. Part II (Concepts and Issues) explains the major concepts and issues, identifying theologians associated with each. Part III (Key Terms) provides a helpful glossary of all the key terms that readers need to understand in order to better understand theology. Written by the eminent theologian Anthony Thiselton, here is an accessible resource for both those in the midst of a theological course or program as well as those contemplating the field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830852192
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	08/28/2018
Pages:	255
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Anthony C. Thiselton is emeritus professor of Christian theology in the University of Nottingham, England, and a fellow of the British Academy. He has published twenty-five books spanning the fields of hermeneutics, New Testament studies, systematic theology, and philosophy of religion.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

List of abbreviations xii

Chronology xiii

Introduction: Landmarks in the study of theology 1

1 Biblical roots 1

a Doctrine of God 1

b Humankind 4

c Human alienation from God 6

d Jesus Christ: Redeemer, Saviour and Lord 7

e The Holy Spirit 9

f The Church, the sacraments and other theological themes 11

2 The era of the church fathers (c.ad 100 - c. 500) 12

a From the apostolic fathers to the Council of Nicaea 12

b From the Council of Nicaea to AD 500 15

3 The medieval era 16

4 The Reformation and afterwards 18

5 The modern period 20

a From Schleiermacher to Harnack 20

b From Barth to Niebuhr 23

c Four recent Roman Catholic theologians 25

d Recent Protestant thinkers 26

Part 1 Approaches

1 Biblical theology 35

2 Hermeneutical theology 41

3 Historical theology 49

4 Moral theology 54

5 Philosophical theology 60

6 Political theology 66

7 Practical theology 69

8 Systematic theology 72

9 Theology of religions 80

Part 2 Concepts and issues

Atonement 87

Authority of the Bible 94

Catholicism 98

Christology 102

Ecclesiology 105

Eschatology 109

Feminist theology 114

God, theology of 117

Humankind 120

Justification 123

Liturgy, liturgical theology 127

Natural theology 129

Orthodoxy, Eastern 132

Pentecostalism 136

Protestantism 142

Resurrection of the dead 144

Revelation 147

Sin and alienation 149

Theodicy 156

Trinity, Holy 161

Part 3 Key terms

Agnosticism 169

Allegory, allegorical interpretation 169

Analogy 169

Angels 169

Anglicanism 169

Antinomianism 170

Apocalyptic 170

Apologetics 170

Apostle 170

Apostolic fathers 171

Ascension of Christ 171

Asceticism 171

Assurance 171

Athanasian Creed 172

Atheism 172

Baptism 172

Baptists 172

Calvinism 173

Cappadocian Fathers 173

Cataphatic 173

Celtic Christianity 173

Chalcedon, Council of 174

Charismatic 174

Communion of saints 174

Covenant 174

Creation, Creatio ex nihilo 175

Creationism 175

Creed 175

Cross 175

Death and mortality 176

Death of God theology 176

Deification 176

Deism 176

Demons 177

Desert fathers 177

Devil 177

Dialectical theology 177

Dispensationalism 178

Dogmatics 178

Dualism 178

Ecumenical theology 178

Election 179

Enthusiasm 179

Epiphany 179

Erastianism 179

Eucharist 180

Evangelicalism 180

Faith, faithfulness 180

Fall 181

Fideism 181

Filioque 181

Forgiveness 182

Foundationalism 182

Fundamental theology 182

Fundamentalism 182

Gnosticism 182

Gospel 183

Grace 183

Hamartology 183

Heart 184

Heaven 184

Heilsgeschichte 184

Hell 185

Heresy and orthodoxy 185

Historical Jesus 185

Holiness 185

Holy Communion 186

Homiletics 186

Homoousios 186

Hope 186

Hypostasis 186

Icons 187

Image of God 187

Immaculate conception 187

Immanence 187

Immortality 188

Incarnation 188

Incommensurability 188

Intermediate state 188

Irresistible grace 189

Kairos 189

Kenotic theology 189

Kingdom of God 189

Last Judgment 190

Law 190

Liberal Protestantism 190

Liberation theology 191

Logos 191

Love 191

Lutheranism 191

Mediation, Mediator 192

Mennonites 192

Mercy, divine 192

Messiah 192

Methodism 192

Millennium, millenarianism 193

Missiology 193

Modernism 193

Monism 194

Monotheism 194

Mysticism 194

Narrative theology 194

Neo-orthodoxy 195

Nicaea, Council of 195

Numinous 195

Ontological argument 195

Open theism 196

Original righteousness 196

Orthopraxis 196

Panentheism 196

Pantheism 196

Paraclete 196

Parousia 197

Pietism 197

Pluralism, religious 197

Pneumatology 197

Polytheism 198

Postcolonial theology 198

Post-liberal theology 198

Postmodern theology 198

Prayer 199

Predestination 199

Pre-existence 199

Prevenient grace 199

Promise, promissory language 200

Providence 200

Purgatory 200

Puritanism 200

Queer theology 200

Rapture 201

Recapitulation 201

Reception theory 201

Reconciliation 201

Redemption 202

Reformation 202

Repentance 202

Sacrament 203

Sacrifice 203

Sanctification 203

Sinless perfection 204

Sobernost 204

Soteriology 204

Soul 204

Spirit 205

Spirituality 205

Subordinationism 205

Syncretism 205

Teleological argument 206

Temptation 206

Theism 206

Thomism 207

Time 207

Transcendence 207

Transubstantiation 207

Unitarianism 208

Universalism 208

Vatican II 208

Wrath of God 208

Bibliography 211

Index of Scripture and patristic references 225

Index of authors 228

Index of subjects 234

What People are Saying About This

Church Times

"Thiselton's genius lies in his extraordinary capacity to help us see familiar issues afresh and deepen our sense of truth. Thiselton's method . . . is to guide the student or reader, giving him or her new vistas, insights, and nourishment for the intellectual journey ahead."

John Barton

"An exciting new series that will provide orientation and essential information for students at the beginning of a course in an attractive and readable format. From here the student will be well placed to move on to classic texts and larger handbooks."

Editorial Reviews

"Thiselton's genius lies in his extraordinary capacity to help us see familiar issues afresh and deepen our sense of truth. Thiselton's method . . . is to guide the student or reader, giving him or her new vistas, insights, and nourishment for the intellectual journey ahead."

Church Times

"An exciting new series that will provide orientation and essential information for students at the beginning of a course in an attractive and readable format. From here the student will be well placed to move on to classic texts and larger handbooks."

John Barton