Cherith Fee Nordling

In this exciting volume, a renowned New Testament scholar provides his lectures on New Testament theology and provides us a window on his approach on a variety of issues. He describes the task as follows: "New Testament theology is the art of giving coherence to the collective witness of the twenty-seven New Testament documents as they attest to the Christian faith while not sacrificing the historical particularity of any one text or author within the canon, and to do this as clearly as possible and with as much consistency and unity as possible . . . New Testament theology deals with all the New Testament. We must resist the tendency to find a canon within the canon or to neglect some lesser figures in the New Testament canon . . . New Testament theology is first of all a descriptive task--i.e., we must first try to describe what is there. But given our stance toward Scripture, what we describe also becomes prescriptive or normative . . . We must never forget that the writings of the New Testament are ad hoc documents, written in each and every case to speak to a specific need. Thus, rather than careful, systematic presentations of theology (such as in a book or a lecture), the earliest Christian theology is worked out in the marketplace, as it were. Therefore, we must be careful not to force the New Testament writers to answer all of our questions, nor even to use our logic or thought forms." (excerpted from chapter 1)

In this exciting volume, a renowned New Testament scholar provides his lectures on New Testament theology and provides us a window on his approach on a variety of issues. He describes the task as follows: "New Testament theology is the art of giving coherence to the collective witness of the twenty-seven New Testament documents as they attest to the Christian faith while not sacrificing the historical particularity of any one text or author within the canon, and to do this as clearly as possible and with as much consistency and unity as possible . . . New Testament theology deals with all the New Testament. We must resist the tendency to find a canon within the canon or to neglect some lesser figures in the New Testament canon . . . New Testament theology is first of all a descriptive task--i.e., we must first try to describe what is there. But given our stance toward Scripture, what we describe also becomes prescriptive or normative . . . We must never forget that the writings of the New Testament are ad hoc documents, written in each and every case to speak to a specific need. Thus, rather than careful, systematic presentations of theology (such as in a book or a lecture), the earliest Christian theology is worked out in the marketplace, as it were. Therefore, we must be careful not to force the New Testament writers to answer all of our questions, nor even to use our logic or thought forms." (excerpted from chapter 1)

Does women’s experience matter for theological inquiry? Elizabeth Johnson’s premise is that it does, and that the failure of traditional Trinitarian doctrine to account for women’s relationality results in a too radical distinction between God and the world. Drawing on feminist ethics and God-talk, transcendental experience, and panentheistic Trinitarian theology, she constructs an alternative relational ontology and Trinitarian female symbol. Is her integration of these multiple systems viable? More importantly, can divine and human freedom, distinction and personhood be upheld within Johnson’s framework? Knowing God by Name is a critical assessment and evaluation of this approach, bringing Johnson into conversation with Catholic and feminist colleagues and with Karl Barth, whose Trinitarian theology of experience maintains the divine-creaturely distinction she challenges. It asks whether her combination of Rahnerian anthropology, panentheistic relational ontology and feminist God-talk is internally consistent and methodologically plausible. Knowing God by Name thoughtfully examines Johnson’s claim to speak within the contours of historical, Trinitarian Christianity and her contribution to the life and language of the Church today.

Beginning to study theology is like stepping into a conversation that has been going on for two thousand years. How do you take part in this conversation--or even make sense of it--if you don't understand the vocabulary or know the contributions made by other participants? The Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms is the perfect companion to your theological studies. Among its three hundred-plus definitions are English terms, from accomodation to wrath of God foreign terms, from a posteriori to via media theological movements and traditions, from the Alexandrian School to Wesleyanismtheologians, from Anselm of Canterbury to Ulrich Zwingli Here is an affordable and easily accessible resource for your theological readings, lectures and writing assignments. It's a must-have for every beginning theological student! Designed for students and pastors alike, the short and accessible volumes in the IVP Pocket Reference Series will help you tackle the study of biblical languages, church history, apologetics, world religions, Christian spirituality, ethics, theology, and more.