Invitation to Theology: A Guide to Study, Conversation PracticeAre you intimidated by theology? Confused? Bored? Michael Jinkins knows it doesn't have to be that way. "Theology is our critical and prayerful reflection on the totality of life," he writes. "We all do theology on a regular basis, whether or not we are conscious of the fact." In Invitation to Theology Jinkins offers a knowledgeable, helpful and caring guide to walk you through the basics of the Christian faith. Following the pattern of the ancient summary of the Christian faith, the Apostles' Creed, Jinkins highlights the key doctrines of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, humanity, church, salvation and resurrection. He cuts a clear path through theological terms, traditions and debates. And in the spirit of C. S. Lewis, he invites you to consider some of the most profound reflections--from the distant past to the present day--on Christian belief. Throughout this fascinating journey, the main road is always kept in view: "The meaning and shape of our life together as a community of persons is grounded in the inner life of God, the Trinity, and has been revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ." If you are eager to think about your faith, to examine what and why you believe and to reflect on how such faith can be lived out in our world, Invitation to Theology is the book for you. |
Contents
Foreword | 11 |
Introduction | 15 |
The Theme of Our Course | 19 |
Christology and Chronology | 22 |
A Subversive Theology | 24 |
Acknowledgments | 26 |
Whats the Use of Theology? | 29 |
The Trap of Measurability | 32 |
Toward a More Inclusive Framework | 148 |
Homework Assignments | 152 |
Our Humanity in Light of Jesus Christ | 154 |
Imagination Enough to See What Is There | 157 |
The Specificity of Jesus Christ | 161 |
The Image of God | 169 |
The Comprehensive Claim | 173 |
A Tree Named Adam | 176 |
The Trap of Utility | 36 |
The Value of Theology | 38 |
Homework Assignments | 39 |
Methods in the Madness | 42 |
Theology as an Act of Faith | 45 |
Theology as Science | 49 |
Some Methods in the Madness | 51 |
Applying the Who Question | 54 |
Homework Assignments | 57 |
I Believe in God | 60 |
The Truth Will Set You Free | 61 |
Theological Omelets and the Strange Brew of Authority | 66 |
Homework Assignments | 74 |
I Believe in God the Father Almighty Creator of Heaven Earth | 77 |
Father God? | 78 |
Almighty God? | 83 |
Creator God? | 86 |
Homework Assignments | 91 |
I Believe in Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord | 94 |
Faith in Jesus Christ | 95 |
The Quest for the Historical Jesus | 99 |
The Content of the Kerygma | 102 |
The Christological Controversies | 106 |
What Does It All Mean? | 117 |
The Lordship of Jesus Christ | 118 |
Homework Assignments | 122 |
Conceived by the Holy Spirit Born of the Virgin Mary Suffered Dead Buried | 124 |
Martin Luther Meets Jesus | 125 |
The SelfEmptying God | 131 |
The Lord of Lost Causes | 136 |
Homework Assignments | 181 |
The Holy Spirit | 183 |
Learning Ourselves Through the Holy Spirit | 184 |
A Wind a Fire a Power Divine | 193 |
The Spiritual Humanity of Jesus Christ | 196 |
The Lord Is the Spirit | 197 |
The Giving God | 203 |
Homework Assignments | 206 |
The Holy Catholic Church | 210 |
The Community Created by the Holy Spirit | 212 |
Blessed to Be a Blessing | 216 |
Members of One Body | 217 |
The Myth of Solitary Religion | 220 |
The Myth of Voluntary Religion | 222 |
The Specificity of the Church | 225 |
The Church and the Kingdom of God | 230 |
Homework Assignments | 232 |
The Forgiveness of Sins | 235 |
The Verbum visibile of Forgiveness | 238 |
The Ethics of Perichoresis | 242 |
Homework Assignment | 247 |
The Resurrection of the Body the Life Everlasting | 248 |
The Resurrection of the Body | 252 |
The First Fruit of Resurrection | 254 |
Peregrini et hospites super terrain | 256 |
Amen | 258 |
Bibliography | 261 |
271 | |
274 | |
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Invitation to Theology: A Guide to Study, Conversation & Practice Michael Jinkins Limited preview - 2015 |