This book is about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity as it has developed in Germany. It argues there are three main ideas in that development: first, the way in which the Trinity has been seen as similar to the human self; second, the way in which differing understandings of revelation have affected people's attitude toward the doctrine; and third, the ways in which differing understandings of the conception of history have affected people's attitudes toward the doctrine.

The Trinity in German Thought, published in 2000, describes the three ideas that govern modern German Trinitarian thought: the ideas of reflective selfhood, of revelation and of history. 'Reflective selfhood' designates the attempt at finding an analogy between the Trinity and the structure of the human self. Such attempts, following the lead of Augustine, typically see the structure of self-consciousness as an especially apt analogy of the Trinity. 'Revelation' points to two questions: what is the Word of God? and can the idea of the Trinity be derived from the Word? From Martin Luther to the present, Trinitarian thought has depended on the way in which theologians conceived of the Word. 'History' designates the impact that historical modes of thought have had on Trinitarian thought. For some, 'history' has meant a critical approach to Scripture and creeds; for others, it has meant God's own participation in history.

The Impassioned Life argues that theology's task today is to rethink the nature of the emotions and their relation to human reason. Such rethinking is necessary because the Christian tradition feels ambivalently about the emotions. Armed with a commitment to body-soul dualism, many writers have equated the image of God with rationality and wondered whether emotion is an essential feature of human nature; however, the tradition has also affirmed the value of emotions such as love and compassion and has sometimes asserted the value of so-called negative emotions such as anger. The question, then, is whether the tradition's pastoral insight into the importance of moderation and control of the emotions requires us to think dualistically about soul (identified with reason) and body (the seat of emotions). To answer this question, The Impassioned Life explores the vital resources of the Christian theological tradition and also of contemporary scientific and psychological research in order to achieve a more adequate theological understanding of the emotions and reason.

Why is the doctrine of the Trinity important? Is it just one more thing to memorize and forget about later, or is it something much more?This concise, in-depth book explores this seemingly elusive doctrine, its history, and its meaning to the life of faith. With exceptional insight and scholarly precision, Samuel Powell brings this doctrine into sharp focus and demonstrates that more than an ancient relic of the church, the doctrine of the Trinity is woven into the fabric of almost everything Christians believe. At the very nexus of salvation, the Trinity is a stirring and poignant model for love and relationship within community.

Today, everybody seems to be fascinated with the end times. Scores of movies, books, and even mini-series revolve around an apocalyptic event where humanity is threatened, almost destroyed, or completely wiped out. Usually, through human ingenuity, the people of earth save themselves or rebuild at the end of the plot. But what does the Bible actually say about the end times? In A Teacher s Guide to Understanding the End Times, Samuel Powell reveals how to interpret the end times through history, theology, the Old and New Testament, current events, and interpretation guides. With this guide, learn how to apply Biblical texts to today.

Theology is the knowledge of God; but unlike other types of information, which simply provide a broader understanding of a topic, theology is intimately connected to how we exist and conduct ourselves in the world. With this in mind, it's important that we, as Christians, understand our beliefs in order to value their impact and practice them effectively. Discovering Our Christian Faith is an introduction to Christian theology. It explores the Bible's amazing story, beginning with creation and ending with the return of Christ. Dr. Samuel Powell presents the leading doctrines of Christianity and explores how they have been shaped throughout the centuries. With thorough examination and academic scholarship, he outlines the creedal statements of Wesleyan-holiness churches and explores the importance of eschatology in every doctrine, seeking to maintain the coherence and systematic character of Christian belief. In addition to a section on ethical dimensions of the doctrines discussed, each chapter includes a hymn by John and/or Charles Wesley that expresses the theme of the chapter. Discovering Our Christian Faith offers students, scholars, pastors, and teachers the opportunity to engage and unite their faith and intellect in an act of worship. With challenging insight and enriching evidence, it brings readers face to face with the beginning and end of our being by seeking to understand and encounter the knowledge of God.

While many would argue that spirituality is a necessary component of authentic human living, there is a lot of confusion over what spirituality is. According to Powell Christian spirituality has five aspects. 1.) Christian living is inescapably corporate. It is inseparable from the Christian community. 2.) It is inescapably corporeal--it cannot be separated from specific and embodied practices. 3.) It is participation in the Trinitarian life of God. Thus Christian living reflects both upon us and God. 4.) It has an eschatological existence. 5.) It is marked by our essential finitude under the conditions of sin.

In this exciting work, Samuel Powell offers a new constructive and systematic vision of creation by interpreting it in terms of contemporary science and trinitarian theology.

Powell's work unfolds in three stages, building on the multiple ways the doctrine of creation actually functions for Christians. He first analyzes its regulative dimension. Even in all the multiplicity of historical Christianity, he shows, the doctrine commits Christians to a particular set of normative beliefs about the world and God's relation to it. Second, Powell builds on the doctrine's hermeneutical potential. It allows Christians both to interpret the meaning of creation in terms of other prevalent philosophical, religious, or scientific ideas and also to interpret the world, as disclosed by scientific theory, in theological terms. In the heart of his book, Powell correlates creaturely characteristics with their participation in God through the trinitarian persons. Finally, in light of his findings, Powell drives home the often ignored ethical dimension of the doctrine, especially in relation to the environment, our consumerist lifestyle, and eschatology.

Powell's bold proposal harvests from two of the most fruitful fields of recent theology -- trinitarian theory and religion-and-science -- and crafts a creative new vision of how we and all creation participate in the life and work of the triune God.

Everyone knows about the rocky relationship between science and theology brought about by the revolutionary proposals of Copernicus and Darwin. Fewer people know about an equally revolutionary scientific innovation that is currently under way among neurobiologists. This revolution in brain research has completely rewritten our understanding of who we are. It poses fundamental challenges to traditional Christian theology. According to the scientific worldview that now dominates, it is no longer necessary to speak of a soul or spirit as distinct from the functions of the brain. Nor is it possible from the scientific point of view to biologically distinguish humans from animals. How then, are we to answer the fundamental theological question? Who am I? What am I doing here? Why do I do what I do? In more classical theological terms, what does it mean to be saved? How am I responsible for my behavior? What is the meaning of resurrection? What happens when I die? Contributors: Bill T. Arnold, D. Gareth Jones, Joel B. Green, Patrick D. Miller, Charles E. Gutenson, Stuart L. Palmer, William Hasker, Michael Rynkiewich, Virginia T. Holeman, Lawson G. Stone, Malcolm Jeeves."