This work is a comprehensive study of Jonathan Edwards, who is increasingly recognised as one of the most interesting and significant theologians, not only of America but also of the world.

A collection of cutting-edge essays examining key themes in contemporary Christology. Understanding the person of Christ affects our understanding of all Christian theology. All ten contributors to this volume share a commitment to the orthodox theological tradition in Christology as expressed in the creedal heritage of the Christian church, and seek to explicate the continuing coherence and importance of that theological tradition. The book's ten essays cover such topics as prolegomena to Christology, the incarnation, the person and nature of Christ, the communicatio idiomatum, the baptism of Christ, the redemptive work of Christ, the ascended Christ, and New Testament Christology, and offers critical engagements with such diverse theologians as John Calvin, Charles Williams and John Zizioulas. The contributors, all leading academics, include: John Webster, Richard Burridge, Robert Jenson, Stephen Holmes, Douglas Farrow, Brian Horne, ...

Christian Theology: The Classics is a vibrant introduction to the most important works of theology in the history of Christian thought. Exploring writings from the origins of Christianity to the present day, it examines some of the most influential theologians of all time, considering the context in which they were writing and the lasting significance of their work. Covering thirty-one theological classics such as: * Augustine of Hippo, On the Trinity * Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians * John Calvin, The Institutes of The Christian Religion * Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections * St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae With a glossary and outlines of the key criticisms of each text, this book is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in Theology and the history of Christian thought.

Taking the late twentieth-century revival of the doctrine of the Trinity as a context, this book examines the development of that doctrine from the biblical text to the present day. The book traces and evaluates the exegetical and philosophical debates that led to the settling of the ecumenical doctrine of the Trinity in the fourth century, and then explores how this doctrine was developed, questioned and received through history.

An accessible defence of the view that we need multiple metaphors for how the cross saves us (including penal substitution). In this book Stephen Holmes offers an accessible and authoritative account of the way the saving work of Jesus is presented in the Bible, and has been understood throughout Christian history. In particular, the book offers background to the current debates about penal substitutionary atonement by looking at that idea in biblical and historical perspective. Holmes argues that we can, and should, continue to talk of the cross in penal substitutionary terms, if we understand this as one of many complimentary descriptions of the salvation we find in Christ.

Christian Theology: The Classics is a vibrant introduction to the most important works of theology in the history of Christian thought. Exploring writings from the origins of Christianity to the present day, it examines some of the most influential theologians of all time, considering the context in which they were writing and the lasting significance of their work. Covering thirty-one theological classics such as: * Augustine of Hippo, On the Trinity * Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians * John Calvin, The Institutes of The Christian Religion * Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections * St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae With a glossary and outlines of the key criticisms of each text, this book is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in Theology and the history of Christian thought.

Unique among most debates on homosexuality, this book presents a constructive dialogue between people who disagree on significant ethical and theological matters, and yet maintain a respectful and humanizing posture toward one another. Few topics are more divisive today than homosexuality. Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church brings a fresh perspective to a well-worn debate. While Christian debates about homosexuality are most often dominated by biblical exegesis, this book seeks to give much-needed attention to the rich history of received Christian tradition, bringing the Bible into conversation with historical and systematic theology. To that end, both theologians and biblical scholars--well accomplished in their fields and conversant in issues of sexuality and gender--articulate and defend each of the two views: Affirming - represented by William Loader and Megan K. DeFranza Traditional - represented by Wesley Hill and Stephen R. Holmes The main essays are followed by insightful responses that interact with their fellow essayists with civility. Holding to a high view of Scripture, a commitment to the gospel and the church, and a love for people--especially those most affected by this topic--the contributors wrestle deeply with the Bible and theology, especially the prohibition texts, the role of procreation, gender complementarity, and pastoral accommodation. The book concludes with reflections from general editor Preston Sprinkle on the future of discussions on faith and sexuality. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

The doctrine of the Trinity was settled in the fourth century, and maintained, with only very minor disagreement or development, by all strands of the church--Western and Eastern, Protestant and Catholic--until the modern period. In the twentieth century, there arose a sense that the doctrine had been neglected and stood in need of recovery. In The Quest for the Trinity, Holmes takes us on a remarkable journey through 2,000 years of the Christian doctrine of God. We witness the church's discovery of the Trinity from the biblical testimony, its crucial patristic developments, and medieval and Reformation continuity. We are also confronted with the questioning of traditional dogma during the Enlightenment, and asked to consider anew the character of the modern Trinitarian revival. Holmes's controversial conclusion is that the explosion of theological work in recent decades claiming to recapture the heart of Christian theology in fact deeply misunderstands and misappropriates the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. Yet his aim is constructive: to grasp the wisdom of the past and, ultimately, to bring a clearer understanding of the meaning of the present.

Fully revised second edition of an established reference work

The doctrine of the Trinity stands front and center of the Christian faith and its articulation. After a sustained drought of trinitarian engagement, the doctrine of the Trinity has increasingly resurged to the forefront of Evangelical confession. The second half of the twentieth century, however, saw a different kind of trinitarian theology developing, giving way to what has commonly been referred to as the social Trinity.

Social or better, relational trinitarianism has garnered a steady reaction from those holding to a classical doctrine of the Trinity, prompting a more careful and thorough re-reading of sources and bringing about not only a much more coherent view of early trinitarian development but also a strong critique of relational trinitarian offerings. Yet confusion remains. As Evangelicals get better at articulating the doctrine of the Trinity, and as the current and next generation of believers in various Christian traditions seek to be more trinitarian, the way forward for trinitarian theology has to choose between the relational and classical model, both being legitimate options.

In this volume, leading contributors one evangelical and one mainline/catholic representing each view establish their models and approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity, each highlighting the strengths of his view in order to argue how it best reflects the orthodox perspective. In order to facilitate a genuine debate and to make sure that the key issues are teased out, each contributor addresses the same questions regarding their trinitarian methodology, doctrine, and its implications.

Contributors include: Stephen R. Holmes; Paul D. Molnar; Thomas H. McCall; and Paul S. Fiddes."

In this book, Stephen Holmes explores the historical development and the key concepts of doing theology in the Baptist tradition. This book considers the distinctive ideas and expressions of Christian faith to be found in the historic Baptist churches. An outline of the history of the Baptist movement will be offered, from its British beginnings in Amsterdam in 1609, through its varied developments in Britain, Europe and North America, to its worldwide presence and diversity today, and its relationship to many other churches with apparently-similar practices (Pentecostal and 'new' churches, e.g.). Holmes draws the various threads together, noting the real diversities in the history of Baptist theology, but suggesting that in a vision of the present and urgent Lordship of Christ experienced in the local congregation, there is a thread that links most of these distinctives. "Doing Theology" introduces the major Christian traditions and their way of theological reflection. The volumes focus on the origins of a particular theological tradition, its foundations, key concepts, eminent thinkers and historical development. The series is aimed at readers who want to learn more about their own theological heritage and identity: theology undergraduates, students in ministerial training and church study groups.

Synopsis: This is a series of books which have a common theme: the understanding of Christ, and therefore the revelation of God, in the work of C. S. Lewis. These books are a systematic study of Lewis's theology, Christology and doctrine of revelation; as such they draw on his life and work. They are written for academics and students, but also, crucially, for those people, ordinary Christians, without a theology degree who enjoy and gain sustenance from reading Lewis's work. Endorsements: "The importance of C. S. Lewis as an apologist for 'mere Christianity' remains undiminished nearly fifty years after his death. The intensification of questions about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the significance of his life and work has if anything made him more important. Paul Brazier has done the church and the academy a great service in this . . . serious and accessible study of Lewis." --The Very Rev. Dr. Justyn Terry Dean, President, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania "Comments and publications on C. S. Lewis have become increasingly sterile since his death in 1963--mere footnotes to the champion of 'mere Christianity.' So what a joy it is to find, as we do in this first volume of Paul Brazier's painstaking study of Lewis's thought, a genuine work of scholarship that is not only worthy of the great man but also provides for us what Lewis never did himself: a systematic philosophical theology of his religious method and beliefs." --Dr. Andrew Walker Emeritus Professor of Theology, Religion & Culture King's College, University of London "C. S. Lewis's writings reflect a profound and coherent theological vision. This series is the most ambitious systematic account ever offered of this vision, and will help raise Lewis scholarship to a new level." --Dr. Judith Wolfe Supernumerary Teaching Fellow in Theology St. John's College, University of Oxford "Paul Brazier's new book performs two functions: it reveals the strength and depth of C. S. Lewis's contribution to modern Christianity, and it demonstrates the desirability of the art of apologetics in the contemporary world. As always, the writing is clear and direct, and the author has the ability to convey complex ideas and information to the non-specialist reader without surrendering any intellectual rigor." --Dr. Brian Horne Retired Lecturer in Systematic Theology King's College, University of London "Serious investigations into the theology of C. S. Lewis have been long in coming. . . . T]he fact that Lewis was not a professional theologian has led to him being overlooked by those who were most able to engage critically and creatively with his writings. Fortunately . . . a new generation of scholars has taken up the task. Paul Brazier's latest contribution to this is a most welcomed accomplishment that will leave an indelible impression on our understanding of-and appreciation for-Lewis' remarkable theological contributions." --Dr. Grayson Carter Associate Professor of Church History Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California Editor of Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal "In this rigorous and searching study of the theology of C. S. Lewis, Paul Brazier locates Lewis within the wider context of theological scholarship and shows him to be a theologian to be reckoned with in his own right, rather than simply a popularizer of Christian faith. This most welcome volume in a proposed three-volume series will surely prove invaluable in the assessment of Lewis's legacy." --Dr. Murray Rae Professor and Head of the Department of Theology and Religion University of Otago, New Zealand Author Biography: P. H Brazier is an independent theologian and scholar living in London, UK. He is the author of Barth and Dostoevsky (2008), and editor of the late Colin E. Gunton's The Barth Lectures (2007) and Revelation and Reason (2009).

In this book, Stephen Holmes explores the historical development and the key concepts of doing theology in the Baptist tradition. This book considers the distinctive ideas and expressions of Christian faith to be found in the historic Baptist churches. An outline of the history of the Baptist movement will be offered, from its British beginnings in Amsterdam in 1609, through its varied developments in Britain, Europe and North America, to its worldwide presence and diversity today, and its relationship to many other churches with apparently-similar practices (Pentecostal and 'new' churches, e.g.). Holmes draws the various threads together, noting the real diversities in the history of Baptist theology, but suggesting that in a vision of the present and urgent Lordship of Christ experienced in the local congregation, there is a thread that links most of these distinctives. "Doing Theology" introduces the major Christian traditions and their way of theological reflection. The volumes focus on the origins of a particular theological tradition, its foundations, key concepts, eminent thinkers and historical development. The series is aimed at readers who want to learn more about their own theological heritage and identity: theology undergraduates, students in ministerial training and church study groups.