Classical Theism: A Christian Introduction

Classical Theism: A Christian Introduction

There is no greater study than that of God himself. · Understand how our doctrine of God fuels worship · Learn the biblical basis for classical Christian theism · Respond to traditional Christian theism's critics The goal of doctrine is worship, so our doctrine of God is resolutely practical. What we believe about God fuels the life and worship of the church. In Classical Theism: A Christian Introduction , Jordan L. Steffaniak retrieves the rich, historical doctrine of God that has guided the church throughout the ages. Classical theism fuels the life and worship of the church. But sometimes it is misunderstood as abstract and unwelcome―owing more to pagan philosophy than the words of the Bible. Steffaniak grounds classical theism in Scripture as guided by creeds and tradition. Steffaniak writes with a pastoral goal―understanding the God we worship. “Steffaniak makes a clear and compelling case that classical theism’s insistence on divine simplicity, immutability, eternity, and impassibility does not point to a cold and distant Deity but rather offers essential support for sustaining the Christian tradition’s commitment to God’s boundless love and faithfulness. This book is an incredible resource for all those who study, teach, or simply hope to explore the church’s long tradition of reflection on the nature and attributes of God.” ―Brendan Case, associate director for research, The Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University “Seeped in the luminaries and confessional statements of the Reformation, especially the Reformed and Baptists, Steffaniak presents a robust case for a Protestant embrace of natural theology and classical theism. Accessible to the lay reader yet still insightful for the expert, this book serves as an excellent call to return to the traditional doctrine of God.” ―Timothy J. Pawl, professor of philosophy, the University of St. Thomas “Jordan Steffaniak has authored a creative and insightful book on classical theism. He treats both the nature and the history of the doctrine of God. Moreover, significantly, he does so within an ecclesial and ecumenical context―both Catholic and Protestant. He also critically contrasts it with other contemporary notions of God, such as Open Theism and Process Theism. Where he manifests his theological acumen is when he treats the various divine attributes―divine simplicity, immutability, impassibility, and eternity. What I found extremely helpful is that he provides the biblical basis for such philosophical attributes. This is a marvelous book, one that must be read by anyone who values mere classical theism, and even ones who don’t.” ―Thomas G. Weinandy, former member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission “This book is an insightful, weighty, and well-written study of the Christian doctrine of God, with attention both to the great tradition of faithful believing and also some of the debates carried on by today’s theologians. Doxology is always near the surface―a sense of the wonder and awe and contemplation of what St. Paul called ‘the deep things of God’ (1 Cor 2:10). Recommended highly!” ―Timothy George, distinguished professor, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University “In his introduction to classical theism―or what he terms mere classical theism―Steffaniak presents an important book aimed at rehabilitating the doctrine of God, the foundation of the church’s theology. He argues that recovering the vision of God found in the great tradition is essential for the church’s faith and practice today, especially as it navigates new philosophical and moral challenges. This book is a readable and reliable guide to the attributes of God, certain to encourage and edify any Christian leader seeking to deepen their love for God.” ―Stephen O. Presley, senior fellow for religion and public life, Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy; associate professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary There is no greater study than that of God himself. This book will help you · understand how our doctrine of God fuels worship, · learn the biblical basis for classical Christian theism, and · respond to critics of traditional Christian theism. Jordan L. Steffaniak (PhD, University of Birmingham) is president of the London Lyceum and publisher for Hanover Press.