The Faith of the Christian Church: An Introduction to Theology

Front Cover
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005 M04 14 - 374 pages
Tyron Inbody has taught the basics of Christian theology for more than twenty-five years. Having seen over the years what issues and questions his students bring to class, he now offers this engaging, accessible introduction to all the major beliefs of the Christian faith.

Meant especially but not exclusively for readers new to theology, Inbody's Faith of the Christian Church covers twelve traditional areas of Christian teaching: theology, revelation, faith, God, creation, suffering and evil, humankind, Jesus Christ, salvation, church, sacraments, and the end times. Inbody also dives into provocative topics not usually treated in introductory texts -- creationism, the devil, miracles, the virgin birth, and more.

The book's broad-ranging perspective, which intentionally defies labels, commends it to individuals and small groups from many church traditions. Quote boxes and illustrations drawn from popular culture make the text visually interesting and enjoyable to read.

Inbody does not hide his own stance on issues but presents a full range of interpretations and openly points readers to other possibilities they can pursue. The Faith of the Christian Church offers just enough questions to provoke reflection and just enough answers to encourage readers to form their own grasp on the Christian faith.
 

Selected pages

Contents

Thinking about Faith
1
II Why Complicate Things? Some Preliminary Questions about Theology
4
The Task of Theology
10
IV The Limits of Theology
19
V Modes of Thinking Theologically
23
Resources for Thinking about Faith
27
II The Primacy of Scripture
28
III Shaped by Tradition and Traditioning
34
Developments within the Classical Tradition
170
Shame and Han
178
V Redeemed Humanity
181
Faith in Jesus Christ
185
II The Birth and Death of Jesus
191
III The Resurrection of Jesus
196
IV Jesus the Christ
201
V Jesus Christ Liberator
206

IV Reasoning Faith
39
V Confirmed by Experience
45
Revelation and Faith
52
II General Revelation
56
III Special Revelation
60
IV Elemental Faith and Saving Faith
64
V The Faith of the Church
71
Faith in God
77
II God in the Bible
83
III The Theistic Concept of God
88
IV Dialectical Theism
92
V The Triune God
98
Faith and the Natural World
106
Creatio ex Nihilo
110
III Six Days or Forever? Creation and Evolution
116
Creatio Continua
120
V Miracle and Prayer
126
The Threat to Faith
134
A Theistic Explanation of Suffering and Evil
139
III The Devil the Demons and the Demonic
143
IV Why Doesnt God Do Something? Creation Tragic Structure and the Will of God
149
God and Human Suffering
153
The Lack of Faith
160
II Sin and Original Sin
165
Saving Faith
212
Interpreting the Atonement
219
The Christian Idea of Salvation
222
Justification
228
Sanctification
233
The Community of Faith
240
7 1 Cor 413 The Identity of the Church
245
The Marks of the Church
252
18 The Mission of the Church
256
11 The Ministry of the Church
260
Initiating and Maintaining Faith
269
II Christian Sacraments
274
Baptism
279
Eucharist
286
V FAQs
290
The Fulfillment of Faith
297
II What Is the Goal of History?
301
Do We Survive Our Death?
305
IV What Are Gods Ultimate Purposes?
310
V Is Jesus the Only Way to God?
315
Glossary
322
Index
357
Copyright

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About the author (2005)

Tyron Inbody is professor of theology at United TheologicalSeminary, Dayton, Ohio, and an ordained minister in theUnited Methodist Church. His other books include TheMany Faces of Christology and The Transforming God: An Interpretation of Suffering and Evil."

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