The Doctrine of God: Introducing the Big Questions

Description

John C. Peckham introduces and engages with major questions about God's nature and how God relates to the world. Does God change? Does God have emotions? Can God do anything? Does God know the future? Does God always attain what God desires? And is God entirely good? This textbook provides a clear and concise overview of the issues involved in these and other questions, exploring prominent contemporary approaches to the main issues relative to how to conceive of the God-world relationship within Christian theology. In so doing, Peckham surveys a range of live options regarding each of the primary questions, briefly considering where each falls within the spectrum of the Christian tradition and providing clear and readily understandable explanations of the technical issues involved. The result is a stimulating survey of the most prominent options in Christian theology relative to divine attributes and the God-world relationship, offered in an accessible format for students. Designed for classroom use this volume includes the following features: - study questions for each chapter - suggestions for further reading for each chapter - glossary

John C. Peckham is Professor of Theology and Christian Philosophy, Andrews University, USA.

Laudably even-handed and researched, elegantly written and explicated, Peckham's eagerly anticipated, student-friendly contribution is a treasure trove. Exploring God's existence is valuable; asking who God is priceless. Peckham investigates the latter by deftly navigating an expansive, philosophically and theologically sophisticated literature to mine substantive doctrine with fertile and far-reaching implications. * David Baggett, Professor of Philosophy & Apologetics, Liberty University, USA * No aspect of Christian faith is more important, or more controversial, than the doctrine of God. And few explorations of this doctrine are as informed, clear, and well organized as John Peckham's. His book provides an attractive introduction to God's central attributes, the questions they traditionally raise, and some of the influential answers recent thinkers have proposed. * Richard Rice, Professor of Religion, School of Religion, Loma Linda University, USA * This is a terrific little book on the biggest of all issues. The discussion is biblically driven and deeply informed by, and conversant with, the best philosophical and theological literature. It is an excellent account of the current state of the debate and will be an ideal text for introductory theology courses. * Jerry L. Walls, Scholar in Residence/Professor of Philosophy, Houston Baptist University, USA * In his survey of Christian theism, John Peckham again demonstrates why he wins the hearts and minds even of those who diverge from him. Clearly tracing the outlines of divine immutability, eternality, omniscience, omnipotence, and impassibility, Peckham enlivens his portrait with the color of Christian debate over our construal of revelation and philosophy regarding who God is. This will likely become the standard introductory text to this fast growing field of theological discourse. * Malcolm B. Yarnell III, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, USA, Author of God the Trinity and The Formation of Christian Doctrine * This is an excellent guide for students to the key terms, positions, and names in contemporary discussions of the doctrine of God. The book is so well organized that it will be immediately helpful as an introduction. Peckham is a clear writer with a sharp eye for big ideas, central claims, and definitive statements. * Fred Sanders, Professor of Theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University, USA. *