Theology for the Community of God

Rating:
Summary: If you like easy-to-read theology books, then get this
Review: As a ministry student I find this book immensely helpful in our postmodern culture because of its emphasis on community. Grenz does an outstanding job integrating church tradition with contemporary culture and theology. His relational view of the trinity is his paradigm for understanding community. This relational view is present throughout this work and is a refreshing idea in today's western society where individualism is dominant. For a one volume systematic theology it is comprehensive and thorough. Grenz's writing is easy to understand for theology students, but I would recommend his Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms if you are new to reading theology. I think anyone could benefit from reading this contemporary evangelical theology.

Rating:
Summary: Exploring Systematic Theology
Review: Grenz is really exploring systematic theology. Where a generation ago, the subject of Systematic Theology was rather set, today in a post-modern world one finds themselves having to re-examine each aspect. Grenz does this, from a strong evangelical point of view. Just an examination of his index will show that the old is still new and relevant for God's community today.

The one criticism one may find in the book is there is limited view of extra-church mission. The view which Grenz seems to have is that the theology functions only within the community of God's people. One offering critical comment would want to explore the issue: "how does the community of God engage with those outside the community?" On this Grenz offers little.

However still a very valuable book in any theologian's collection.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Systematic Theology
Review: I bought this book because it was required for a class i was taking on the history of the Church. As it turned out this is one of few text books that I decided to keep. As I read Grenz's excellent presentation of the Protestant Christian faith I was challenged to think on issues that I never before considered. Overall I think this is an excellent book for any Christian who is seeking a greater knowledge of their faith or for anyone who is considering converting to the Christian faith and is curios about its beliefs and some of its doctrines.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Systematic Theology
Review: I bought this book because it was required for a class i was taking on the history of the Church. As it turned out this is one of few text books that I decided to keep. As I read Grenz's excellent presentation of the Protestant Christian faith I was challenged to think on issues that I never before considered. Overall I think this is an excellent book for any Christian who is seeking a greater knowledge of their faith or for anyone who is considering converting to the Christian faith and is curios about its beliefs and some of its doctrines.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: In recent years, any number of systematic theologies have been written by Evangelicals. Stanley Grenz is a moderately conservative theologian and his book is a welcome overview of Christian theology from a Baptistic perspective. One of the best features of this book is that the discussion is clear and thorough, but never simplistic. Grenz achieves this by focusing on the Biblical material and leaving the historical discussion to a few key thinkers in any area. This prevents the work from reading like a telephone book, unlike many systematic theologies. In addition, Grenz has a purpose to his work, namely to integrate his discussion with the communitarian aspects of Christianity. Finally, the work is less than 700 pages, making a bit less intimidating than other theologies.

Rating:
Summary: If you like easy-to-read theology books, then get this
Review: This book has to be one of the most accessible evangelical theology books out there. Grenz's book is scholarly yet simple for the layperson. He writes from an evangelical Baptist perspective but builds his work around the concept of the community aspect of the Triune God. He argues that the Triune God's fellowship overflows into the church. All the sections are written from this community aspect of redemption. Grenz covers practically all matters you'll find in standard systematic theologies (from prolegomena to eschatology). The writing style is not like other more technical systematic theologies (e.g., Erickson, Grudem, Reymond, etc.) because it is written in a narrative fashion. You won't see Grenz being too detailed in his discussion of certain issues (hence, his book is only about 700 pages). This book is a must read for anyone wanting a good and easy introduction to the major topics of systematic theology.

Rating:
Summary: enlightening read
Review: This book is very indepth and is well worth the read. While adhering to historical orthodoxy, Grenz is also quite creative. His bibliology section, for example, appears in chapter 14, rather than in the traditional theological prolegomena (introductory) section of most systematics texts. His integrative motif of 'community' is excellent, but I disagree with Grenz at several points. His characterization of the Holy Spirit as the bond of love between the Father and the Son makes the third member of the Trinity rather impersonal. I would have preferred a more unequivocal assertion regarding the real personality of the Spirit. The 'concretization' of the relationship between the Father and the Son seems to be an inadequate description of the Holy Spirit as presented in the Scriptures. Grenz gives excellent hisorical background on each topic, the work is saturated with the Scriptures, and the author clearly is a passionate Christian believer. Wonderful text for spiritual enrichment and undoubtedly a solid introductory volume for college and seminary settings.

Rating:
Summary: Erudite and Comprehensive
Review: This is a wonderful introduction to the study of what has been traditionally referred to as "systematic theology." Grenz has obviously strong commitments to the evangelical Protestant tradition in particular, but this in no way hinders his ability to survey quite objectively the vast multiplicity of views available on any given subject; no stone is left unturned in the fields of the traditional categories of systematics.

The work is structured primarily around two themes in particular: trinity and community. One would have to surmise that his commitment to a proper understanding of the trinity stems from his commitment to historic orthodoxy; on the other hand, his emphasis on community situates the work squarely in the so-called "post-modern" context. While the "community" motif might at times be a bit over-done, it provides a sturdy backbone to the work as a whole.

As a composite, the volume is meticulously well-structured. Each categorical section relates to the respective sections preceding and following, and one finishes the book with a strong feeling of having been exposed to a quite comprehensive survey of the various issues facing modern theology.

Grenz does an excellent job of interacting extensively with other theologians, both those from the contemporary scene and from the throes of history. All things considered, this is a refreshingly comprehensive, objective, and erudite work, and Grenz never once diverts from his task of appropriating the traditional themes of the faith to the contemporary situation.

Rating:
Summary: Erudite and Comprehensive
Review: This is a wonderful introduction to the study of what has been traditionally referred to as "systematic theology." Grenz has obviously strong commitments to the evangelical Protestant tradition in particular, but this in no way hinders his ability to survey quite objectively the vast multiplicity of views available on any given subject; no stone is left unturned in the fields of the traditional categories of systematics.

The work is structured primarily around two themes in particular: trinity and community. One would have to surmise that his commitment to a proper understanding of the trinity stems from his commitment to historic orthodoxy; on the other hand, his emphasis on community situates the work squarely in the so-called "post-modern" context. While the "community" motif might at times be a bit over-done, it provides a sturdy backbone to the work as a whole.

As a composite, the volume is meticulously well-structured. Each categorical section relates to the respective sections preceding and following, and one finishes the book with a strong feeling of having been exposed to a quite comprehensive survey of the various issues facing modern theology.

Grenz does an excellent job of interacting extensively with other theologians, both those from the contemporary scene and from the throes of history. All things considered, this is a refreshingly comprehensive, objective, and erudite work, and Grenz never once diverts from his task of appropriating the traditional themes of the faith to the contemporary situation.