Theology for the Community of God [Paperback]

Stanley Grenz (Author), Stanley, J. Grenz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000 | ISBN-10: 1573831603 | ISBN-13: 978-1573831604

A solid introductory text in systematic theology which combines deep learning and welcomed lucidity.--Clark Pinnock, McMaster Divinity School.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fresh reappropriation of the evangelical and catholic heritage of the faith. -- Christianity Today --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 723 pages
• Publisher: Regent College Pub (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573831603
• ISBN-13: 978-1573831604
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #543,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stanley J. Grenz (1950-2005) earned a B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1973, an M.Div. from Denver Seminary in 1976 and a D.Theol. From the University of Munich (Germany) in 1978, where completed his dissertation under the supervision of Wolfhart Pannenberg.

Ordained into the gospel ministry in 1976, Grenz worked within the local church context as a youth director and assistant pastor (Northwest Baptist Church, Denver), pastor (Rowandale Baptist Church, Winnipeg), and interim pastor. In addition he preached and lectured in numerous churches, colleges, universities and seminaries in North America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia.

Grenz wrote or cowrote twenty-five books, the most recent of which is Rediscovering the Triune God: The Trinity in Contemporary Theology (2004). His other books include The Social God and the Relational Self: A Trinitarian Theology of the Imago Dei (Westminster John Knox), Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context (with John R. Franke; Westminster John Knox), The Moral Quest: Foundations of Christian Ethics (IVP), A Primer on Postmodernism (Eerdmans), Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry (with Denise Muir Kjesbo; IVP), Revisioning Evangelical Theology: A Fresh Agenda for the 21st Century (IVP), and The Millennial Maze: Sorting Out Evangelical Options (IVP). He has also coauthored several shorter reference and introductory books for IVP, including Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God (with Roger E. Olson), Pocket Dictionary of Ethics (with Jay T. Smith), and Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (with David Guretzki and Cherith Fee Nordling). He contributed articles to more than two dozen other volumes, and has had published more than one hundred essays and eighty book reviews. These have appeared in journals such as Christianity Today, The Christian Century, Christian Scholar's Review, Theology Today and the Journal of Ecumenical Studies.

For twelve years (1990-2002), Grenz held the position of Pioneer McDonald Professor of Baptist Heritage, Theology and Ethics at Carey Theological College and at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. After a one-year sojourn as Distinguished Professor of Theology at Baylor University and Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas (2002-2003), he returned to Carey and resumed his duties as Pioneer McDonald Professor of Theology. In 2004 he assumed an additional appointment as Professor of Theological Studies at Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of historical positions; weak pneumatology, July 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Theology for the Community of God (Hardcover)

Grenz helped me tremendously by tracking the history of several theological positions such as trinitarian doctrine, atonement, etc. Given Grenz's education, the trek through history should come as no surprise, and a few of the ideas of his mentor, Wolfhart Pannenberg, leaked fittingly into the work. Grenz was devout in relating every aspect of his theology to the concept of community. Unfortunately, his presentation of the Holy Spirit was a bit impersonal (love bond between the Father and Son). This book is certainly worthwhile for seminary students or laypeople wanting to delve into systematic theology. The book serves as a great beginning to further study or a sufficient summary of popular theological positions in the past and present. However, if you are a teacher, please do not follow in the footsteps of my professor by giving a test with 50 True/False questions over the entire book (859 pages)!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like easy-to-read theology books, then get this, April 19, 2005

By 

theologicalresearcher "theologicalresearcher" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Theology for the Community of God (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing, life-giving systematic theology..for a change!, February 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Theology for the Community of God (Hardcover)

Professor Grenz' has done a masterful job in presenting a systematic theology with the "community motif." I have used/am using this text in a seminary course (as a student), and have found Doctor Grenz's presentation of theological matters to be clear, understandable, sensible, and refreshing. There is nothing dry about this book. Particularly interesting is his presentation of the Doctrine of Christ, and why God sent His Son in the manner that He did. Written from a Calvinistic standpoint, Grenz also gives a careful, and respectable hearing to those of other religious traditions (Wesleyan, Arminian, etc). Since man was created to live in sociality and community with God and other humans, this understanding of theology in light of community is, by far, the best contribution to the field of systematic theology in a long, long time. Should be read by every believer, and taught in every house which truly wants to "pursue God."