No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (Foundations of Evangelical Theology) (Paperback)

by John S. Feinberg (Author) "In Isaiah 46 Israel's God compares himself to the gods of the Babylonians..." (more)
Key Phrases: property instance view, specific sovereignty model, divine atemporal eternity, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, New Age (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This book contains some rare combinations: first, an author who is as concerned with conceptual clarification as he is with the absolute truthfulness of the biblical text; second, an argument that avoids the common "either-ors" and contends for the importance of both divine sovereignty and divine solicitude in equal measure; third, an approach that espouses divine determinism and divine temporality. No One Like Him takes on the most intractable intellectual challenges of contemporary evangelical theology. Kevin Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School John Feinberg judicially reconstructs aspects of the classical view of God in a way that proves more faithful than process and openness of God theisms. Arguably, this is the best study of theology proper in print. Bruce Demarest, Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, Denver Seminary Feinberg reads theology with a philosopher's eye and writes it with a philosopher's sensitivity to illogic and incoherence. J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College A magisterial work, one that truly deserves to be called a magnum opus....It reveals its author as...perhaps the only modern scholar whose work, like that of Carl. F. H. Henry, can compare in size, detail, comprehensiveness, and intellectual acuity with the accomplishments of the late Karl Barth-. It is not risky to predict that Feinberg's No One Like Him will come to be a milestone in evangelical theology. Harold O. J. Brown, Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Description

This book contains some rare combinations: first, an author who is as concerned with conceptual clarification as he is with the absolute truthfulness of the biblical text; second, an argument that avoids the common "either-ors" and contends for the importance of both divine sovereignty and divine solicitude in equal measure; third, an approach that espouses divine determinism and divine temporality. No One Like Him takes on the most intractable intellectual challenges of contemporary evangelical theology.
Kevin Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

John Feinberg judicially reconstructs aspects of the classical view of God in a way that proves more faithful than process and openness of God theisms. Arguably, this is the best study of theology proper in print.
Bruce Demarest, Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, Denver Seminary

Feinberg reads theology with a philosopher's eye and writes it with a philosopher's sensitivity to illogic and incoherence.
J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College

A magisterial work, one that truly deserves to be called a magnum opus….It reveals its author as…perhaps the only modern scholar whose work, like that of Carl. F. H. Henry, can compare in size, detail, comprehensiveness, and intellectual acuity with the accomplishments of the late Karl Barth…. It is not risky to predict that Feinberg's No One Like Him will come to be a milestone in evangelical theology.
Harold O. J. Brown, Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 879 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (September 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581342756
• ISBN-13: 978-1581342758
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,065,165 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Theology Proper Texts Available, September 3, 2001

By	T. B. Vick "Learn 2 Discern" (The Lone Star State) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I bought this book at John Piper's Church over the Labor Day weekend and have already read 1/3 of the book. Having had a Theology Proper course at Southern Evangelical Seminary, and using Charnock's book "The Existence and Attributes of God," I can safely say that Feinberg's book is definitely more comprehensive in its content.

John Feinberg has written a massive volume which is so detailed and precise, that he even includes a chapter on Process and Open theology (thus it is also up to date on current theological trends).

Feinberg also includes a very comprehensive chapter called "God, Time, and Eternity." In this chapter, Feinberg handles some very difficult philosophical issues in a such a way that most every reader (even if you do not have a background in the issues) should be able to comprehend the content. Current trends in the issues of God and Time are covered, along with discussions of top notch philosophers of religion such as Eleonore Stump, Norman Kretzmann, Paul Helm, Nelson Pike, Brian Leftow, William Hasker, Anthony Kenny, and Thomas Morris. Moreover, this chapter, of course, discusses the views of the classical philosopher's and theologians as well (i.e. Anslem, Augustine, Aquinas, Boethius, etc.)

This massive volume details the existence, attributes, nature, decrees, acts, and foreknowledge of God. These issues are not lightly discussed. Rather Feinberg painstakingly takes his reader into territory where the average reader may have not thought to explore. Thus, Feinberg not only guides his reader into deeper thinking but he also guides his reader into areas which might have been ignored by some readers because the content seemed daunting. However, Feinberg's text is simple and yet scholarly enough to reach a very broad audience.

I am absolutely amazed at the detail, content, and scope of this book. I am also amazed at the caliber of writing which is exhibited in these 879 pages. This is a lifetime of hard work which is well worth [...] price [....] The only downfall, which I have noticed so far, is in the content which covers the various views on God's foreknowledge and future contingents. When Feinberg deals with the views of Molina, Suarez, and Banez (esp. Molina) he uses and cites secondary sources only. In other words, when he is discussing Molina's views, he quotes from William Lane Craig, or some other contemporary Molinist, instead of quoting directly from Molina. While this is not necessarily bad, it does seem to deter from "original" scholarship by missing what Molina (or Suarez etc.) had to say themselves.

Nonetheless, if you are wanting a very detailed theology proper text, which is well written and well researched, then aside from Charnock's text, this is the best I have seen in print!!! I highly recommend this book!!

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Contemporary Statement of Evangelical Theology, October 13, 2002

By	Scott David Foutz (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews

No One Like Him is the most comprehensive and contemporary work currently available in Evangelical (systematic) theology proper. The author, Dr John Feinberg, Chairman and Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (and my doctoral advisor), not only brings readers into contact with the core historical positions grounding evangelical theology, but significantly emphasizes more contemporary questions within evangelical theology including the perspectives of divine temporality and process theology, both issues regarding which Feinberg has published major previous works. This may very well be the most thorough and current work dealing with the increasingly popular Process Theology from an Evangelical Perspective.

This massive 800 page theology text treats thoroughly the 'Being and Nature of God' and 'Acts of God', as well as humanity's 'Concepts of God' wherein trends in contemporary **thought** are analysed and evaluated. If you want to swim in the deep end with a trusted instructor, I thoroughly recommend this text.

This volume is one of 10 planned for the 'Foundations of Evangelical Theology' series. Future contributing authors will include Bruce Demarest, David C Clark, Kevin Van Hoozer, and Walter Kaiser.

Happy reading. Happy Learning. Happy thinking.

sdf

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Discussion About God, December 13, 2006

By	Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (Foundations of Evangelical Theology) (Hardcover)

This book really fed me and strengthened my faith. John Feinberg presents God as the King who cares, taking a mediating position between classical theism and process theism.

Feinberg surveys the historic and contemporary understandings of who or what God has been thought to be. He discusses the theology of Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Immanuel Kant, Albert Ritschl, Hegel, and others. There is also a candid and clear interaction with modernity and postmodernity.

He also surveys the ontological, teleological and cosmological arguments for the existence of God. He also surveys the doctrine of the Trinity, and adds to the discussion of the relationship of God to the problem of evil.

The Openness of God has been highly debated in evangelical circles, so Feinberg has a lengthy discussion of this theology. He also discusses the relationship of God to the theory of evolution.

Feinberg writes in a wonderfully engaging way, and he always shows the utmost respect for the positions he critiques. I loved how it wasn't over my head, and he argues strenuously and persuasively for his own understanding of God. This is an instant classic in evangelical thought. Both lay people and clergy will be highly blessed by this book.