An Introduction to Christian Philosophical Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding
Overview
An accessible introduction to Christian philosophical theology
Philosophical or analytic theology seeks to employ philosophical tools while studying topics in Christian theology and examining the logical consistency or intelligibility of some of the key doctrines of the Christian faith. In this accessible primer, An Introduction to Christian Philosophical Theology, authors Stephen T. Davis and Eric T. Yang first explain the scope, relevance, and value of philosophical theology and then applies its conceptual tools to examine each of the core Christian doctrines:
- Revelation and Scripture
- The Trinity
- The Incarnation
- Redemption and the atonement
- Resurrection and life after death
- The final chapter briefly addresses some additional theological issues including petitionary prayer, eschatology, and original sin
Designed for beginning students and non-specialists this guide provides the ideal entry point for not only understanding what philosophical theology is but also for how it can provide valuable insights for how we think about the core doctrines of the Christian faith.
- Explains the scope, relevance, and value of philosophical theology
- Applies conceptual tools to examine each of the core Christian doctrines
- Examines the logical consistency or intelligibility of the key doctrines of the Christian faith
Top Highlights
“According to the moral influence theory, Christ’s death on the cross was the result of his perfect obedience, and Jesus’s life and death are for us an inspiring and transformative example of the obedience to God that we human beings should practice.” (Page 115)
“Hence, many proponents of penal substitution claim that Christ was not being punished. Rather, Christ endured what would have been punishment had we had to endure it, but what Christ underwent was not strictly punishment. So our sin was imputed into Christ (and Christ’s righteousness was imputed into us), and so Christ was treated as though he were a guilty sinner, even though he was actually blameless and innocent (and we are treated as blameless and innocent even though we are guilty sinners).” (Page 119)
“Philosophical theology attempts to use the methodologies and conceptual resources of philosophers and apply them to theological issues.” (Page 23)
“As we understand it, philosophy involves the attempt to answer ultimate questions.” (Page 18)
“Some have instead asserted that the atonement was only conditionally necessary, though saying this is ambiguous.” (Page 111)
- Title: An Introduction to Christian Philosophical Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding
- Authors: Stephen T. Davis, Eric T. Yang
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Pages: 197
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Religion › Christian theology--Systematic; Religion › Philosophy; Philosophy › Religious
- ISBNs: 9780310104100, 9780310120377, 9780310104094, 9780310104087, 0310104106, 0310120373, 0310104092, 0310104084
- Resource ID: LLS:INTRCHRSTNPHILTHEO
- Resource Type: Systematic Theology
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:45:11Z
Stephen T. Davis (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is Russell K. Pitzer professor of philosophy at Claremont McKenna College. He is the author of many articles and books, including After We Die and Disputed Issues.
Eric Yang is an assistant professor of philosophy at Santa Clara University. He has published several articles and book chapters in philosophical theology, in particular on the Trinity, Incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and heaven.