Christian Theology, 3rd ed.

by Millard J. Erickson

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2013

Overview

Leading evangelical scholar Millard J. Erickson offers a new edition of his bestselling textbook, now substantially updated and revised throughout. This edition takes into account feedback from professors and students and reflects current theological conversations, with added material on the atonement, justification, and divine foreknowledge. Erickson’s comprehensive introduction is biblical, contemporary, moderate, and fair to various positions, and it applies doctrine to Christian life and ministry.

The central theme of Christian Theology is the magnificence of God. The author refers to the greatness of God in terms of his power, knowledge, and other traditional “natural attributes,” as well as his excellence and splendor. Erickson reminds us that “theology as well as life needs to be centered on the great living God, rather than on the human creature.” Perceiving the Christian faith as being challenged by both religious competitors and nonreligious ideologies, Dr. Erickson insists that careful theological reasoning and affirmation is even more important than when his first edition was published. With that in mind, it is the author’s hope and prayer that his book will be used by God to strengthen the church and extend the kingdom.

Key Features

• Provides one of the best contemporary evangelical systematic theologies
• Addresses current theological discussions

Contents

• Part 1: Studying God
• Part 2: Knowing God
• Part 3: What God Is Like
• Part 4: What God Does
• Part 5: Humanity
• Part 6: Sin
• Part 7: The Person of Christ
• Part 8: The Work of Christ
• Part 9: The Holy Spirit
• Part 10: Salvation
• Part 11: The Church
• Part 12: The Last Things

Top Highlights

“A good preliminary or basic definition of theology is the study or science of God.” (Page 8)

“3. Theology is needful because of the large number of alternatives and challenges abroad at the present time.” (Page 15)

“We may now state our understanding of inerrancy: the Bible, when correctly interpreted in light of the level to which culture and the means of communication had developed at the time it was written, and in view of the purposes for which it was given, is fully truthful in all that it affirms.” (Pages 201–202)

“By inspiration of Scripture we mean that supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the Scripture writers that rendered their writings an accurate record of the revelation or that resulted in what they wrote actually being the Word of God.” (Page 169)

“Inerrancy pertains to what is affirmed or asserted rather than what is merely reported.” (Page 202)

Praise for Previous Editions

For many years I have known and honored Millard Erickson. What a consummate joy to see this third edition of his widely influential Christian Theology. The incomparable mix of a work of serious theological reflection yet such readability that a biblically literate layperson can grasp its message makes the volume special. It will be extensively used at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

—Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

This book is a very learned presentation of Christian doctrine on the basis of Scripture, but in continuing conversation with the tradition of the church as well as with modern philosophical and theological contributions. While affirming the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible, its form of argument is not fundamentalist, but open and available to everyone interested in the issues of Christian doctrine. The author takes account of critical historical exegesis. His book constitutes an excellent example of the evangelical outlook on the Christian faith and a basis for dialogue with other theological positions.

—Wolfhart Pannenberg, emeritus professor of systematic theology, University of Munich

Millard Erickson’s Christian Theology has established itself as the most widely used and most generally useful of modern Protestant surveys of Christian truth. Robustly evangelical, essentially conservative, thoroughly contemporary, firmly Baptist, gently Calvinistic, and cautiously post-tribulationist premillennial, its fair-minded breadth and meticulous analysis of options have won it consistent praise. Now updated, augmented, and provided with study aids, its usefulness as a text for students and a resource for pastors and lay leaders will be even greater. It is altogether a masterly piece of work.

—J.I. Packer, Board of Governors Professor of Theology, Regent College

Erickson has again given the church a clear-minded, well stated, comprehensive expression of evangelical orthodoxy that is thoroughly informed for ministry in the twenty-first century. We are surely in his debt.

—John D. Morrison, professor of theological studies, Liberty University and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Millard Erickson's Christian Theology is irenic in tone while incisive in critique, readable in format while substantial in content, and always faithful to Scripture and to the service of God’s church. The third edition will guide another generation through the ever-changing context in which theology must be done.

—Gerry Breshears, professor of theology, Western Seminary, Portland

This may well be the best systematic theology available.

—Southwestern Journal of Theology

Belongs in the personal library of every evangelical pastor, teacher, and student.

—Grace Theological Journal

Destined to be the major beginning text in systematic theology for evangelicals in the twenty-first century.

—Review and Expositor

This is a good place to look for a concise statement of varying theological positions from one who affirms the inerrancy of the Bible.

—New Horizons

Product Details

• Title: Christian Theology, 3rd ed.
• Author: Millard J. Erickson
• Edition: 3rd ed.
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 1280
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Theology, doctrinal
• ISBNs: 9781441256010, 9780801036439, 1441256016, 0801036437
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRTHEOLERK3RD
• Resource Type: Systematic Theology
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:43:15Z

About Millard J. Erickson

Millard Erickson (b. 1932) is Distinguished Professor of Theology at Western Seminary, Portland, and the author of the widely acclaimed systematics work Christian Theology along with more than twenty other books. He was professor of theology and academic dean at Bethel Seminary for many years. He earned a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, a B.D. from Northern Baptist Seminary, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.