Systematic Theology, vol. 1: Introduction and Bible

by Norman Geisler

Publisher:

Bethany House

, 2002

Overview

In this first volume, Dr. Geisler explains and defends the philosophical essentials—the preconditions—that make Christian belief possible and viable. His extensive examination of these preconditions includes the metaphysical, the supernatural, the revelational, the rational, the semantical, the epistemological, the oppositional, the linguistic, the hermeneutic, the historical and the methodological. Geisler also discusses the inescapability of truth, the nature of revelation, and guidelines for interpretation. Part Two covers the origin of the Scriptures, its inspiration, divine nature and inerrancy, how Jesus and the early church regarded and used the Bible, and how various Christian traditions have viewed the Bible. He looks at the biblical, historical and theological aspects of Christian doctrine, offering scholarly arguments for the historicity of both the Old and New Testament canons. This volume is clearly one of the most embracing defenses of the evangelical view of Holy Scripture available.

Praise for the Print Edition

Finally a systematic theology text that fully understands the essential philosophical and apologetic issues that make traditional theologies possible….In terms of philosophical support for theological claims about biblical truth, Geisler’s is the most comprehensive text yet. This is an apologetic theology, and it is greatly needed in the experientialist environment we find ourselves in today.

—L. Russ Bush, Professor, Philosophy of Religion; Academic Vice President, Dean of Faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

In an age when specialization abounds, Norman Geisler exemplifies that rare and precious ability to bring together facility in the three areas necessary to do systematic theology: detailed philosophical training, facility in the categories of theology, and ability to exegete the biblical text. I know of no one who brings these skills together better than Geisler….When these skills are combined with Geisler’s excellence as a communicator, the result is powerful indeed, and I am delighted that his Systematic Theology is finally available to the church.

—J.P. Moreland, Professor, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Great theologians are best when they are outstanding philosophers also. Then, of course you often cannot fathom what they are saying. Norm Geisler has the unique ability as philosopher and theologian to deal with profound concepts in ways that the common man can easily grasp. Consequently, this systematic theology will not sit only on the desk of the scholar but also of the pastor and on the coffee table of many a layman.

—Dr. Paige Patterson, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Having greatly benefited from studying theology under Norman Geisler some twenty years ago, I have for a long time yearned to see his vast theological research complied in a systematic theology. For those who value careful thinking, tight logic, fair evaluation, and keen theological insights, this systematic theology is must-reading.

—Dr. Ron Rhodes, President, Reasoning From the Scriptures Ministries

Product Details

• Title: Systematic Theology, vol. 1: Introduction and Bible
• Author: Norman L. Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany House
• Publication Date: 2002
• Volumes: Volume One: Part One: Introduction; Part Two - Bible
• Pages: 627

About Norman L. Geisler

Norman L. Geisler has taught at university and graduate levels for nearly fifty years and has spoken, traveled, or debated in all fifty states and in twenty-six countries. He holds a B.A. and M.A. from Wheaton College, a Th.B. from William Tyndale College and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Loyola University.

After his studies at Wheaton, he became the graduate assistant in the Bible-Philosophy department at the college. He has since taught Bible, Apologetics and Philosophy at Detroit Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Dallas Theological Seminary, and was Dean of Liberty Center for Research and Scholarship in Lynchburg, VA. In 1992 he co-founded and served as President of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, until 2006. Currently, he is professor of Theology and Apologetics at SES.

In 1999, Geisler published the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, a monumental work that has become a standard text in the field, and one of the most comprehensive single volumes on apologetics. He is the author or coauthor of more than sixty books and hundreds of articles. Among his books, some of which are offered by Logos, are: Christian Apologetics, Christian Ethics, Come, Let Us Reason, When Skeptics Ask, Legislating Morality: Is It Wise? Is It Legal? Is It Possible?, and I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. Dr. Geisler is regarded as one of the foremost Protestant classical apologists living today.

Sample Pages from the Print Edition

Contents

Top Highlights

“A miracle, then, is a divine intervention into, or an interruption of, the regular course of the world that produces a purposeful but unusual event that would not (or could not) have occurred otherwise.” (Page 48)

“Others, following Thomas Aquinas, define a miracle in the strong sense of an event that is beyond nature’s power to produce and that only a supernatural power (God) can do (SCG, Book 3).” (Page 44)

“In other words, if a miracle occurs, it is not a violation or contradiction of the ordinary laws of cause and effect, but rather a new effect produced by the introduction of a supernatural cause.” (Page 44)

“Natural law describes naturally caused regularities; a miracle is a supernaturally caused singularity.” (Page 44)

“Each of the three words for supernatural events (sign, wonder, power) delineates an aspect of a miracle. A miracle is an unusual event (wonder) that conveys and confirms an unusual message (sign) by means of unusual ability (power). From the divine vantage point a miracle is an act of God (power) that attracts the attention of the people of God (wonder) to the Word of God (by a sign). Respectively, these words designate the ‘source’ (God’s power), the ‘nature’ (wonderful, unusual), and the ‘purpose’ (to signify something beyond itself) of a miracle.” (Page 48)

Product Details

• Title: Systematic Theology, Volume One: Introduction, Bible
• Author: Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany House
• Print Publication Date: 2002
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Introductions; Theology, doctrinal
• Resource ID: LLS:ST1GEISLER
• Resource Type: Systematic Theology
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T08:47:48Z

About Norman Geisler

Norman L. Geisler (1932– 2019) has taught at the university and graduate level for over 50 years. He holds degrees from Wheaton College, William Tyndale College, and Loyola University, and is known for his scholarly contributions to the subjects of Christian apologetics, theology, and philosophy. 

After his studies, he became Wheaton's graduate assistant in the Bible-Philosophy department. He has since taught theology, apologetics, and philosophy at Detroit Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Dallas Theological Seminary, and was dean of Liberty Center for Research and Scholarship in Lynchburg, VA.

In 1992, Geisler co-founded Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2007, he co-founded Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California, where he serves as chancellor and distinguished professor of Apologetics.

Geisler is the author or co-author of over 80 books, including the books in the Norman L. Geisler Collection, The Norman L. Geisler Apologetics Library, and his three-volume Systematic Theology.