Systematic Theology, vol. 2: God and Creation

by Norman Geisler

Publisher:

Bethany House

, 2003

Overview

Dr. Geisler clearly sets forth the reality of the existence of God, and explains and describes His attributes and characteristics, among them His actuality and simplicity, life and immortality, unity and trinity. Geisler concludes this study by illustrating how we must respond to God’s attributes with heart, mind, and strength. He then turns to the activity of God in the section on Creation. Here, Geisler studies the biblical understanding of God's work—past, present, and future. He explains the scientific views associated with the creation of all things, including the origin of spiritual creation. The section culminates in a discussion of God’s relation to His creation.

Praise for the Print Edition

Norm Geisler’s Systematic Theology is a long overdue, and thus welcomed, contribution to the evangelical world, for it persuasively shows the importance and necessity of philosophical analysis in the theologian’s craft. Dr. Geisler has a pastor’s heart, a philosopher’s mind, and a theologian’s temperament. He’s a cross between Thomas Aquinas and Billy Graham, and the result is this outstanding systematic theology.

—Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Philosophy, Culture, and Law, Trinity International Universit

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. 2: God and Creation
• Author: Norman L. Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany House
• Publication Date: 2003
• Volume: Two God and Creation
• Pages: 720

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

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Pages 378–379)

“The answer to this lies in the fact that while many things are being said about God, they are being affirmed of only one Being. God is not many beings; He is only one Being, but God has many different characteristics that are true about His one Being. This is the case because no one thing said about Him is exhaustive; so many things must be said about Him in order for us to have a more complete knowledge of Him. Thus, God is one Being (essence), but He has many attributes (properties).” (Page 19)

“In addition to figures of speech, the Bible employs three basic kinds of metaphorical statements about God. First of all, there are anthropomorphisms, which depict God in human form, such as having eyes (e.g., Heb. 4:13), ears (2 Chron. 6:40), and arms (Deut. 5:15). Next, there are anthropopathisms, which picture God having changing human feelings like anger and grief (Eph. 4:30). Finally, there are anthropoieses, which attribute to God human actions, such as repenting (Gen. 6:6) and forgetting (Isa. 43:25; Job 11:6). None of these are intended as literally true, and to take them as such can lead to serious error.” (Page 28)

“Immensity literally means ‘not measureable’; that is, God is unlimited in extension (or nonspatial). God is not in space, nor is He limited by space: He is present at every point in space, but He is not part of space or limited to it. Indeed, He transcends all space and time (see chapter 22).” (Page 145)

“Speaking of God as foreknowing is another example of anthropomorphic language. Of course, an eternal God does not really foreknow; He simply knows in His eternal present. The biblical speech presenting Him as foreknowing is simply speaking from a human perspective.” (Pages 75–76)

Product Details

• Title: Systematic Theology, Volume Two: God, Creation
• Author: Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany House
• Print Publication Date: 2003
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Introductions; Theology, doctrinal
• Resource ID: LLS:ST2GEISLER
• Resource Type: Systematic Theology
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T08:47:49Z

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.