Systematic Theology, vol. 4: Church and Last Things
Overview
This final volume begins with ecclesiology, the study of the miracle of Christ's church (local and universal, visible and invisible). Geisler examines its origin, nature, government, ordinances, ministry, and relation to the state. Last Things contains an in-depth study of the final resurrection, the final status of the saved and the lost, and the theories of purgatory and annihilationism. He presents a strong basis for interpretational consistency regarding biblical prophecy. Among the many topics he covers are the Kingdom, the Covenants, the Second Coming, the Millennium, the Tribulation, and the Rapture.
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 University
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: Norman L. Geisler’s Systematic Theology, Volume Four—Part One: Church; Part Two: Last Things
- Author: Norman L. Geisler
- Publisher: Bethany House
- Publication Date: 2005
- Pages: 784
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
Top Highlights
“The basic debate is between what are commonly known as the literal and allegorical schools of interpretation.” (Page 413)
“This passage depicts not only the conscious bliss of saved, disembodied souls but also the conscious woe of the unsaved.14 Note that real names (like Lazarus) are never used in parables, and parables are usually introduced as such by name (e.g., cf. Matt. 13:3).” (Page 250)
“Again, in all the scriptural references to visible local churches, there is no mention of one universal visible church, such as the Roman Catholic Church claims to be.” (Page 65)
“The essence of premillennialism is that Christ will physically return to earth and set up a worldwide thousand-year reign. There are two main forms: historic premillennialism (e.g., George Eldon Ladd [1911–1982]) and dispensational premillennialism (e.g., John Walvoord [1910–2002]). The latter stresses that the Millennium will be a time of fulfillment of unconditional promises to Israel;2 the former essentially rests its case for the Millennium on a literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1–6.” (Pages 547–548)
“Fourth, ‘sleep’ is an appropriate figure of speech about death, since they share the same posture; both are temporary, and both are followed by awaking and standing up again.” (Page 257)
- Title: Systematic Theology, Volume Four: Church, Last Things
- Author: Norman Geisler
- Publisher: Bethany House
- Print Publication Date: 2005
- Logos Release Date: 2008
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Introductions; Theology, doctrinal
- Resource ID: LLS:ST4GEISLER
- Resource Type: Systematic Theology
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T08:48:04Z
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.
