The Landscape of Faith: An Explorer's Guide To The Christian Creeds

by Alister McGrath

Overview

At Oxford Universityin the 1970s, Alister McGrath faced a crisis when he realized that his scientific atheism made less sense of reality than the 'big picture' offered by Christianity. A reluctant convert, he was astonished by the delight he found in exploring a previously unknown world of ideas.

Crucial to his understanding have been the Christian Creeds, which he regards as maps to the landscape of faith. His hope in this volume is that we too may grasp comprehensively the treasure to which they point: the living God, who is the ground of our existence; Jesus Christ who journeys with us; the Holy Spirit who offers us reassurance and affirmation on the way.

Drawing on the theology of popular writers like C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers, and full of stories and illustrations, this vivid portrayal of the imaginative power and vision of Christianity will prove invaluable to clergy, church leaders, theological students - and all who long to expand their understanding and love of God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281076253
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	02/15/2018
Pages:	276
Sales rank:	918,545
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Alister McGrath is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and a prolific author. His bestselling volume The Dawkins Delusion? has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide in 17 languages, and his other books for SPCK include Why God Won’t Go Away, Mere Theology and Enriching Our Vision of Reality.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xiii

Part 1 Mapping the Landscape of Faith

1 The discipleship of the mind: a journey of exploration 3

2 The Christian faith: a map, lens, light and tapestry 18

3 A cloud of witnesses: why we need creeds 32

Part 2 The First Article: The Living God

4 What can be trusted? The nature of faith 47

5 A rock: God as the ground of our existence 64

6 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 73

7 In the beginning: God as creator 83

8 The enigma of humanity: the climax of God's creation 92

Part 3 The Second Article: Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour

9 The two maps: exploring the identity of Jesus Christ 109

10 Incarnation: God with us 125

11 Atonement: putting things right 138

12 Suffering: the shadow of the cross 154

Part 4 The Third Article: The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life

13 The Spirit of grace: being helped to flourish 173

14 When words fail: exploring the Trinity 186

15 The community of faith: why the Church matters 201

16 Signs of God's presence: reassurance and affirmation 215

17 Eternal life: the hope of the new Jerusalem 230

Conclusion: journeying in hope in an age of anxiety 242

Appendix 1 The Apostles' Creed 249

Appendix 2 The Nicene Creed 250

Notes 251

For further reading 255

Editorial Reviews

Alister McGrath invariably combines enormous scholarship with an accessible and engaging style.

Rowan Williams

[On the author's CHRISTIAN BELIEF FOR EVERYONE SERIES] Highly recommended

Again and again, Alister McGrath elegantly performs that central task of any teacher: to enable his students and readers, starting from the familiar ground of what they already know, to go on to explore new territory, and begin to see an expanded horizon.

From the Publisher

"Again and again, Alister McGrath elegantly performs that central task of any teacher: to enable his students and readers, starting from the familiar ground of what they already know, to go on to explore new territory, and begin to see an expanded horizon."

Church Times

"McGrath's ability to translate often complex theological matters into contemporary prose for a popular audience once again shines through, with an immensely readable style that captivates readers from the opening pages."

Life and Work