Fundamental Theology - by Matthew L Becker (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Introducing university students to the academic discipline of Christian theology, this book serves as an orientation to "fundamental theology" from a Protestant perspective by addressing issues that are preliminary and foundational to the discipline in the context of a liberal arts university. The book also sets forth what has traditionally been called a "theological encyclopedia", that is, a description of the parts of Christian theology that together form the discipline into a unified academic subject. Finally, the book examines the relation of Christian theology to the arts and sciences within the university and underscores the need for critical and positive interaction with these other academic disciplines.

Review Quotes

"The book labours to be user-friendly, offering questions for review and discussion and further reading in each chapter, extensive glossaries of key terms and names, and good indexes ... There is much stimulating orientation here for beginners ... [and it] should find an appreciative student readership in the settings for which it is designed." --Ivor J. Davidson, University of St. Andrews, UK, Theology

"Dr Becker's book is destined to become a standard textbook both in college and seminary courses of theology. I know of no better compendium of Christian theology to introduce beginning students to the study of theology. This book is encyclopaedic in scope, offering wide-ranging and judicious coverage of the foundational teachings and practices within the mainstream of the classical Christian tradition, beginning with their roots in the Scriptures and branching out in many and various ways in Eastern and Western Christianity, ancient, medieval, and modern, to the present-day. Students and teachers of theology will very much appreciate that this book combines two qualities in a commendable way: fair-mindedness both in its presentation of whatever subject matter is being treated and in its critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the positions under review." --Carl E. Braaten, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, USA

"This is one of the highest praises I can bestow on a scholarly book that has been written for undergraduate students. Dr Becker has fulfilled a task that is not easy to do. As one of my teachers used to say to us, "It is easy to write complicated texts, but writing one that is comprehensible - that is tricky!" Dr Becker has written a thorough introduction to Christian theology which, nevertheless, is quite comprehensible." --Notger Slenczka, Humboldt University, Germany

"In this text introducing students and general readers to the basis of Christian theology, Matthew Becker invites readers to wrestle with the most important questions facing Christians in our time. the best introductory textbooks respect students enough to ask them not only to know a subject's basic vocabulary and grammar but also to think through the material. Becker's is a student-friendly text not only because it provides learning helps, but most importantly because it hooks readers with the inner logic of faith's truth claims." --Mark C. Mattes, Grand View University, USA

"This book's clarity and student-friendly approach is only possible because of the depth and range of Dr Becker's understanding of religion in the Western world. The wisdom of a careful mind and the passion for connecting theological themes with ordinary human experience come together in this outstanding demonstration of theological reflection. Highly recommended!" --Terry D. Cooper, St. Louis Community College - Meramec and Webster University, USA

"[Becker's] work develops as a useful narrative from which the distinctive voices of major theologians can emerge, as if within a dialogue across the centuries, and into which the students can interpolate their emerging theological intuitions." --New Blackfriars

About the Author

Matthew L. Becker is Associate Professor of Theology at Valparaiso University, USA. An ordained Lutheran minister, Dr. Becker has served congregations in Chicago and Oregon, USA. He is author of The Self-Giving God (T&T Clark, 2004).