Faithful Theology

First sentence: Last century A. W. Tozer wrote: What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. . . . The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. . . . Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God.

Faithful Theology is the first book in a new series published by Crossway. This series is titled "Short Studies in Systematic Theology." In the preface to the series, they write, "While the specific focus will vary, each volume will (1) introduce the doctrine, (2) set it in context, (3) develop it from Scripture, (4) draw the various threads together, and (5) bring it to bear on the Christian life. It is our prayer, then, that this series will assist the church to delight in her triune God by thinking his thoughts—which he has graciously revealed in his written word, which testifies to his living Word, Jesus Christ—after him in the powerful working of his Spirit."

So what is this first book about? FAITHFUL THEOLOGY. Being faithful to the Word of God while doing Theology. Making sure that you are wisely and rightly handling the Word of God--interpreting it. It is important to not read into the text what you want it to say, but to let the Scriptures speak--let Scripture interpret Scripture. Cole is a bit more concise, "This book is about the method to use in doing faithful theology: faithful to God, faithful to God’s word."

This book is largely about the Bible, how to read it, study it, interpret it, apply it. It is also about how the Bible has been read, studied, interpreted, and applied in the past--through church doctrines, creeds, traditions.

He concludes, "God has spoken. The Bible is where the divine self-revelation is to be found. Theology is both reflection upon that self-revelation as the word of God and a response to it. Doing theology is a human activity that is always open to being reformed by the word of God. This is because Scripture, as the word of revelation, is the norm of norms. In any contest between authorities, Scripture is the final court of appeal. It is the touchstone of faith. Tradition, reason, and experience have their roles, but they are ruled norms that are ruled by Scripture. They are never to displace Scripture as the norm of norms. However, Scripture needs interpretation. On this score, the legacy of the Reformers of the sixteenth century remains immensely valuable. The analogy of faith provides excellent guidelines still for the interpreter, especially when nuanced with genre analysis. Theology is not done in a vacuum, however. We do our theology in fellowship with those of the past (e.g., Calvin) and the present (e.g., Kevin J. Vanhoozer). In other words, we do not read Scripture and do theology informed by Scripture as though no other Christians have ever lived, as though there were no witness of Christian thought and practice. Doing theology is a situated pursuit. We live outside Eden in the world of human brokenness. This is the truth in the postmodern perspective, but human imagination happily can give us a critical distance from ourselves, even despite our finiteness and fallenness."

This book Faithful Theology is largely about the Bible, how to read it, study it, interpret it, apply it. It is also about how the Bible has been read, studied, interpreted, and applied in the past--through church doctrines, creeds, traditions.
Faithful Theology is the first book in a new series published by Crossway. This series is titled "Short Studies in Systematic Theology." In the preface to the series, they write, "While the specific focus will vary, each volume will (1) introduce the doctrine, (2) set it in context, (3) develop it from Scripture, (4) draw the various threads together, and (5) bring it to bear on the Christian life.
I found this book very informative. It has helped me to have a better understanding of the Bible and helped me grow in faith. I would highly recommend this book.

Large detailed book which can be used as a reference as well as a read through. Easy to read and understand format.

"Faithful Theology" is just that, faithful theology at its best. The authors are striving to initiate a series of books that can introduce Christians to historic doctrines, They start the series with this work which serves as a prolegomena. This book also walks through the major theological foci and introduces them, which I'm assuming will serve as a wonderful intro to the following books in this series.
Determining who would be the best audience for this book is a little tricky in my mind. It seems like it is intended to be a series for the layman, and I think it will serve that goal well. But, it may be better for a layman who is already a little familiar with theology. I say this because this book references many "heavier" works than the new Christian will be ready for (i.e. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology). This would be a great book for a pastor to use to refresh his memory and to use in a discipling relationship.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the volumes.

Graham A. Cole needs no introduction. His reputation as a systematic theologian goes before him. His faithful handling of the word of God is commendable.

This book is not a disappointment but a source of great encouragement. In Faithful Theology, Cole explores the 'what' and 'why' of theology. He introduces us to the the queen of the sciences: theology. It helps the readers understand the importance of theology as well as methods of theology. Particularly, how to built your theology on the strong foundation of God's word. It sympathetically engages with the voices from the past.

Read this book! You will grow deeper and wider in your understanding of theology that is built on the solid rock of God's powerful word. That would not put us to shame.

This text is the first in a series urging the reader to do theology, rather than to just study it. This book consists of a series of essays focused on various topics discussed in most theology textbooks. The book does not claim to be a comprehensive systematic theology text, but it centers more on the practical issues of theology. As the publisher writes in their introduction, “Each chapter looks at 1 of 5 crucial components for constructing good theology: revelation from God, tradition from the past, worship, wisdom, and experience of brokenness, with case studies illustrating how doctrine is developed from each of these important sources.”

I found the first chapter of interest. The author takes what might be termed a general understanding of inerrancy, in that the scriptures teach no errors. This stands in against what I might call a particular understanding of inerrancy: “the words found in the original autographs are the very words God intended.” Because we have no original autographs of scripture, it may be said that the more practical understanding of inerrancy may more closely align with the general understanding suggested by the author. This dichotomy will need to be explored further.

I see no hints as to the topics to be covered in future volumes. The finished book will contain both a “General Index” and a “Scripture Index” - though these were not included in the Advanced Readers Copy sent to me for review, so I cannot comment as to their completeness. The book is not designed for general reading, but as a scholarly text. As a textbook, it would be helpful for each chapter to include a series of five or six questions designed for further thought or study - either for general consideration or formal response. Certainly, a good teacher could develop these for himself or herself; but for the independent learner, these additions could be helpful.
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As a matter of honesty, the author of this book, Graham A. Cole, is Dean of my alma mater - Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. However, he had no connection with the school at the time I attended or with me in the years since. This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.