Invitation to Theology - by Michael Jinkins (Paperback)

About the Book

Michael Jinkins invites you to walk through the theological maze as you follow the pattern of the Apostles' Creed and consider the most profound reflections on Christian belief to be found through the ages.

Book Synopsis

Are you intimidated by theology? Confused? Bored?Michael Jinkins knows it doesn't have to be that way. "Theology is our critical and prayerful reflection on the totality of life," he writes. "We all do theology on a regular basis, whether or not we are conscious of the fact."In Invitation to Theology Jinkins offers a knowledgeable, helpful and caring guide to walk you through the basics of the Christian faith. Following the pattern of the ancient summary of the Christian faith, the Apostles' Creed, Jinkins highlights the key doctrines of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, humanity, church, salvation and resurrection. He cuts a clear path through theological terms, traditions and debates. And in the spirit of C. S. Lewis, he invites you to consider some of the most profound reflections--from the distant past to the present day--on Christian belief. Throughout this fascinating journey, the main road is always kept in view: "The meaning and shape of our life together as a community of persons is grounded in the inner life of God, the Trinity, and has been revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."If you are eager to think about your faith, to examine what and why you believe and to reflect on how such faith can be lived out in our world, Invitation to Theology is the book for you.

Review Quotes

"I heartily endorse Michael Jinkins's Invitation to Theology. Eminently readable, Jinkins provides a fresh, even elegant, articulation of core doctrines of the faith in a lively and engaging style. His imaginative analogies and helpful penchant for interrelating doctrines breathe an energizing vitality into theological reflection. Jinkins portrays doctrinal issues in ways both savvy to historical context and also engaging of readers 'where they live.' Most attractive to me is the trinitarian/christological lens through which all key doctrines are viewed. At last we have a survey that regards the Trinity not merely as an addendum or a part of the chapter on the doctrine of God but as integrally woven into the whole fabric of the theological tapestry, giving refreshing cohesion to every doctrine. I have long awaited such an unapologetically trinitarian-angled book for use as a text in my Christian doctrine classes."

--Jeannine Michele Graham, Assistant Professor of Religion, Whitworth College

About the Author

Michael Jinkins is President and Professor of Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Previously he served as Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Pastoral Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, after having served as pastor of several congregations. His books include Called to be Human (Eerdmans); Letters to New Pastors (Eerdmans); Invitation to Psalms (Abingdon); Christianity, Tolerance and Pluralism (Routledge Press); The Church Faces Death: Ecclesiology in a Postmodern Context (Oxford University Press) and In the House of the Lord: Inhabiting the Psalms of Lament (Liturgical Press).