Theology Primer

Robert Cummings Neville is Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Theology at Boston University, and Dean of the Boston University School of Theology. He is Past President of the Metaphysical Society of America, and President-Elect of the American Academy of Religion. Neville has also written Behind the Masks of God: An Essay Toward Comparative Theology; New Essays in Metaphysics; The Puritan Smile: A Look Toward Moral Reflection; Reconstruction of Thinking; Recovery of the Measure: Interpretation and Nature; and The Tao and the Daimon, all published by SUNY Press.

• Preface How To Use This Book Introduction 1. The Nature of Theology I. Divine MattersII. Theological Assumptions and AssertionsIII. Theological ConceptualizationIV. Truth and the Modes of Theological Assertion 2. Revelation: Sources and Uses of Theology I. Authority in TheologyII. Scripture, Tradition, Reason, ExperienceIII. Uses of TheologyIV. Revelation 3. God the Creator I. God the ProblemII. The Primacy of Divine CreationIII. Determinateness as the Character of the Created WorldIV. God as Creator ex Nihilo 4. God as Trinity I. The Trinitarian Character of Divine CreationII. Time and EternityIII. God as LogosIV. Sky God, Earth Mother, Ground, Goal 5. The Human Condition: Covenant I. The Religiously Particular Analysis of the Human ConditionII. Conditions of Covenant: Genesis 2 and 3III. The Logos Ideals of CovenantIV. Divine Judgment 6. The Human Condition: Sin I. UnrighteousnessII. ImpietyIII. Faithlessness and DespairIV. Sin and Divine Love 7. Salvation, Freedom, and Bondage I. The Problem of SalvationII. Natural FreedomIII. Divine and Human AgenciesIV. Depravity and Bondage of the Will: Original Sin 8. Justification, Grace, and Love I. The Quest for GraceII. Justification: Objective and SubjectiveIII. Dynamics of Faith and RepentanceIV. Divine Love: Conviction and Commitment 9. Sin and Society I. A Social Metaphysics of the CovenantII. Social SanctificationIII. Oppression and BlasphemyIV. Alienation and Secularism 10. Sanctification I. Sanctification and JustificationII. Personal Sanctification: Spirit, Mind, and HeartIII. Sanctification as Social JusticeIV. Sanctification in Love 11. Christology: The Cult of Jesus Christ I. The Cultic Community of JesusII. The Teachings of JesusIII. Jesus Christ the Redeemer: Resurrection and the KingdomIV. The Universality and Particularity of Salvation 12. Christology: The Divinity of Christ I. A Logos ChristologyII. Incarnation and the Two Natures of ChristIII. Christ and the Holy Spirit: The FilioqueIV. Christ and History 13. The Holy Spirit in the Church I. Sacraments: Baptism and EucharistII. Mission, Teaching, Preaching, and ActionIII. The Church as the Body of ChristIV. Christianity and Other Religions Appendix A: A Brief Bibliography of Liberation Theology Appendix B: A Brief Bibliography of Feminist Theology Notes Bibliography Index

“The book is very interesting — dense and complicated theological issues are reframed and the issues and arguments are adumbrated in clear fashion.” — Lonnie D. Kliever, Southern Methodist University“Neville has written an elementary textbook of Christian theology that is both readable for the layperson and is also philosophically and theologically sophisticated. He does not exhaust theological doctrines; but, instead, provides a classical framework for the discussion of contemporary social and political issues. He is sensitive to the implications of non-Christian religions as they bear upon the questions and formulations of Christian belief systems. He also provides a place for a discussion of feminist and third world liberation theologies within the context of classical theological formulations. Neville writes with clarity and force.” — Charles E. Winquist, Syracuse University“It presents a concise systematic summary of the Christian faith. In addition to getting it all together within a very few pages, it makes interesting connections to major world religions. I also liked the author’s invitation to enter into critical dialogue with his perspective. …The work goes to the central task of Christian theology, and is a significant contribution to the field, in so far as it represents the outline of a well-known scholar’s systematic views.” — Walter E. Wyman, Jr., Whitman College