Theology: A Very Short Introduction

by David F. Ford

Book Overview

This book offers a concise and original introduction to the whole of the theological discipline. Writing with a focus on Christianity, David Ford provides a trenchant and balanced discussion of the study of faith and religion. He describes the development of the field of theology, and explores such issues as knowledge, community, worship, salvation, God, prayer, and evil. Ford also weaves the idea of the quest for wisdom into the entire fabric of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192853848
• ISBN13: 9780192853844
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.9" x 4.1"

Customer Reviews

Theology:A Very Short Introduction

David Ford's Theology: A Very Short Introduction gives a concise but in depth introduction for people just beginning their study of theology. This book focuses on Christian theology and covers important topics related to Christian Theology such as God, mainly studied as the trinity, Evil, Jesus Christ, Salvation, development of Christian theology, the process of knowledge in theology, and where Christian theology is today. This book is excellent for beginners because the author uses theological terms and offers an explanation for those terms that are not common outside of the study of theology. He even starts this book with a look at what Christian theology is and how people categorize different approaches to Christian theology. This gives the reader an idea of where they personally starting from and where their biases might lie. The author also introduces the readers to many renowned theologians and gives a brief introduction to their contributions to theology. Although this author references many academic works and includes quotes from them, he writes in a language that flows well and is well organized making the reading of his work very enjoyable. For also seems to recognize and admit his own biases. This lets the reader know where the author is coming from and where his opinion may be slanted. Although Ford does have biases like every author does he also includes views that are alternative to his that are held by other scholars in this field. Ford also encourages conversation with other academic fields such as philosophy. He does not set theology up to oppose or be proven wrong or right by these other academic fields he simply encourages the reader to learn what they can by interrelating these disciplines and seeing how they work together. Another aspect of his inclusive way of explaining theology is that he does not discount the human experiences. Although theology is an academic field, Ford does not discount the fact that an individual's personal experience will affect how they approach the study of God. My criticism of this book is that Ford is admittedly so on the conservative side when it comes to the study of theology. So if the reader finds himself/herself leaning the same way they will learn from Ford but may not have their ideas challenged to truly understand why their theology is the way it is. The reader may want to also read along with this book an introduction to theology that has a more liberal leaning. Now if the reader finds themselves leaning toward a more liberal view of Christian theology, then this book will challenge their ideas with an educated well organized argument. This book is fairly short, which is expressed the title, making it a quick way for a person unfamiliar with the field of theology an idea of how to begin their study in an organized manor and help them develop some familiarity with the theologians, ideas/doctrines, and terms that they will be encountering in their study. With this all being said I hig

David Ford, Theology:A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000)

There is no higher activity in which the mind may engage than the pursuit to know God. "Theology: A Very Short Introduction", by David Ford, provides a balance biblical survey to contemporary theology. David Ford's interrogative approach draws the reader into new ways to look at religious belief and salvation. Ford describes the development of the field of theology, and he explores such issues as knowledge, community, worship, salvation, God, prayer, and evil. Ford intertwines the idea for wisdom into the entire theological discussion about theology. He concludes the book with a theology of the next century in a search for wisdom, in the context of a religious commitment. Ford's particular commitment is Christian, and he believes that an approach to theology cannot useful in a secular are neutral way. One must enter into a relationship with the Divine who gives power to explore theological questions and this is an insider's view of a modern Christian theology. There are ten chapters group around God, salvation, evil, and Christ Jesus. The chapters grouped according to three major sections: Describing the Field of Theology; Theological Explorations; and Skills, Disciplines and Methods. There are at least five faces to the general concept of theology. Ford explains and demonstrates these categories and faithfully evaluates each point in light of the Word of God. Although, the discussions in the five major areas tend to provide only a basic introduction. However, additional information at the end of each chapter is helpful. The reader will experience a theological exploration when thinking about God, living before God, facing evil, and Christ Jesus. The study of theology is present as important in order to present the truth of the Bible in the context of current ideologies through the past and to the present text and history. This book written for readers who want to probe into a theological view of theology somehow finds an introduction to questions asked by scholars and theologians over centuries. Students of theology are able to make sense as they engage with a great thinker as Ford. In part one, Ford introduces biblical theology as a way to think about questions, which raise strong religious and concepts about God in ancient, modern, and postmodern contexts. Ford presents postmodern thinking as been helpful in relation to the idea of theology. He also defined academic theology as a subject, which deals with questions of meaning, truth, beauty, and practice in relation to religions. Part two, brings our a rich theological engagement between those who acknowledge where they are coming from and then patiently study, communicate, and discuss with others about matters of theological importance. Those sample questions arising out of the relationship of humanity to God brings an open of issues, which draw theological anthropology into dialogue with the human and natural science. Clearly, there is a lesson taught on Christ Jesus from a hermene

Theology Today

Even though this book as its tile describes is a very short introduction to theology, it does not mean that it content is short. Ford is focused on Christian theology and not for this, underestimating other theologies. In this postmodernist era, Christian theology faces new challenges that would not be avoided and required decisive action on behalf of their protagonists. The book is written to motivate people in the field of Christian Theology study and to give practical and concise information about it. Setting 5 types of Christian Theology, the author engages the reader in taking a stand in one or more of these types, running from liberal through conservative and between. The doctrine of the Trinity takes a long reflection using an appealing example of an apple, generating questions more and more deeper leaving the reader in profound analyze, that will be achieved according with the individual's background. Being a Christian today is considered by Ford as a serious responsibility toward this world and its inhabitants. It is not only to believe or to be a part of determined faith tradition, as to be ethical in issues reclaiming justice, like theologian Bonhoeffer did in opposition to Nazi regime. Christology has a special space and this book for believers and non-believers whose interpretation of theology will be related according with one of the 5 types of Christian theology. Salvation is the keystone of Christology as well as the goal of Christians. The "Journeys of Intensification" mentioned by Ford using the term for theologian David Tracy, are helpful allies for understanding and obtaining profound relation in Christianity. These have been different emphasis in the past, nevertheless the most striking of the twenty century were "Pentecostal and Charismatic movements and the present renewal and expansion of many Orthodox churches" (p 114). Also the different aspects of liberation played an important role in these journeys of intensification. In all of the above, text and language determinant factors in the interpretation or hermeneutics of each individual, this can not be avoided or minimized. Culture, social environment and all the individual background determine the way of the hermeneutics. The role Critical History is an auxiliary tool in this process. As an important pursue, wisdom is a goal not only for theologians but for any person trying to theologize or live a Christian life. The relation between the chosen text in this case, the Bible, the hermeneutics of the individual, and its faith community tradition would determine in big or less degree this objective. Therefore, as soon as the life exist in this planet, theology today will be being necessary for the human benign and its searching for new ways of maintenance, exposition and expansion will continues to be a challenge in this postmodern society and its digital era. I think that Ford invests a lot of effort in his book. The book is well organizing, interes

Theology on the quick...

Part of a series by Oxford University Press, this book, 'Theology: A Very Short Introduction', by David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, follows the same format as other texts in the Very Short Introduction series -- it has fewer than 200 pages, is well indexed, has a useful listing of further readings, accessible and enjoyable narrative, and captures the essence in a very short space the major points of its topic. There are probably nearing 100 volumes in this Very Short Introduction series (making it, ironically, not a Very Short series), but among those that I have read, this text stands out as being one of the more interesting to me. There are ten chapters grouped according to three major sections: Describing the Field of Theology; Theological Explorations; and Skills, Disciplines and Methods. In the first section, Ford sets the stage by looking at the state of religious and academic institutions generally, before proceeding on to looking at the particular disciplines of religious studies and theology, which contrary to much popular thinking, are not the same thing at all. Ford looks specifically at postmodernism, Karl Rahner, Hans Frei's five types of theology, and general philosophical ideas at play in theological study.In the section on Theological Explorations, for most this is where the heart of the matter lies. Various key components of systematic theological thinking are explored - the doctrine of God, the idea of ethics and morality (particularly as it has to do with worship and God), the problem of evil, basic Christological issues, and the idea of salvation. Ford does not confine his text to one particular view, but gives a sampling of different ideas, and highlights difficulties and strengths of each view.The final primary section is one that often comes first in many theology texts of this sort - a discourse on method (with apologies to Descartes). Ford looks a bit at the history of the theological enterprise and how others have `done' theology in the past. He then looks at key tools such as experience, knowledge and wisdom as shapers of theology. tools such as experience, knowledge and wisdom as shapers of theology. He uses Lonergan's three-level description method for epistemology as an example, and then turns to a nine-fold approach to appropriate knowing of God. The last chapter looks at issues continuing for theology into the third millennium. Theology as a Christian enterprise is 2000 years old, and shows no signs of slowing, although theology in the future will be a very different creature and construct from theology in the past, all the while it must acknowledge its grounding in the events and the methods of the past. Like other books in this Very Short series, there are some useful illustrations and suggestions for further reading, should the Very Short introduction not prove sufficient (and for many, this sample will leave the reader wanting more). I cannot speak too highly o

A unique introduction to doing theology

Although I have a Master of Divinity degree from a seminary and have been reading theology off and on for thirty years, I have seldom enjoyed a work as much as this short but fascinating introduction to the field. Every word is worhy of thought. For Ford, theology has to do with "overwhelmings" in life. Human beings can be overwhelmed by most any concern: money, sex, race, nation, fitness, youth, etc. But theolgy has to do with being overwhelmed by God. Using that approach, Ford then shows how Christian theology has talked about the Christian God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in the face of overwhelings in history. He shows how people like Barth and Tillich differ in their systems, but does so in a way that is really clear and helpful. He gives the classic response to evil, but in a way that does not take away the mystery of evil nor belittles the pain of human life. Within his discussion of evil, which he terms the dark mystery, he offers readers the mystery of goodness, the mystery of light. Both belong to any thoughtful discussion of life, and both come to focus in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I for one will now read other works by Ford and will look for other titles in this excellent series of Very Short Introductions to interesting subjects. This is a book to buy, to return to, and to offer friends. Even people who never thought they would be interested in theolgy will find themselves responding to the questions Ford asks.