Systematic Theology (4 vols.)

by Norman L. Geisler

Publisher:

Bethany House

, 2002–2005

Overview

Theologian and apologist Norman Geisler has been one of the most prolific and influential leaders in the area of evangelical apologetics. For over forty years he has studied and defended the faith as an author and as an internationally known speaker and debater. He brings vast experience to his magnum opus, the four volumes of Systematic Theology.

Josh McDowell, author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter, calls Dr. Geisler’s Systematic Theology “Tremendous!” and insists that no library should be without these four volumes.

Exhaustive in its approach and erudite in its presentation, Geisler’s Systematic Theology formulates a coherent perspective that not only represents the Christian belief system, but also looks to history, philosophy, science, and ethics to create as full a view as possible.

Endorsements

Norm Geisler’s Systematic Theology is a long overdue, and thus welcomed, contribution to the evangelical world, for it persuasively shows the importance and necessity of philosophical analysis in the theologian’s craft. Dr. Geisler has a pastor’s heart, a philosopher’s mind, and a theologian’s temperament. He’s a cross between Thomas Aquinas and Billy Graham, and the result is this outstanding systematic theology.

—Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Philosophy, Culture, and Law, Trinity International

Finally a systematic theology text that fully understands the essential philosophical and apologetic issues that make traditional theologies possible….In terms of philosophical support for theological claims about biblical truth, Geisler’s is the most comprehensive text yet. This is an apologetic theology, and it is greatly needed in the experientialist environment we find ourselves in today.

—L. Russ Bush, Professor, Philosophy of Religion; Academic Vice President, Dean of Faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

In an age when specialization abounds, Norman Geisler exemplifies that rare and precious ability to bring together facility in the three areas necessary to do systematic theology: detailed philosophical training, facility in the categories of theology, and ability to exegete the biblical text. I know of no one who brings these skills together better than Geisler….When these skills are combined with Geisler’s excellence as a communicator, the result is powerful indeed, and I am delighted that his Systematic Theology is finally available to the church.

—J.P. Moreland, Professor, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Great theologians are best when they are outstanding philosophers also. Then, of course you often cannot fathom what they are saying. Norm Geisler has the unique ability as philosopher and theologian to deal with profound concepts in ways that the common man can easily grasp. Consequently, this systematic theology will not sit only on the desk of the scholar but also of the pastor and on the coffee table of many a layman.

—Dr. Paige Patterson, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Having greatly benefited from studying theology under Norman Geisler some twenty years ago, I have for a long time yearned to see his vast theological research complied in a systematic theology. For those who value careful thinking, tight logic, fair evaluation, and keen theological insights, this systematic theology is must-reading.

—Dr. Ron Rhodes, President, Reasoning From the Scriptures Ministries

Product Details

• Title: Systematic Theology
• Author: Dr. Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany House
• Publication Date: 2002–2005
• Volumes: 4
• Pages: 2,755
• Format: Digital > Logos Research Edition
• Resource ID: {4C5D624B-0282-49B7-AB1D-7E6BEA065C8A}

Volume One—Part One: Introduction; Part Two: Bible

• Author: Dr. Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 627

Sample Pages: 1 | 2

In this first volume, Dr. Geisler explains and defends the philosophical essentials—the preconditions—that make Christian belief possible and viable. His extensive examination of these preconditions includes the metaphysical, the supernatural, the revelational, the rational, the semantical, the epistemological, the oppositional, the linguistic, the hermeneutic, the historical and the methodological. Geisler also discusses the inescapability of truth, the nature of revelation, and guidelines for interpretation. Part Two covers the origin of the Scriptures, its inspiration, divine nature and inerrancy, how Jesus and the early church regarded and used the Bible, and how various Christian traditions have viewed the Bible. He looks at the biblical, historical and theological aspects of Christian doctrine, offering scholarly arguments for the historicity of both the Old and New Testament canons. This volume is clearly one of the most embracing defenses of the evangelical view of Holy Scripture available.

Volume Two—Part One: God; Part Two: Creation

• Author: Dr. Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 720

Sample Pages: 1 | 2

Dr. Geisler clearly sets forth the reality of the existence of God, and explains and describes His attributes and characteristics, among them His actuality and simplicity, life and immortality, unity and trinity. Geisler concludes this study by illustrating how we must respond to God’s attributes with heart, mind, and strength. He then turns to the activity of God in the section on Creation. Here, Geisler studies the biblical understanding of God's work—past, present, and future. He explains the scientific views associated with the creation of all things, including the origin of spiritual creation. The section culminates in a discussion of God’s relation to His creation.

Volume Three—Part One: Sin; Part Two: Salvation

• Author: Dr. Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 624

Sample Pages: 1 | 2

Examining the doctrine of sin, Geisler begins with a discussion of human beings, covering the origin and nature of humanity. Next the elements of sin are studied, including sin’s origin, nature, effects, and defeat through God’s wondrous provision of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ. The second part continues with a thorough study of salvation, including an in-depth analysis of all applicable theories and doctrines, such as the extent of the Atonement, the nature of grace, and the assurance of heaven.

Volume Four—Part One: Church; Part Two: Last Things

• Author: Dr. Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Bethany
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 784

This final volume begins with ecclesiology, the study of the miracle of Christ's church (local and universal, visible and invisible). Geisler examines its origin, nature, government, ordinances, ministry, and relation to the state. Last Things contains an in-depth study of the final resurrection, the final status of the saved and the lost, and the theories of purgatory and annihilationism. He presents a strong basis for interpretational consistency regarding biblical prophecy. Among the many topics he covers are the Kingdom, the Covenants, the Second Coming, the Millennium, the Tribulation, and the Rapture.

Table of Contents: 1 2

About Dr. Norman Geisler

Dr. Norman Geisler has taught at university and graduate levels for nearly fifty years and has spoken, traveled, or debated in all fifty states and in twenty-six countries. He holds a B.A. and M.A. from Wheaton College, a Th.B. from William Tyndale College and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Loyola University.

After his studies at Wheaton, he became the graduate assistant in the Bible-Philosophy department at the college. He has since taught Bible, Apologetics and Philosophy at Detroit Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Dallas Theological Seminary, and was Dean of Liberty Center for Research and Scholarship in Lynchburg, VA. In 1992 he co-founded and served as President of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, until 2006. Currently, he is professor of Theology and Apologetics at SES.

In 1999, Geisler published the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, a monumental work that has become a standard text in the field, and one of the most comprehensive single volumes on apologetics. He is the author or coauthor of more than sixty books and hundreds of articles. Among his books, some of which are offered by Logos, are: Christian Apologetics, Christian Ethics, Come, Let Us Reason, When Skeptics Ask, Legislating Morality: Is It Wise? Is It Legal? Is It Possible?, and I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. Dr. Geisler is regarded as one of the foremost Protestant classical apologists living today.

Sample Pages from Systematic Theology (4 vols.)