Creation (Truth and the Christian Imagination)

by Alister McGrath

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 2005

Overview

Employing seven classic paintings, Creation invites readers to envision the origin, dependence, and large purpose of the universe and their own lives. Alister McGrath explores the seven traditional aspects of the doctrine of creation: encountering creation, tending creation, the spirituality of creation, the parables of creation, the Lord of creation, the place of humanity in creation, and the ruin and restoration of humanity. The first of six volumes in the Truth and the Christian Imagination series, this book will help students and lay people understand the relevance of traditional theological terminology, the continued viability of a broadly Christian approach, and the pertinence of doctrine in their daily lives.

Key Features

• Allows the great themes of Christian faith to control, nourish, and enhance our vision of the world God created
• Discusses how theological reflection leads to our personal enrichment and fulfillment
• Dives beneath the surface of faith through words and powerful images

Contents

• Introduction
• Encountering Creation
• Tending the Creation
• A Spirituality of Creation
• The Parables of Creation
• The Lord of Creation
• The Place of Humanity in Creation
• The Ruin and the Restoration of Humanity
• For Further Reading
• Illustrations

Top Highlights

“The main point that the parable makes so superbly is that it is the same seed that is sown in every case. The outcome depends upon the ground into which it falls.” (Page 45)

“The biblical writers emphasize the care of God for every aspect of the created order, above all humanity. Having lovingly fashioned the world, God does not abandon it, but continues to care for it. The God who created the world may be known, trusted and relied upon. This point is made by Isaiah in a passage which reassures the people of Jerusalem, then held captive in Babylon, that they have not been forgotten by their God (Isaiah 40:27–28).” (Page 5)

“We must do more than simply think about our faith. It needs to percolate throughout our minds, hearts and souls, saturating every aspect of our existence. There is another discipleship that we must discover—a discipleship of the imagination, in which we allow the great themes of the Christian faith to control, nourish and delight our glorious vision of the God-created world.” (Page vii)

“The really important point made by the doctrine of creation is that everything owes its origins to God. Neither the world, nor we ourselves, are accidental or pointless. Nor do we simply inhabit God’s creation as if we could be indifferent to its beauty.” (Page 2)

“erhaps one of the most significant points the Old Testament makes is that nature is not divine” (Page 3)

Praise for the Print Edition

Oxford University’s McGrath has distinguished himself not just as an historical theologian, but as a generous and witty writer who brings life to topics that would turn to dust in others’ hands.

—Publishers Weekly

Alister McGrath invariably combines enormous scholarship with an accessible and engaging style.

—Rowan Williams, master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and former archbishop of Canterbury

Product Details

• Title: Creation
• Author: Alister McGrath
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Creation; Creation in art
• Resource ID: LLS:CREATIONMCGRATH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:30:36Z

About Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath (Ph.D.) is a scholar and writer who is presently Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. After his initial studies in natural science at Oxford, taking a doctorate in molecular biophysics under the supervision of Prof Sir George Radda, McGrath moved into the field of Christian theology. He was Oxford’s Professor of Historical Theology from 1999 to 2008. He then moved to King’s College London as Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education, before returning to Oxford as Idreos Professor in 2014. He also served as Gresham Professor of Divinity, a position established in 1597, from 2015-18. He retired in September 2022.

He is best known for his definitive and widely used textbooks on Christian theology and his authoritative biography of C. S. Lewis. As a former atheist, McGrath is fascinated by the interaction of faith, science, and atheism, and writes regularly on these themes. McGrath was born in Belfast in 1953, and holds both Irish and British citizenship. He lives in the Cotswolds near Oxford.

For McGrath’s website, including details of his weekly Youtube postings and videos helping you use his theology textbooks, go to alistermcgrath.net