At Oxford University in the 1970s, Alister Mc Grath faced a crisis when he realized that his scientific atheism made less sense of reality than the ‘big picture’ offered by Christianity. A reluctant convert, he was astonished by the delight he found in exploring a previously unknown world of ideas.
Crucial to his understanding have been the Christian Creeds, which he regards as maps to the landscape of faith. His hope in this volume is that we too may grasp comprehensively the treasure to which they point: the living God, who is the ground of our existence; Jesus Christ who journeys with us; the Holy Spirit who offers us reassurance and affirmation on the way.
Drawing on the theology of popular writers like C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers, and full of stories and illustrations, this vivid portrayal of the imaginative power and vision of Christianity will prove invaluable to clergy, church leaders, theological students – and all who long to expand their understanding and love of God.
Tabla de materias
Preface ix
Acknowledgements xiii
Part 1
MAPPING THE LANDSCAPE OF FAITH
1 The discipleship of the mind: a journey of exploration 3
2 The Christian faith: a map, lens, light and tapestry 18
3 A cloud of witnesses: why we need creeds 32
Part 2
THE FIRST ARTICLE: THE LIVING GOD
4 What can be trusted? The nature of faith 47
5 A rock: God as the ground of our existence 64
6 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 73
7 In the beginning: God as creator 83
8 The enigma of humanity: the climax of God’s creation 92
Part 3
THE SECOND ARTICLE:
JESUS CHRIST, LORD AND SAVIOUR
9 The two maps: exploring the identity of Jesus Christ 109
10 Incarnation: God with us 125
11 Atonement: putting things right 138
12 Suffering: the shadow of the cross 154
Part 4
THE THIRD ARTICLE:
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
13 The Spirit of grace: being helped to flourish 173
14 When words fail: exploring the Trinity 186
15 The community of faith: why the Church matters 201
16 Signs of God’s presence: reassurance and affirmation 215
17 Eternal life: the hope of the new Jerusalem 230
Conclusion: journeying in hope in an age of anxiety 242
Appendix 1: The Apostles’ Creed 249
Appendix 2: The Nicene Creed 250
Notes 251
For further reading 255
Sobre el autor
Alister Mc Grath is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and a prolific author. His bestselling volume The Dawkins Delusion? has sold over 150, 000 copies worldwide in 17 languages, and his other books for SPCK include Why God Won’t Go Away, Mere Theology and Enriching Our Vision of Reality.