The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ninjakiwi12's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Fun(ny) fact(s): Not much except I needed this for school, and it was much better than I could have expected.
Favorite quote/image: "All four are connected: the heart's passion, the soul's yearning, the power God grants us, and the intellectual task of seeking the truth of God. This means that study of doctrine is an act of love for God: in studying the things of God, we are formed as worshippers and as God's servants. To practice doctrine is to yearn for a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, to seek the logic and the beauty of that faith, and to live out what we have learned in the daily realities of the Christian life." (pg. 2)
Honorable mention: "The sacramental life of the church is central to the goodness of our holy–sacred–life together. In sacrament, we learn that the church's sacred life is a life in which body and soul, material and spiritual, are united. It is a life perfectly fitted for the material and spiritual human beings who are the people of God. In the church, we are born of water and the Spirit, and we are fed, body and soul, at the family table." (pg. 209)
Why: Jones provides a thoughtful, coherent overview of the major Christian doctrines, weaving together a nuanced and balanced collection of voices from the tradition, to introduce students to the basic tenets and debates of the faith. I would wholeheartedly recommend this as an approachable primer to Christian theology.
Favorite quote/image: "All four are connected: the heart's passion, the soul's yearning, the power God grants us, and the intellectual task of seeking the truth of God. This means that study of doctrine is an act of love for God: in studying the things of God, we are formed as worshippers and as God's servants. To practice doctrine is to yearn for a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, to seek the logic and the beauty of that faith, and to live out what we have learned in the daily realities of the Christian life." (pg. 2)
Honorable mention: "The sacramental life of the church is central to the goodness of our holy–sacred–life together. In sacrament, we learn that the church's sacred life is a life in which body and soul, material and spiritual, are united. It is a life perfectly fitted for the material and spiritual human beings who are the people of God. In the church, we are born of water and the Spirit, and we are fed, body and soul, at the family table." (pg. 209)
Why: Jones provides a thoughtful, coherent overview of the major Christian doctrines, weaving together a nuanced and balanced collection of voices from the tradition, to introduce students to the basic tenets and debates of the faith. I would wholeheartedly recommend this as an approachable primer to Christian theology.
tabernethy's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. Makes theology "readable" and understandable. Summarizes a lot of material in a way that is clear and illuminating.
ant_joseph's review against another edition
4.0
I usually don't enjoy theology books because I struggle with the big words and really deep concepts, but this one was for the most part understandable to me. I also really enjoyed how Jones applied each theological category to how it can affect our daily lives, a super helpful addition when it comes to theology!
Would recommend if you're youthful to theology like me and want to know the depths of what you believe as a follower of Jesus.
Would recommend if you're youthful to theology like me and want to know the depths of what you believe as a follower of Jesus.
gemsy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Simple in the complexity of Christian doctrine, this is a great book to gain one's theological footing whilst recognizing a call to both understand what Christians believe and live accordingly.
notspencerryan's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
I had to read this book for a mandatory theology class. It is hard to judge this book fairly since I’m not a Christian, but what I can say fairly is that this book is full of contradictory arguments and arguments that lack any evidence or explanation. Jones is incredibly dismissive of any viewpoint on Christianity or any other topic that isn’t her own, yet never provides a good explanation as to why her view is correct and every other view is wrong. Even if you are a Christian, this book is not worth the read.
clairemarie00's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0