Engaging the Doctrine of Creation

"Once again, the indefatigable Matthew Levering has produced a wonderfully lucid survey of a crucial theological topic--this time the doctrine of creation. The work of a scholar of generous temper and analytic rigor who is in touch with the dogmatic traditions of the whole Christian world, this book provides an ideal introduction to its topic."

"In the latest volume of this wonderful Engaging the Doctrine series, Levering unrolls for us a robustly biblical doctrine of creation and shows how wonderfully the Christian tradition--especially in its Thomist dialect--has proclaimed, developed, and explored this doctrine. Throughout the book Levering beautifully locates creation against the background of the divine attributes and within the context of the divine economy that will lead the transformed creation finally home. A marvelous resource for all students of the Christian mysteries."

"Matthew Levering's engaging book on the doctrine of creation goes well beyond discussions about 'in the beginning.' Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians alike will find here a thick description not only of the cosmos and the human creature but also of the creator--the good, wise, and transcendent source of everything that is. Levering mines a number of other doctrinal shafts as well in an inspired effort to retrieve the riches of the much-neglected biblical and theological perspectives (especially Aquinas's) on creation. He convincingly shows in the process that rumors of dogmatic theology's death at the hands of modern science and cosmology are much exaggerated. If that were not enough, he also displays how the doctrine of original sin functions to preserve the goodness of God's creation and how the atonement restores it. This is a fine guide for Christians who want to understand what it means to be in the world and of it (in a good sense)."

"This book is breathtaking in its scope and astonishing in its erudition and creativity. The doctrine of creation suffered gradual attenuation in the theology of the twentieth century, and this book--engaged with modern science and philosophy but not limited to that engagement--is a welcome and refreshing accomplishment in retrieval and reinvigoration. It prove useful in undergraduate and graduate education alike as well as for any interested educated reader."

"Engaging the Doctrine of Creation is the best of Catholic theology by the best of Catholic theologians. What we find is a macroscopic--indeed, cosmic--vision of our God's beautiful, explosive creative powers forming an expansive universe in which humans reflect God's glory, and a microscopic examination of details in the Bible, the Catholic tradition, and the wider discussions of important topics germane to understanding creation theology today."

"Engaging the Doctrine of Creation is an illuminating ecumenical symphony of a vast array of splendid theological and philosophical voices from the Christian past and present, which have been gathered and prompted by Matthew Levering with his unique gift as a theological conductor. Levering unfolds once more the sublime and unfathomable depth, height, and breadth of the Christian doctrines of creation, fall, and redemption. In light of widespread contemporary doubts about the creation of the universe, the intelligibility of original sin, and the possibility of redemption, this book is of immediate relevance for every serious student and teacher of Christian theology, whether Protestant, Orthodox, or Catholic."

"With this third volume in his Engaging the Doctrine series, Matthew Levering offers the promise of a systematic theology with a breadth and scale not seen since before Vatican II. His treatment of the doctrine of creation provides not only a theologically acute engagement with scientific questions but also a perceptive treatment of the connections between creation, sin, and atonement. May there be more volumes to come!"

"Perhaps no doctrine has been subjected to more distortion and dismissal through the rise of modern science and a reductively naturalistic worldview than that of creation. In this book, Levering frames his brilliantly incisive engagement with naturalistic perspectives within a classically theological framework by grounding the intelligibility and beauty of creation in the glory of the creator disclosed consummately in Jesus Christ. With this illustrious addition to his Engaging the Doctrine series, Levering further confirms his position as one of the most captivating and profoundly wise expositors of Christian doctrine."