Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living - Paperback

by Stanley J. Grenz (Author), Jay T. Smith (Author), John Franke (Foreword by)

This revised edition of a classic college-level introduction to theology presents the core doctrines of the Christian faith, encouraging readers to connect belief with everyday life. Stanley Grenz, one of the leading evangelical scholars of his era, and Jay Smith, an expert on Grenz's theological legacy, construct a helpful theology that is biblical, historical, and contemporary. The third edition includes a foreword by John Franke, a new preface and afterword, resources for further study, and updated footnotes. The book's easy-to-use format includes end-of-chapter discussion questions and connects theological concepts with current cultural examples.

Back Jacket

Using the resources of the biblical message, the heritage of the church, and the thought forms of our culture, this introductory systematic theology text presents the core doctrines of the Christian faith, encouraging readers to connect belief with everyday life. The third edition, updated for a new generation of readers, illustrates theological concepts with current cultural examples and includes a new preface and afterword, resources for further study, and updated footnotes.

Praise for Previous Editions

"As a professor of theology in a Christian university, I am always looking for texts particularly suited to the nonspecialist, undergraduate student that communicate in clear, ordinary language but do not compromise on scholarly substance. I am delighted to find in Created for Community a textbook in systematic theology that meets these criteria."
--Douglas Harink, The King's University

"A fresh, creative work that makes deep theological reflection accessible to everybody. In a tradition too often tinged with anti-intellectualism, it offers the opportunity to help us worship God with our whole mind."
--John Ortberg, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"Stanley Grenz restores the balance between thought and action, individual and community, head and heart, reason and experience in this splendid and readable work."
--Robert E. Webber, author of Ancient-Future Faith

"With its simple, readable (almost conversational) style and clear explanations of doctrinal concepts, [this book] is suitable for new Christians and laypeople generally."
--David Parker, Evangelical Review of Theology

"A readable, practical, and thought-provoking presentation of the Christian faith. . . . The material is well laid out, with helpful previews and summaries, and each chapter includes a list of questions 'for connection and application.'. . . Grenz has done a remarkable job of covering the territory concisely and interestingly, and I hope that his book will be widely read and used."
--Terrance Tiessen, Didaskalia

Author Biography

Stanley J. Grenz (1950-2005) was the Pioneer McDonald Professor of Theology and Ethics at Carey Theological College. He earned the Doctor of Theology degree at the University of Munich and wrote numerous books. Jay T. Smith (PhD, Trinity College, Bristol) is president and Bridger Professor of Theology and Ethics at Yellowstone Theological Institute.