No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (Foundations of Evangelical Theology)
Many contemporary theologians claim that the classical picture of God painted by Augustine and Aquinas is both outmoded and unbiblical. But rather than abandoning the traditional view completely, John Feinberg seeks a reconstructed model—one that reflects the ongoing advances in human understanding of God's revelation while recognizing the unchanging nature of God and His Word. Feinberg begins by exploring the contemporary concepts of God, particularly the openness and process views, and then studies God's being, nature, and acts—all to articulate a mediating understanding of God not just as the King, but the King who cares!
Part of the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series.
Reviews (30)
nor does he mock or appeal to magesterial arguments of one-upmanship like so many other reformed theologians do
I'm critical of John's perspective on some of his writings, but lets ignore that for a second as my own perspective is irrelevant. Feinberg accomplishes here what so few modern theologians do: a humble, nuanced, thorough and emploratory critical analysis of the questions he raises about God. He doesn't merely appeal to authority, or references, or history or tradition. He doesn't simply tell you what others have thought, nor does he mock or appeal to magesterial arguments of one-upmanship like so many other reformed theologians do, arguing as a polemicist instead of an honest explorer who's simply hungry to know what he can't about God's nature. No, Feinberg is the real deal. This book drips with the confessional and heartfelt years of searching that he clearly spent clawing at these issues with fear and trembling. He's not trying to win an argument, though he might do so in the process. He's simply exploring God scripturally, rhetorically, philosophically and honestly. It's wonderfully refreshing. This work deserves to be referenced in the same breath as Acquinnas and Tertullian.
No One Like Him
This book was purchased as a textbook for a course I was taking. It is now part of my library. I have included my review of chapter two. Chapter two of No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God deals with the mental understanding and awareness of God. The chapter deals with three main questions concerning God, and the author, John S. Feinberg uses these questions as sub-headings throughout the chapter. He takes on the questions of the nature of God’s reality, God’s role(s) in the universe, and man’s understanding of language about God. He begins the chapter noting, “Human beings are ‘incurably’ religious.” He appeals philosophically to the idea that humans everywhere have the common characteristic of a sense of right and wrong. Feinberg then attempts to guide the reader away from ambiguous words which theists have used to describe God, and instead route the discussion toward his three main questions. What Sort of Reality is God/Does God Have? In answering this first question, the reader is introduced to Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872) and Sigmund Freud. Feuerbach embraced the idea of God as a mental projection. This concept seeks to explain God not as one who reveals Himself to man, but as a being invented by man. Feuerbach’s God is one with characteristics and attributes of man. Similarly, Freud saw belief in God as wish fulfillment and the believer as one refusing to face reality. The quest for reality brings the second answer offered by the author, that of God as Being-Itself. Feinberg injects Paul Tillich’s concept that “God is being-itself, but this does not make God a being.” More simply, according to this concept, any attempt to describe God will at best be symbolic only since God transcends all categorization. The concept of God as an immaterial being is explored as a possible third answer to the question of God’s reality. It is during this section that the reader may learn exactly what Feinberg’s beliefs are, “This conception of God in its Christian expression (one God in three persons) is the one I hold and shall elaborate in this book.” What Role(s) Does God Play in Our Universe? In this section the author points to the images, motifs, and metaphors for God found throughout the Bible. God is seen as a father, mother, friend, husband, lover, shepherd, teacher, messenger, and king. None of these compare with God shown as savior, deliverer, and redeemer. These depictions of God found in Scripture show His desire for relationship, and his concern for mankind. Feinberg then turns his attention to God’s transcendence and immanence noting that by addressing these concepts, one can better understand God’s relationship to His creation. Here, the author shows that God is both distinct from, yet very involved in this world. Feinberg states, “...immanence means that God is present to and in the natural order, human nature, and history.” Ultimately, the author promises the reader that in pages yet to come, he will present God as a king who cares. How Should We Understand Language About God? In this section the author ponders several answers to this question. Significant in this portion of the reading is the perception that even though finite creatures may not fully understand a God which is ultimately incomprehensible, these finite creatures can understand certain things about Him. Thus, man may make correct statements about God. This does not lead one to hold that all language about God is metaphorical; even in the use of metaphors, one must know something which is accurate about God. William Alston is cited by Feinberg as the discussion turns to man’s inability to purge his language completely. It is here that Feinberg seems to rest his case—that man truly can be correct in his language about God. He informs the reader that once it is determined whether the language used of God is metaphorical or literal, it can be matched with accurate exegesis and mere men can have meaningful discussion of who God is. Conclusion This chapter is a very deep but meaningful discussion of the concept of God. Its complex ideas have probably not been considered by most. While not an ideal read for everyone, it is guaranteed to make the serious student sense the magnificence of God.
Terrific Discussion About God
This book really fed me and strengthened my faith. John Feinberg presents God as the King who cares, taking a mediating position between classical theism and process theism. Feinberg surveys the historic and contemporary understandings of who or what God has been thought to be. He discusses the theology of Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Immanuel Kant, Albert Ritschl, Hegel, and others. There is also a candid and clear interaction with modernity and postmodernity. He also surveys the ontological, teleological and cosmological arguments for the existence of God. He also surveys the doctrine of the Trinity, and adds to the discussion of the relationship of God to the problem of evil. The Openness of God has been highly debated in evangelical circles, so Feinberg has a lengthy discussion of this theology. He also discusses the relationship of God to the theory of evolution. Feinberg writes in a wonderfully engaging way, and he always shows the utmost respect for the positions he critiques. I loved how it wasn't over my head, and he argues strenuously and persuasively for his own understanding of God. This is an instant classic in evangelical thought. Both lay people and clergy will be highly blessed by this book.
Excellent.
Excellent.
For All Theologians
This book represents a very biblical fact about God. There is absolutely "NO ONE LIKE HIM." Feinberg correlates the attributes of God in a very understandable way. I believe this book is a must for all theologians.
Excellent Biblical Investment to Broaden Your Christian Worldview
This is one of the finest biblical reference books you can invest in. This is a go to book if you want more than a bible commentary. It is well worth the investment. Feinberg is excellent in his analysis. Plus plenty of references to expand your Christian knowledge.
Deep and Complex
This book's author covers all the views in a balanced way. Yet he also is strong and convincing on the biblical view. He does tend to get wordy and repetitive in parts.
Happy customer
Exactly as described. Great reading and very helpful in my studies. A great addition to my library. Very beneficial to my ministry
Up until now I've used this as a reference book ...
Up until now I've used this as a reference book, reading only parts of it from what interested me from the table of contents and I've found it to be very informative from a layman's perspective.
Background in understanding the Trinity
Help to lay a good foundation of understanding the concept of the Christian God.
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