A Theology in Outline: Can These Bones Live?

This lecture series was probably not your local pastor's systematic theology class. Calling this book an "outline" is appropriate. In fact, it is not even a complete outline, in that it picks and chooses resulting in an abbreviated list of systematic topics on which to comment. You learn from the introduction that the book is transcribed lectures from a 2008 undergraduate class on systematic theology.Being a fan of clarity and terseness, I couldn't be more happy with Jensen's Outline. There is hardly a word wasted. Jenson's method is to take a topic, be it theology, Jesus, the Church, etc., explain the history and tradition, while performing a reinterpretation and presenting it as a viable option for present life as it is - answering "Can These Bones Live?" or is theology still relevant today?. Read it yourself, the book is short.There is a comprehensive bibliography of Robert W. Jenson's writings and an index. It says above that I purchased the hardcover, that is in error. I purchased the Kindle PC2 version with no problems.

"A Theology in Outline" is composed of edited transcripts of Jenson's lectures in an undergraduate course at Princeton University. The lectures by perhaps America's greatest living theologians are an honest introduction to Christian faith that dos not presume Christian faith. The book, brief and accessible, would make a wonderful gift for young persons who do not know the shape of Christian faith and who share cultural skepticism about religious faith in general. Jenson's lectures do not try to convince, but rather to present historic Christian tradition while respecting disbelief, doubt, and misconceptions.

My title is a common claim by contemporary Christian Theologians, David Bentley Hart in particular.I have only recently heard of Robert Jenson, because I have generally attended conservative Evangelical churches. This book is a great introduction into this careful thinker. It is simple, clear, and not deadly dry like systematic theology books.There are not many books that I regularly recommend and give to people to read. This is one I regularly give to thoughtful Evangelical christians to expand their view of Christian. Jenson does show influence of Karl Barth, but he knows clearly where he disagrees with Barth. Jenson is both more traditional and more innovative particularly addressing the issues facing Christianity in a Post-Modern world.Jenson's fundamental Christian understanding is that the Christian Church must live and share it's message -- "He is risen!"

A charming record of Jenson's undergraduate lectures at Princeton, this short volume provides a lively and readable introduction to the core areas of theology with some surprisingly deep insights. The transcriptions read like your superintelligent uncle having a charming discourse after a couple of glasses of wine at Thanksgiving dinner. Jenson emphasizes the core of Christianity as a people gathered around a message, the message of a God who interacts with us in the story of history. This volume would serve as an excellent discussion book for a church education series or an undergraduate course in theology. I would advise graduate students to turn to Jenson's richer volumes of Systematic Theology, but this is a lovely stocking stuffer written by a superb theological mind.

A supreme introduction to the Christian faith. His chapters are clear and concise, and yet engaging and deeply rich. Jenson is a master theologian!

Excellent brief theology amenable to use in a Sunday school, sermon series, or just for devotional reading and study. Yet there were insights in the book that I had never before experienced. Since the chapters were originally presented orally, the reading is easy.

I was looking forward to the last chapter, Can These Bones Live? There was only 1 sentence about the future of the church: ...traditional metaphysics draws its vision of what is from what has been, whereas a distinctively Christian metaphysics must draw its vision from what will be. I think it would have been better to have expounded more of what Jensen envisioned of what will be. Can we imagine a world where all children walk hand in hand? Can we imagine a world where peace is the rule (not at any expense)?

Other than an error on p 21 stating David to be Israel's first king, an easy read. Adam Eitel, as transcriber of Jensen's lectures, must have heard it wrong. Subsequent reviewers missed it as well.

Just the job for what i wanted and speedy delivery too.

This is a winsome introduction to theology and a snapshot of the engaging thought of Robert Jenson. It is the bare bones of an undergraduate theology course by Jenson, and he does make "these bones live". Thanks to Adam Eitel for pulling this together for us so that Jenson's words will continue to inform, challenge and inspire.

Brilliant and profound, clear and concise.I especially appreciated his chapter on Israel - an oft-neglected topic in dogmatic theology.