Areas covered include highlighting the basic characteristics of theology and its relationship with faith; describing theology's resources and key elements; examining theology as doctrine and interpretation; analysing theology's classic themes and today's new challenges.

Christian Theology: A Brief Introduction is an incisive and engaging textbook that shows students how to think theologically - how they can respond both creatively and intelligently to the issues and challenges that face them today. Gareth Jones achieves this by providing four key stages:highlighting the basic characteristics of theology and its relationship with faith.describing theology's resources and key elements.examining theology as doctrine and interpretation.analysing theology's classic themes and today's new challenges.By moving through these four stages, students are provided with a solid foundation in theology and equipped with the skills to address, from a theological perspective, a range of important social and political issues.A lively, accessible and well-informed guide to the discipline, Christian Theology will be widely used as an introductory textbook for students in theology and religious studies at universities and other institutions of further and higher education.

Review
“The task of a book like this is demanding: to act as matchmaker between the new student and the hoary old queen of the sciences, in the hope that things will progress further than a disappointing first date. Jonesa s method is wisely chosen. He does not pretend to give an exhaustive description of the history of Christian theology or the forms it has taken. Instead, he sets out to equip the novice with the skills needed to survive and flourish in this enticing world...It may not be the most exciting tryst in town, but an evening with this book just might help the inexperienced theologian find some confidence for future engagements.” Steven Shakespeare, Modern Believing

Gareth Jones is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Birmingham University, and Theological Consultant to the House of Bishops.