Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, God/Creation

by Norman L. Geisler

The culmination of the author's decades of study, teaching, and research, this second volume in the Systematic Theology series begins with an examination of the realities of the existence of God and His nature, focusing on His attributes. The next section, Creation, studies the biblical understanding of God's work--past, present, and future--and explains the scientific views associated with the origin of all things.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Reference, Christianity, Philosophy

720 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Norman L. Geisler (PhD, Loyola University of Chicago) taught at top evangelical colleges and seminaries for over fifty years and was a distinguished professor of apologetics and theology at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He was the author of nearly eighty books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics and Christian Ethics. He and his wife lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SECOND OF FOUR VOLUMES BY THE FAMOUS APOLOGIST,

Norman Geisler is a famed apologist and theologian. He argues, "it may be granted that this world is not the best world CONCEIVABLE, but it is the best way to the best world ACHIEVABLE... It seems evident that not all conditions that are conceivable are achievable with free creatures without forcing their freedom... it just may be that this is the best of all possible worlds achievable, even though it is not the best world conceivable." (Pg. 221)

He critiques, "if strong Calvinism is correct, and God can force people by irresistible grace to be saved, then the only way THEY can avoid universalism is to deny that God is omnibenevolent. If God can save anyone He wants to save, even apart from free choice, and if God really loves all and wants all to be saved, then all WILL be saved (universalism). Thus, the only true way to avoid universalism is to insist that God is all-loving and, as such, cannot coerce free choices, because it is contradictory to do so, and God cannot do what is contradictory." (Pg. 370)

Concerning the resurrection narratives, he suggests, "It is an unmistakable sign of the authenticity of the gospel record that in the male-dominated Jewish culture, Jesus appeared first to a woman. In the first century, for example, a woman's testimony was invalid in court." (Pg. 615)

He is ambiguous about the age of the universe: "All of this is not to say that the universe is not billions of years old---it may be. However, this has not been proven beyond question, and the arguments given in favor of it all possess presuppositions that have not been or cannot be proven. Nonetheless, given the basics of modern physics, it seems plausible that the universe is billions of years old. And... there is nothing in Scripture that contradicts this." (Pg. 650)

Geisler's contribution to systematic theology is one of the most important recent contributions by an evangelical.

[Martin Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Geisler's first volume of Systematic Theology is quite a bit better. I was struck by the rather weak argument in one of the appendices that theistic evolutionism is illogical. Although, of course, the author has a chapter expounding upon the reality that God is love, Geisler crazily does not make divine agape the centerpiece of his theology proper. God as love appears in a chapter, almost perfunctorily, after numerous sections on divine aseity, omniscience, omnisapience, etc.
Geisler makes some good points on occasion. However, his writing is so dull that even the most incurable insomniac will find an effective remedy here. I have no trouble with the Thomism underlying the entire work. Having said that, Geisler seems to be almost slavish in his devotion to the great thirteenth century Dominican monk. He also could be much more charitable towards 'free will/open' theists, who he dubs neo-theists. This book is 'ok'. I am in no rush though to pick up Volume 3.

[Dr. A. Jacob W. Reinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An organized, thorough presentation of the doctrine of God according to classical theism. I appreciate the organization and coonection of how the attributes of God connect with each other since God is a simple being. The treatment of the doctrine of Creation is needful, and the placement of sovereignty and providence under that second section is unique but a helpful approach. While I disagree with his sympathy to old-earth views, I believe that the additions of his section on Creation give important elements that young-earth creation apologists should implement - and do less on the presuppositional side of epistemology.

[Lauren O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEW. Cover to cover, a worthwhile endeavor.

[Katie]

Grad school read

[Bryant Rudisill · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a modern-day Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Norman Geisler defends classical Theism par excellence. In his dealing with Theology Proper, Dr. Geisler supports each attribute (from non-moral to moral) biblically, theologically and historically. Along with rebutting the major objections against each one from his outstanding philosophical logic (which happens to be very Thomistic). He is okay with mysteries as long as it doesn't violate the first fundamental law of rational thinking (i.e., noncontradiction).



As far as Dr. Geisler's doctrine of God is concerned, my main objection is raised against his Arminian view of the ability of man. The more he argues for man's ability ("free will"), the further he finds himself asserting contradictory statements. Though space prohibits a counter-argument, I will state that his argument can be used to support man's inability. According to Geisler, the Calvinist doctrine of man's inability is a contradiction. This is true maybe in terms (though I think a proper rewording of the argument using Geisler's own argument would eliminate this), but in REALITY (i.e., experience) this is not so. However, though he has made his terms noncontradictory (a good philosopher he is in his ability to do this), the reality of it reveals the truth of its inherent contradiction.



Moving on to his doctrine of creation, Dr. Geisler again proves his innate ability to develop sound arguments for the classical view of Theism in dealing with creation. Revealing the heresies behind the recent view of "process theology" (which he does throughout this work); Geisler also argues against naturalistic and deified forms of evolution. He continues on to explain the various different views within biblical creationism. Though leaning towards an old-earth view, he hardly reveals his bias when examining the differing views.



Instructive. Lucid. Biblical. Logical.

[Jared Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Systematic theology helps us understand the entire context of what we read, why we read, and how we should read. This companion commentary is great for serious students of God's Word. This deals with the major issues of Scripture like God and salvation, but is not as exstensive on other subjects as Wayne Grudem's 'Systematic Theology'.

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Norman Geisler's views in this volume are often very idiosyncratic and advocate for a vague lowest common denominator non-denominational view. However, when representing other positions or groups he really drops the ball.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great as a reference to the major issues concerning the covered topics. At times disappointing given the quippish responses to topics deserving of being books in themselves.