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Systematic Theology, Vol. 4: Church/Last Things
This culminating volume of Systematic Theology begins with ecclesiology, the study of the miracle of Christ's church (local and universal, visible and invisible), examining its origin, nature, government, ordinances, ministry, and relation to the state. The next section, Last Things (eschatology), is an indepth study that includes resurrection, final status of the saved and the lost, theories of purgatory and annihilationism, interpretation of prophecy, the millennium, the tribulation, Christ's return, and the kingdom of God.
784 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
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About the author
Norman L. Geisler
226 books319 followersNorman 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.
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July 26, 2024
THE LAST OF FOUR VOLUMES BY THE FAMOUS APOLOGIST
Norman Geisler is a famed apologist and theologian.
He argues, "...even if Peter were the rock referred to by Jesus, he would not be the ONLY rock in the church's foundation. Again, Jesus gave all the apostles the same power to `bind' and `loose'... ALL the apostles (not just Peter) are the church's foundation." (Pg. 77) He then concludes, "Hence, there is no one visible church: There are many visible churches---with one invisible Head, Christ---that are to be based on the teachings of His infallible Word." (Pg. 101) He further argues, "Human depravity calls for the existence of independent, self-governing churches." (Pg. 127)
Concerning the Eucharist/Lord's Supper, he observes, "the early Fathers had only a fallible interpretation of the infallible Word. They could be and often were wrong, and there is no reason any of them could not have been wrong on this issue (the Eucharist)." (Pg. 157) On baptism, he suggests, "Those who confess Christ are to be baptized, and the New Testament mode seems to have been immersion. Other modes were later and exceptional rather than original and primary." (Pg. 185) About spiritual gifts, he asserts, "The general phenomena of tongue-speaking today is not a real language but a spiritual gibberish." (Pg. 195) Interestingly, he suggests, "The miraculous GIFT of healing has ceased, the temporary gift used to establish the church's foundation. Again, this does not mean the FACT of miracles has ceased; God can perform a miracle anytime he chooses." (Pg. 197)
He wonders, "Will those who die in infancy remain babies in Heaven? Probably not. Heaven is a place of maturity and perfection, and babies stunted in their growth, short of maturity, would not reflect a state of perfection. It seems to better befit God's nature and plan for those who were not granted earthly maturity to attain it in heaven." (Pg. 309) About eternal punishment, he suggests, "The Bible reveals (different) degrees ... (Matt 5:22; Rev. 20:12-14). Because 'degrees of annihilation' is implausible---non-existence would be the same for everyone---annihilation is irrational." (Pg. 410)
On eschatology, he supports "dispensational premillennialism." (Pg. 551) But he admits, "one could say that the literal hermeneutic (which yields premillennialism) is a hermeneutical fundamental, though not a doctrinal fundamental. This may be why premillenialists are less likely to slip into liberalism..." (Pg. 553) He also adds, "Posttribulationists have a veritable logjam of events at Christ's second coming, at the end of the tribulation." (Pg. 620)
Geisler's series is one of most important recent contributions to evangelical theology.
Norman Geisler is a famed apologist and theologian.
He argues, "...even if Peter were the rock referred to by Jesus, he would not be the ONLY rock in the church's foundation. Again, Jesus gave all the apostles the same power to `bind' and `loose'... ALL the apostles (not just Peter) are the church's foundation." (Pg. 77) He then concludes, "Hence, there is no one visible church: There are many visible churches---with one invisible Head, Christ---that are to be based on the teachings of His infallible Word." (Pg. 101) He further argues, "Human depravity calls for the existence of independent, self-governing churches." (Pg. 127)
Concerning the Eucharist/Lord's Supper, he observes, "the early Fathers had only a fallible interpretation of the infallible Word. They could be and often were wrong, and there is no reason any of them could not have been wrong on this issue (the Eucharist)." (Pg. 157) On baptism, he suggests, "Those who confess Christ are to be baptized, and the New Testament mode seems to have been immersion. Other modes were later and exceptional rather than original and primary." (Pg. 185) About spiritual gifts, he asserts, "The general phenomena of tongue-speaking today is not a real language but a spiritual gibberish." (Pg. 195) Interestingly, he suggests, "The miraculous GIFT of healing has ceased, the temporary gift used to establish the church's foundation. Again, this does not mean the FACT of miracles has ceased; God can perform a miracle anytime he chooses." (Pg. 197)
He wonders, "Will those who die in infancy remain babies in Heaven? Probably not. Heaven is a place of maturity and perfection, and babies stunted in their growth, short of maturity, would not reflect a state of perfection. It seems to better befit God's nature and plan for those who were not granted earthly maturity to attain it in heaven." (Pg. 309) About eternal punishment, he suggests, "The Bible reveals (different) degrees ... (Matt 5:22; Rev. 20:12-14). Because 'degrees of annihilation' is implausible---non-existence would be the same for everyone---annihilation is irrational." (Pg. 410)
On eschatology, he supports "dispensational premillennialism." (Pg. 551) But he admits, "one could say that the literal hermeneutic (which yields premillennialism) is a hermeneutical fundamental, though not a doctrinal fundamental. This may be why premillenialists are less likely to slip into liberalism..." (Pg. 553) He also adds, "Posttribulationists have a veritable logjam of events at Christ's second coming, at the end of the tribulation." (Pg. 620)
Geisler's series is one of most important recent contributions to evangelical theology.
September 9, 2024
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.
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