The Christian Faith: An Introduction to Dogmatic Theology

by Claude B. Moss

from the The subject of this book is not 'apologetics' but 'dogmatics': that is, it is intended primarily, not for those who are outside, but for those who are inside the Christian fold. It is our duty as Christians to try to bring all men to the knowledge of the truth; but we cannot do so, unless we ourselves know clearly what the Christian religion is. The lectures on which this book is based were given, through many years, to Anglican candidates for ordination, and were at all times subjected to their criticism. Readers are warned, as they were warned, to take no statement for granted, but to check it for themselves. No belief is really ours until we have made it our own (St. John 4:42). This book is intended chiefly for members of the Anglican churches, which, though they have no doctrines peculiar to themselves, have a standpoint and an emphasis of their own, which is given here without qualification or apology. For this reason, more space is devoted to Anglican authority, formularies, and organization, than might otherwise be justified . . .

Genres: Theology, Christian

496 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Derek DeMars · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who grew up only being exposed to systematic theology books written by low-church evangelical teachers, I gleaned a lot from the very different approach of Anglo-Catholic scholar C. B. Moss. In this very concise, one-volume dogmatic theology, Moss covers all of the key subjects you'd expect (God, Trinity, Christology, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and eschatology) but from the perspective of historic, creedal Christianity. His section on the Church was fascinating, again because it was quite different from my old understanding. There were a lot of sections where I wished he had gone into greater depth and detail on some topics, but depending on the reader that brevity may be a strength. The other great strength of the book is Moss's balanced approach to matters of catholicity -- he offers some of the strongest and most informed arguments against the errors of the modern Roman Catholic Church, without watering down the importance of apostolic succession and of being connected to the historic Church, and also without inappropriate caricatures. I'd say he's worth reading for that aspect alone. There are some other places where he needs to be taken with a grain of salt -- particularly his all-too-hasty critique of substitutionary atonement, which is problematic. But otherwise it's a handy resource to have.

[David Goetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A compact early 20th-century Anglican effort. Liberal on Scripture but orthodox on most other dogmatic issues. Moss's brevity may occasionally render him useful as a resource for teachers of dogmatics, but he's generally unremarkable and unmemorable. Not worth a careful reading.

[Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent, concise outline of classical Anglican dogmatics. It is dated and a bit facile in places—I was rather unimpressed, for example, by the overview of metaphysics—but it is easy to read and covers a lot of territory.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview, well stated doctrinal points.

[wyclif · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, though dated, is still occasionally used as a dogmatics text in Anglican seminaries. That is unfortunate because Moss in quite weak in places doctrinally. He denies the substitutionary atonement (in favour of Christus Victor), teaches unacceptably liberal views on the inerrancy of Scripture, and embraces macroevolution rather uncritically. While worthwhile for the discerning theologian who can read *cum grano salis*, I sense some schools assign this book simply because Moss is Anglican. I feel it's too bad that ecclesial loyalty and issues of churchmanship prevent them from doing much, much better.