With the closing of the twentieth century, the doctrine of God has once again become a central focus of theological discussion and debate. In The Doctrine of God, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen provides an ecumenical, international, and contextual introduction to the doctrine of God in contemporary theology. He brings three primary perspectives to the topic (biblical, historical, and contemporary), offers equal treatment to both Western and non-Western theological contributions, and includes discussions of unique contextualized interpretations.

While introducing readers to the relevant biblical and historical developments of the classic theistic tradition, the primary focus of the work is its introduction to major contemporary theological movements and the writings of representative theologians. Kärkkäinen begins with the doctrine of God in the Old and New Testaments, then moves through Patristic and Medieval understandings of God and into the views of Luther and Calvin. Next he examines the doctrine of God in the thought of Barth, Tillich, Rahner, Küng, Pannenberg, and other European theologians. The heart of the book is an extensive discussion of the doctrine of God in modern movements such as process theology, ecological theology, African and Caribbean theology, Asian theology, and Latin American theology.

In his fine series of handbooks, Kärkkäinen meets a felt need of many theology students–to be given an introduction in global perspective to great themes such as this one: the doctrine of God. The book reveals what theologians around the world are saying about this primary and all-important subject and will stimulate readers to imagine God in more relevant and transforming ways.–Clark Pinnock, professor emeritus of systematic theology, McMaster Divinity College

This astonishingly wide-ranging and well-informed book will serve as an introduction to the doctrine of God for scholars of all kinds and for many generations of students. The story of the numerous theologians and thinkers within the long, rich, and varied Christian tradition is freshly told with great insight and intelligence. In addition to providing a systematic treatment of the historical development of a Christian doctrine of God, this book addresses those parts of the world that, as the twenty-first century develops, are likely to become crucial to Christian scholarship–Africa, Latin America, and Asia. I warmly recommend this book for its thoroughness, scope, clarity, and fairness.–William K. Kay, senior lecturer, King’s College, London