WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)–Paul Enns was concerned about a growing problem he witnessed: Christians who are uninformed of the basic beliefs of the faith and, at the same time, not interested in reading a book of theology.
His latest book, “Approaching God” (Kregel Publications), seeks to bridge the gap.
Enns, an adjunct professor of theology and director of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension site in Tampa, Fla., wrote Approaching God in the format of 365 daily devotional readings, each only one page in length, but containing all the rubrics of Christian systematic theology.
The book contains sections on such fundamental theological subjects as God, the Bible, Christ, the Holy Spirit, man, sin, salvation, angels, demons, the church and prophecy. As Enns describes it, the book combines the theology that Christians need to understand with the format in which they are most apt to receive it.
Aware of the difficulty that technical theological terms might pose for lay readers, Enns said he crafted the book in plain, everyday language so that even the most complicated truths of the Bible could be understood by those without any initiation to theology.
“I anticipate a broad spectrum of readership,” Enns said, “from teens to college students to adults who want a basic, systematic overview of the Christian belief system, but without the technical jargon. In addition, it could readily be used in family devotions with a lot of opportunity for family discussion. Our family discussed many of these doctrines when our sons were young.”
Enns hopes to see the book accomplish two primary aims.
“I hope that through reading this book Christians will first of all know the basics of the Christian faith, having resolved issues like: Are there errors in the Bible? What is election? How can we understand Christ as both God and man? What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit and are the sign gifts for today?” Enns said.
“Secondly, I would like to see these same Christians taking a strong stance in defending the Christian faith. Christian doctrine is important and we must take a strong stand in defending Christian truth, lest we lose it.”
Enns’ earlier works include the Moody Handbook of Theology and commentaries on the Old Testament Books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Isaiah and Ezekiel.
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This book can be purchased online at http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=0825425328 (BP) photos posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo titles: APPROACHING GOD and PAUL ENNS.
