Introduction: Approaching the Christian Theological Tradition

Christian theologians hold that God is in constant relationship with the world, continually holding it in existence and transforming it such that it reflects more and more fully the glory and goodness of its creator. This chapter describes transformative potential of the Christian theological tradition for those who acquaint themselves with it. It demonstrates that Christianity exerts enormous influence in our culture, and examines the ways in which the Christian theological tradition is being used to respond to societal issues such as poverty, race relations, and education. Christian theology has a potent ability to transform one’s view of oneself and one’s place in the world. At its most profound moments, the Christian theological tradition puts forward a vision in which the deepest longings of human beings are fulfilled—and even surpassed. A number of Christian thinkers claim not only that God created the universe, but that such an assertion provides the necessary foundation for claiming that human beings have value