Overview
Far from being the immutable ""Rock of Ages"" He is often assumed to be, the God of Christian history and tradition has had many different and often conflicting faces. 'Rock of Ages?' opens with the emergence of the Biblical God from the pantheon of deities in bronze age Canaan, and culminates in the radical images of God that were appearing at the end of the twentieth-century, providing a historical overview of the different and sometimes conflicting ways in which He has been understood. By examining the ideas of key writers down the ages, whose ecclesiastical or intellectual power has allowed their insights to become embedded in the mainstream traditions of the Christian churches, Butler seeks to answer one central question: Why is it that people across the ages have claimed to have seen so many different and sometimes contradictory faces of the Christian God? Or more specifically: If there is one true God, and if He is known to those who believe in him through the revelation of Himself in history, why hasn't a consistent and unified understanding of Him emerged in the witness and testimony of those who claim to have seen his face? In the best of scholarly traditions, Butler presents his work as a clear account of his own quest for an answer; but although suggesting possibilities, he leaves others to come to their own judgements using the evidence available. Written in a clear and attractive style, this is a book for anyone without any prior knowledge of history, theology or philosophy, be they atheists, Christians looking to explore their faith, students or simply anyone interested in the history of religion.
Full Product Details
Author: John Butler
Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd
Imprint: Lutterworth Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.60cm
, Height: 1.50cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 0.372kg
ISBN: 9780718892968
ISBN 10: 0718892968
Pages: 236
Publication Date: 27 June 2013
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
This beautifully written book tells the fascinating story of the evolving portrait of the Christian God from Abraham to the present day. It is an illuminating read for those who feel the need to cross their fingers whenever they say the Nicene Creed - and for many who don't! Richard Llewellin, Former Bishop at Lambeth
This beautifully written book tells the fascinating story of the evolving portrait of the Christian God from Abraham to the present day. It is an illuminating read for those who feel the need to cross their fingers whenever they say the Nicene Creed - and for many who don't! Rt Rev Richard Llewellin, Former Bishop at Lambeth I read this in one sitting. I found it utterly compelling. Firstly, it was so approachable - honest, succint, racy. And also because it was so focused on the reader's need to make sense of often contradictory images or doctrines about God. So the author runs through history and wrestles with ideas about God in a way that any searching person of the twenty first century will find useful. I loved it and hope many others do too. The Revd Dr. Leslie Griffiths, The Lord Griffiths of Burry Port. 'The professor's argument combines brevity and clarity [...] For those no longer content with the image of God they have inherited, this book suggests new possibilities.' Trevor Jamison, Reform Magazine, November 2013 His fascinating presentation and flowing language captures and sustains reader's attention. The timeline and Butler's introduction to this book invite the readers to examine their own perception(s) of who God is and what this God does (or does not do) to them. After carefully reading it, they will thank Professor Butler for throwing fresh light on their theology. -Daniel Jeyaraj, Liverpool Hope University, in Theological Book Review, Vol 25, No 2 ...beautifully clear and concise...Butler offers his personal voyage for illumination and for discussion of the future face of God. The final destination of his adventure is indeed illuminating. -Hugh Rock, Modern Believing, Vol 55, Issue 2, (2014) Most readers will discover things here that they did not know... -David Grumett, The Expository Times, Volume 127(5), 2016 ...Butler achieves the aim which he declares at the outset and offers his readers an appealing invitation to join the search. -Nicholas Papadopulos, Theology, Vol 117, No 4, 2015
"""This beautifully written book tells the fascinating story of the evolving portrait of the Christian God from Abraham to the present day. It is an illuminating read for those who feel the need to cross their fingers whenever they say the Nicene Creed - and for many who don't!"" Rt Rev Richard Llewellin, Former Bishop at Lambeth ""I read this in one sitting. I found it utterly compelling. Firstly, it was so approachable - honest, succint, racy. And also because it was so focused on the reader's need to make sense of often contradictory images or doctrines about God. So the author runs through history and wrestles with ideas about God in a way that any searching person of the twenty first century will find useful. I loved it and hope many others do too."" The Revd Dr. Leslie Griffiths, The Lord Griffiths of Burry Port. 'The professor's argument combines brevity and clarity [...] For those no longer content with the image of God they have inherited, this book suggests new possibilities.' Trevor Jamison, Reform Magazine, November 2013 ""His fascinating presentation and flowing language captures and sustains reader's attention. The timeline and Butler's introduction to this book invite the readers to examine their own perception(s) of who God is and what this God does (or does not do) to them. After carefully reading it, they will thank Professor Butler for throwing fresh light on their theology."" -Daniel Jeyaraj, Liverpool Hope University, in Theological Book Review, Vol 25, No 2 ""...beautifully clear and concise...Butler offers his personal voyage for illumination and for discussion of the future face of God. The final destination of his adventure is indeed illuminating."" -Hugh Rock, Modern Believing, Vol 55, Issue 2, (2014) ""Most readers will discover things here that they did not know..."" -David Grumett, The Expository Times, Volume 127(5), 2016 ""...Butler achieves the aim which he declares at the outset and offers his readers an appealing invitation to join the search."" -Nicholas Papadopulos, Theology, Vol 117, No 4, 2015"
This beautifully written book tells the fascinating story of the evolving portrait of the Christian God from Abraham to the present day. It is an illuminating read for those who feel the need to cross their fingers whenever they say the Nicene Creed - and for many who don't! Richard Llewellin, Former Bishop at Lambeth I read this in one sitting. I found it utterly compelling. Firstly, it was so approachable - honest, succint, racy. And also because it was so focused on the reader's need to make sense of often contradictory images or doctrines about God. So the author runs through history and wrestles with ideas about God in a way that any searching person of the twenty first century will find useful. I loved it and hope many others do too. The Revd Dr. Leslie Griffiths, The Lord Griffiths of Burry Port.
This beautifully written book tells the fascinating story of the evolving portrait of the Christian God from Abraham to the present day. It is an illuminating read for those who feel the need to cross their fingers whenever they say the Nicene Creed - and for many who don't! Richard Llewellin, Former Bishop at Lambeth I read this in one sitting. I found it utterly compelling. Firstly, it was so approachable - honest, succint, racy. And also because it was so focused on the reader's need to make sense of often contradictory images or doctrines about God. So the author runs through history and wrestles with ideas about God in a way that any searching person of the twenty first century will find useful. I loved it and hope many others do too. The Revd Dr. Leslie Griffiths, The Lord Griffiths of Burry Port. 'The professor's argument combines brevity and clarity [ - ] For those no longer content with the image of God they have inherited, this book suggests new possibilities.' Trevor Jamison, Reform Magazine, November 2013 His fascinating presentation and flowing language captures and sustains reader's attention. The timeline and Butler's introduction to this book invite the readers to examine their own perception(s) of who God is and what this God does (or does not do) to them. After carefully reading it, they will thank Professor Butler for throwing fresh light on their theology. Daniel Jeyaraj, Liverpool Hope University, in Theological Book Review, Vol 25, No 2 ...beautifully clear and concise...Butler offers his personal voyage for illumination and for discussion of the future face of God. The final destination of his adventure is indeed illuminating. Hugh Rock, in Modern Believing, Issue 55, vol 2, 2014
Author Information
John Butler is now retired, having worked as an academic at the Universities of Nottingham, Manchester, and Kent. He has the title of Emeritus Professor of Health Services Studies at the University of Kent. He is a life Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a guide at Canterbury Cathedral.
