Books by William C. Placher

William C. Placher and Derek Nelson compile significant passages written by the most important Christian thinkers, from the early church through the Middle Ages, and up to the beginning of the sixteenth century. Illustrating the major theologians, controversies, and schools of thought, Readings in...

Challenging the traditional meaning of Scripture is not easy, even in the face of issues that call into question those traditional interpretations. In these reflections, Walter Brueggemann says that the Bible, as the live word of the living God, will not submit to the accounts we prefer to give it. The Bible's inherent, central evangelical...

In contrast to the perspective taken in many popular books on the historical Jesus, the Christian tradition does not offer a boring, safe Jesus who can be studied from a distance and needs only to be placed in his historical context. Instead, William Placher argues that Jesus is one who radically challenges the way we understand the world and...

In this original, contemporary doctrine of the Trinity, William Placher places the history of theology in dialogue with postmodern philosophy and yields a provocative postliberal interpretation. Placher deftly connects a radical view of God's transcendence with a narrative Christology. His resulting thesis is twofold: first, the doctrine of the...

A modern classic, A History of Christian Theology offers a concise yet complete chronicle of the whole of Christian theology, from its background in the history of Israel to the liberation and postliberal theologies of recent years. This updated 30th anniversary edition includes expanded...

A History of Christian Theology offers a consice yet complete chronicle of the whole history of Christian theology, from its background in the history of Israel to the various modes of liberation theology in the late 20th century. This book is an intellectual history, a story of people and their ideas. It will be valuable for college and...

In Unapologetic Theology, William Placher examines religion and the search for truth in a pluralistic society. Among the issues he considers are science and its relation to belief, dialogue among various religions, and the theological...

William Placher looks at "classical" Christian theology (Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Martin Luther) and contrasts it with the Christian discourse about God that evolved in the seventeenth century. In particular, he deals with the notion of transcendence that gained prominence in this era and its impact on modern theology and modern thinking...

This insightful study of how Jesus reflects God will be interesting and accessible not only to scholars but to pastors and church members. Well-known author William Placher shows that the God revealed in Jesus Christ is portrayed in the biblical narratives as a God willing to risk vulnerability in order to fully love...

This section-by-section, line-by-line commentary reflects on the meaning of "A Brief Statement of Faith" and its relevance for today. It will help Presbyterians think about who they are and what they believe, and will interest others concerned with the relationship between the Christian tradition and contemporary...