Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living

Contrary to what certain Christians suggest, there are no 'simple believers' who remain 'untainted' by theology. . . . Each of us is a theologian, just as God intended. Consequently, the question is not 'will we be theologians?' but 'will we be good theologians?'" So writes Stan Grenz in this introductory systematic theology text. With a passion for communicating to today's postmodern generation, Grenz uses the resources of the biblical message, the heritage of the church, and the thought forms of our culture as tools to construct a helpful theology that is biblical, historical, and contemporary. With the goal of offering a systematic statement of the faith in a manner that can speak to contemporary culture, he centers his reflections around the concept of community. This focus encapsulates the biblical message, stands at the heart of the church's theological heritage, and speaks to the needs of people in the world today. Created for Community retains student interest with helpful visuals, cartoon illustrations, sidebar commentaries, and review statements at the end of each chapter. About the Author Stanley J. Grenz (1950-2005) earned his Doctor of Theology at the University of Munich and was ordained to pastoral ministry in 1976. He later worked within the local church context as youth director and assistant pastor at Northwest Baptist Church, Denver, Colorado, 1971-1976, pastor of Rowandale Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1979-1981, and interim pastor on several occasions. He served on many Baptist boards and agencies and also as a consulting editor of Christianity Today. While in the pastorate, Grenz taught courses both at the University of Winnipeg and at Winnipeg Theological Seminary. He served as Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at the North American Baptist Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota from 1981-1990. From 1990-2002, Grenz held the position of Pioneer McDonald Professor of Baptist Heritage, Theology and Ethics at Carey Theological College and at Regent College in Vancouver. After a one-year sojourn as Distinguished Professor of Theology at Baylor University and George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Texas (2002-2003), he returned to Carey in August 2003 to resume his duties as Pioneer McDonald Professor of Theology. In fall 2004, he assumed an additional appointment as Professor of Theological Studies at Mars Hill Graduate School, Seattle, Washington. From 1996 to 1999, he carried an additional appointment as Professor of Theology and Ethics at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Illinois. Grenz's primary contributions were made discussing how evangelical Christianity ought to relate to the world. He wrote on a wide range of subjects, from sexuality to history to basic apologetics, and was one of North America's leading evangelical voices in the late 20th century and early 21st century. He was included in two editions of Who's Who in Religion, as well as in the 2002 edition of Who's Who in U.S. Writers, Editors and Poets. Grenz died in his sleep March 11, 2005 from a brain aneurysm.