Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

by Michael Reeves

Overview

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Why is God love? Because God is a Trinity.

Why can we be saved? Because God is a Trinity.

How are we able to live the Christian life? Through the Trinity.

In this lively book, we find an introduction to Christianity and the Christian life that is from start to finish rooted in our triune God—Father, Son and Spirit. Not only do we understand the person and work of Christ through the Trinity, but also prayer, the church and every aspect of our faith.

With wit and clarity, Reeves draws from church history down to the present referencing a wide range of notable teachers and preachers. Here is a rich and enjoyable portrayal of the basic beliefs of Christianity that opens up the profound and life-changing truths of our faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830866731
Publisher:	IVP Academic
Publication date:	07/03/2012
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	135
Sales rank:	94,467
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Michael Reeves (PhD, King's College) is an author, theologian, historian and professor who teaches at Wales Evangelical School of Theology (WEST) and is the director of Union, a WEST initiative that puts the theological academy back in the local church context. He previously served as theological adviser for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship in the United Kingdom where he oversaw the Theology Network, a theological resources website. He was also associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place. Reeves is the author of books such as Delighting in the Trinity, The Unquenchable Flame, Discovering the Heart of the Reformation, The Breeze of the Centuries, On Giants? Shoulders and The Good God. He has also written numerous articles for publications including International Journal of Systematic Theology, Themelios, Desiring God, Credo and Reformation 21. He and his wife Bethan have two daughters.

Michael Reeves (PhD, King's College) is an author, theologian, historian and professor who teaches at Wales Evangelical School of Theology (WEST) and is the director of Union, a WEST initiative that puts the theological academy back in the local church context. He previously served as theological adviser for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship in the United Kingdom where he oversaw the Theology Network, a theological resources website. He was also associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place. Reeves is the author of books such as Delighting in the Trinity, The Unquenchable Flame, Discovering the Heart of the Reformation, The Breeze of the Centuries, On Giants? Shoulders and The Good God. He has also written numerous articles for publications including International Journal of Systematic Theology, Themelios, Desiring God, Credo and Reformation 21. He and his wife Bethan have two daughters.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Here Be Dragons?
1. What Was God Doing Before Creation?
2. Creation: The Father's Love Overflows
3. Salvation: The Son Shares What Is His
4. The Christian Life: The Spirit Beautifies
5. "Who Among the Gods Is Like You, O LORD?"
Conclusion: No Other Choice

What People are Saying About This

Dan Cruver

"Delighting in the Trinity overflows with the heart-winning news of the triune God who is love. Clear, accessible and compelling, Michael Reeves's new book provides stunning vistas of how the Father's eternal love for his Son has become unimaginably good news for us. If your life as a Christian has become at all routine or you simply wish to be freshly amazed at the transformative love of the Trinity for you, read Delighting in the Trinity. If you are like me, you will want to read it more than once. It's that spiritually satisfying."

Fred Sanders

"If you have ever felt that the doctrine of the Trinity was a liability, a burden to be borne patiently, this is the book that will change your perspective. Michael Reeves's Delighting in the Trinity presents the triune God as the best thing about the Christian faith. Convinced that 'the triunity of God is the secret of his beauty,' Reeves writes from a full heart, with contagious enthusiasm for the Trinity. Delighting in the Trinity is more stimulating, quotable and engaging than we usually expect a theology book to be. Page after page, Reeves finds new ways of talking, draws surprising connections and reminds us that the God of the gospel is good news in three persons."

Kelly M. Kapic

"It's not often one reads a book on trinitarian theology that is deeply insightful and wonderfully witty at the same time, but this is such a volume. Filled with careful thought and wise application, Reeves provides a most accessible book for those who are trying to understand what difference it makes that we are trinitarian."

Donald Fairbairn

"The Trinity is often regarded as an esoteric and intimidating doctrine, over the heads of rank-and-file Christians. What are laypeople and students to make of the theologians' unfathomable utterances about how the Father, Son and Spirit constitute one God? The answer: Start by reading this book. Michael Reeves unpacks the significance of the Trinity for Christian life with a straight-shooting, conversational style honed by years of student ministry. But don't let the panache fool you. There is substance here that outweighs that of books much harder to understand. Read this book. Look up all the Bible passages it quotes. Let the Spirit use it to help you to see the Scriptures—and most of all, to see God the Trinity—in a new way. I cannot recommend it highly enough."

Editorial Reviews

"The Trinity is often regarded as an esoteric and intimidating doctrine, over the heads of rank-and-file Christians. What are laypeople and students to make of the theologians' unfathomable utterances about how the Father, Son and Spirit constitute one God? The answer: Start by reading this book. Michael Reeves unpacks the significance of the Trinity for Christian life with a straight-shooting, conversational style honed by years of student ministry. But don't let the panache fool you. There is substance here that outweighs that of books much harder to understand. Read this book. Look up all the Bible passages it quotes. Let the Spirit use it to help you to see the Scriptures—and most of all, to see God the Trinity—in a new way. I cannot recommend it highly enough."

Donald Fairbairn

"Delighting in the Trinity overflows with the heart-winning news of the triune God who is love. Clear, accessible and compelling, Michael Reeves's new book provides stunning vistas of how the Father's eternal love for his Son has become unimaginably good news for us. If your life as a Christian has become at all routine or you simply wish to be freshly amazed at the transformative love of the Trinity for you, read Delighting in the Trinity. If you are like me, you will want to read it more than once. It's that spiritually satisfying."

Dan Cruver

"Michael Reeves's Delighting in the Trinity is an enjoyable introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity. . . . [It's] a great read. . . . This book would be useful for working with non-Christians seeking to understand Christianity. It would also serve the Christian who wants a better understanding of why the Trinity was not the invention of 'bored monks on rainy afternoons.'"

New Horizons

"If you have ever felt that the doctrine of the Trinity was a liability, a burden to be borne patiently, this is the book that will change your perspective. Michael Reeves's Delighting in the Trinity presents the triune God as the best thing about the Christian faith. Convinced that 'the triunity of God is the secret of his beauty,' Reeves writes from a full heart, with contagious enthusiasm for the Trinity. Delighting in the Trinity is more stimulating, quotable and engaging than we usually expect a theology book to be. Page after page, Reeves finds new ways of talking, draws surprising connections and reminds us that the God of the gospel is good news in three persons."

Fred Sanders

"Have you ever been mystified by the Trinity? If so, then this book is for you. . . . This book is an ideal introduction for young people, for those who want to know more about God . . . and for pastors who are looking for ways to communicate the faith to non-specialists. It's basic approach is sound, and it will refresh the souls of all who read it. Could we ask for more?"

Gerald Bray

"It's not often one reads a book on trinitarian theology that is deeply insightful and wonderfully witty at the same time, but this is such a volume. Filled with careful thought and wise application, Reeves provides a most accessible book for those who are trying to understand what difference it makes that we are trinitarian."

Kelly M. Kapic

"Michael Reeves . . . has produced a powerful and concise treatment of the trinity in Delighting in the Trinity. One of the strengths of this volume is its practicality and accessiblity. One of the most exciting aspects of this book is Reeves' skill in helping readers understand what it means to enjoy God and understand the doctrine of the trinity to be a demonstration of 'the beauty, the overflowing kindness, the heart-grabbing loveliness of God.'" Jr.

"Even many Christians find the Trinity confusing, but Delighting in the Trinity is the clearest and best written explanation I've ever read."

Marvin Olasky

"[T]he book is an easy and pleasurable read with a down-to-earth articulation of the three-in-one God who loves and invites us into the deepest parts of his eternal love. Charming in its wit and winsome in its emotional appeal, it will motivate readers to love God more deeply and fully. I wish I had this book when I began my seminary studies. If only there were more theological treatments of the Trinity (or other Christian doctrines) written like this book, learning theology, and in a deeper sense, knowing and loving God, would be a delight."

John Cheong

"Michael Reeves . . . has produced a powerful and concise treatment of the trinity in Delighting in the Trinity. One of the strengths of this volume is its practicality and accessiblity. One of the most exciting aspects of this book is Reeves' skill in helping readers understand what it means to enjoy God and understand the doctrine of the trinity to be a demonstration of 'the beauty, the overflowing kindness, the heart-grabbing loveliness of God.'"

R. Albert Mohler Jr.