Even though I am in seminary I have always been scared of picking up a systematic theology book, but Oden relieved my anxious intellect by writing a fresh and Spirit led textbook for theology. The Living God is the first of three volumes in Oden’s systematic theology. Volumes 2 and 3 are titled The Word of Life and Life in the Spirit respectively.

Oden takes as his outline the structure of the Apostles Creed. Like the Creed he divides his study, not by theological categories, but rather by the three persons of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is made clear that Oden is not setting out to blaze a new trail in theology, but instead retell the orthodoxy of the ancient church in new words.

This first volume tackles the major themes of the Godhead, such as, whether or not God can be defined, what are God’s attributes, is the Trinity plausible and why, the personhood of God, and the providence of God, as well as issues dealing directly with theological study. Oden admonishes his readers to live in step with our high calling in Christ in order to better understand theological study for he asserts that theological study requires a theological temperment encompassing many virtues.

I am looking forward to reading the remaining volumes of this work.

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