Hans Boersma Bücher

This work argues that the heart of patristic exegesis is the attempt to find the sacramental reality (real presence) of Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures. Leading theologian Hans Boersma discusses numerous sermons and commentaries of the church fathers to show how they regarded Christ as the treasure hidden in the field of the Old Testament and explains that the church today can and should retrieve the sacramental reading of the early church. Combining detailed scholarly insight with clear, compelling prose, this book makes a unique contribution to contemporary interest in theological interpretation.

Winner of the Christianity Today Book Award in Theology/Ethics To see God is our heart's desire, our final purpose in life. But what does it mean to see God? And exactly how do we see God--with our physical eyes or with the mind's eye? In this informed study of the beatific vision, Hans Boersma focuses on "vision" as a living metaphor and shows how the vision of God is not just a future but a present reality. Seeing God is both a historical theology and a dogmatic articulation of the beatific vision--of how the invisible God becomes visible to us. In examining what Christian thinkers throughout history have written about the beatific vision, Boersma explores how God trains us to see his character by transforming our eyes and minds, highlighting continuity from this world to the next. Christ-centered, sacramental, and ecumenical, Boersma's work presents life as a never-ending journey toward seeing the face of God in Christ both here and in the world to come.

The book delves into the intense theological debates surrounding justification in seventeenth-century English Puritanism, focusing on Richard Baxter's views. Baxter challenged the rigid Calvinist stance on sola fide, advocating for a synergy of faith and works in response to God's grace. The discourse is marked by sharp disagreements, particularly with John Crandon, who criticized Baxter's perspective. The study positions Baxter as an eclectic scholastic covenantal theologian, emphasizing the crucial distinction between God's conditional covenant and His absolute will in understanding his theology.

The relationship between theology and biblical studies is often marked by misunderstandings, methodological differences, and cross-discipline tension. With an irenic spirit as well as honesty about differences that remain, theologian Hans Boersma highlights five things he wishes biblical scholars knew about theology so that these disciplines might once again serve the church hand in hand.

The book addresses the challenges faced by fundamental Christian beliefs in light of modern scientific advancements and cultural shifts. It explores how concepts like the Trinity and providence are perceived in contemporary society and tackles pressing issues such as the ecological crisis and interpretations of Genesis amidst genetic and evolutionary science. A collection of essays by various contributors aims to guide postmodern Christians in understanding their faith and its practical implications for living in today's world.

Leading Scholar Offers a Theological Approach to Preaching This primer on the ministry of preaching connects reading the Bible theologically with preparing and preaching sermons. Hans Boersma explains that exegesis involves looking beyond the historical and literal meaning of the text to the hidden sacramental reality of Christ himself, which enables us to reach the deepest meaning of the Scriptures. He provides models for theological sermons along with commentary on exegetical and homiletical method and explains that patristic exegesis is relevant for reading the Bible today. The book includes a foreword by Eugene H. Peterson.

Holy Scripture requires holy reading. Encounter an ancient but fresh way of reading the Bible. Learn from Augustine, Anselm of Canterbury, Bernard of Clairvaux, and others. Experience a structured and attentive way to focus on Christ, listen to the Spirit, and rest in God's love. Christians read Scripture to encounter Christ and be conformed to his image. Jesus is the point of reading the Bible. But Scripture is no mere human text; it is God's living word. So how should we read it? For Christians throughout the centuries, the answer has been lectio divina--divine reading. Lectio divina is a sacramental reading. It aims to take us more deeply into the life of God. Through practicing the four movements of lectio divina--attentive reading, extended meditation, prayerful reflection, and silent resting--we focus on Christ, listen to the Spirit, and rest in God's love. We no longer simply read the words of Scripture; instead, we read the face of God in the eternal Word.