Richard Brash (PhD University of Edinburgh) is a Mission Partner with Japan Christian Link and Assistant Professor of Theology at Christ Bible Seminary in Nagoya, Japan. He has earned degrees from the University of Cambridge, International Christian College, Japan Bible Seminary (Tokyo), and Westminster Theological Seminary. He has five years of pastoral experience at St Ebbe's Church, Oxford. His other publications include A Christian's Pocket Guide to How God Preserved the Bible (Christian Focus) and articles in academic journals.

In the Bible, God gives us knowledge of himself and of ourselves, so that through these two intertwined strands we may receive what Calvin called 'true and sound wisdom'. In pursuit of this wisdom, many Christians have learned to interpret Scripture chrono-logically, following the Bible's developing story from creation, through fall, to redemption, and ultimately to restoration. But what of a complementary theo-logical approach to Scripture, one which focuses on the Bible's main 'characters' - God and human beings - and the nature of their relationship?  
  
Richard Brash presents such an approach, introducing six theological keys to Scripture which help us better to know God and ourselves in the three fundamental areas of being, knowing, and acting. At each stage, he develops the theme of the gracious condescension of the infinite, incomprehensible, and holy God in his relation to finite human beings: creating us as his image, establishing a proportion between his own knowledge and ours, and overcoming sin to take a people for himself through the love-gifts of his Son and his Spirit.  
  
If you are looking for an enlarged vision of God and a renewed understanding of your own vocation before the Lord, take up this book and be refreshed in your love for God in heart, soul, and mind.

An introductory framework for understanding key theological aspects of the Bible's story  
  
Six keys from God's Word to help you navigate life in God's world.  
  
'knowing God growing into life'

I don't know of a better introduction to Christian doctrine than this brilliant new book by Richard Brash. It is both modest and ambitious in its aim: not attempting, like a textbook, to cover all the major doctrinal themes, but rather, like a guidebook, seeking to introduce to the territory and point us in the right direction to discover its delights. We are introduced to three deceptively simple pairs of contrasting statements, which together provide a window into the vast vista of biblical teaching, a compass that enables us to navigate the terrain, and a set of keys to help us begin to unlock some of the mysteries we meet along the way. This is theology at its best: biblically grounded, mind-blowing and heart-warming. It is a great resource, both for those who are new to systematic theology and to seasoned travellers. Enjoy the journey!

Winsome and rich, this book wonderfully exhibits the bond between the knowledge of God and of ourselves. Richard Brash gives us a reliable compass to keep us from getting lost in the theological forest.

Many people are wary of 'systematic theology' but it is, when done properly, simply an exercise in reading the Bible as a whole and in fellowship with God's people. Richard Brash shows us how that is so. This simple doctrinal 'compass' will help you navigate life in God's world in the light of God's word. Richard writes with a clarity that comes from knowing the subject well. He enables us to see that the big picture of the Bible is both an unfolding narrative and a coherent account of God and his purpose in creating us, making himself known to us, and saving us from sin. Highly recommended.

Thoroughly contemporary but at the same time well rooted in exegesis and biblical theology, this volume quickly gripped me as a fresh, stimulating and enjoyable plea for Systematic Theology. But it is more than a plea. Its six keys serve as both invaluable entry-points and as axioms to guide us in life-long study of the relations between one biblical truth and another, and between each truth (or Scripture text) and the whole field of revelation. The keys are well chosen and, being presented in pairs, remind us of the danger of being carried away by one side of a truth at the expense of another. This volume will both feed and stretch your mind, but it will not exhaust it.

Richard Brash

For Yuko

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

What is 'systematic theology'?

Do we really need theology at all?

Isn't 'biblical' theology enough?

What happens if the system takes over?

Where does this book fit in?

The six theological keys

God is not like us

Beginning with God: What or who?

Biblical foundations

Implications of the theological key

God has made us like himself

Man: the image of God

Biblical foundations 1: imaging the infinite

Biblical foundations 2: Jesus Christ, the image of God

We cannot comprehend God

God: the great unknown?

God makes himself known to us

'To the unknown god'

Our sin separates us from God

Acting it out

God overcomes sin and makes us his own

The 'astonishing dispensation'

Conclusion: theology that transforms

Glossary

Search items for subjects

Search items for biblical references

Notes

__Discover a fresh theological perspective on Scripture with Richard Brash's insights. Explore God's relationship with humanity and deepen your understanding of divine wisdom.__

In the Bible, God gives us knowledge of himself and of ourselves, so that through these two intertwined strands we may receive what Calvin called 'true and sound wisdom'. In pursuit of this wisdom, many Christians have learned to interpret Scripture chrono-logically, following the Bible's developing story from creation, through fall, to redemption, and ultimately to restoration. But what of a complementary theo-logical approach to Scripture, one which focuses on the Bible's main 'characters' - God and human beings - and the nature of their relationship?

Richard Brash presents such an approach, introducing six theological keys to Scripture which help us better to know God and ourselves in the three fundamental areas of being, knowing, and acting. At each stage, he develops the theme of the gracious condescension of the infinite, incomprehensible, and holy God in his relation to finite human beings: creating us as his image, establishing a proportion between his own knowledge and ours, and overcoming sin to take a people for himself through the love-gifts of his Son and his Spirit.

If you are looking for an enlarged vision of God and a renewed understanding of your own vocation before the Lord, take up this book and be refreshed in your love for God in heart, soul, and mind.

I don’t know of a better introduction to Christian doctrine than this brilliant new book by Richard Brash. It is both modest and ambitious in its aim: not attempting, like a textbook, to cover all the major doctrinal themes, but rather, like a guidebook, seeking to introduce to the territory and point us in the right direction to discover its delights. We are introduced to three deceptively simple pairs of contrasting statements, which together provide a window into the vast vista of biblical teaching, a compass that enables us to navigate the terrain, and a set of keys to help us begin to unlock some of the mysteries we meet along the way. This is theology at its best: biblically grounded, mind-blowing and heart-warming. It is a great resource, both for those who are new to systematic theology and to seasoned travellers. Enjoy the journey!

__- Vaughan Roberts, rector of St Ebbe's Church, Oxford, author of God's Big Picture__

Winsome and rich, this book wonderfully exhibits the bond between the knowledge of God and of ourselves. Richard Brash gives us a reliable compass to keep us from getting lost in the theological forest.

__- Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California, USA__

Many people are wary of ‘systematic theology’ but it is, when done properly, simply an exercise in reading the Bible as a whole and in fellowship with God’s people. Richard Brash shows us how that is so. This simple doctrinal ‘compass’ will help you navigate life in God’s world in the light of God’s word. Richard writes with a clarity that comes from knowing the subject well. He enables us to see that the big picture of the Bible is both an unfolding narrative and a coherent account of God and his purpose in creating us, making himself known to us, and saving us from sin. Highly recommended.

__- Mark D Thompson, Principal, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia__

Thoroughly contemporary but at the same time well rooted in exegesis and biblical theology, this volume quickly gripped me as a fresh, stimulating and enjoyable plea for Systematic Theology. But it is more than a plea. Its six keys serve as both invaluable entry-points and as axioms to guide us in life-long study of the relations between one biblical truth and another, and between each truth (or Scripture text) and the whole field of revelation. The keys are well chosen and, being presented in pairs, remind us of the danger of being carried away by one side of a truth at the expense of another. This volume will both feed and stretch your mind, but it will not exhaust it.

__- Professor Donald Macleod, Edinburgh Theological Seminary__

Knowing Me, Knowing God

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