Written by one of the world's leading theologians, Theology: The Basics is designed for students taking a first short course in Christian theology or for lay Christians who wish to find out more about their faith. Accessible and lively, this introductory textbook:- Introduces readers to key theological issues, such as God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, faith, creation, salvation, atonement, religious history and heaven- Includes within each chapter an overview of one of these themes, presents relevant biblical passages, and summarizes the contribution of one major theologian- Uses the Apostle's Creed as a framework in order to provide a user-friendly structure- Features a concluding section which explains how readers can take their study further, giving examples of the kind of detailed discussion that is possible.Alister E. McGrath is the author of numerous popular theology textbooks, including Christian Theology 3rd edition and The Christian Theology Reader 2nd edition. Readers may wish to use this book in order to make the transition to these more challenging texts.For more information about Theology: The Basics, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/mcgrath.