Edward W. H. Vick

Buy both Creation in Scripture and Creation: The Christian Doctrine for $19.99. Price separately is $25.98, and standard shipping in the U. S. is free!

This special package combines two books, Creation in Scripture by Herold Weiss and Creation: The Christian Doctrine by Edward W. H. Vick. The debate regarding creation and evolution is a very heated and divisive one in the church today. Rather than attempting to start with a particular position and then adduce the evidence for it, both authors aim to survey a broad range of factors that go into the formation of a doctrine.

Herold Weiss aims to look at the variety of viewpoints on creation that are found in Scripture. Rather than starting from Genesis 1 & 2 and then bringing in other passages only as they elucidate portions of that passage, he instead looks at various sections of the Bible, such as the prophets, wisdom literature, the gospels, the writings of Paul, and yes, Genesis, and asks just what ideas the authors hold about creation and how those fit into the focus of the particular section.

Edward Vick approaches the topic as both a theologian and a professor of theology. His purpose is to ask just what elements go into a doctrine of creation. What would make such a doctrine distinctively Christian.

Both volumes discuss how these passages relate to modern Christian viewpoints, such as young earth creationism, theistic evolution, old earth creationism, intelligent design, and related views.

Buy the print copies direct from this site, or see the publisher’s catalog site for links to online retailers and to ebook editions:

• Creation: The Christian Doctrine (on publisher’s web site)
• Creation in Scripture (on publisher’s web site)

Praise for Creation in Scripture

In Creation in Scripture Herold Weiss presents the essential message that the creation story is complex and is addressed in many ways throughout scripture. As it is, much of the hot debate occurs when people take one particular part of scripture, sometimes out of context and sometimes misinterpreted and then baptize this passage as the one and only infallible description of how God really created or creates. This is the first book I have seen that takes this “overview” approach and considers all the Bible’s commentary on Creation. Kudos to Weiss for this contribution.

Richard Colling, Ph.D.
Author of Random Designer

Wading into the often truculent conflicts over creationism and evolution, Herold Weiss offers up the refreshing input of a biblical scholar who is fully attentive to the cultural contexts and religious variety of biblical traditions. While insisting that the life of faith and scientific inquiry each be given their proper respect, Weiss challenges those who would speak theologically about creation to consider more broadly the entire range of biblical evidence, rather than privileging a few chapters from Genesis. Crafted with great clarity and a wealth of knowledge, readers are treated to a lavish feast of biblical views of creation, from the prophets and Wisdom literature to the letters of Paul and the apocalyptic world of Revelation. What a remarkable little book: at once a bold challenge to creationism, exposing its reactionary impulses and indicting its ideological abuses of the Bible; and, at the same time, a generous invitation for thoughtful Christians to celebrate the amazingly rich and varied portraits of creation, and thereby to bolster their faith in the Creator in a way that is both well-conceived and biblically based.

Terence J. Martin, Ph.D.
Professor of Religious Studies
St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana

In this brief and concise volume, Dr. Weiss demonstrates the importance of exploring the entirety of Biblical evidence on this all too often divisive topic. With clarity and concrete example, he makes clear that this subject does not lend itself to simplistic answers. This volume makes a significant contribution to conversations regarding creation and the Bible. It is my hope that people of faith will use this helpful book to further future dialogue among those who value both Scripture and the human reason with which we have been graced by our loving Creator God! For those who believe that one can be both scholarly and faithful, this is a ‘must read’ book!

Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle
Author, Crossing the Street and Part Time Pastor, Full Time Church
Pastor, United Church of Christ

Most studies of creation in the Bible have focused on the first two chapters of Genesis, with little reference to the rest of Scripture where much discussion of creation is found. With characteristically wide understanding of the languages, and the historical and cultural contexts in which the Bible was written, and with deep theological insight and spiritual sensitivity, Dr. Weiss has made an important contribution toward rectifying this imbalance. Reading this book will reward everyone concerned with issues regarding the doctrine of creation.

Earle Hilgert
Professor of New Testament Emeritus
McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago

This is a “must read” book for anyone interested in the current discussions on the concept of creation in the Bible, its cultural context, and its relation to current views in science and evolution. It is authoritative, cogent, masterfully articulated. I’ve read widely on this topic and have never read anything its equal. It pulls no punches. Better yet, it is timely, wise, and faith affirming.

Larry Geraty
President emeritus
La Sierra University

Praise for Creation: The Christian Doctrine

In this relatively short volume, Dr. Edward Vick presents a thorough and precise overview of the Christian doctrine of Creation.  This book has enormous value as a stand alone text yet, when coupled with Herold Weiss’ outstanding review of relevant Scriptural texts,  provides theological insights which complement the task of Scriptural exegesis with respect to this important doctrine of Creation.  There is no wasted word in this truly magnificent work as Dr. Vick explains and defines important terminology and challenges us to look at complex questions reasonably and faithfully.  While its topic is creation, it would serve well as a primer in the relationship of faith, Scripture and theology, a relationship with practical applcability to a multiplicity of issues confronting modern Christianity.  In short, this is an outstanding resource in Christian theology, one to which I expect to return many, many times.

Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle, Author, Crossing the Street and Part Time Pastor, Full Time Church

For the truth-seeker who takes seriously both faith and science, this thoughtful book makes a lot of sense, especially as a follow-up to its companion volume by Herold Weiss (Creation in Scripture).  I found the discussion questions on creation, and the conversation among three Christian friends, unique, provocative, and elucidating features of this masterful contribution to a vexed and timely topic.

– Lawrence T. Geraty, President Emeritus, La Sierra University

Drawing from the history of the relevant developments in philosophy and theology, Vick presents a cogent argument for a confessional Christian doctrine of Creation. To this end he makes important distinctions and gives concrete definitions to the vocabulary needed for the task. He argues that scientific and historical understandings of how the reality in which we live came to be are religiously irrelevant. Instead he presents a Christian understanding of what a doctrine of creation affirms. The clarity of the presentation and the relevance of its message makes this a most welcome contribution to a debate that quite often lacks both. I highly recommend its careful reading to the layperson, the cleric and the professional theologian, be they either Christian or non-Christian.

Herold Weiss, author of Creation in Scripture and Professor Emeritus of New Testament, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame

Christian discussions of creation or origins typically start with one of the standard positions on this contentious doctrine and then presents the arguments in favor of that position. In this book, Edward W. H. Vick looks at creation as a matter of systematic theology. What does it mean for a doctrine to be called “Christian”? How does one derive and express a doctrine of creation that is truly Christian in content? He starts by distinguishing biblical theology, the topic of companion volume Creation in Scripture by Herold Weiss, from the systematic theology approach used in this book.

This book is divided into three parts. Each has its own style and function.

The first presents an introductory statement about how we approach a doctrinal explanation of the theme of Creation. Then we give a theological account of the meaning of the assertion that God is Creator.

The second presents statements by representative respected theologians, as they expound the theme and argue for a separation of theology from science. It presents some quite basic positions.

The third is in the form of a conversation –– an effective way of introducing differing points of view pro and con.

Finally, the book includes a series of questions for each chapter, making it useful as a basis for group study and discussion.

This package includes four books by Edward W. H. Vick:

From Inspiration to Understanding: Reading the Bible Seriously and Faithfully

The Adventists’ Dilemma

History and Christian Faith

Eschatology: A Participatory Study Guide (Forthcoming October 2012; we will ship this separately when released)

Now Shipping!

In this first volume of the Participatory Study Series to deal with a doctrine rather than with a book of the Bible, Dr. Edward W. H. Vick tackles the very difficult subject of eschatology, or last things.

This is not your usual outline of someone’s idea of what will happen at the end of the world. Instead, this study guide will lead readers through a systematic study of how one comes to understand this topic systematically and thoroughly from a biblical and theological perspective. Dr. Vick also interacts with Christian history and with major doctrinal statements of various confessions as well as the quest for the historical Jesus.

How is one to understand prophecy and apocalyptic? What does it mean when Jesus says that ‘this generation will not pass’? These questions receive a thorough treatment, not to provide you with all the answers, but instead to provide you with the tools to discover how you can find these answers.

Church small groups, classes, and individuals can all benefit from following this study.

Why Four Gospels? – Dr. David Alan Black ($11.99) Dr. Black presents the case for the early development of the gospels, beginning with Matthew, rather than Mark. Using both internal data from the gospels themselves and an exhaustive and careful examination of the statements of the early church fathers, he places each gospel in the context of the early development of Christianity. 

From Inspiration to Understanding: Reading the Bible Seriously and Faithfully  – Dr. Edward W.H. Vick ($24.99) The way in which we read the Bible grows out of what we believe the Bible to be. Thus it is impossible to discuss methods of interpretation without considering our view of inspiration, the gathering of the canon, and even the reception of the Bible by the community of faith. And so, Edward W. H. Vick starts this comprehensive discussion of hermeneutics—the interpretation of Scripture—by looking at what the Bible is, and what empowers its authority. He brings a lifetime of experience, teaching and writing to the task.

Who’s Afraid of the Old Testament God?  – Dr. Alden Thompson ($14.99)  The Old Testament God generally has a rather poor reputation, even in Christian circles. But as the author points out, The Old Testament Scriptures can remain alive and will lead us to a fresh appreciation of all that God has done for us.

Targeted to thoughtful readers, this book addresses a cluster of issues often troubling for the person who seeks to understand the Old Testament.

God’s Desire for the Nations: The Missionary Theology of John Piper – Dr. Philip O. Hopkins ($18.99)  John Piper is known for his support of missions. Many of his books devote sections to the advancement of missions, and almost all of his works have missions implications. Piper’s understanding of missions is based on his understanding of God’s glory, which flows from God’s righteousness.

Dr. Hopkins looks at John Piper’s background and thoroughly examines his written works to provide a clear and thorough discussion of Piper’s missiology and its foundation.

The way in which we read the Bible grows out of what we believe the Bible to be. Thus it is impossible to discuss methods of interpretation without considering our view of inspiration, the gathering of the canon, and even the reception of the Bible by the community of faith. And so, Edward W. H. Vick starts this comprehensive discussion of hermeneutics—the interpretation of Scripture—by looking at what the Bible is, and what empowers its authority. He brings a lifetime of experience, teaching and writing to the task.

In this examination, he takes up such diverse topics as inspiration, canonization, authority, infallibility, inerrancy, verbal inspiration, sola scriptura, tradition, myth, and many related topics. Dr. Vick always relates these elements to the overarching questions: How shall we read Scripture? How shall we understand it? How does it impact the way we live and act?

There are many books on how to read the Bible, but there are few that will offer this comprehensive and systematic study. If you apply the principles you find here to your own study, you will find the scriptures opening up in new ways. Dr. Vick will help you move beyond the assumptions that often stand in the way of our personal Bible study and see the remarkable variety and power that is mediated through this book we call the Bible.

A basic Christian claim is that God is active in human history to accomplish his purpose, which he will do in the end. This book considers some of the implications of this far-reaching claim.

Christian faith is bound up with our personal history but beyond that stretches far into the past. Faith is not identical with historical knowledge, for example with knowledge of the facts about Jesus, facts which must be established historically. That involves using the historian’s methods of investigation. What does ‘God reveals himself in history’ mean? Christians claim to find an ultimate meaning in history. But how can that be? How is it possible to find an overall meaning in history, theistic or otherwise? Since Christians appeal to the New Testament in making the claim that God revealed himself in Jesus, we must go beyond that book to the Christian community which existed before there was a New Testament and out of whose midst its writings came. To understand those books we must interpret. So where do our principles of interpretation come from, and how valid are they? This is the question of tradition.

This small book is an introduction to these interesting topics. Hopefully it will help to clarify important issues and lead the reader to investigate such central matters further.

Pre-Order: Release is planned April 15, 2013 (delayed from March 15, 2013).

One of the weaknesses in Christian congregations today is that many believers do not understand why they believe what they believe. Even those who study often read books that provide easy and superficial answers to complex and difficult questions.

Edward Vick has the answer to that problem and he provides it in Philosophy for Believers. We all believe many and various things. There’s no way to avoid believing. The question is what justifies our beliefs. We need to know how we can evaluate our beliefs for validity and how they relate to our theology and worship.

This book is not for the faint of heart who do not want to dig in and learn. It’s basic but not simplistic. It’s designed for those who haven’t studied philosophy or theology and want to build a thorough framework for future learning.

In thirteen chapters with such titles as “Belief and Believing,” “Meaning and Truth,” “Experience and God, Providence,” “Cause and Effect,” “Miracles,” and “Science and Faith,” he leads the readers from the basics of understanding the difference between belief and knowledge to applications of philosophy in considering contemporary issues.

While this book can be read and studied by an individual, it would be ideal as a text for a church study group or class led by the pastor or a church leader trained to lead fruitful discussions.