Decreation

At once deeply traditional and strikingly novel, Griffiths' exploration of 'last things' is rigorous in its argumentation and unafraid to overturn some of the favored positions of modern theologians in its quest for an eschatology that is adequate to scripture and tradition and yet takes account of contemporary theological and philosophical questions and insights.

~Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt, Professor of Theology, Loyola University Maryland

Decreation sets forth a theology of creation, redemption, and the refusal of redemption that is without equal in terms of erudition, elegance, and brilliant engagement with historically significant Christian teaching and doctrine.

~Charles Taliaferro, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, St. Olaf College

This is the finest work of speculative theology to appear on any topic in a long while. Beautifully straitened by Catholic doctrine, relentlessly rigorous in argument, Decreation brings an abundance of light to both familiar topics in eschatology and some hardly touched in Christianity’s long history of reflection on the last things. At a time when such work has practically vanished, Paul Griffiths confronts us anew with the ancient challenge of speculative theology: to see the truths upon which Christians must finally stake their lives.

~Bruce D. Marshall, Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine, Southern Methodist University

A consummate work of impressively detailed theological scholarship...

~Paul T. Vogel, The Midwest Book Review

Informed amateur theologians as well as trained ones, readers who enjoy a rigorously thoughtful writer, and Christians seeking to hone a greater intellectual connection to their faith will find this a rewarding and stimulating book.

~Russell E. Saltzman, Aleteia

A stimulating theological study.

~Choice

A major work on the traditional theme of the last things.

~Neil Ormerod, Theological Studies

This is a remarkable book. In the clarity and care of its argumentation it is a model of theological method. While treating questions that have sometimes been relegated to the fringe of Christian theological enquiry, it sheds new light on topics across the range of theological concerns: the nature of time, tears, and political quietism, to name but a few.

~David Clough, Anglican Theological Review

No one reading this book can fail to admire the creativity, energy and originality of its author, and perhaps to some extent its audacity.

~Celia Deane-Drummond, International Journal of Systematic Theology

The book’s expansiveness shows how valuable and needed it is for theologians to reflect on the last things, and Griffiths’s volume will surely be a benchmark for a long time to come on this topic.

~David Cloutier, The Journal of Religion

There is a kind of sobriety in evidence here, most of all in the lucidity of the prose and the delimitations of the project. But there is also an enraptured, unadulterated pleasure of the soul at work…The result is sublime.

~Brad East, Marginalia Review of Books

…Griffiths' book feels like an invitation to join in, to gather together and think about what exactly our doctrine has given us. It is certainly difficult to think of a better stimulus to ecclesial conversation than what is contained in these pages.

~Thomas J. Millay, Heythrop Journal

Decreation is a remarkable book, a watershed. As the hymns of heaven attest, had we a thousand tongues we could not adequately describe what God has prepared for those who love him. All the more wonderful, then, to read a work of eschatological reasoning and reflection whose beauty is matched by its rigor, and whose energy and interest never flag.

~Richard Middleton, Pro Ecclesia