With Willful Intent: A Theology of Sin

'With Willful Intent: A Theology of Sin' is a full orbed examination of sin and the human Fall. Its intention is to provide the reader/student with both the materials and methodology to formulate his or her own biblically based theology of sin. The book is arranged in four sequential sections to guide the reader through the process of theological development. The first section, ""A Historical Theology of Sin,"" furnishes a detailed outline of Christian thought on sin from the time of the early church to the present day. These chapters will help the reader to understand why so many differing views of sin and the Fall exist. The second section, ""A Biblical Theology of Sin,"" is the keystone of theological formulation. It apprises the student of the biblical teaching on the human Fall and its subsequent ramifications. Because believers hold the Bible to be the fully inspired, all-sufficient Word of God, what it says about sin must be determinative in one's development of a theology of sin. The third section, ""A Systematic Theology of Sin,"" seeks to synthesize the teaching of the Bible while drawing on the insights of history, science, and the social sciences. Topics covered include the nature of sin, its universality, its transmission, its relationship to Satan and the demonic, and its conquest through Jesus Christ. Any theology is worthless if it cannot be related to daily living. The conclusion, ""A Practical Theology of Sin,"" demonstrates how the theology which has been formulated may be applied to the individual life of the believer and to the church's ministry.

About the Author :
David L. Smith holds a PhD from Southern Baptist Seminary. He has retired after half a century of service as a teacher, pastor, theology professor, and seminary academic administrator. He currently teaches part-time for the Lay Pastor Training Program of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (Canada).

Review :
""Tracing the history of the idea of sin from the early Christian fathers, from both testaments of the Bible, and from contemporary treatments of the theology of sin, the author leaves no stone unturned and he does so in a manifestly systematic and readable manner. The book is readable, but not enjoyable. Instead, the study of sin, in its full biblical depth, can only succeed if it leads the reader to encounter the awfulness of idolatry, transgression, and covenant disloyalty. This Smith does admirably and leads us a step toward the revival in our preaching so desperately needed."" R. Paul Stevens, Regent College ""For some time we have needed a comprehensive treatise on the doctrine of sin which would cover the biblical, historical, and systematic territory competently and persuasively. David Smith has served us all by writing such a book which has the further distinction of being lucid and sensitive to practical applications."" Clark H. Pinnock, McMaster Divinity College ""David Smith has provided a very readable, evangelical introduction to the subject of sin. He performs a yeoman's task of briefly surveying the historical development from the views of the Eastern and Western churches through the classical Catholic formulations and the positions of the Protestant reformers up to the contemporary approaches to this subject. He follows this sweeping section with an illustrative survey of both the biblical perspectives as well as a systematic summation of the doctrine. In the process he provides not only helpful definitional word-family studies, but also offers to beginning readers useful differentiations and categorizations which should encourage ease of learning."" Gerald L. Borchert, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ""The book's case is presented in a clear, straightforward fashion. It is written to provide helpful material in a neglected area. [Smith] documents his points and challenges his readers. I found the chapters on ""the origin of sin"" and ""the transmission of sin"" to be particularly insightful. This book will fill a real need in the evangelical world for a comprehensive study of the doctrine of sin. It will be a valuable resource for students, pastors, and teachers."" Allison A. Trites, Acadia Divinity College