Dogma has been prepared to meet a long-felt need for a series of integrated texts which would present the broad sweep of dogmatic theology on a level suited to the seminarian and college student. In each volume the author has attempted to write a theology in dialogue not only with Protestant thought, but with that of the major non-Christian religions as well. It reflects, as a consequence, the "new" theology of the Church: scripture and tradition as fonts of Christian faith and a conviction that dogma develops rather than being reaffirmed in the same terms and tones generation after generation. In addition to a responsible treatment of the great themes of Christian teaching, however, this series is aimed at Christian living as well. It attempts to present theology in such a way that the student will be able to live his faith more fully in as far as he has been led to grasp it more deeply. The volumes in this series, then, look upon theology not only as "faith seeking understanding," but also as understanding leading to a more "abundant" life.
Unlike the usual presentations of the doctrine of Creation, Volume 2: God and Creation places the theology of God's creative act within the context of God's salvific actions. It thus becomes an introduction to the "event of Christ," since an understanding of God and the world are essential preconditions for understanding what Jesus said and did and was.
God and the creation of the world and of man are dealt with in such a way that the Christological center of christian theology is more clearly shown. By this radically different methodology, Professor Schmaus is able to disclose, with a new forcefulness, the significance of the questions which science, philosophy and history are asking theology today, even as theology is questioning science and history as never before. The result is a truly contemporary theology of God as Creator, and demonstrates once more the strength and originality of Schmaus' thought.