No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (Foundations of Evangelical Theology)

Description

John S. Feinberg’s No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God is a comprehensive exploration of theology proper (the study of God’s nature) from an evangelical perspective. The book critiques contemporary theological models like process theology and open theism while advocating for a modified classical theism that balances God’s sovereignty with His relational care for creation.

Key Themes

Divine Attributes: Feinberg examines God’s being (aseity, self-existence) and attributes (omnipotence, omniscience, righteousness), rejecting rigid classical theism but retaining core doctrines like God’s sovereignty.

Providence and Evil: He defends a compatibilist view of human freedom, arguing that God’s sovereign decrees coexist with creaturely responsibility. Evil arises from moral agents (humans/Satan), not God, yet serves a purpose in His redemptive plan.

Divine Relationality: Unlike classical theism’s static God, Feinberg emphasizes God’s temporal engagement with creation, portraying Him as “the King who cares”.

Eschatology: The book aligns with premillennialism, affirming Christ’s future return, final judgment, and the eternal state.

Critique of Alternatives
Feinberg rejects process theology’s limited God and open theism’s denial of exhaustive foreknowledge, arguing both undermine biblical revelation. His approach integrates philosophical rigor with scriptural fidelity, though some critics find his modifications of classical doctrines (e.g., divine simplicity) unconvincing.

Legacy
Part of the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series, the book is a benchmark for evangelical theology, combining academic depth with pastoral relevance. Its 800+ pages demand careful study but offer a nuanced defense of God’s uniqueness.