It’s late where I am now so I will have to be brief in response to a few of the comments.
EmeraldGrue, you are correct. A decent systematic theology book—not a monograph on a section thereof—should run at least a thousand pages, although condensations are often available. To name a few favorites, I like J. Rodman Williams, Millard Erickson, Alister McGrath, Clark Pinnock, and Karl Barth. Barnes & Noble and the like probably have some, but it’s been a while since I’ve been to a bookstore in the U.S. (Amazon.com is my friend.) Most Christian “bookstores” in the U.S. should not be described as such. Usually only a quarter of the floor space is actually devoted to books, and the theology section is minuscule. Libraries are also good.
People expect faith to be very simple. It can be lived that, quite often with excellent results (I enjoyed reading Strobel), but ultimately it is not simple. We must acknowledge that the earth, the universe, our own bodies are exceedingly complicated. Why should we expect the God who created them to be any less so?
FriarTed, I’m not officially with any denomination, but informally, I too am with the Assemblies of God. Where I am at, denominational labels are not that important. At my college we have all sorts of mainliners, and we have even had a Roman Catholic priest preach at our church. I’ve been allowed in the pulpits of different churches whose U.S. counterparts probably wouldn’t let me. So far I haven’t had problems with conditionalism, though I don’t push it. I also hang out with people more liberal than I.
Segueing into other topics, I believe eternal life is the positive gift of God for those who believe in Jesus Christ. The opposite of “eternal life” is not eternal life of a very bad sort, the traditional understanding of hell, but “death.” Rom. 6:23. Death != eternal life of any sort.
The Scriptures also teach that all who have ever lived will live again to face judgment (Rev. 12:13). It is my hope that, upon seeing the blessed vision, those who seek it will receive mercy, but that is not disclosed in Scripture.
Rashak Mani, I love atheists, because God has told me to, and like it or not, you are made in his image. I enjoy the company of a lot different kinds of people who are very different from myself. One thing we need to acknowledge is that we live in different worlds and it will take a lot careful thought and reflection, not quick judgment, to understand one another.
I must say I am put off by some of the rabid atheists I’ve seen on television and in the news. Hey, let’s make a deal—let’s not judge others by their representatives we see on TV… there’s a thought…