Natural Theology: A Biblical and Historical Introduction and Defense

195 pages.

"Protestants—especially evangelicals—need to read this book not once, but twice. For all of church history Christians have taught the validity of natural theology on the basis of God's revelation of himself in the book of nature. During the confessional age, the reformers and their heirs considered natural theology a basic and indispensable component of Christian orthodoxy. Enter the twentieth century and theologians—from Barth to Van Til—dispensed with natural theology and with notable vitriol. Yet David Haines demonstrates that these hasty objections to natural theology are based on serious exegetical and historical misconceptions. Summoning scripture's own testimony, Haines shows that God has not left himself without witness, but he intends those made in his image to use reasonable observation to perceive his existence, divine attributes, and divine providence in the universe. Creation is a theater of God's glory, and this book is your ticket to a front row seat." 
- Dr. Matthew Barrett, Associate Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; host of the Credo Podcast
 
"Imagine there's no Bible. All we have to go on is the world around us. Can we know anything about God? Haines' high-altitude, highly readable survey of natural theology across the centuries argues that yes, indeed we can, and Scripture itself says so. In fact, he argues persuasively that without natural revelation, special revelation would be a closed book. If you're unsure of what natural theology is, or remain unconvinced of its value - especially as it relates to evangelism - you should read this."
 - Barry Cooper, Elder at Christ Community Daytona Beach; co-founder of Christianity Explored Ministries; author of "Can I Really Trust The Bible?"; co-host of Cooper & Cary Have Words
 
"This is bound to be a controversial book.  It would not have been so in Reformed circles until the critical labors of Kant, which Schleiermacher, Herrmann, Bultmann and Barth in their distinct ways seemed to have accepted.  What is strange, though, is that conservative Reformed luminaries since the twentieth century continue to denounce many of the theses that were assumed in Reformed orthodoxy.  Like me, you may not agree with everything that David Haines defends, but it is a very important, well-informed and articulate exploration of a major piece of theology that has been missing of late from our memory."
- Dr. Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California