Book excerpt: Here, a team of award-winning teaching scholars has come together to create an introductory text that offers a truly unique and innovative contribution to the discipline of theological studies. This "first book" provides students of any religious tradition with the foundational skills, vocabulary, conceptual understanding, and research abilities that they need to succeed in theology and religious studies. Theological Foundationsprovides the following: Ten chapters that introduce the major sub-disciplines of theology creating a well-rounded source for understanding the discipline as a whole Contributions that are clear, accessible, and steeped in content A strong basis for vigorous intellectual and personal exploration of life and our relation to God Flexibility that allows the instructor to assign readings in any order that fits his or her syllabus A one-of-a-kind, integrated library research component, "From the Reference Librarian," which teaches students the foundational skills needed for successful study in theology and in any academic discipline