Systematic Theology and General Bible Doctrines
Book Reviews by
Fred G. Zaspel
General Works
Charles Hodge of "old Princeton," exemplifies the value of a solid exegetical ground in producing a Systematic Theology. His commentaries – all of which are valuable -- demonstrate his exegetical abilities, but his Systematic Theology (Eerdmans) is his magnum opus and that for which he deserves to be remembered. It is a classic (even if you don't read Latin!). (And by the way, his Way of Life is some of the richest theological reading you're likely to come across.) Ed Gross has condensed Hodge's Systematic Theology into one volume and has done a good job of it generally. He has eliminated all of the Latin and some of the other sections which he determined to be obsolete. I read Hodge long before this shorter version came out, and I do still very much prefer it. But, particularly if you are in a hurry, Gross's version of Hodge is helpful and worth getting. It's weakness, however, lies in Gross' failure to include some of Hodge's exegetical work -- this is what made the 3-volume Hodge so valuable, and .................. well, I guess Gross just didn't have room for some in the 1 volume edition.
There is perhaps no more popular Puritan writer than Thomas Watson – certainly no more simple to read. His Body of Divinity (Banner of Truth) is a favorite of many in its rich expositions of the doctrines of God, man, Christ, and salvation. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is preparing to teach or preach on these subjects or who wants merely to enrich his own understanding of these grand themes. And if you're new to the Puritans, Watson is a wonderful place to begin!Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem (Zondervan, 1994)
It would be difficult to write a systematic theology which makes a significant contribution to this field of study. I'm not sure that Grudem's does, but there are some things about it that are different. He takes effort to be doxological, and that is refreshing. He writes clearly and concisely, and that is somewhat unusual. He covers a wider range of subjects than most. And besides all that, he is a calvinist with other theological distinctives which I share and appreciate. But the work seems to be designed for undergraduate level -- this is not a criticism, but I was expecting something more advanced. It shows virtually nothing of historical theology. And he spends relatively little time doing exegesis -- too often it's the "make a statement and put a verse reference in parenthesis" mode. Good, but not very thoroughly exegetically grounded. (My very first systematic theology years ago was Charles Hodge -- with which I have plenty of areas of disagreement, but still he still spoiled me. Exegetical theologians are hard to find. General Bible doctrines books are very useful, each in its own way, but I hope it will be the thoroughly exegetically grounded ones that will become the standards.) I guess Grudem opted for the "wider rather than deeper" idea (over 1,200 pages), and there is something to be said for that. But other than that, I don't think he has made a significant contribution. Finally, Grudem shows an odd set of priorities sometimes -- for example: 8 pages on regeneration, 12 or so pages each on justification and union with Christ, and barely over 4 pages on hell (especially striking, given the popular rejection of hell among evangelical theologians today) -- yet more space than any of this is given to his unusual view of prophecy and to the continuation of the miraculous gifts. Overall, this book is enjoyable and interesting reading, and it is helpful in many ways. Grudem will strike you as a genuine and a sincere Christian who wants theology to be appreciated by all. It is a good book, and I like it overall -- despite the few areas of disagreement. I think it will have some general use especially among laymen and undergraduate doctrines students. And there is something to be said for the "wider" range of subject material in a single volume. A pastor friend says he's reading through it for his devotions and loving it -- a great idea!
The Marrow of Theology by William Ames (Baker)
One of the great --but largely forgotten -- theology textbooks of the English language. Ames was powerfully influential among the Puritans and was quoted among the early American theologians more often than either Luther or Calvin. The basic textbook in divinity at (the early) Harvard and Yale for years. Both Thomas Hooker and Increase Mather recommended this book as the only book beyond the Bible needed to make a student into a sound theologian. Brief, packed, and warm.
Be Sure What You Believe by Joe Nesom (Evangelical Press)
Frequently we are asked to recommend a "first" book of Bible doctrine -- something that is both reliable and easily accessible to the young untaught beliver. This book fits the bill very well. In twenty relatively brief chapters Nesom covers the the major doctrines of the Christian faith in a very clear, simple, and effective style. Very useful for new converts, new church members, and any who desire a simple yet clear review of "the faith once for all delivered to the saints." Study questions at the end of each chapter lend the book to easy use in Sunday Schools and study groups.
Theology for Everyman by John Gerstner (SDG)
Eleven chapters on some of the most foundational topics in theology: the providence of God, election, sin, the person of Christ, the church, and many others. Simple but not shallow. Good reading. Very good for laymen.
Bitesize Theology by Peter Jeffery (Evangelical Press)
"An ABC of the Christian Faith." Just what the title implies -- a first book in theology. Jeffery shows a grasp of the big issues but is equally able to convey the ideas simply and concisely and enjoyably. Very, very good for new or young Christians and any others who could use a good introduction to the major doctrines of the Christian faith.
Christian Theology by John Sailhamer (Zondervan)
Another volume in Zondervan's "Quick Reference Library" series. A brief survey of the leading issues in Christian theology -- the Scriptures, the Godhead, salvation, etc. Each doctrine receives a one-page treatment. For its size, this is a very helpful overview of Christian theology. Excellent for beginners or as a guide / starting point for a series of lessons.
Decide for Yourself: A Theological Workbook by Gordon Lewis (IVP)
In this "Theological Workbook" Lewis provides a most helpful introduction to the leading theological themes of the Bible and the Christian faith. As the title implies, the study leads the student directly to the Scriptural statements about each doctrine in order that the individual may arrive at a Biblical conclusion himself. Laid out in a very helpful fashion, the questions are consistently direct and to the point, and the Scripture references are consistently pertinent. A very helpful basic guide to theology and a great idea for a Bible Study or Sunday School class.
Dictionaries of TheologyThere are several of these available now, and it is difficult to say which is best. Most all of them provide a veritable wealth of condensed theological instruction. Try either of the following:
Evangelical Dictionary of Theology: Second Edition edited by Walter Elwell (Baker Books)Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Walter Elwell; Baker)
New Dictionary of Theolgy (Sinclair Ferguson; IVP)
This revised edition of the original 1984 volume includes over two hundred new entries on various subjects, mostly of a more "current" nature. Like the original volume, this is a most valuable resource of more than 1300 articles by approximately two hundred Biblical scholars -- including such well known names as D. A. Carson, Bruce Demarest, Millard Erickson, S. Lewis Johnson, Kenneth Kantzer, J. I. Packer, Peter Toon, and some now deceased, such as Lorraine Boettner, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison, and Paul Woolley -- each chosen for his specialization in the given area of study. Articles stress the theological dimension of the subject and are written popularly rather than technically. Topics treated include major Biblical doctrines, influentian theologians (mostly from the past), modern theological trends, church history, theological terminology, and various issues of theological significance. Information is "compressed" into manageable articles, yet the treatments are thorough, and in the end the volume provides a wealth of information at the fingertips. A most valuable resource for pastors and laymen alike. Highly recommended.
The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Thought edited by Alister McGrath (Blackwell Publishers, 1993).
McGrath has assembled a series of reliable essays given to provide an introduction and overview of the major areas of modern Christian thought. One could have wished for a more thoroughly evangelical approach in some of the articles, but they are nonetheless historically accurate and precise. The book is primarily confined to the broader issues of contemporary discussion; but because of their enduring influence, discussions of men and works from previous generations (e.g., Jonathan Edwards) also find their way into the book also. I don't know of a work that will quite do what this book does. It is a good resource of information regarding modern Christian issues.
Historical TheologyHistorical Theology by Alister McGrath (Blackwell Publishers, 1998)
A gold mine, that's all. Just a gold mine. A most enjoyable overview of historical theology. Notes on historical matters are succinct, and treatments of the various theological emphases are simple, clear, and relatively comprehensive -- as much as an introductory work can be expected to be. Each section (Patristic, Middle Ages, Reformation and Post Reformation, and Modern) has two divisions -- historical overview and case studies of specific theological issues. McGrath shows himself well-read, and this book brings a wealth of information to the student's quick and easy grasp. Very good. Highly recommended.A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, David Bercot, editor (Hendrickson Publishers, 1998), 720 pages, $34.95
Wow. What a gold mine of historical information this book is! I'll confess – I can't say (honestly, at least) that I have enjoyed reading the early church fathers. But often in research I have wished I could find quickly what many of them had to say on a given topic. This book is that. As the subtitle states, "A Reference Guide to More Than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers." Choose a topic – say, Angels or Baptism or Divorce or Free Will and Predestination or Images or Scriptures or Typology – and read many quotations (generally each a paragraph or so in length) from many of the early fathers, all listed in chronological order with sources and dates. Talk about a time saver! Yes, if you want the full context of the discussion, beyond the immediate paragraph, you still have to go to "the horse's mouth." But now that is all easy to find too. This book is a true contribution to historical studies. Highly recommended. (I only hope it will become available in electronic format, so it can be readily available online in my computer!)Handbook of Evangelical Theologians by Walter Elwell (Baker Books)
Face it, there is a great value in having some acquaintance with the major players on the field today, and you'll not likely gain that acquaintance any easier than with this book. This Handbook consists of a series of more than 30 articles about prominent theologians from various traditions of the past century and a half. The articles themselves, many by men who themselves could or should have been included in the book, provide a concise biographical sketches and explanations of the theological distinctives (or idiosyncrasies!) of the various men in view – Orr, Warfield, Chafer, Berkhof, Packer, Ramm, Henry, Clark, etc. You may not need this if you are widely enough read yourself, but not very many are this well read. And to have a reliable general acquaintance with a theologian as you read him (or read him cited by others) is an advantage indeed. Very good reading. Recommended.The Evangelical Left: Encountering Postconservative Evangelical Theology by Millard Erickson (Baker Books, 1997)
The leftward movement of much of Evangelical theology (a la Pinnock, Grenz, Boyd) is – or at least, should be – disturbing, to say the least. Christianity's Bible, God, and salvation are being understood in ways that scarcely resemble that of classical and Biblical Christianity. Erickson has done a nice job of surveying these trends, teachings, and teachers. Along the way, the novice will find at times that this book is not written for him, but overall Erickson has placed these postmoderns within the reach of most who are theologically inclined and informed. In his final chapter he is something of a seer, theorizing on the future of such trends; and in the main his prognostications are justifiable, even if unpleasant. If you're one who has "heard" of these new trends but you have little time for reading them yourself, then this book will serve as a good survey and introduction.(more to come – please check in again)
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