Systematic Theology

[mandolin]

Ok, folks...

I'm looking for the best of the best in books on Systematic Theology in general.
you know...books that try to explain and solve all the controversies within christian theology in one concise volume.

Anyways, I would like the most enjoyable, and yet the most "accurate" of this style of book. Meaning...I want an educated author, but not a snobby scholar who has nothing better to do than whip out his exhaustive thesaurus and make everything way too confusing. I'd also like the most concise, and yet the most exhaustive (i'm pretty sure that is an oxy-moronic statement).
What do you all recommend?

[rmwilliamsjr]

this question comes up so often that i really ought to find a good FAQ for it *grin*....


my favorites are online:
via the most excellent links list at:
http://www.monergism.com/thethresho...systematic.html (http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/systematic.html)

robert dabney's lectures on systematic theology is at:
http://www.pbministries.org/R.%20L....ic_theology.htm (http://www.pbministries.org/R.%20L.%20Dabney/Systematic%20Theology/systematic_theology.htm)
pieces at: http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/dabney.htm (http://www.spurgeon.org/%7Ephil/dabney.htm)
i've used dabney a lot over the years, his is the second book i reach for after Institutes.

charles hodges outline of systematic theology is at:
http://www.dabar.org/Theology/Hodge...ntent_Intro.htm (http://www.dabar.org/Theology/Hodge/TableofContents/Content_Intro.htm)
this is the most organized and complete set i am aware of, use it more like an encyclopedia than straight through reading.

http://www.founders.org/library/boyce1/toc.html
this is an online recommendation, i have not had the time to read it yet.

A Body of Divinity Contained In Sermons Upon The Westminster Assembly's Catechism By Thomas Watson (http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-10/web/watson-divinity.html)
John Gill archive (http://www.pbministries.org/books/gill/gills_archive.htm)

this is just a single webpage summary of bavinck:
http://www.aplacefortruth.org/studies/bavinck.htm

louis berkof's summary of christian doctrine at:
http://www.mbrem.com/shorttakes/berk.htm

there are a few others available off this links list:
http://www.theologywebsite.com/inte...tic/index.shtml (http://www.theologywebsite.com/internet/Theology/Systematic/index.shtml)
or this one:
http://www.christianarsenal.com/Doctrine.htm

from my root page for a class i'm teaching on Calvin's institutes at:
http://dakotacom.net/%7Ermwillia/lesson_plan.html

[mandolin]

How about Oden?

What does everyone think about Thomas Oden's 3 volume systematic theology?
I'm not much of a calvinist, and find myself drawn to Oden's more "ecumenical" nature.
What do you folks think?

And RMWilliams...thanks for the links. I'll be sure to check those out.
All in all, however, I'm really looking for more of a tangible book, so that I can read and read without the dizzyness incorporated with prolonged computer usage.

[rmwilliamsjr]

How about Oden?

What does everyone think about Thomas Oden's 3 volume systematic theology?
I'm not much of a calvinist, and find myself drawn to Oden's more "ecumenical" nature.
What do you folks think?

And RMWilliams...thanks for the links. I'll be sure to check those out.
All in all, however, I'm really looking for more of a tangible book, so that I can read and read without the dizzyness incorporated with prolonged computer usage.
for comprehensive lists check out:
http://www.monergism.com/systematic.html

or



Systematic/Biblical/Historical Theology

A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Reymond, Robert

Biblical Theology, by Geerhardus Vos

Biblical Theology, by John Owen

Doctrine Of God, The, by Herman Bavinck

Historical Theology, by William Cunningham

Institutes of Elenctic Theology, by Francis Turretin (3 Volumes)

Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin (2 Volumes)

Marrow of Theology, by William Ames

Outlines of Theology, by AA Hodge

Systematic Theology, by Berkhof, Louis

Systematic Theology, by Dabney, R. L.

Systematic Theology, by Hodge, Charles (3 Volumes)

Theology in Dialogue, by John H. Gerstner

The Coming of the Kingdom, by Herman Ridderbos

Christ of the Covenants, by O. Palmer Robertson from: http://www.apuritansmind.com/SuggestedLibrary.htm

[kkawohl]

Ok, folks...

I'm looking for the best of the best in books on Systematic Theology in general.
you know...books that try to explain and solve all the controversies within christian theology in one concise volume.

Anyways, I would like the most enjoyable, and yet the most "accurate" of this style of book. Meaning...I want an educated author, but not a snobby scholar who has nothing better to do than whip out his exhaustive thesaurus and make everything way too confusing. I'd also like the most concise, and yet the most exhaustive (i'm pretty sure that is an oxy-moronic statement).
What do you all recommend?

[kkawohl]

Please see Transcendentalism & Spirituality in the 21st Century which is
available at
http://wikibooks.org/wiki/Theology

Namaste,

Kurt Kawohl

[madlight509]

Robert Jenson has a great systematic theology, as does Wolfhart Pannenberg. They're not that short or easy to read, though, but they are amazing.

[rmwilliamsjr]

has anyone read:
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Reymond, Robert ?

if so, what did you think of it?

[Trinitarian]

Here's what I would recommend moving from VERY introductory to advanced:

Jonathan R. Willson, A Primer for Christian Doctrine
Stanley Grenz, Theology for the Community of God
Joe Jones, A Grammar of Christian Faith, 2 Vols
James Wm. McClendon, Systematic Theology, 3 Vols
Colin Gunton, The Christian Faith
Thomas Torrance, The Christian Doctrine of God
Wolfhart Pannenberg, Systematic Theology, 3 Vols
Robert Jenson, Systematic Theology, 2 Vols
Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, 14 Vols

Obviously, reading all this would take at least a year or three of very committed work. For those just starting out, I'd say read Wilson first which is a very simple intro to theology. Then move on to Gunton and Torrance then Jenson. If Jenson is too difficult, I'd then go to Grenz which is more accesible. McClendon is very important because his ST also deals with ethics and theology of culture. Pannenberg is difficult, but also very important. Barth, however is the most important theologian since the Reformation and must be read. That is of course, the biggest challenge given the size of his writings.

Ahh, reading...is there any higher art?

[Jaltus]

Ahh, reading...is there any higher art?

Yes, writing.

[Trinitarian]

Yes, writing.

Perhaps, perhaps.

[markporter]

The Systematic Theology that people tend to have around here is Grudem's one, although I think my mum mentioned something about McGrath at one point.

[JonAdams]

The Systematic Theology that people tend to have around here is Grudem's one, although I think my mum mentioned something about McGrath at one point.Grudem has an abridged version of his Systematic Theology called Bible Doctrine which still contains the most important stuff and has a few corrections over the full version (and is cheeper which is good, I managed to pick it up (new) for £5, which was nice :teeth:).
I don't think McGrath has a systematic theology unless you are refering to his Christian Theology, An Introduction which is a survey of various (major) theologies that have been held by Christians over the years from a neutral perspective (i.e. he doesn't express his own opinion). I whole heartedly recomend it especially for the first few chapters which are a look at church history from a theological perspective (he has apparently written an expanded version of these as a separate book but I haven't had a chance to read that).


has anyone read:
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Reymond, Robert ?

if so, what did you think of it?I've got it and read most of it. I found it a bit heavy going, but I was a fairly new Christian at the time (little more than a year old) so I might try reading it again at some point. I did find that he appears to (implicitly) give the Westminster Confession of Faith the same authority as Scripture (at least it appeared that way to me). One thing I can tell you about the book is its size is deceptive, it has thin pages, it has more than double the number of pages as Bible doctrine (see above) but takes up slightly less space on my book shelf (so be warned)!

Jonathan.

[Matt487]

Oi, I'm reading A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith and it's not that bad a read. I haven't progressed very far in the book, But I'm learning a lot.

The only problem I have is that he uses some pretty complicated language, but that's only conditional....you might have an easier time with it than I.

[rmwilliamsjr]

i've heard so much bad stuff about A new systematic Theology by Reymond that i decide to go with Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics: The Rise and Development of Reformed Orthodoxy, Ca. 1520 to Ca. 1725
by Richard A. Muller (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Richard%20A.%20Muller/002-1766950-5229600) for my next project read.

[Matt487]

i've heard so much bad stuff about A new systematic Theology by Reymond that i decide to go with Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics: The Rise and Development of Reformed Orthodoxy, Ca. 1520 to Ca. 1725
by Richard A. Muller (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Richard%20A.%20Muller/002-1766950-5229600) for my next project read.

Oh really? What were some of the things said about it? Bad theology?

[Findo]

I've got Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology which I really like.. He seems to be fairly fair in the way he presents opposing views, and in the way he disagrees.
I also have Millard Erickson's Christian Theology. I'm enjoying what I've read in it.

For something really small, you could try J.I. Packer's Concise Theology. It's short and sweet, but he doesn't interact with other views.

[rmwilliamsjr]

Oh really? What were some of the things said about it? Bad theology?

not so much bad theology as "idiosyncratic"

see several threads at: http://www.puritanboard.com/forum/misc.php?action=search

he takes strong stands on several issues that really divide the modern reformed church, clark vs van til, eternal generation, etc.
besides i finished a study of Calvin within the last year and really am looking for more history than systematics.

...

[YoungOne]

Yeah Mcgarth Theology books aren't systematic theology as the other ones are. I have to read his Christian Theology Introduction, Theology Reader for my Bible doctrines class. Along with Grudem's Systemic Theology. Even though its not systematic theology the Mcgarth Reader is great because it give a good introduction to church leaders thoughts on different doctrines.

[~JM~]

In order of importance:

Calvin's Institutes
Dagg's Manual [it's small but to the point]
Reformed Dogmatics by Bavinck
Boyce's Abstracts
Chafer's Systematics [good stuff in general but is strongly dispensational]
Berkhof's Systematics [I'd suggest his Summary of Christian Doctrine in place of a cover to cover read of his Systematics]
Heppe's Dogmatics

I've read the above and choose Calvin everytime, but to my suprise, Chafer's general theology is solid.

~JM~

[YoungOne]

In order of importance:

Calvin's Institutes
Dagg's Manual [it's small but to the point]
Reformed Dogmatics by Bavinck
Boyce's Abstracts
Chafer's Systematics [good stuff in general but is strongly dispensational]
Berkhof's Systematics [I'd suggest his Summary of Christian Doctrine in place of a cover to cover read of his Systematics]
Heppe's Dogmatics

I've read the above and choose Calvin everytime, but to my suprise, Chafer's general theology is solid.

~JM~
I am starting calvin institues. I liked what i have read of Berkhof's Systematics

[kkawohl]

I'd like your opinion on http://urantia.us

Thanks,
Kurt

[lchemist]

I'd like your opinion on http://urantia.us (http://urantia.us/)


Nice joke!

What's next, Scientology? :lol:

[YoungOne]

Nice joke!

What's next, Scientology? :lol:
I took tour of an Scientology.....it ended with video that goes you could chose us or not but it would be liking jumping off a bridge or blowing your brains out. Then it goes to a double door with a bright coming out of it.

[Van Helsing]

Ok, folks...

I'm looking for the best of the best in books on Systematic Theology in general.
you know...books that try to explain and solve all the controversies within christian theology in one concise volume.

Anyways, I would like the most enjoyable, and yet the most "accurate" of this style of book. Meaning...I want an educated author, but not a snobby scholar who has nothing better to do than whip out his exhaustive thesaurus and make everything way too confusing. I'd also like the most concise, and yet the most exhaustive (i'm pretty sure that is an oxy-moronic statement).
What do you all recommend?

A really good one that fits your criteria is "Christian Theology" by Millard J. Erickson.

[kjv_james414]

Charles G. Finney's (1851) Systematic Theology