Systematic Theology


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Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

Author: 
Wayne Grudem
Publisher: 
Zondervan (Hardback; 1,290 pages)
ISBN: 
0310286700 (9780310286707)
List price: 
$44.99

What can I say about this book... I believe Wayne's book will become one of the most significant books of the century. Wayne is a "warmly reformed" theologian, a five point Calvinist who deeply believes that people are called to respond to the gospel call, a reformed theologican who believes in the work of the Spirit. He is a very unusual person.

Bible Doctrine

Author: 
Wayne Grudem
Publisher: 
Zondervan (Hardback; 528 pages)
ISBN: 
0310222338 (9780310222330)
List price: 
$32.99

This is the slightly smaller version of Wayne's Systematic Theology. It has all the basic text of the larger volume, but without the extra trappings like hymns, bibliography, etc. I recommend getting the larger volume, but this is less daunting. My high school son devoured this book and loves it. What can I say; it is really good.

Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know

Author: 
Wayne Grudem
Publisher: 
Zondervan (paperback; 144 pages)
List price: 
$12.99

Okay, here's a third version of Wayne's work, but this is really short. It is a good book to show a non-Christian, or even a new Christian. And it is easy to move from it to one of the larger volumes. A good starter.

Christian Theology, Second Edition

Author: 
Millard Erickson
Publisher: 
Baker (hardback; 1,354 pages)
ISBN: 
0801021820 (9780801021824)
List price: 
$49.99

I have never read this book, and I want to be careful recommending books on this site that I don't have personal contact with. But I have heard this is a good text, is used in many scools (but not as many as Grudem) and is well worth reading.

Systematic Theology Revised Edition

Author: 
Louis Berkof
Publisher: 
Eerdmans (paper =back; 984 pages)
ISBN: 
0802838200 (9780802838209)
List price: 
$48.00

I spent many happy hours on a train going from Aberdeen to wherever during graduate school, huddled in the car sipping coffee and reading this book from cover to cover. It was my first real systematic theology text and I was joyfully surprised to hear theology so well-reasoned. This is a standard work in the field. And actually, Wayne Grudem's textbook started as a massive syllabus he used in conjunction with Berkof. As a secondary text to Grudem, it is great reading.