"Christian Theology" by Millard J. Erickson
Can anyone tell me about this systematic theology? It was recommended to me by a professor when I asked him what would be a good book for an intense discipleship curriculum. But I don't know anything about it or the author. So if anyone knows anything about it, I'd appreciate the information. Here are some questions:
What is the denominational bent of the author and/or book?
Does the author typically present varied views, or stick to his own convictions?
Is the author known to have sound theology?
Is the teaching in this book mostly academic, or does the author write in an applicational like style?
Would you recommend this book at all? If so, how much and for what purposes?
If I were to spend some odd amount of months going through the New Testament and this book with someone, would it be a good tool to use in growing that person spiritually? Would it give them a very solid foundation to build on, in which to also be able to begin discipling and leading others?
Comments
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I read Erickson cover to cover in college and found it a good - and very long - introduction to systematic theology. He's Baptist but presents a range of views before defending his own. I'd say the book is largely academic and not something I would use in normal discipleship. You could definitely discuss the issues for days using this book as a resource. There is some info on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millard_Erickson that you might find helpful.
If you're of the inclination (Reformed) you might look at Grudem's Systematic Theology as it includes discussion questions for personal application and hymns that align with each chapter: http://www.logos.com/product/8413/.
Tom
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I haven't read it cover to cover or anything, but Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason Ministries (one of the heroes of my faith!) always recommends it to his callers as a great systematic theology in his library.
There's also Geisler's Systematic Theology (in 4 volumes) which is now available in Logos.
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I also have Integrative Theology by Lewis and Demarest, which is very useful. Zondervan sells it in one volume (that contains three initial ones). He gives various views from first to twentieth century theologies on all subjects debated systematically. Very good resource!
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Robert Wazlavek said:
Can anyone tell me about this systematic theology?
Erickson is a good, solid, evangelical theologian. I had his Chr. Theol. as a hardback (big book), and bought it in Logos as well, as it really is useful. Well arranged. Good goals (start of each chapter) and summaries (end of each chapter). Good content. Well worth it.
It would be useful for the person preparing your intense discipleship curriculum, but it could be overkill for prospective students, unless you have heaps of time to work through all the issues.
Here's a screenshot of how a chapter begins:
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Thank you for the responses everyone. I will definitely consider what you all had to say.
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It was my textbook for Systematic Theology in seminary over 20 years ago. Erickson is Baptist, but presents differing views in a fair and balanced manner - giving pros and cons of each. As far as theology books go it is also well written and understandable. When became available on Logos I immediately bought it.
IIRC, Erickson was a visiting professor at my seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, some time back. So his personal theology would be conservative and solid from an evangelical perspective.
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I love Erickson's systematic theology...he generally takes an irenic approach...looking at various sides of issues and then showing why he comes down on a particular side. As stated, he approaches things from a generally Baptist perspective (he favors a post-tribulation view however). Although it is a large volume, Erickson really is quite readable. Although, I am not sure that I would use his book for just anyone that I was doing discipleship with. There does exist a smaller version of his theology with more graphical summaries etc. That might be a more realistic option to work through with someone if you really want to go through a systematic theology textbook as part of your discipleship process.
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