Systematic theology
I have read a few different systematic theology textbooks. I read Grudem, Erickson, Towns, and Horton. My question is should I begin to read more advanced works dealing with one doctrine at a time or read some older systematic theology books. What do you all think?
Comments
-
The point of a textbook is to orient the student to the subject matter, so yes, if you want to know more about the particular doctrine, you should read books just on that doctrine. The bibliographies in the textbooks would be a good place to start searching.
Disclaimer: I hate using messaging, texting, and email for real communication. If anything that I type to you seems like anything other than humble and respectful, then I have not done a good job typing my thoughts.
0 -
Hi Christian:
Not an expert, but it depends on what your goal is:
in general there are 3 main tasks in theology: (from basic mobile ed course on theology):
1 evaluate doctrine
2 develop doctrine
3 communicate doctrine
If one wants to evaluate, it is helpful to see how the doctrine has historically changed / developed, contrast such change with the philosophical spirit of that age in particular, and see if something is amiss.
https://www.logos.com/product/26732/historical-theology-an-introduction-to-christian-doctrine
If you want to develop doctrine (as in a new modern area that doctrine is not yet fully developed), then you can study special cases where doctrine has been developed for specific reasons (eg slavery).
https://www.logos.com/product/7793/beyond-the-bible-moving-from-scripture-to-theology
Then to communicate doctrine, it would be good idea to see what different groups have faithfully defended as their received truth, and see how that relates to other groups view, technically you could try to synthesize key truths from different groups to come at a more rounded understanding of the faith, so your message can be contextualized to the target audience you are facing.
hope the above sparks your mind to see which way you feel called to go.
0 -
Pick a doctrine and start studying in depth.Christian Alexander said:I have read a few different systematic theology textbooks. I read Grudem, Erickson, Towns, and Horton. My question is should I begin to read more advanced works dealing with one doctrine at a time or read some older systematic theology books. What do you all think?
0 -
This may be of interest
https://www.logos.com/product/178454/foundations-of-evangelical-theology-series
0 -
This is fairly new and appreciated some whom I know, aiming to global view:
https://www.logos.com/product/151571/karkkainens-global-introductions-to-systematic-theology-2nd-ed
I haven't read it myself, I am focusing on the exegesis, but might read some day.
Gold package, and original language material and ancient text material, SIL and UBS books, discourse Hebrew OT and Greek NT. PC with Windows 11
0
