Systematic Theology For Laymen
I'm a layman interested in reading about Systematic Theology to combine with my reading on hermeneutics (Grasping God's Word).
Wayne Grudem's work has been recommended by many, but it is also my understanding that this generally a good book for those coming from a Reformed perspective. How would you compare this to Michael Horton's more recent work as far as a single resource for a layperson. If you had to pick one Systematic Theology book of a Reformed perspective, would it be one of these books or a different one?
https://www.logos.com/product/8413/systematic-theology-an-introduction-to-biblical-doctrine
or
I also have Louis Berhof, Millard Erickson, and Charles Hodge's works in my Logos library.
On the flip side, I'm interested in finding a Systematic Theology book that is of the Wesleyan/Arminian perspective in order to have a balanced view. Would the best one from this perspective be Thomas Oden's 3 volume work or something else if you had to pick a single work for a layperson?
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Michael said:
If you had to pick one Systematic Theology book of a Reformed perspective, would it be one of these books or a different one?
I would probably go with Horton's but it is some time since I read Grudem's.
I did a short review on Horton's work and attach it here hoping it will help in your thinking
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Even though grudem is reformed I feel he presents a fairly balanced view of doctrine
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Frame also has a very recent systematic theology text which is in Logos:
https://www.logos.com/product/49812/systematic-theology-an-introduction-to-christian-belief
I find Frame to be very readable, even though I don't always agree with his analysis or conclusions.
-Donnie
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Michael said:
If you had to pick one Systematic Theology book of a Reformed perspective, would it be one of these books or a different one?
I'd recommend Grudem for the layman, even though I think he's dead wrong about spiritual gifts and eschatology [:D].
Oden is a bit much for me, truthfully. You might find F. Leroy Forlines' The Quest for Truth: Theology for Postmodern World easier to get your teeth into. He's also written Biblical Systematics: A Study of the Christian System of Life and Thought but that's only available in Arminian Theological Studies Collection (5 vols.)
This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!
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From a Calvinistic side I love Millard Erickson's irenic approach. Obviously, Erickson's theology text is a bit on the lengthy side, but he also publishes a streamlined version of it. Logos doesn't currently offer it , but perhaps someday (hint, hint). Here is a link to the paper version.
From a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective I like Don Thorsen's theology text. For one thing, it is the only systematic theology that I own that includes cartoons (true story). It isn't truly a Wesleyan-Arminian theology, rather it aims to present "Mere Christianity", but it is written by a Wesleyan-Arminian and undoubtedly his perspective bleeds through at times. I do like Oden's works, but they aren't what I would try to tackle first. I am a seminary graduate, but in homeschooling my daughter (who is preparing for Biblical studies at Wheaton) I gave her Thorsen to work through first before anything else. I had originally planned for her to use Millard Erickson's abridged work, but after stumbling upon Thorsen I went with him instead.
In addition to Grudem, Erickson, or Thorsen (or whomever you decide to go with) don't overlook N.T. Wright's short book on "mere Christianity" https://www.logos.com/product/15826/simply-christian
Hope some of that helps.
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Jack Cottrell's volume is helpful for the lay person: https://www.logos.com/product/4561/the-faith-once-for-all-bible-doctrine-for-today
Also Grudem as others have mentioned
DAL
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Really enjoying grudem. Half way through it.. It is my first book on Theology I have ever read..
I like it so much I plan to buy the physical book and keep it by my bed to read.. Good thing about it is you don't really have to read the chapters in order. For the most part they stand alone.. But I am reading it now within Logos in order for my first time through..
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Rodney Phillips said:
Really enjoying grudem. Half way through it.. It is my first book on Theology I have ever read..
I like it so much I plan to buy the physical book and keep it by my bed to read.. Good thing about it is you don't really have to read the chapters in order. For the most part they stand alone.. But I am reading it now within Logos in order for my first time through..
what I love about Grudem and Cottrell is that a lot of their sections will actually preach (e.g. Grudem's Christ's Offices - Prophet, King, Priest and you add how it applies to us as Christians).
DAL
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Mark Barnes said:Michael said:
If you had to pick one Systematic Theology book of a Reformed perspective, would it be one of these books or a different one?
I'd recommend Grudem for the layman, even though I think he's dead wrong about spiritual gifts and eschatology
.Oden is a bit much for me, truthfully. You might find F. Leroy Forlines' The Quest for Truth: Theology for Postmodern World easier to get your teeth into. He's also written Biblical Systematics: A Study of the Christian System of Life and Thought but that's only available in Arminian Theological Studies Collection (5 vols.)
Agreed
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Another book I'd highly recommend is Moody's Handbook of Theology. That is my top theology book but unfortunately Moody and Logos hate each other for some reason so we will probably never see it in Logos anytime soon
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Oden's work is fabulous, especially coming from the Wesleyan view.
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Thanks everyone for all the input.
I think I'm going to go with Grudem/Erickson for the Reformed/Calvinist side and Oden for the Wesleyan/Arminian side. I'll start with Erickson since I already have it. I have Grudem and Oden on my wishlist.
I also own Our Legacy: The History of Christian Doctrine which I purchased on sale. So I think I have enough reading for quite a while on just systematic theology.
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Mark Barnes said:
I think he's dead wrong about spiritual gifts and eschatology
To avoid causing an explosion of theological arguments here again, would you please send me an eeee male explaining what specifically you differ with him on and why concerning spiritual gifts and eschatology? james jackson taylor at geee male dot com. (obviously no spaces in my name)
After listening to your sermon on prophecy (which was great IMO), I'm just curious to see which points you'd diverge from Grudem and which view of eschatology you feel is most biblical. As well as the continuation of spiritual gifts or not
Logos 10 | Dell Inspiron 7373 | Windows 11 Pro 64, i7, 16GB, SSD | iPhone 13 Pro Max
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James Taylor said:
"...would you please send me an eeee male..."
By now you must be hating the dictation feature on your phone 😂
DAL
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Logos 10 | Dell Inspiron 7373 | Windows 11 Pro 64, i7, 16GB, SSD | iPhone 13 Pro Max
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Paul said:
Logos doesn't currently offer it , but perhaps someday (hint, hint). Here is a link to the paper version.
Actually Paul Logos does offer both the second and third editions of this resource:
https://www.logos.com/product/7799/introducing-christian-doctrine
https://www.logos.com/product/52204/introducing-christian-doctrine-third-edition
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Count me as a Grudem recommendation as well. Reformed, but very fair in overall analysis.
Another and much easier read, RC Sproul's Everyone is a Theologian is an excellent beginner/prep book.
Logos 10 - OpenSuse Tumbleweed, Windows 11, Android 16 & Android 14
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Hi Michael:
As a layman, sometimes is important to have certain knowledge of the basics of different traditions so one can understand how their presuppositions affect theological work.
A simple, well organized, informative and useful resource for this is:
https://www.logos.com/product/27749/survivors-guide-to-theology
It will bring to the forefront many of the preconceptions that different traditions bring to the task.
Then for a good getting acquainted with basics of ST:
Pricey, but worth when obtained in sale (bundle, discount, etc.)
Peace and grace.
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Hi Michael, my recommendations are adapted from a post on a similar thread a few days ago:
First, Louis Berkhof's two-volume set. Berkhoff has a really succinct style offering excellent summaries of the biblical data and thorough overviews of the historical development of a doctrine. A safe, solid, easy to read, classic. You can’t go wrong, and if you are tight for cash, just skip the intro volume.
https://www.logos.com/product/6690/introduction-to-systematic-theology
https://www.logos.com/product/6689/systematic-theology
Second, John Frame's single-volume edition. To call it a systematic theology is probably a little inaccurate since it is really a summary of all of Frame's theological contributions so far, so it is a little lopsided in what it covers. However, he has been one of the leading lights in the doctrine of God and his multi-perspectival approach to theology is well worth engaging with even as a layperson.
https://www.logos.com/product/49812/systematic-theology-an-introduction-to-christian-belief
Best wishes, Liam
NB: it’s worth doing some googling about Grudem’s particular (peculiar?) views on the Trinity since some have, and not without good reason, accused him of departing from Nicaean Christianity at several points due to his heavy emphasis on the eternal subordination of the son (ESS).
Carpe verbum.
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