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- Easy to read and understand!
- Awesome focus on God!
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SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
Wayne Grudem
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0310286700 |
Book Description
The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. This introduction to systematic theology has several distinctive features: - A strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine and teaching - Clear writing, with technical terms kept to a minimum - A contemporary approach, treating subjects of special interest to the church today - A friendly tone, appealing to the emotions and the spirit as well as the intellect - Frequent application to life - Resources for worship with each chapter - Bibliographies with each chapter that cross-reference subjects to a wide range of other systematic theologies.
Download Description
This introductory textbook has several distinctive features: a strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine; clear writing, with technical terms kept to a minimum; and a contemporary approach.
Customer Reviews:
Good quality.......2007-09-23
the book was in great shape, it shipped when it was supposed to, it was good service and ya
Great textbook.......2007-09-18
I am glad that I got this book. It is very helpful and a good read so far. I was also very happy with the speed in which my book made it to me.
Excellent .......2007-09-04
The updated version of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is great. The font on this updated version is much larger and easier to read. Even if you own the old book, this is still a must get.
Easy to read and understand!.......2007-09-02
Although this book deals with complex and weighty issues like Angelology, Christology, Pneumatology and others, Mr. Grudem addresses them in such a straightforward manner that without dumbing down the concepts, he makes them easy to understand and apply to everyday life.
He also addresses the fact that not everyone agrees with his point of view on every topic (me included) and goes so far as to include an index at the end of each chapter that addresses something like 18 other major views.
This is the first time I've ever read a theology book, and I was intimidated at its size (over 1600 pages!) but it really is written for those who, like me, want to understand what we believe.
Awesome focus on God!.......2007-08-27
I have never been excited by an introduction before! This book is very encouraging and challenging yet written in everyday language! It has already helped me to learn a lot and I haven't gotten that far yet. It is exciting and I appreciate that not only does Grudem give you references for his views, but others as well! He also includes life application questions, memory verses and hymns at the end of the chapters. It focuses on God's awesomeness!
Customer Reviews:
Being present.......2003-06-06
Arnold's book 'Introduction to Pastoral Care' is a book often used in the pastoral care course at my seminary. This brief book probably could be briefly summed up as one set of principles:
+ Be present to the one needing care
+ Focus on them, and not on yourself
+ Listen, and listen actively, which means remembering the principle to
+ Focus on them, and not on yourself
+ Don't be afraid of silence
+ Don't pass judgment
+ Seek care and support for yourself when you need it
These principles are amazingly simple to learn and state, but often get ignored. Giving advice is not pastoral care. Empathising by telling your own story is usually not helpful.
Arnold recounts the story of a visit with a person in the hospital when he was on call as the chaplain. He went into the room of a critically-ill patient, said hello, and then she began a very long story, alternately laughing and crying, and then, when finished, patted Arnold's hand and thanked him for his help. The only word he had said was 'hello' -- but he had listened, something others had been too busy to do.
This is a book that can help anyone who wants to learn how to be truly helpful. It is not just for clergy -- as church members come increasingly to learn that ministry exists at all levels (and indeed some of the most important ministry of a church is that which members in the pews give to each other), this kind of book should be more widely used as a good introduction to some of the do's and don'ts of being pastoral and helpful, and what in the end is effective ministry.
Book Description
(Revised Edition) One of Cardinal Ratzinger's most important and widely read books, this volume is a newly revised second edition with an improved translation and an in-depth 20 page preface by the Cardinal. As he states in the preface, since this book was first published over 30 years ago, many changes and significant events have occurred in the world, and in the Church. But even so, he says he is firmly convinced that his fundamental approach in this book is still very timely and crucial for the spiritual needs of modern man. That approach puts the question of God and the question about Christ in the very center, which leads to a "narrative Christology" and demonstrates that the place for faith is in the Church.
Thus, this remarkable elucidation of the Apostle's Creed gives an excellent, modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity. Ratzinger's profound treatment of Christianity's basic truths combines a spiritual outlook with a deep knowledge of Scripture and the history of theology.
Customer Reviews:
A little difficult to read..........2007-07-14
Okay, maybe this isn't such a good way to review a book but it may be of assistance to another reader or two.
I started reading this book 3 years ago...I haven't made it past page 15 yet. Why? Well, I think I'm in need of a more focused brain - I have a touch of A.D.D. and a book this focused is very hard for me to digest.
On the funny side of all this I want to share a conversation between two priests about this book. Both priests had bought the book to read and one of them said "I just can't seem to get past chapter 1" the other said "Oh good. I couldn't make it past the 3rd paragraph"
This book was written very early in Joseph Ratzinger's vocation and was more a part of his proving his qualifications to teach Theology (I guess the equivalent would be a Doctorate thesis).
So if you're anything like me, this book may be over your head. I'll get back to it one day but it is highly recommended by many, many people I trust. Therefore I recomment this book.
If you are intellectually superior, you may not find this review helpful. However, if you more on the average level I hope this review is of some assistance to you.
IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS.......2007-05-31
Reading this amazing book is like being wrapped in a warm blanket reading the writings of a beloved friend who is sharing his heart with you alone. Not only is the scholarship amazing but the heart of a man who is in love with Jesus comes through clearly and loudly. Don't miss this book.
Brings back memories of theology class ..........2007-04-01
This is an excellent introduction to the basics of Christian thought and its relationship to modernity at the start of the 21st century. Ratzinger is clear, precise, and profound. While his perspective is obviously that of a Catholic, the basics he covers are at the core of all the religions that identify themselves as Christian. Highly recommended.
A Journey into Your Faith.......2007-02-06
Although I found myself searching the web for various references and opening the dictionary often -- my classical Catholic training is sorely lacking -- I found the book a fast read. The feeling of fellowship and the the joy of Jesus permeate from the text.
One of the most profound books I have ever read.
While C.S. Lewis' comparable text is enthralling, this book is soaked with historical relevance for teh modern age.
Introductory its not.......2007-01-09
For a layman, this is a difficult but fascinating "introduction" to serious reflection on the Catholic faith.
Average customer rating:
- reads like a textbook, but a balanced perspective on Christian theology
- Christian Theology: An Introduction 3rd Edition
- An enjoyable survey of theology
- A great introduction to theology
- Serviceable Introduction to Historical/Systematic Theology
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Christian Theology: An Introduction
Alister E. McGrath
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1405153601 |
Book Description
Alister McGrath 's internationally-acclaimed Christian Theology: An Introduction is one of the most widely used textbooks in Christian theology. Fully revised and featuring lots of new material, this fourth edition provides an unparalleled introduction to 2,000 years of Christian thought.Key features of this new edition include:New sections on monastic schools of theology, the English Reformation, and Radical OrthodoxyIncreased discussion of women in the early Church, feminist theology, Eastern Orthodox theology and history, and Catholic teachings on the Doctrine of the ChurchUser-friendly key terms sections and study questions.These changes will ensure that Christian Theology remains the essential textbook, providing an even-handed, comprehensive and lively introduction to the field. The fourth edition is accompanied by a website at www.blackwellpublishing.com/mcgrath, featuring additional lecturer resources.
Customer Reviews:
reads like a textbook, but a balanced perspective on Christian theology.......2007-01-24
For introductory level theology courses, this is THE go-to book. The Oxonian does well in describing the development of theology, in giving criticisms, and counter-criticisms, and in bringing the reader to the contemporary debates that have arisen recently. My major complaint is that it is hard to stay with; the reading is laborious (if not boring), and has little value beyond an academic level. But alas! it is a textbook, not a popular read. If you are only going to read one book on Christian theology, this should be in the running.
Christian Theology: An Introduction 3rd Edition.......2006-11-20
A clear and indepth look at Theology through its historical setting. McGrath is clear and precise. A must have for the pastoral library.
An enjoyable survey of theology.......2006-10-14
Alister McGrath is a self-professed evangelical Christian theologian. While claiming to be evangelical, I've found McGrath to be a very ecunemical theologian who is able to draw on all strands of Christianity.
His books are generally excellent, clearly written, logical, and avoid the secterian parochialism I often see in theologial works. He never dismisses Catholic or Orthodox theology out of hand because it isn't 'biblical'; he simply includes various perspectives and usually, offers a summary of what the scholarly consensus is. This is badly needed in Christian theology, which is in desperate need of renewal and revitalisation in an age of declining belief and seeming irrelevance of many classical theological positions.
McGrath is also a very fair and balanced writer, and even when he includes his personal views, he doesn't engage in hostile polemics. I greatly admired his book on Richard Dawkins and his ideas on religion, and while Dawkins is so often militantly hostile against any form of religious belief, McGrath does not show the same hostility towards Dawkins and tries his best to understand why he is an atheist.
McGrath has also published several valuable collections of Christian theology and literature, and also written a number of insightful books on the relationship between science and Christianity.
A great introduction to theology.......2006-03-11
I read the reviews on this site, and the book is just like they said it was. Easy to read, very accessible, and very comprehensive. It took me a month to work through it, but it was worth it. The thing that I liked best was that McGrath seemed to know where I would hit problems, and gave pretty much the right amount of help to get me through.I'm going to start working through the rest of this guys stuff and check it out to see if its as good as this.
Serviceable Introduction to Historical/Systematic Theology.......2005-10-08
In this volume a powerful mind sets out to present a basic and introductory text. He is mostly successful. This work slightly more accessible than Grudem or Erickson and would provide a competent introduction to a beginning student of theology. It is actually more of a joint introduction to historical and systematic (since he does not actually begin to tackle the systematic categories until 205 pages in) and it works well as such, but it leaves him very limited room to build a comprehensive "Christian Theology".
My main critique of this is that despite his space limitations McGrath often gets sidetracked, devoting large chunks of text to advanced or non-central topics (which, to be fair, I often enjoyed) that detract from the general, introductory appeal he claimed to be persuing. This is most egregious under the doctrine of God where the debate over the suffering of God, theodicy and God's gender comprise nearly half the text. Still, if you are looking get a joint intro to historical and systematic theology while "only" investing 500 pages (rather than the very worthwhile 1000 + or - of Grudem or Erickson) McGrath is a fantastic guide and this text would fit those purposes well.
Customer Reviews:
Covers the ecclesiological bases well.......2006-12-08
Veli-Matti Karkkainen, professor of systematic theology at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA, has written an excellent overview of ecclesiology. Karkkainen's book is divided into three sections: Part I-Ecclesiological Traditions; Part II-Leading Contemporary Ecclesiologists; and, Part III-Contextual Ecclesiologies. In other words, where the church has been, who's shaping it now, and where it's morphing into new forms.
This IVP book does what IVP is famous for -- presents the subject with great accessibility, covering the material well, and introducing the latest in thinking. A new book by a new theologian who is making his mark on the systematic theology discussion.
The best introduction to the topic of ecclesiology - What is the church? and What makes the church church?.......2006-11-06
Introduction:
If you are interested in why there are so many different denominations in Christianity and why so many types of church "models" (to use term of Jesuit theologian Avery Dulles) this is an excellent and resourceful introduction. This was the only book that I could find on the topic of comparative ecclesiology and was glad that the author approached this field from a very broad perspective.
Author:
Veli-Matti Karkkainen, is a Finish theologian that teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary and is of the Pentecostal persuasion. His evangelical association does not show through this theological comparative work. His sense of condensing ideas, analysis, and conclusions are very objective, erudite, and extremely fair. He also covers a lot of teritory and a broad perspective that many evangelicals would not feel comfortable with. Truly a great work of a scholarly theologian.
Content:
The sub-title "Ecumenical, Historical, and Global Perspectives" represents the organization of this study. The first section discusses in six chapters standard "Ecclesiological Traditions": Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Free Church, Pentecostal/Charismatic and one extra chapter discussing the Church as One and contemporary ecumenical work between the various traditions.
The second section, "Leading Contemporary Ecclesiologists" discusses the works of the best theologians representing the six traditions discussed in the first section. John Zizioulas representing Eastern Orthodoxy speaks of the Church as "instituted" by Christ and "constituted" by the Spirit. Hans Kung sees the Church (from his earlier Roman Catholic perspective) as "the people of God," the whole ecclesia, and the whole fellowship of the faithful. Wolfhart Pannenberg, uses his Lutheran background to come to an ecumenical understanding. Thus Pannenberg sees "the church as pointing beyond itself to the final purposes of God" - "the unity of all people of God under one God." Jurgen Moltmann's (Reformed) relational ecclesiology emphasizes "that the church never exists for itself but is always in relation to God and the world" because "the mission of the church in not to spread the church but to spread the kingdom." Croatian Miroslav Volf (Yale professor) "seeks to suggest a viable understanding of the church in which both person and community are given their proper due." James McClendon Jr. (Baptist) characterizes "the church gathering is God's gathering" and "Christ's presence is to be expected among his gathered people wherever that may take place." Lesslie Newbigin (Anglican) approaches ecclesiology with three catchwords: missionary, ecumenical, and dynamic, and his key motto is "no church without mission, and no mission without the church."
The third section, "Contextual Ecclesiologies" looks at contemporary ecclesiologies that have a cultural or geographical origin and do not fit into a particual traditional mold. Thus the non-church movement in Asia (especially Japan), the base ecclesial communities (CCBs) of Latin America, the African Independent Churches, Shepherding Movement, feminist church, world church, and Barry Harvey's post-Christian church as "Another City" receive their individual place in this study with insightful analysis.
Conclusion:
While Veli-Matti Karkkainen states that this introduction is by no means comprehensive, I benefited greatly by understanding many traditions' and other contemporary views of what makes church church. Now I am aware of more theologians and writings on the topic of ecclesiology.
The common thread running threw all these views is that the church is "a community with purpose and hope for the future", and "a fellowship of men and women, a fellowship of the Spirit, a koinonia."
Customer Reviews:
This is an excellent theological book on Christian topics........1999-02-17
Not an expert Christian Theologian - this book is for you. It's written in a language simple enough to understand for the common man, but yet includes discussions that makes the scholarly person ponder various Christian issues. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anybody interested in learning more about the theology of some of the core underlying beliefs of Christianity.
Customer Reviews:
Tells It Like It Is.......2007-03-19
Being a seminary student I have plodded through a lot of theology textbooks. This one goes beyond the rest mainly, I think, because it is grounded in the sensible (formerly radical) ideas of John Barth. It is thorough without being heavy-handed, clear without being too long, and sits on the correct premise that everything starts and ends with Jesus Christ as God in concrete form. That's how we know God -- through Christ. It's almost as if I can throw out my other books -- this seems to cover it all. Kudos, Migliore.
A Wonderfully straightforward read........2007-01-04
For anyone interested in theological understanding of their faith as a Christian this is an excellent book. Only a few chapters were assigned as part of a seminary Christology class. But because the language was straightfoward and a very easy read I bought it and read the entire book.
Faith Seeking Understanding.......2006-11-10
Theology for the novice is a scary word.
I am in my first year of seminary course work and found this book to be informative but not elementary.
Weak.......2005-09-25
I have to wonder if the folks who wrote the first reviews read the same text that I did! This was my basic text for an intro. theology course I took at Princeton, where Dr. Migliore was teaching. He is classically trained, very disiplined, and a real gentleman. But, as this book demonstrates, he can't be termed a great theologian.
While he claims to be a Barthian, and he does use Barth's categories, he would not be recognized as such by Barth. He might be described as more a "string of pearls" thinker -- he takes things he likes from a variety of contradictory sources, with no apparent anchor or controling principle. What you get is more of a "mood" than a tangible response to God's voice in Scripture.
This is a very weak, very inconsistent, very frustrating work. I hardly ever score things poorly on Amazon, but I had to comment on this when I saw the other glowing reviews. There are all kinds of good theology texts, both to the "left" and to the "right" of Migliore. Louis Berkof, for example, is a classic that is clear and helpful.
Excellent Overview of the Major Christian Doctrines.......2005-09-14
The book is an outstanding overview of major Christian doctrines. It was balanced and fair in presenting a wide range of viewpoints. The last section dealing with imaginary dialogues between such notables as Barth, Neibuhr, Bultmann, Moltmann, etc.. is interesting although familiarity with the basic tenets of these thinkers helps in understanding the subtleties of their arguments.
Customer Reviews:
Fascinating Trinitarian Missiology.......2004-08-14
Issues of mission(s) and how the church is to be as a missional body have become more important than ever in the last century or so, given the massive changes that have taken place in the west. Newbigin is a profound voice, speaking cogently and helpfuly to the church, giving her lots of resources to recover a propely understood missional identity. This "introduction to the theology of mission" sketches the countours of what a missiology that is informed theologically by the biblical narrative and conversant with culture might look like.
The results are fascinating and engaging. One of the central emphases that Newbigin communicates is the idea of a "trinitarian model" for missions. Thus he speaks of mission in a way that takes not of the different and harmonious roles that the different persons of the Trinity play in the economy of salvation. He speak of mission as proclaiming the kingdom of the Father, sharing the life of the Son and bearing the Witness of the Spirit. He sees these three emphases more basically as mission being Faith, Love and Hope in action in the world.
Newbigin is also careful to situate a discussion of mission within the context of the kingdom of God, understood trinitarianly. Thus he speaks of mission as the proclamation of the kingdom of the Father, the presence of the kingdom through the work of the Son and the prevenience of the kingdom through the Spirit's work of leading the church into areas where he is sovereignly extending the kingdom.
In addition to his constructive work, Newbigin also masterully critiques the church growth missiology of Donald McGavaran, showing how it flattens and neuters central elements of the gospel. An example of this is McGavaran's belief that Indian Christians should remain in their caste systems and not attempt to break down those barriers in the church. I find this to be nothing short of idolatry as it not only capitulates to the principalities and powers, but also denies the unity that the church is called to in Christ. Newbigin is right to critique this popular movement and I hope that his critique recieves a wide reading.
There is much more in this book. Newbigin engages with liberation theology and focuses on how the church should be engaged in the casue of justice in the wider world. One of the things that I particularly appreciated about this discussion was the way that Newbigin situated his discussion of justice within an understanding of justice as defined by God, rather than false secular conceptions of justice (such as those embodied in, say the United States).
All in all, this book is an excellent introduction, both to theology of mission and to the thought of Newbigin. I highly recommend it.
The Open Secret: mission in a pluralist society.......2000-11-28
Is there still a place for mission in the late twentieth century? By what authority can we speak about God and the Christian message in our pluralist world? Newbigin brings his original and thoroughly biblical thoughts to these questions. He places missions in a Trinitarian context: Mission is the proclamation of the Kingdom of the Father, sharing in the life of Jesus, doing the work of the Spirit. He discusses the ideas of the school of Church Growth, of liberation theology and John Hicks (from "the myth of Christianity"), and develops his theology of mission in discussion with these voices. I have one reservation, and that is his discussion of election. Election, in Newbigin's view, is - and is being limited to - being called to witness. I cannot see how with this limitation he can avoid the danger of Pelagianism, which he rejects earlier on in the book. (This topic, however, is developed more extensively in "The Gospel in a Pluralist World"). Overall, though, an excellent read.
Book Description
An indispensable guide for undergraduate, graduate, or seminary students, this book provides valuable insight into the best reference tools available for Bible research. Not only do the authors provide general information on atlases, concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, and the like, but they also evaluate their usefulness. Titles reviewed range from theologically conservative to theologically liberal in their orientation. Electronic databases are included within the scope of the book's coverage. A highly useful resource, the book will certainly find a permanent place on the desk of anyone involved with Bible research.
Customer Reviews:
Practical.......2005-10-02
This is a very practical book for anybody interested in theological research. It is very up to date (as of now) and has good reviews of many different sources. I recomend it for anybody who is newly involved in seminary or graduate Bible studies.
Great help for college or seminary student.......2001-11-04
This book was a very pleasant surprise to me. If you are a serious college or seminary student this book is a MUST before you start any research paper. In addition, if you are an international student and are enrolled in a seminary in the U.S, this book will give you valuable research information. First, it is a very practical book - the author makes a thorough and honest evaluation (in a small summary) at general reference works, concordances, OT and NT word studies, online searching, indexes and abstracts and bibliographies. You will be surprised at both the quality of the evaluation and the number of works evaluated. Second, I really love the practical aspect of this book. It helps me -even as a post grad student- to know where to go in the library. This book is virtually like an "instruction manual" of any seminary library. It will not only give you good scholarly materials you can include in your bibliography, it will also help you to do your research faster than ever before! The only problem of this kind of books is that they tend to be quickly outdated after release due to new commentaries and other reference works being printed. Still, it is a very valuable tool for research.
Book Description
There is a widespread belief that reason and faith are incompatible and opposed to each other. Faith is viewed as subjective, emotional, a crutch for those who find the real world too hard. Though many of the world’s finest minds hold this view, the Bible teaches that it is the fool who says there is no God.
Dr. R. C. Sproul clearly and simply argues that at its core Christianity is rational. He focuses on defending the basic truth claims for two of the most crucial issues of apologetics: God’s existence and the Bible’s authority.
In this primer of apologetic thought, Dr. Sproul affirms four logical principles that are necessary for all real discussion and teaches you how to defend your faith in a faithless world. Using the writings of church fathers and philosophers throughout the ages, he uncovers the common ideologies that work against faith.
The defense of the faith is not a luxury or an intellectual vanity. It is a task appointed by God that you should be able to give a reason for the hope that is in you as you bear witness before the world.
Customer Reviews:
'How-to' On A Popular Level.......2007-09-26
In this book, RC Sproul, who has done so much for the Reformation cause, and its consistent commitment to the revealed, true Word of God, explains why and how we should defend our faith, once-for-all delivered to the saints.
It is (with its modern cover) aimed at the 'most popular section' in the Christian bookstores, and once again should be most effective there where the new or often time, doubting Christian seeks refuge in the mass market section, so as not to bring close attention to himself/herself!
So it should be a perfect tool in competing with the drivel of 'Anointings' and 'Power-prayers' and 'Miracles-workers' that so obscure the faith Sproul here seeks to defend.
An important counter-strategy tool.
One of Christianity's finest scholars - but alas, classical apologetics is a lost cause........2007-08-21
I have often enjoyed reading RC Sproul's writing. He is intelligent, thorough, and knowledgeable while conveying a sense of engaging warmth. The subject matter he is dealing with however, is a lost cause. The classical arguments to defend the Christian faith all do have holes in them, and Sproul, though he is a brilliant man, has not succeeded in plugging them. This comes down to the simple reality that a truly faulty argument can never be made "not-faulty" no matter how brilliant the scholar is who attempts to make it so. So it is with the various arguments within classical apologetics. For the sake of being concise, I will deal with Sproul's presentation of the cosmological argument. It's presentation is common enough that I assume the reader's general familiarity with it. In defending the argument, he challenges the argument that matter/energy can be eternal. He maintains that even though matter/energy is conserved and constently changing, it the core of it - whatever pulsating stuff matter/energy ultimately is, it cannot be eternal. There is simply no reason we have to accept this as true. The big bang is not regarded by astrophysicists and cosmologists as the "creation" of matter and energy. It is understood as an event in the distant past when all the matter and energy that is within our universe was contained within a singularity which exploded. There is no evidence and no reason to believe that logically prior to the big bang it wasn't also in existence. Indeed, many viable cosmological models presume it was. So matter/energy not only can be eternal, but there is a good scientific reason to believe it is - this is known in science as the law of conservation of matter/energy. (Matter/energy can neither be created or destroyed). A corresponding problem with his argument is the claim that God simply always was and needs no explanation. Why? Because God has "aseity". That's a property which means one doesn't need to have been created. Rather than shedding light on the issue this merely lends a false sense of credibility to the cosmological argument by enhancing an already unecessarily pseudo-sophisticated vocabulary.
I do credit Sproul with not trying to make the cases that evidentialists attempt to make. I also respect that he sees the bankrupcy of fideism and presuppositionalism. Unfortunately, classical apologetics also remain insufficient, as all efforts at Christian apologetics do. The problem is that Christianity contains beliefs that (figuratively speaking) "want" to exist in a realm beyond questionability, as mythology and theism both do. Unfortunately, unlike mythology and theism, Christianity makes assertions that can be challenged and tested according to logic, history, and other disciplines. In the end, Christian truth cannot stand because it's not true.
Review of Defending your Faith, by RC Sproul.......2007-01-22
A must for the students who are learning apologetics and those who are aquainted with the suject. RC Sproul submits the subject in a format that is scholerly and readable at the same time. A must read for any who desire to understand what they believe and be able to defend it before those who would oppose it.
Apologetics defined.......2007-01-05
R. C. Sproul does an excellent job in presenting the basics for defending your faith. I was educated from the beginning with a definition of apology that I was unaware of, through reviews of philosophers that I hadn't read since college. Each chapter touches on an aspect of existence with which Christians often have to deal while interacting with the rest of humankind. Mr. Sproul tantalizes us with the beginnings of the necessary knowledge to articulate our beliefs and convincingly respond to attacks against our beliefs. I am now ready to read an advanced, more detailed exploration to further deepen my knowledge.
there are reasons for faith, faith does not have to be blind.......2006-09-11
This is a pretty good treatment of the rationality of some core christian beliefs. Now there is certainly more to christian beliefs than rational explanation for those beliefs, there are the very important elements of emotion, character, love, faith and the like. However, just because the christian faith is a faith, this does not automatically make it completely opposed to reasons for that faith. Faith and reason are not necessarily foes, it is quite possible for reason to "serve" faith. This book seeks to show this being done in regards to several subjects of importance to christian belief such as the existence of God. Now, I have read many, many sophisticated philosophical treatments dealing with the subject of "proofs" and/or "non-proofs" for the existence of God. I have read from some of the top thinkers/philosophers/theologians from ancient times, and on up to modern times. The treatment given to the rational defense for the existence of God in this book is simply profound and profoundly simple. Don't miss this book if for any other reason than this. It takes several chapters to build up to it, but once the book gets to it, it is absolutely pivotal and pointed, with razor sharp logic. If you are into philosophy, check out the same author's concise treatment on philosophy over the ages, it is called Consequences of Ideas. For a great concise treatment of the nature of the biblical God, the same author has another fantastic work by the title of The Character of God. It may seem as though I'm raving a bit about R.C. Sproul, and perhaps I am a bit, but it's not that I blindly follow him and his thought, or any one else for that matter, but Sproul really does make very good sense on several theological/philosophical concepts. Thanks Dr. Sproul.
Books:
- Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French
- The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing
- The Analects (Penguin Classics)
- The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible REALLY Says About the End Times . . . and Why It Matters Today
- The Bhagavad Gita
- The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell (Perennial Classics)
- The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry
- The Four Things That Matter Most: A Book About Living
- The God Delusion
- The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
Books Index
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