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Best One-Volume Systematic Theology?

Yeshua1

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Grudem's book is Baptistic and has a lot of other good points, but it is charismatic and has caused a lot of division in churches. For that reason I can't recommend it.
I have Berkhof, which is very good but old and also Michael Horton's The Christian Faith, which is good and newish. The drawback with both is that they are Presbyterian and you have to screen out all the nonsense about infant baptism.
I would welcome a good new Reformed baptist S.T.

Spurgeon liked it.
Wasn't there one by Strong from a RB viewpoint?
 

John of Japan

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To be relevant Systematic Theology texts need to be current; recently published volumes will serve you best

Here are two noteworthy Baptist Systematic Theology texts

Christian Theology Third Edition (2013) by Millard J. Erickson

...

Rob
I have to say that I think Erickson fulfills the OP better than any other other as the best one volume ST. He's Baptist, he's thorough, and he's up to date.
 

Yeshua1

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I have to say that I think Erickson fulfills the OP better than any other other as the best one volume ST. He's Baptist, he's thorough, and he's up to date.
I had his first edition ST, was the primary text book in school, and would say that his best aspect was very good at giving forth various viewpoints in regards to held position on major doctrines, but not "Calvinistic" enough for me in some regards', but still a very good work!
 

John of Japan

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I had his first edition ST, was the primary text book in school, and would say that his best aspect was very good at giving forth various viewpoints in regards to held position on major doctrines, but not "Calvinistic" enough for me in some regards', but still a very good work!
Plenty of Calvinistic STs out there, if that's your bag. ;)
 

Yeshua1

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Systematic Theology (3 Volumes in One) Strong. 1907 pg 933.
Thanks, as I think read thru parts of that book, if I remember correctly, he seemed to be into Theistic evolution among other "interesting" things!
 

HankD

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Plenty of Calvinistic STs out there, if that's your bag. ;)
Oh ya, by the Calvinist-in-Chief, although not named "Systematic Theology")

Institutes of the Christian Religion (2 Volumes) John Calvin, Eerdmans,1953.

Yes I have it in my random access Paper and Ink Library :)
 

Mikey

Active Member
Thomas Watson : A Body of Divinity

John Gill: A Body of Doctrinal Divinity ( also A Body of Practical Divinity)

Doesn't Body of Divinity sound better Systematic Theology.:Frown
 

Yeshua1

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Oh ya, by the Calvinist-in-Chief, although not named "Systematic Theology")

Institutes of the Christian Religion (2 Volumes) John Calvin, Eerdmans,1953.

Yes I have it in my random access Paper and Ink Library :)
Every time one opens that book, the ole Hallelujah chorus comes on around you! The next best thing to having an Apostle writing a ST....
 

HankD

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Every time one opens that book, the ole Hallelujah chorus comes on around you! The next best thing to having an Apostle writing a ST....
I personally cannot accept calvinism for several reasons:

1) We are directed NOT to doctrinally align with ANY human being - "some say I am of Cephas, I am of Apollos... (1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:4-6;22)
2) It is probably the most divisive tool used by the enemy of the church. (1 Corinthians 1:10).

One of the doctrinal points : (JUST AN EXAMPLE):

Does totally depravity cover the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God?
Is something in the image and likeness of God made that way by God himself totally depraved?

Yes I believe in "original sin" (Romans 5:12).
 
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Yeshua1

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I personally cannot accept calvinism for several reasons:

1) We are directed NOT to doctrinally align with ANY human being - "some say I am of Cephas, I am of Apollos... (1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:4-6;22)
2) It is probably the most divisive tool of the enemy of the church. (1 Corinthians 1:10).

One of the doctrinal points : (JUST AN EXAMPLE):

Does totally depravity cover the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God?
Is something in the image and likeness of God made that way by God himself totally depraved?

Yes I believe in "original sin" (Romans 5:12).
It does explain though the very plan of salvation from the scriptures in the way most glorying to God!
 

HankD

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It does explain though the very plan of salvation from the scriptures in the way most glorying to God!
Yes, I agree it makes sense to a vast portion of biblical Christianity so from that point of view it is good.
 

Yeshua1

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Yes, I agree it makes sense to a vast portion of biblical Christianity so from that point of view it is good.
And the good news is that none of us here have the final and absolute understanding of what it fully and completely what Paul meant in Romans!
 

HankD

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And the good news is that none of us here have the final and absolute understanding of what it fully and completely what Paul meant in Romans!
Which part? Romans 5:12
RSV Romans 5:12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned --

All the verbs are aorist, sin and death entered and spread simultaneously throughout the human race when Adam sinned.
We were ALL there and sinned when Adam sinned.
In the passage of time we are all born sinners.

not too hard to understand at all.

Just hard to accept.

We are totally unable to save ourselves and come into the world lost in a hopeless and helpless state.
 

Yeshua1

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Which part? Romans 5:12
RSV Romans 5:12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned --

All the verbs are aorist, sin and death entered and spread simultaneously throughout the human race when Adam sinned.
We were ALL there and sinned when Adam sinned.
In the passage of time we are all born sinners.

not too hard to understand at all.

Just hard to accept.

We are totally unable to save ourselves and come into the world lost in a hopeless and helpless state.
And the Virgin Birth of Jesus allowed Him to bypass the effects of the fall and not be born with the sin nature, correct?
 

John of Japan

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It does explain though the very plan of salvation from the scriptures in the way most glorying to God!
Except when a Calvinist like Jay Adams in Competent to Counsel says you should never tell lost people that Christ died for their sins, because you don't know if they're elect--in spite of the fact that the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-8) distinctly says, "Christ died for our sins...." So I guess a consistent Calvinist could never quote the Gospel in 1 Cor. 15 to a lost person. :confused:
 

Garrett20

Member
I think it’s helpful to have several. They each seem to have strong points and a few week points. Grudem’s is easy to follow for sure, though I do not agree with everything in it.
 
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