Grudem Systematic Theology

The first few paragraphs from the preface to this work are as follows:

 

Here is the table of contents:

 

I don't have it but if it's a nice, new hardcover I would certainly pick it up for $20.

 

No question about it---get it, even if you have to pay twice that. We used it at SBTS, and I'm now taking our church through its somewhat abbreviated version, Bible Doctrine, on Sunday evenings.

Like all treatments of systematic theology, read with discernment, remembering that the Word of God is our ultimate authority.

Bill

 

I have it. He is pretty solid in most areas. He is non-cessationist, though. It is not too badly skewed in that area, but a little. I have the electronic version. Much quicker for searches, cuts, pastes, etc.

 

You obviously didn't type the whole table of contents manually.

Does the book come with a CD?
...or is it a totally separate purchase?

Rob

 

I was given a good as new hard back copy but I haven't had time to read it yet. Sounds like a bargain you have there. I must find time to read my copy.

Maybe it would be an idea to have a reading group here at BB?

God Bless

Sheila

 

Good one ... get it. He is a non-cessationist, but does a pretty good job in other areas. Has a nice section at the end of each chapter with verses and a hymn or two on the topic. I got my for $5 at a discount bookstore. One of the section was about 1/16" shorter than the others. It wasn't cut right. But if you can't find it for $5, then get it for $20.

 

Grudem is excellent.

 

We used Grudem's book in my theology classes at Midwestern, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that it and Erickson's theology are 2 of the best available today.

 

West,

You are very welcome. I hope there is a copy still in stock for you.

God Bless

Sheila

 

So which would you get first Erickson or Grudem?

 

Absolutley, a good investment to be sure!

 

Wondering if West has his copy of Grudem's yet

Maybe he is to busy reading it to post

 

So which would you get first Erickson or Grudem?

If you have to ask ... Erickson is a much easier read for many people.

But, if you think like Grudem ... Erickson may not be so easy ...

 

Grudem’s is a good conservative, evangelical, high Calvinist theology textbook. It is especially good if you want to know the conservative response to some non-traditional approaches to theology. I may disagree with a lot of his conclusions but he presents his positions very well.

I do have two complaints about his book though.

1) While Grudem is very good at explaining his position I do not think he is very good at presenting positions that are in opposition to his. In particular, I do not think he presents Arminianism very well. The Armeniasts he tends to quote are open-theists which I feel is not very fair to the majority of mainstream Armeniasts.

2) While Grudem is very direct in heavily critiquing and dismissing the positions that he disagrees with and run counter to the positions of the majority of conservative evangelicals, he treats with kid gloves those positions with which he disagrees but are, nevertheless, held by the majority of conservative evangelicals. It’s easy to criticize egalitartianism when you have most conservative Christians behind you but I wish he would criticize dispensationalism and “rapture” theology the same fervor he does other positions. At least then he would be consistent.

I think the book is more indoctrinating than educating. I prefer Erickson’s book as a textbook. He is as just as conservative as Grudem but gives a good, honest and respectful account of a great variety of positions on any given doctrinal topic. He can point out the strengths and weaknesses of different positions (even his own) and still give carry a conservative evangelical tone.

I’d also highly recommend Dale Moody’s The Word of Truth and E. Y. Mullin’s The Christian Religion in It’s Doctrinal Expression.

Regardless, it’s good to have a wide variety of theology books at one’s disposal.

 

Anleifr,
nice critique!