Best Systematic Theology

[puritanpilgrim]

Robert Culver

Have any of you heard of Robert Culver. I have really enjoyed this book. I think it is one of the best ever written.

CFP | Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical | Robert Duncan Culver

 

[danmpem]

Have any of you heard of Robert Culver. I have really enjoyed this book. I think it is one of the best ever written.

CFP | Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical | Robert Duncan Culver

Yeah, I was wondering that too. I have heard so much about him and want to read it so much. Come on, he was 89 when he wrote it, how awesome is that?

 

[Wannabee]

Thanks for the comments on Grudem. It's no surprise that he would be working on an ESV study Bible. One of the main editors of the ESV, living in Chicago, is a friend of his. I know a student who went to Phoenix and said he's the real deal. While I don't agree with his position on spiritual gifts, it should come as no surprise that I voted for his systematic, for all the reasons listed above. It might also be the only systematic I would feel comfortable giving to anyone to work through, regardless of their maturity or theological understanding. It's a good scholarly work, deals well with languages (except in the gifts, in my opinion), while remaining clear and engaging along with devotional in style.

 

[BertMulder]

Believe Hoeksema should have been on that list.

 

[DMcFadden]

BTW, I just counted and found that there are 31 Systematic Theologies on my laptop (including the 14 vols. of Berkouwer, 7 vols. of Bloesch, 7 vols. of Chafer, 6 vols of Henry, and most of the classics listed above in the list. Many of these were available for free or pennies on the dollar. Additionally, thanks to the good Reformed folks at Doxa, you can have the "complete works" of people like Kuyper, Berkoff, and Boettner for as little as $10! Those with budgetary restrictions should really consider the option of building part of their library with electronic books. They don't look as "impressive" as a wall full of books. But, you can build a library worth tens of thousands of dollars for a little bit of nuthin'

 

[cih1355]

What do you think of Foundations of the Christian Faith by James Montgomery Boice? I'm taking a two-year class at my church that prepares people for lay ministry and that is one of the books that I have to read.

 

[DMcFadden]

I liked it. Boice is biblical, clear, and organized. He writes from a Calvinistic perspective and does so quite nicely. It would not be one of the heavier tomes, but it is orthodox and helpful.

 

[bookslover]

I've heard Grudem is working on an ESV study Bible that will be Calvinist, charismatic and premil.

Well, two out of three isn't bad!

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

Believe Hoeksema should have been on that list.

One of the mods could put him on; I can't remember everybody.

 

[JM]

Currently I am working as general editor for the ESV Study Bible (Crossway), which we hope will be published in late 2008. We have 84 different specialists writing on various parts of the Bible and also contributing additional essays to put in the matter in the back. All of that material goes through some other editors, then comes to me. It is taking all of my time and it’s a huge, but I think very worthwhile, project. - Wayne Grudem

source

 

[D. Paul]

What do you think of Foundations of the Christian Faith by James Montgomery Boice? I'm taking a two-year class at my church that prepares people for lay ministry and that is one of the books that I have to read.

Boice's is an excellent contribution. Very readable; well laid-out with profuse use made of scripture. He may not delve as deeply as some but then I think his intent was to prompt further study.

 

[JohnOwen007]

Well, I must confess I'm no fan of Reymond. I find his methodology (or lack thereof!) lets him down. One sees this particularly in his treatment of ecclesiology.

For me, Calvin is far and away the most impressive, especially given his context. What still speaks today is his exegetical sensitivity, ability to see the important and neglect the trivial, and married with warm devotion! Unbelievable.

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

I agree with Poimen. Brakel is theologically precise and warmth. I think Turretin comes second, Calvin in third, John Brown of Haddington in fourth and Berkhof in fifth.

I'll stick with Carlos' list, as previously noted, but I'd like to squeeze Ames in there too, maybe Pictet and Wollbeius. I've been reading Kersten too and I like his writings a lot.

If I knew Latin, I would probably want to include Johannes a'Marck's Christianae Theologiae Medulla (which is, I think, an edition that Marck abridged from a larger work called Compendium Christianae Theologiae); Francis Junius' Theses Theologicae [note: I posted links to online Latin editions of Turretin, Pictet, Ames, Marck and Junius in another thread recently]; and there are probably others I am missing.

For what it's worth (and I don't agree with all suggestions, rankings or comments made by the authors), there is a list of recommended systematic theologies in The Essential Commentaries for a Preacher's Library by Derek Thomas and John W. Tweeddale; as well as a brief similar list by Ligon Duncan as an appendix to his edition of Witsius' On the Character of a True Theologian.

From the former:

Thomas/Tweeddale
One Volume Systematic Theology Texts
Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology
Hodge, A.A. Outlines of Theology
Macleod, Donald. A Faith to Live By
Packer, James I. Concise Theology
Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith (Free Presbyterian Publications)
Ames, William. Marrow of Theology (Thomas and Tweeddale actually cited Marrow of Modern Divinity but that was written by Edward Fisher and I think they have the other title in view)
Boice, James Montgomery. Foundations of the Christian Faith
Boyce, James P. Abstract of Systematic Theology
Dabney, Robert L. Systematic Theology
Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology
Heppe, Heinrich. Reformed Dogmatics: Set Out and Illustrated from the Sources
McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction
Shedd, William G.T. Dogmatic Theology
Sproul, R.C. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
Strong, Augustus H. Systematic Theology
Van Til, Cornelius. An Introduction to Systematic Theology

Multi-Volume Systematic Theology Texts
Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion (2 volumes)
Edwards, Jonathan. The Works of Jonathan Edwards (2 volumes)
Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology (3 volumes)
Murray, John. Collected Writings of John Murray (4 volumes)
Warfield, Benjamin B. The Works of Benjamin B. Warfield (10 volumes)
Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics (2 volumes published at the time of printing, 4 total)
Berkouwer, G.C. Studies in Dogmatics (12 volumes)
Bloesch, Donald. Christian Foundations (7 volumes)
Cunningham, William. Historical Theology (2 volumes)
Muller, Richard. Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics (4 volumes)
Turretin, Francis. Institutes of Elenctic Theology (3 volumes)

From the latter:

Ligon Duncan
1. John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
2. Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology
3. Robert Louis Dabney, Lectures in Systematic Theology
4. John Murray, Collected Writings
5. Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology
6. Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology

 

[D. Paul]

Why has no one mentioned Finney's?

I could mention my very first ST which I doubt anyone here has even heard of...Henry Thiessen. It was before I knew what an ST really was.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

Why has no one mentioned Finney's?

Probably because this is a Reformed discusssion forum. If you want Finney you will have to go to the Pelagian Board.

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

William Cunningham in his Theological Lectures notes that Calvin, Turretin, Mastricht, Pictet, Marckius, and Witsius were the systematic theologians most studied in Scotland, and also commends George Hill's Theological Institutes and John Dick's Lectures in Theology.

 

[Puritan Sailor]

Berkhof, then Bavinck, then Shaw's Commentary on the WCF.

 

[bookslover]

William Cunningham in his Theological Lectures notes that Calvin, Turretin, Mastricht, Pictet, Marckius, and Witsius were the systematic theologians most studied in Scotland, and also commends George Hill's Theological Institutes and John Dick's Lectures in Theology.

I have Dick's set: Lectures on Theology by the Late Rev. John Dick, D.D., Minister of the United Associate Congregation, Greyfriars, Glasgow; and Professor of Theology to the United Session Church; Published Under the Superintendence of His Son, with a Preface, Memoir, etc., by the American Editor 2 volumes (Philadelphia: F. W. Greenough, 1838). I've read them, too. Good stuff.

 

[bookslover]

Berkhof, then Bavinck, then Shaw's Commentary on the WCF.

Shaw's commentary on the WCF is excellent. According to the Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology (1993), under the entry for Shaw (1795-1863): "His Exposition of the Westminster Confession (Edinburgh, 1845) is the most thorough commentary by a Scottish Presbyterian. Writing in sympathy with its writers, Shaw elucidates the opposing views against which the Confession was framed." (p. 770) (Article by Sherman Isbell)

 

[fredtgreco]

Berkhof, then Bavinck, then Shaw's Commentary on the WCF.

Shaw's commentary on the WCF is excellent. According to the Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology (1993), under the entry for Shaw (1795-1863): "His Exposition of the Westminster Confession (Edinburgh, 1845) is the most thorough commentary by a Scottish Presbyterian. Writing in sympathy with its writers, Shaw elucidates the opposing views against which the Confession was framed." (p. 770) (Article by Sherman Isbell)

Shaw is very helpful, and very pastoral. A little tidbit. You all can read Shaw (in part) because of the work of one of my elders, who helped to get it back in print.

 

[bookslover]

Why has no one mentioned Finney's?

I could mention my very first ST which I doubt anyone here has even heard of...Henry Thiessen. It was before I knew what an ST really was.

I remember Henry Clarence Thiessen's book. He was Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis at Dallas Theological Seminary (1931-1936) and Chairman of the Faculty of the Graduate School at Wheaton College, among other posts, presumably. I had to read parts of it as an undergrad. Originally published back in the 1940s, I think.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

Berkhof, then Bavinck, then Shaw's Commentary on the WCF.

Shaw's commentary on the WCF is excellent. According to the Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology (1993), under the entry for Shaw (1795-1863): "His Exposition of the Westminster Confession (Edinburgh, 1845) is the most thorough commentary by a Scottish Presbyterian. Writing in sympathy with its writers, Shaw elucidates the opposing views against which the Confession was framed." (p. 770) (Article by Sherman Isbell)

Shaw is very helpful, and very pastoral. A little tidbit. You all can read Shaw (in part) because of the work of one of my elders, who helped to get it back in print.

Robert Shaw is useful as he defends the Establishment Principle; even if you do not agree with this, it is useful to have a defense of the original position of the WCF.

 

[Bygracealone]

If we're including commentaries on the WCF, then I would include another Scottish Presbyterian--David Dickson. His work "Truth's Victory Over Error"--was the first commentary ever produced on the WCF, coming out just a few years after the WCF was produced. The elenctic format of the work is very helpful.

Of course A.A. Hodge's commentary on the confession is also good. I especially like it for what is included in the appendix. There, you will find two articles by Charles Hodge. One defining Presbyterianism and the other explaining what it means to "adopt" the WCF. Good stuff there...

 

[Stephen]

Why has no one mentioned Finney's?

I could mention my very first ST which I doubt anyone here has even heard of...Henry Thiessen. It was before I knew what an ST really was.

That is the standard systematic text for Jimmy Swaggert's Bible College

 

[Romans922]

Reymond? Unless you want to be wrong on the doctrine of the Trinity.

 

[Stephen]

Reymond? Unless you want to be wrong on the doctrine of the Trinity.

Brother, be careful in accusing a man of heresy. You simply do not know what you are talking about. Robert Reymond is strongly trinitarian. You obviously have not ready his systematic theology.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

Reymond? Unless you want to be wrong on the doctrine of the Trinity.

Brother, be careful in accusing a man of heresy. You simply do not know what you are talking about. Robert Reymond is strongly trinitarian. You obviously have not ready his systematic theology.

I thought Andrew was saying he was right on the Trinity? Could he clarify please?

 

[Romans922]

Reymond? Unless you want to be wrong on the doctrine of the Trinity.

Brother, be careful in accusing a man of heresy. You simply do not know what you are talking about. Robert Reymond is strongly trinitarian. You obviously have not ready his systematic theology.

I have read it and I could be wrong but isn't his view of eternal generation of the Son a little off?

 

[DMcFadden]

118 posts and nobody missed L.S. Chafer???

When I was a junior in high school, his 2,700 pg. Sys Theo was my first introduction to the subject. Although having already read George Ladd on the Kingdom, reading Chafer gave me a bit of epistemic indigestion as a 16 yr. old. Man was I really confused then. Come to think of it . . . at 54 I'm still pretty confused.

 

[Bygracealone]

A number of folks have found Reymond to be in error WRT his understanding of the eternal generation of the Son.

Refer to the previous threads on this matter:

http://www.puritanboard.com/f15/eternal-generation-son-22040/

http://www.puritanboard.com/f18/nicene-christology-21767/

A reminder per the above link: To deny the doctrine of the eternal generation of the Son is an error per the standards of this board.