Which Systematic Theology Should I Read?

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If you don't mind me asking, why don't you guys recommend Charles Hodge in your fave top picks? Just curious.

There are specific "strains" of reformed theology in the 19th cent., and each one relies on different types of philosophy. Hodge, Dabney, and Shedd, are different from each other though they are all "Calvinist" in the main. It is good to read them in order to understand the intricacies of doctrine in terms of philosophical theology, but not necessarily the best for learning the reformed system as a whole.
 
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he is thoroughly Reformed, which would not be fitting for a "broadly evangelical" seminary, despite the fact that we have many and a growing number of Reformed students and professors here.

Growing yet never grown! This was the story in the early 90s when a dear friend of mine attended there... and it was the same reality in the late 90s/early 00s when I was in proximity to the school. (Most of my friends attended there and I worked right across the street at Hewitt...) Some things never change! At TEDS Reformed theology is to its students an exotic woman with whom they have a summer fling before going back home to the girl next door.
Always a pleasure to see you weighing in when we are flailing about and manage to summarize the matter in a way that all can understand, brother. You have been sorely missed. I have been remembering you and your new pastorate in my prayers often. I hope all is well with you and yours.
 
Because Hodge is neither the shortest, most accessible, most influential, most standard, most popular, most eloquent, most comprehensive, or most exact, barring a particular interest in Princeton there's probably not a compelling reason to begin with him.

Wow! What an amazing turn of phrase! I concur with the preference for Bavinck or Turretin over Hodge. Either Turretin or Bavinck would be a more substantial alternative to Shedd (and Berkhof is just Bavinck light). If you don't want to tackle the full Bavinck, you can always do abridged one volume edition. I'm a little surprised that the TEDS folks don't want you to read Grudem. You could always tackle the Systematic Theology of Joel Osteen or Rick Warren.
 
You could always tackle the Systematic Theology of Joel Osteen.

At the risk of derailing the thread:

I struggle to imagine Osteen utilizing a book allowance, much less possessing a work of systematic theology...

Ok, got that off my chest.

As you were.
 
I'm a little surprised that the TEDS folks don't want you to read Grudem.

Although Grudem is a big name at TEDS, the issue is that Grudem's systematic theology is essentially popular level. Secondly, Grudem's area of expertise (and his Ph.D.) is New Testament, not systematics. Hence, others are chosen. One of the big texts used is Michael Horton's systematics text.

You could always tackle the Systematic Theology of Joel Osteen or Rick Warren.

I thought about that, but I want to keep it light before digging into too deep to the things of God. That's why I thought I might start out with a little Turretin before diving in to something as technical as Osteen or Warren.
 
I'm a little surprised that the TEDS folks don't want you to read Grudem.

Although Grudem is a big name at TEDS, the issue is that Grudem's systematic theology is essentially popular level. Secondly, Grudem's area of expertise (and his Ph.D.) is New Testament, not systematics. Hence, others are chosen. One of the big texts used is Michael Horton's systematics text.

You could always tackle the Systematic Theology of Joel Osteen or Rick Warren.

I thought about that, but I want to keep it light before digging into too deep to the things of God. That's why I thought I might start out with a little Turretin before diving in to something as technical as Osteen or Warren.

How true. And, for most of us on the PB, we lack the linguistic skill to read Osteen. All Glossalalia and Blarney. ;)
 
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