I recently picked up a copy of Wayne Grudem's Sytematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. I read through the first chapter last night and I think I'm going to really enjoy working though this book. It's going to be tough and I'm sure it will challenge me almost every step of the way, but I really need something like that in my spiritual life right now. I've been "coasting" for too long, it's time to flex my muscles a bit and engage in some serious study. When I'm done, it will be interesting to see how much I agree with Grudem.
One of the things that I like about this book is that it has personal application questions at the end of each chapter. I'm going to try to actually answer those questions instead of simply reading them and moving on.
The book weighs in at 57 chapters and well over 1,000 pages. And it's far from light reading. So I'm sure it will take me quite some time to work through it. But it's a journey I'm going to enjoy going on.
One of the things that I like about this book is that it has personal application questions at the end of each chapter. I'm going to try to actually answer those questions instead of simply reading them and moving on.
The book weighs in at 57 chapters and well over 1,000 pages. And it's far from light reading. So I'm sure it will take me quite some time to work through it. But it's a journey I'm going to enjoy going on.
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That reminds me a little of Latourette's intro to his two-volume Christian history set. He basically says, "Be glad I'm writing this in the MIDDLE of ongoing Christian history. You're only going to have more to read later."
From what I've seen so far, the thousands of years isn't going to be so much of an issue because Grudem appears to be going to lay out his arguments from the Bible, with little attention to tradition. Meh. That didn't sound right. Let me find how he put it....We'll see how he does it. I've only read the introductory chapter so far, so I'm not sure how he's going to end up treating history and tradition once he gets to deeper subjects.
Thanks for the recommendation -- I've filed it away and will no doubt check it out at some point.
Goodness, I think we were cut from the same...uh...clay.
:)
Can't read a book without a pen in one hand to write death threats in the margins either, eh? :)
However, it can be profitable to argue theology. And I always enjoy learning more about what other people think regarding matters of faith. So I'm continuing on with my reading. I also think that if I do eventually go to seminary, this is not the book they will use as the Systematic Theology text, so I'm looking forward to being familiar with an alternate systematic theology as I end up working through whatever text they do use.
And, for the record, I've ordered a copy of Grentz' Theology for the Community of God based on
So, anyway, while I am enjoying working through Grudem's book, I'm not ready to give it "high praise" (yet?).
I didn't know you knew Jeff. Cool.
And, while what I've read so far isn't too controversial, his writing does smack from time to time as anti-Roman Catholic, anti-Mormon, and anti-Jehovah's Witness. So far, not really in an "in your face" sort of way, but it's still there.
Still, it makes for very interesting reading. I'm not ready to recommend against the book, but I'm not ready to endorse it, either. As this is the first time that I've really looked at a systematic theology text, I'm proceeding with caution.
So, anyway, in the United Methodist denomination, we're happy to ordain women to preach, so I suspect that when I get to Grudem's views on that, I'm going to have some serious thinking to do. ;-)