The aim of systematic theology is to engage not only the head but also the heart and hands. Only recently has the church compartmentalized these aspects of life—separating the academic discipline of theology from the spiritual disciplines of faith and obedience. This multivolume work brings together rigorous historical and theological scholarship with spiritual disciplines and practical insights—characterized by a simple, accessible, comprehensive, Reformed, and experiential approach. In this volume, Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley shift from the doctrine of God (theology proper) to the doctrine of humanity (anthropology) and the doctrine of Christ (Christology). This extensive reformed theology explores the Bible's teaching about who we are and why we were created, as well as who Jesus is and why his divinity is essential to the Christian faith.
In the late 1800s, the president of Rochester Theological Seminary toiled away ceaselessly to complete a very important project. His intent was to provide his students and colleagues with comprehensive tools to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)... But the finished work that materialized from his devoted study would go on to change the scholarly world forever. By 1907, Augustus Hopkins Strong--the same man who compiled the famously celebrated Strong's Concordance (1890), an obvious must-have for any serious student of the Bible--emerged with a new, magnum opus masterpiece: Systematic Theology. As the title reveals, its approach to developing a healthy understanding of foundational Christian doctrine requires placing scattered scriptural references on any one theological subject together in a single parent category, reflecting upon the original author's words in context to surrounding Scripture, and then thoroughly studying what those verses all have to say about a theological topic when combined. This practice of organizing biblical truths into categorical systems makes it impossible to casually and haphazardly take a verse out of context--or to personally approach God with a weak, flimsy expectation of His order, design, and character--which is why researchers, students, scholars, and lay believers all over the world have relied heavily upon Strong's work since the day it went to print. Strong's Systematic Theology is so exhaustive and thorough that, from the beginning, it required being subdivided into three major volumes: The Doctrine of God, The Doctrine of Man, and The Doctrine of Salvation. Defender Publishing is proud to republish this extraordinary 3-Volume masterpiece as a resource and study tool for scholars and all students of the Bible, that their lives and faith "may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17).
The church needs good theology that engages the head, heart, and hands. This four-volume work combines rigorous historical and theological scholarship with application and practicality—characterized by an accessible, Reformed, and experiential approach. In this volume, Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley explore the first two of eight central themes of theology: revelation and God.
This volume starts off by ending the last part of the first volume and then going into the human doctrine that is taught in the Bible. Such topics such as the nature of humanity, the nature of sin and what makes up the image of God within us is the bulk of the topics that are covered within this work. Finishing off is some talk on the doctrine of the work and office of Christ and the topic of salvation and how that works out theologically.
This new edition of Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem is one of the most important resources for helping you understand Scripture and grow as a Christian. The most widely used resource of the last 25 years in its area, Systematic Theology has been thoroughly revised and expanded for the first time while retaining the features that have made it the standard in its field: clear explanations, an emphasis on each doctrine's scriptural basis, and practical applications to daily life. With nearly 250 pages of new content and revisions, this new edition now includes the following distinctive features: Updated analysis of recent controversies within evangelical theology, including the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son in the Trinity, the role of women in the church, miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, and contemporary worship music. New discussion and critiques of recent theological controversies situated outside of traditional evangelical theology, such as open theism, the "new perspective on Paul," Molinism (or "middle knowledge"), "Free Grace" theology, and the preterist view of Christ's second coming. Completely revised chapter on the clarity of Scripture. Completely revised chapter on creation and evolution, including a longer critique of theistic evolution and an extensive discussion on the age of the earth. New discussion of how biblical inerrancy applies to some specific "problem verses" in the Gospels. Additional material explaining evangelical Protestant differences with Roman Catholicism, Protestant liberalism, and Mormonism. Completely updated bibliographies. All Scripture quotations updated from RSV to ESV. Updated section on contemporary worship music. Numerous other updates and corrections. Part of the brilliance of Systematic Theology has been its simplicity and ease of use. Each chapter follows the same structure: discussion of the doctrine being considered, an explanation of that doctrine's biblical support and possible objections, followed by personal application and key terms to know for personal growth. Chapters also include a Scripture memory passage, references to other literature on the topic, and suggested hymns and worship songs. If you think theology is hard to understand or boring, then this new edition of Systematic Theology will change your mind.
The second volume of the eminent Christian philosopher’s magnum opus, in which he explores humanity’s quest for Christ. Paul Tillich’s Systemic Philosophy is the most comprehensive and definitive presentation of his groundbreaking theological message: his “method of correlation”, which finds the answers to humanity’s most urgent existential dilemmas in the principles of Christian revelation. In volume two of this three-volume work, Tillich comes to grips with the central idea of his system—the doctrine of the Christ. Here, Tillich describes the human predicament as the state of “estrangement” from ourselves, from our world, and from the divine Ground of Being. This situation drives us to the quest for a new state of things, in which reconciliation and reunion conquer estrangement. This is the quest for the Christ.
"Here is catechesis at its best, instructing the student of theology, providing pastors with a sermon-enriching manual, and giving growing Christians a resource book that will both inform and nourish them, as well as provide endless theological enjoyment!" — Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries The aim of systematic theology is to engage not only the head but also the heart and hands. Only recently has the church compartmentalized these aspects of life—separating the academic discipline of theology from the spiritual disciplines of faith and obedience. This multivolume work brings together rigorous historical and theological scholarship with spiritual disciplines and practical insights—characterized by a simple, accessible, comprehensive, Reformed, and experiential approach. In this volume, Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley unpack the work and role of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology) and salvation (soteriology). The authors examine the Holy Spirit's role in the history of salvation, the order of salvation, and the believers' experience of salvation. As readers consider the interrelationship between the Spirit and salvation, they are invited to explore the direct activity of the Lord in their lives for their salvation.
"So the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."" (Exodus 33:17-18) Moses hungered to see God's glory. He pleaded: "Show me, I pray you, your glory." This should be our prayer as we study the doctrine of God. Reverent hunger to see God's glory should motivate us. We must hunger to see the glory of his existence, knowledge, nature, names, and decree. We must hunger to know God and thirst after the knowledge of God. Further, the Lord promised to give Moses the desire of his heart: "I will make all my good-ness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before you." God also fulfilled this promise. When we come to God with reverent hunger, he will fill our hearts with the knowledge of himself. He will not disappoint us. He will surely show us his glory, and satisfy us with the display of his Name. ...We should not approach the doctrine of God with a critical spirit, or as a philosophical quest with a hunger for speculation. If any course in systematic theology should evoke spiritual hunger, this one should. The doctrine of God should never be dull, or dry, or speculative, or philosophical. It should pulse with spiritual life and hunger. Let's approach this subject with Moses' disposition. (Excerpt from the book)
Historical Theology presents the key pillars of the contemporary church and the development of those doctrines as they evolved from the history of Christian thought. Most historical theology texts follow Christian beliefs in a strict chronological manner with the classic theological loci scattered throughout various time periods, movements, and controversies—making for good history but confusing theology. This companion to the classic bestseller Systematic Theology is unique among historical theologies. Gregg Allison sets out the history of Christian doctrine according to a topical-chronological arrangement—one theological element at a time instead of committing to a discussion of theological thought according to its historical appearance alone. This method allows you to: Contemplate one tenet of Christianity at a time, along with its formulation in the early church—through the Middle Ages, Reformation, and post-Reformation era, and into the modern period. Become familiar with the primary source material of Christian history's most important contributors, such as Cyprian, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Barth, and others. Understand the development of evangelical doctrine with a focus on the centrality of the gospel. Discern a sense of urgent need for greater doctrinal understanding in the whole church. Historical Theology is an easy-to-read textbook for any Christian who wants to know how the church has come to believe what it believes today. Gregg Allison's clear and concise structure make this resource an ideal introduction to Christian doctrine.
In this volume, the third and last of his Systematic Theology, Paul Tillich sets forth his ideas of the meaning of human life, the doctrine of the Spirit and the church, the trinitarian symbols, the relation of history to the Kingdom of God, and the eschatological symbols. He handles this subject matter with powerful conceptual ability and intellectual grace. The problem of life is ambiguity. Every process of life has its contrast within itself, thus driving man to the quest for unambiguous life or life under the impact of the Spritual Presence. The Spritual Presence conquers the negativities of religion, culture, and morality, and the symbols anticipating Eternal Life present the answer to the problem of life.
