Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth [Hardcover]

Charles C. Ryrie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 1999

Everyone is a theologian of sorts. Theology simply means thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way. But sloppy theology is a problem. As Christians, our thoughts about God need to coincide with what He has said about Himself in the Bible. With his clear understanding of the Scriptures and unpretentious writing style, Charles Ryrie has written Basic Theology for every student of God's Word, from the devotional student to the seminary student. Ryrie's name has become synonymous with dispensational theology and his texts on the subject invaluable to the Bible scholar. Featuring charts, definitions, and Scripture and subject indices, Basic Theology will give you a clear and comprehensive picture of Ryrie's approach to systematic theology. Its 94 chapters are arranged in outline style for easy reference. Considerable emphasis is given to explaining the dispensational view of the end times.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"We're all theologians of one sort or another," says author Charles Ryrie. "Theology simply means thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way."Within these pages, you'll find:-A basic handbook of theology written in plain English for every Christian-A systematic overview of the Bible's major doctrines, including God, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, the church, Satan, sin, salvation, man, angels, demons, events to come, and more-A glossary of theological terms-A list of key Scripture passages for the study of theologyReading this book with help you begin to think about how God wants to conform you to the image of Christ. Designed with personal application in mind, Basic Theology will provide you with sound theology, which in turn produces holy living.

About the Author

CHARLES C. RYRIE (A.B., Haverford College; Th.M. and Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary; Ph.D., University of Edinburgh; Litt.D., Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary) is a renowned author and scholar. He has written numerous books, including The Ryrie Study Bible, Basic Theology, Balancing the Christian Life, The Holy Spirit, Dispensationalism Today, Revelation, Survey of Bible Doctrine, and So Great Salvation, which rank among his best-selling titles. Dr. Ryrie is the father of three children and resides in Dallas, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (January 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802427340
• ISBN-13: 978-0802427342
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Theology

More About the Author

Charles C. Ryrie has written 30 books, including bestselling titles The Ryrie Study Bible, Balancing the Christian Life, and Basic Theology. He is professor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary and has served as adjunct professor at Philadelphia Biblical University, Bibelschule Brake, and The Criswell College.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on basic conservative evangelical theology, April 19, 2005

By 

theologicalresearcher "theologicalresearcher" (Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Hardcover)

If you're trying to find a theology book that is easy to read, not to difficult, and gets to the point on every matter, this book is for you. Ryrie does an excellent job presenting every theological category from Theology proper to Eschatology in an easy and understandable way. Though it is not an indepth systematic theology textbook like those other ones that contain over a 1000 pages, this book won't disappoint you. Even though Ryrie doesn't spend pages upon pages on explaining or proving a doctrine he can get right to the matter with a few paragraphs. Although written from a dispensationalist and moderately Calvinistic perspective, you will not see harsh polemics against other views. Even his chapter on Eschatology doesn't contain harsh diatribe against opposing views but presents alternative views fairly and clearly. Also, his section on soteriology is very helpful emphasizing God's grace to the fullest. Even though Ryrie could have put in more categories in his book, it is understandable that he doesn't since this book is supposed to give readers a basic outline of major evangelical doctrines. If you're a new seminary student or a Christian just trying to understand what they teach at systematic theology courses this book is the right place to start. However, if you're planning to purchase this book, I would recommend you the newer edition published by Moody. The newer edition has better fonts, paper type, and a new section on Bible passages. Overall, this book should be had by any Christian that wants to understand the doctrines that come from the Bible.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Systematic Theology I Read, September 6, 2004

By 

Barry Parker (Clio, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Hardcover)

I finished reading Basic Theology in 1991 right after I returned from Iraq. After Bible College and Seminary we pastors sometimes accidentally reccomend resources that are out of the reach of many of our parishoners. This one is an exception! Have no fear of reccomending this text for anyone, especially new believers (and young people who are seeking to understand the Bible.) When I baptize a new believer I purchase them a Ryrie study Bible. It is not that I endorse all that Ryrie teaches, but the consistancy he brings in his study Bible is helpful. Besides, if this book is purchased as a companion to The Ryrie Study Bible, Ryrie's bias can be compensated for since it is known.

R. Bultmann (proving a broken clock is right twice daily) once said that "presuppositionless exegesis is impossible." To understand the presuppositions behind the Ryrie Study Bible examining Basic Theology has no second!

Dr. Robert Stein once said in Hermeneutics class that everyone should learn one system of Theology as a touch stone to compare all other systems one encounters. For a young Christian this is a perfect example of a touch stone to enter into dialogue with other systems of Theology.

Several high school students were so impressed with (in a previous church) that they saved their allowances and each bought a copy. They were not disappointed. It was exciting that they were able to begin to access the Bible in a systematic manner. Ryrie puts it all together, in a readable format.

If you are looking for a present to give on Epiphany Sunday this is an excellent gift. The value of the ease of reading cannot be stressed enough! This was part of his goal in writing and he accomplishes this and his other goals in an agreeable manor. There is a glossary in the back that explains the technical words which the average layman does not know, but should learn. This is not the text my Bible college used for Introduction to Doctrine, but there are several that do use it as an introductory text book.

For those who are not a fan of Ryrie or Dispensational Theology (whether progressive, traditional or classic), this book is still worth having. Ryrie consistantly honors God and holds an undeniably high view of Scripture. He is doing his best to engage the text, aware of his own bias. We should be so humble as to write a book that people can understand! Ryrie demonstrates his firm grasp of the content of the Bible as he put this book together in simple (not simplistic or reductionistic) terms. If your goal is to read and understand the major doctrines of Scripture, and you want a book that does not impress with fancy words, but with understandable language, then book is for you. BUY THIS BOOK!

If you are looking for more in depth studies in systematics I reccomend that you purchase Grudem's Systematic Theology and purchase all of the books in his cross reference system. If you are not infinitely rich then I would rccomend the following books to buy: Lewis Sperry Chafer's Systematic Theology eight volumes in four books for a fuller treatment of Dispensational Theology; Robert Reymond's A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, now in its revised and updated printing for current reformed theology; Francis Pieper's 4 volume Christian Dogmatics for a conservative Lutheran perspective (reformed leanings); Millard Erickson's Christian Theology, now in its second edition for Baptist thinking; Paul Tillich's Systematic Theology if you really want a philosophy book rather than a theology book and Wolfhardt Pannenberg's three volume Systematic Theology for very helpful continental Lutheran theology. Grudem's and Erickson's have condensed shorten versions which are similiar to Ryrie, but Ryrie is not condensed or shortened - it is just easy to read. Ryrie is the BEST place to start!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, December 28, 1999

By 

His disciple; [e-mail] (Ft. Worth, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Hardcover)

Ten years ago, a man that was discipling me gave me a copy of this book. This book is now the most read and re-read book in my personal library. Ryrie carefully explains basic Christian doctrine so that every person can understand it! Ryrie is the quintessential conservative theologian! Do you sometimes read articles/books/journals on specific doctrines and come away frustrated, not knowing what to believe? Rest peacefully, Ryrie's book is one that you can trust to help guide you in your faith. I recommend this book this book without reservation!