Customer Reviews

Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth

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3 star:		(1)
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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.

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!

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!

Dr. Ryrie's "Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth" is indeed one of best "basic" theology handbooks available. It is systematic, but it remains faithful to the Bible--this just goes to show that "systematic" and "biblical" are not necessarily at odds with each other as in some systems. Ryrie's work is "basic" in that it devotes over 600 pages to the main areas of theology. This makes it not only a good place for all believers to start off, but also as a handy, quick-reference guide for those in ministry as well. Of course, Dr. Ryrie sticks to a single, normative method of interpretation that serves us well as we look deeper into God's Word.

One criticism: Although I agree with Dr. Ryrie on most issues, it is significant to note that Dr. Ryrie refers to himself, along with some other prominent teachers, as a "moderate" or "4-point" Calvinist. In fact, he is actually a 4-point Biblicist based on his acceptance of a modified form of Unconditional Election. However, if you study the Calvinist T.U.L.I.P. as described by mainstream 5-pointers since the Synod of Dort, you will find that all the "points" stand or fall as a unit--that is how they were developed.

Ignorance of this fact has lead many biblical evangelicals like Dr. Ryrie to misunderstand what each of the 5 points mean. For example, Unconditional Election does not simply mean that salvation is unmerited. Perseverance of the Saints is not to be equated with the biblical doctrine of Eternal Security. Total Depravity actually means total inability, etc. Actually, the author would do all of us a much better service by simply referring to himself as a Biblicist.

Even though his views on unconditional election are not exactly the same as the extreme or 5-point Calvinists, Ryrie nonetheless holds what he terms "unresolved tensions" with Scripture in that area. It is true that even Ryrie's "moderate" position eventually brings one back to nagging doubts about true free will, reprobation, and God being the author of sin. Up until a few years ago I also held to that same classical DTS position, but have since discovered a more scripturally harmonious view similar to the mediate/inductive one advocated by C. Gordon Olson in his books, Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism: An Inductive, Mediate Theology of Salvation and Getting the Gospel Right: A Balanced View of Calvinism and Arminianism.

In spite of our differences on election and use of theological labels, Dr. Ryrie's work remains very true to the Word. It would be hard to go wrong with his book!

I have to admit that this book is excellent. Ryrie presents the theology of Christianity in an easy to understand way, and he saturates the book with scripture references. I don't agree with everything he has to say about the end times and about certain aspects of dispensational theology. But the book is still well outlined, easy to follow, and fun to read, and you can't say those things about too many theology books.

Basic Theology is a very concise and easy to read book on theology. Great for beginners or anyone brushing up on the subject. It covers all the major areas of systematic theology and gives good evidence to counter arguments so that they reader may objectively see both sides of the argument.

I have read several theology books, but chose this one to use for a class of adults at our church. I am developing a 30 week course, you may download the lectures/slides at ... and read sections of Ryrie's book that go along with each lesson. If you are studying Theology by yourself, this is the book to get.

I use this as a text book for a theology class at my church. Charles Ryrie does a good job of covering the doctrines for lay people. The outline format is helpful for clarity and understanding. He is concerned with not only affecting one's mind, but also affecting one's life.

Maybe I am just biased because I have 3 Ryrie Study Bibles and he lectured at the Bible college I attended but I do believe Dr. Charles Ryrie did a very good job on this book.

This book is easy to read, easy to understand, concise, and covers a wide selection of topics as well as it touches every point of Systematic Theology.

For the beginner theologian, I would say Charles Ryrie does a great job explaining some of the different and sometimes difficult aspects of Christian Theology others may be questioning. It doesn't go extremely indepth but enough for you to help others understand their questions.

If you are looking for a more indepth explanation of theology do what other reviewers have suggested and that is to purchase the 4 volume set of Dr. Geisler's Systematic Theology.

If you have had no training in Systematic Theology this book would be a good start for you.

If you want to read a theology book that is easy to read, not boring, not too difficult, and gets to the point, then this book is the one for you to start with.

This book is a great tool to own, to use for your more indepth Bible Studies, and you won't be disappointed. And I recommend it for those who are beginner theologians.

A very readable book on Theology. Because the author is writing this book in modern terminology, the archaic style of expression is left out. The Table of Contents has only 13 sections and each section covers the subject clearly without being too complex. This is a great book for beginners as well as advanced students. Most of the Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible which is easier, for most of us, to understand than the KJV of 1611. Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind , that you may prove what the will of God is,that which is good and acceptable and perfect."