Bible Doctrine [Hardcover]

Wayne Grudem (Author), Jeff Purswell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

How do we know the Bible is God's Word? What is sin and where did it come from? How is Jesus fully God and fully man? What are spiritual gifts? When and how will Christ return? If you've asked questions like these, then 'systematic theology' is no abstract term. It's an approach to finding answers every Christian needs to know. Bible Doctrine takes a highly commended upper-level textbook on systematic theology and makes it accessible to the average reader. Abridged from Wayne Grudem's award-winning Systematic Theology, Bible Doctrine covers the same essentials of the faith, giving you a firm grasp on seven key topics: The Doctrine of the Word of God The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Man The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Future Like Systematic Theology, this book is marked by its clarity, its strong scriptural emphasis, its thoroughness in scope and detail, and its treatment of such timely topics as spiritual warfare and the gifts of the Spirit. But you don't need to have had several years of Bible school to reap the full benefits of Bible Doctrine. It's easy to understand--and it's packed with solid, biblical answers to your most important questions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

How do we know the Bible is God’s Word? What is sin and where did it come from? How is Jesus fully God and fully man? What are spiritual gifts? When and how will Christ return? If you’ve asked questions like these, then “systematic theology” is no abstract term. It’s an approach to finding answers every Christian needs to know.

Bible Doctrine takes a highly commended upper-level textbook on systematic theology and makes it accessible to the average reader. Abridged from Wayne Grudem’s award-winning Systematic Theology, Bible Doctrine covers the same essentials of the faith, giving you a firm grasp on seven key topics: ? The Doctrine of the Word of God ? The Doctrine of God ? The Doctrine of Man ? The Doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit ? The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption ? The Doctrine of the Church ? The Doctrine of the Future

Like Systematic Theology, this book is marked by its clarity, its strong scriptural emphasis, its thoroughness in scope and detail, and its treatment of such timely topics as spiritual warfare and the gifts of the Spirit. But you don’t need to have had several years of Bible school to reap the full benefits of Bible Doctrine. It’s easy to understand—and it’s packed with solid, biblical answers to your most important questions -- Publisher

From the Publisher

Systematic theology can be an intimidating subject to tackle. But Bible Doctrine makes it accessible to students and laypersons who want to understand more about the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Mankind, Redemption, the Church, and the Future. An abridgment of Grudem's classic text, Systematic Theology, this book meets a need expressed by many who value his scholarship and writing ability but want a theology book that is understandable on a non-graduate-student level. Thorough without being overbearing, Bible Doctrine is a user-friendly book that covers all the main topics in systematic theology.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; Abridged edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310222338
• ISBN-13: 978-0310222330
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Theology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must-buy, March 13, 2000

By 

Justin Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible Doctrine (Hardcover)

This condensed version of Grudem's Systemtic Theology, edited by Jeff Purswell, is an excellent resource for any library. Most pastors and teachers will probably stick with the larger volume, but for laypeople, this edition is hard to beat.

I have used this book in teaching Sunday School, and have been fairly impressed with the editorial decisions made. The book is accessible and yet meaty. Added are review questions and a very helpful glossary. Highly recommended!

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Stick with the big book, March 28, 2006

By 

Mark (Bordentown, NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bible Doctrine (Hardcover)

As a HUGE fan of Grudem's original Systematic Theology (as my review of that book makes clear), I thought this might make a good alternative to recommend to church members who may be a little intimidated by the larger volume. I haven't found it to be as useful as I had hoped. Issues come up where people in the church have questions on certain subjects, and more often than not, this book doesn't address the subject they want to look into.

For example, someone approached me wanting to learn more about how the Bible came into being and why we believe that these particular writings are considered the inspired word of God. I looked in the chapters on the word of God in this volume, and it doesn't even address the subject of how and by what criteria the canon came to be defined. I know this volume is just supposed to cover the basics, but if we haven't established why we consider these particular writings to be the authoritative word of God, we have no basis for saying anything else.

I think that the problem is that the original Systematic Theology was already so readable and easy to understand that the editors of this volume weren't really able to improve upon it from that standpoint; all they accomplished was to chop away a lot of useful material. If you're looking for a good, readable, understandable presentation of Christian beliefs for the lay person, I'd recommend that you spend the extra money and get Grudem's original Systematic Theology instead.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro for the beginning theologian!, December 2, 2002

By 

Internet Guru "neoscion" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible Doctrine (Hardcover)

I found this book easy to read and theologically solid. The arguments presented were great introductions to the deeper issues of systematic theology. Grudem, humbly weighs important issues with an emphasis on Biblical truth opposed to the temptation of sentimentalism. Honestly, if you are not intimidated by the size of Grudem's "Systematic Theology", I would recommend that you go ahead and buy that one instead. On the other hand, if you want to "get through" a great systematic study this might be more what you're looking for. To put it another way, Bible Doctrine would be a great text book for grades eleven through college, but Systematic Theology could keep you going up through intro classes in seminary.