Customer Reviews

Bible Doctrine

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This work by Grudem is solid and easy to read. I guess one would purchase this for the application sections? For a much more in depth examination of Christian doctrine, one is better to purchase Grudem's systematic theology. Or even better-from the same tradition, R.L Reymond's recent systematic theology.

Bible Doctrine is one of the textbooks I have assigned reading from in a doctrine/theology small group I lead at my church. Edited by Jeff Purswell, Waynge Grudem's 1,200 page Systematic Theology is neatly trimmed down to a mere 450 pages, yet retains the overall force of Grudem's argument. Written in a clear and concise didactic form, Grudem exposits hundreds of Scripture passages that supports his Calvinist/Baptist theology mixed with a dash of Pentecostalism.

The sub-title says "Essentials Teachings of the Christian Faith" which is for the most part true. However, Grudem/Purswell include a chapter called "Male and Female" that simply is a chapter devoted to the subordination of women-something that is hardly "essential."

nevertheless, this is a great book for anyone wanting to learn the basic doctrines of the Christian faith or Calvinistic doctrine. At the end of every chapter there are some review questions for mastering the material and application questions for making the material relevant to real life.

I've got a lot of reference books on the bookshelf near my computer desk. Some I haven't opened for years but keep around just in case, others I can't go a week without opening. Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem is one of the ones I refer to all the time. I have given this book away so many times now I have forgotten how many, for me it is just one of those books. It is my favourite reference book and probably the only reference books I could read cover to cover on an ongoing basis if I had the time.

I first came upon Wayne Grudem by accident because I accidently purchased his book Systematic Theology instead of another book I was looking for with the same title. As a relatively new Christian at the time I was impressed with the understandable style that that book explained Christian doctrines. Wayne Grudem has a core belief that doctrine should be biblical, practical and understandable. He always writes and teaches in a way that embodies this belief. As a busy young person with little time I was delighted when I found out that Systematic Theology had been abridged.

Bible Doctrine is a more condense version of Systematic Theology, making it more accessible which is good for people too busy to wade through the textbook style. Despite its condenseness it maintains its depth and thoroughness. It sets out to introduce and cover essential teachings of the Christian faith for people to study once they have decided to become a Christian. Grudem's style of writing is a nice balance between clear understandable language and complete coverage of the important stuff. He does not compromise depth for clarity but finds a way to manage both.

When I was in youth ministry I would often use this book to "check" my doctrine as I prepared bible studies or messages. I would use the application questions and review questions and adapt for use in the group studies I ran, and I memorised the memory passages at the end of each chapter. I honestly believe I could give this book to my pastor or to high school students and they could both benefit from it.

It is clear that Grudem ascribes to a reformed position of theological issues, although he is not shy to challenge things like infant baptism. Although he does offer various perspectives on issues that have caused divide within Christendom, he is willing to state with authority his own conclusions on the matter. He is able to do this because he teaches from the Bible, using it as his primary source, a radical and refreshing decision for a modern Bible teacher to make.
I love this book. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone but especially to Christians looking for clear communication of core doctrines in a practical but reverent way. As I have mentioned I have given it away countless times, and the price makes it easy to do that. I would suggest getting this book and reading it cover to cover as a study guide and using it as a reference after that. Having correct doctrine is important and Wayne Grudem gives you a passion to study and learn more about the Bible.

This book is a great theology book. The layout is excellent. It is easy reading. The theology is thourough. It gives many sides although you can tell which view the author takes. It's very good. I would recommend this book for every Christian to read.

In Bible Doctrine, a condensed version of his longer Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem provides an excellent resource for study groups, Sunday School classes or individual study. When I first purchased this book to use in teaching a youth Sunday School class, I was a little hesitant as most Bible doctrine books I had seen either oversimplified things or was so difficult to understand it made teaching from it almost impossible. However, Grudem's writing style here was simple and quite easy to understand, yet at the same time did not sacrifice key elements of doctrine in order to obtain that simplicity.

Grudem covers what he views as seven key topics of Christianity: The Doctrines of the Word of God, God, Man, Christ and the Holy Spirit, Application of Redemption, the Church, and the Future. Each is divided up into several chapters that read very much like a class outline. There are review questions, application questions, special terms and Scripture memory passages at the end of each chapter.

What I especially appreciate about Grudem is the way in which he presents varying viewpoints on issues that have presented some disagreement. Because this book seems designed for classroom use, space does not allow him to dive into all the nuances of each argument, yet he still manages to present most, if not all sides quite fairly, presenting Scriptural arguments used to support each. While he divulges which view he holds to, he does it in such a way as to encourage the reader to further study the issue and decide for himself.

For example, while discussing the topic of Creation under the Doctrine of God, he briefly touches on the fact that many evangelicals disagree on the age of the earth. He presents arguments for both an old and a young earth, with Scriptural support and interpretation for each. His conclusion was that while "Scripture seems to be more easily understood to suggest (but not to require) a young earth view.... It should be said at this point that, with the information we now have, it is not at all easy to decide this question with certainty. The possibility must be left open that God has chosen not to give us enough information to come to a clear decision on this question and the real test of faithfulness to him may be the degree to which we can act charitably toward those who in good conscience and full belief in God's Word hold to a different position on this matter." (p.139)

It is with this wisdom that Grudem approaches many of the topics and one of the main reasons I would highly recommend this book, especially for beginners of theological study. It's ease of use and understandability make it a valuable addition to any bookshelf.

This book is fantastic. Grudem not only lays doctrine out in a clear and easy to understand manner, he also cites scripture throughout. In one case after he asserts one part of doctrine on the sufficiency of the bible, he cites scripture 24 times!

This is a great book for anyone wanting a better understanding of doctrine and doctrinal issue and can also be a great book for a small group study!

This book is a concise handbook of theology, condensed from a larger volume, though still broad in scope at 528 pages. As the title suggests, it is about Biblical doctrines, which adhere to, and emerge from the Scriptures, rather than speculative doctrines derived more from man's philosophical suppositions. The author's view is Reformed Theology, upholding and explaining the doctrinal claims of Martin Luther, and John Calvin, etc.; such as TULIP, among others.

This orthodoxy of Biblical interpretation is so refreshing today in light of the rampant liberal doctrines so popularly preached in the modern church. You WON'T find the partial depravity of man, decisional salvation, cheap grace, easy believism, or ineffectual atonement in this text.

Instead, you'll find a concise Biblical exposition on the most important doctrines of Scripture. One of my favorite explanations in this book is the order of salvation: Election, Call, Regeneration, Conversion, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Perseverence, Death, Glorification. How satisfying to understand the transformational experience of the new birth. When you understand such things you can become a much more effective witness and give a correct Biblical answer for why you believe what you believe.

This author rightly divides the word. He begins in the right place. The assumptions, or foundational view from which we begin interpretation determines to a large extent the conclusions we draw. So that's why it's so important to get it right, hopefully sooner rather than later. And that's why I recommend the book.