Customer Reviews

Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
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Grudem's book is an excellent overview of the basics of Chistian beliefs from a Reformed point of view. The chapters are between 3-5 pages, just long enough for a new Christian to read and digest the material without getting bogged down in a lot of detailed discussion. That is not to say that this book is light on doctrine or details. All of the fundamentals are there. While it is written from a Reformed point of view, the book is applicable for all evangelical Christian perspectives. I know Pentecostal churches that use this book for new Christian classes. I am using this book as a text for a Christian Foundations class, and it is working well. For a new Christian, or for someone wanting to know the basics of Christian beliefs, this is a great starting point. For more in-depth study, I would also recommend Grudem's book Bible Doctrines, which is the next step up, and also his book Systematic Theology, which is extremely readable and detailed.

I love this book because the way Mr. Grudem speaks is like having a chat with a friend not talking to a intellectual. The issues he covers are clearly presented in ways that make it easy to follow. The systematic approach is clear and concise. Another thing I like is I can go back and grab a chapter for review and not have to worry about having read the other chapters. One final thought is that I appreciate how both sides of an argument are addressed. The author doesn't simply state the position he believes and leave you wondering about the other side of the story. He discusses the challenges that the theological position he is taking often faces.

I have read Grudem's Systematic Theology and Bible Doctrine. Christian Beliefs provides a wonderful introduction and practical guide concerning the primary doctrines of the Bible. It is written in such a way that even the young reader can understand.
I have found Wayne Grudem to be clear and precise.

Grudem's Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine is my "go-to" book for questions on almost any point of doctrine. It is thorough yet accessible, easy to read yet well referenced. I love it.

His Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know is helpful as well, but for very different reasons.

POSITIVES:
- Perfect for new Christians.
- Lots of helpful Scripture references.
- Great questions for review and application (at the end of every chapter).
- Helpful appendices on Historic Creeds and Suggested Further Reading.

NEGATIVES:
- Not great for non-Christians (or skeptics) because much of what is written leaves a skeptic's questions unanswered.
- Not great for mature Christians. I find myself going back to his Systematic Theology often because Christian Beliefs doesn't provide a full defense for many of its arguments.

I would highly recommend this for new converts, but don't think it's as helpful for skeptics. For the seasoned Christian, Grudem's Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine is a must!

This book is a great place to start in studying theology. For me, it was a lot of review, but it was good to have the refresher. It also put some terminology to some of the doctrinal beliefs I already had (I guess I just didn't know what they were called). This book is a condensed version (150 pages) of Grudem's Systematic Theology (1290 pages). I'm anxious to dig into Systematic Theology after reading Christian Beliefs to get a more comprehensive knowledge of God and the Bible. I don't necessarily agree with all of the doctrines outlined in this book, but nevertheless, it's good to know what the different doctrines are and the scriptural basis for each.

This is a "dumbed-down" version of Grudems's tome on Systematic Theology. It's basically "Theology for Dummies". Grudem does a great job of presenting solid theology in a way that most Christians don't feel overwhelmed like they would reading his larger work. It's good for small groups. We used it in our college ministry with the topic "20 Questions" and took a chapter a week. We are now starting it in our home group.

This book is very God centered, and Bible saturated. Grudem takes the basics and explains them so that you can have a foundation to build from. This book is great for a new believer. Grudem takes each chapter and explains the subject so that every one can understand them. And them if you want to know more information on a topic you can refer back to his Systematic Theology book. The chapters in this book paralleled that book well and make it a great way of learning more about the topic. I would say this one should be in everyone's to library

Was happy to get this book and appreciate the clear, very simple way it explains classic orthodox beliefs. But I have some concern that while it only takes 4 pages to summarize Christ, 3.5 pages for the Atonement, 2.5 for Resurrection, it then devotes TEN pages to Election. Wasn't too keen on how the large segment of the Church which does not hold such a rigidly reformed view are characterized in that chapter as well - a wee bit condescending. So maybe the subtitle should be "twenty basics that every reformed christian should know." Otherwise, it's good!

This is the textbook for a Theology course I am taking. I find it informative, easy to read for a lay person. I understand that the author, Grudem, has a much more in-depth book designed for seminarians and/or [wo]men of the cloth; but this edition is concise and an easier read for our class purposes.

I purchased two books - one for me and one for the 7th grader I'm meeting with on a bi-weekly basis. Depending on the length of the chapter, we're covering a half to a whole chapter each time we meet. I like the depth of the book and think it's totally appropriate to study with a teenager. It's a great foundational tool to cover the basics of the Christian faith. And it answers some of those questions that you know you should know the answer to, but can't find the right words to do so. The questions at the end of the chapters are great for discussion, but it's also good to just go through the chapter to see what points stuck out to each of us. We only started a few weeks ago, so we're only a few chapters in...but so far, we both enjoy it.