Foundations of the Christian Faith (Master Reference Collection) [Hardcover]

James Montgomery Boice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 1986 | Series: Master Reference Collection

In one systematic volume James Boice provides a readable overview of Christian theology. Students and pastors will both benefit from this rich source that covers all the major doctrines of Christianity. With scholarly rigor and a pastor's heart, Boice carefully opens the topics of the nature of God, the character of his natural and special revelation, the fall, and the person and the work of Christ. He then goes on to consider the work of the Holy Spirit in justification and sanctification. The book closes with careful discussion of ecclesiology and eschatology. In this revised edition of a formerly four-volume work, Boice maintains a remarkable practicality and thoroughness that will make this a standard reference and text for years to come.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 740 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic; 2 Sub edition (June 19, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877849919
• ISBN-13: 978-0877849919
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Theosophy

More About the Author

James Montgomery Boice (1938 - 2000) was senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was also president and cofounder of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the parent organization of The Bible Study Hour on which Boice was a speaker for more than thirty years.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A layman's guide to systematic theology, November 15, 2000

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Foundations of the Christian Faith (Master Reference Collection) (Hardcover)

Obviously Boice has a Presbyterian bent, and though I disagree with some of his conclusions, I still highly recommend this volume. Apparently this used to be a 4-volume work, but it was shortened into one. It is very easy to read, so the layman could get a lot out of it. Boice attempts to give different positions for the issues, offering more than just his viewpoint. Overall, though, he remains very evangelical, and while we can certainly discuss our differences, I appreciate the flavor in which this work was written. Boice is kind but to the point. No doubt that it's long for many laypeople--more than 700 pages--but again, as the cover says, while it is comprehensive, it is still very readable. This book would also be good to keep on the bookshelf and look up theological issues as they come up.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Readable, Interesting, and Thorough, August 17, 2001

By 

David L. Charlesworth (Sugar Land, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Foundations of the Christian Faith (Master Reference Collection) (Hardcover)

If you want to read any book about Christianity (besides the Bible), this is the place to start. Boice is an unusually clear writer; he writes so that the average human can understand him but his thinking is deep enough that most pastors would appreciate his insight. I've read most of CS Lewis' work, and like this book better than Lewis, and I like Lewis! The book is also well indexed, so that it is easy to use it as a reference.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for a kind Calvinist?, April 27, 2007

By 

John A. Grubb (Flagstaff, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Foundations of the Christian Faith (Master Reference Collection) (Hardcover)

If you're looking for a kind, generous, wonderfully readable Calvinist, (the late) Dr. Boice is your man. R.C. Sproul has said that when James Boice died it was like a form of God's judgement on the American nation. That may sound a bit over the top, but the day I heard of Boice's death, I felt a great void.

In my reviews, I don't like to rehash the contents of a book, especially an exceptional book like Foundations. I guess I like readers to savor the experience as the Holy Spirit guides and enlightens.

I will remark about the structure of this book, however, which loosely follows Calvin's Institutes.

It's actually four books packaged as one.

The first book presents God as sovereign Lord, as revealed in Scripture. I like that. A book about theology should begin with God as He is and as He has revealed Himself.

The second book sketches God relative to us fallen, blind human beings. It shows why we need a saviour, and why and how only Jesus fulfills that role.

The third book details how God, through His Spirit, awakens His children to and then immerses them in the work of Christ.

The final book discusses how God works through His Church, that oddball and often inconsistent collection of people he has empowered through faith in Christ to go about doing His will and work until Christ returns.

As you read, you'll get a sense of how you fit in to God's massive scheme of things, assuming of course you have repented of your sin and put your faith in Christ.

I was working on a ranch when I first read this book. My life was a mess. But Foundations, along with Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy, helped me see that God is real, that He loves me, and that His love could and ultimately would transform me.

I can't say my walk with Christ has been smooth. But thanks to godly servants like James Boice, and of course the Lord Himself and His utterly amazing, utterly underserved grace, it has grown rich with age and experience.

May you be so blessed.

God bless.