Handbook of Theological Terms [Paperback]

Harvey (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: Scribner Paper Fiction (September 1, 1964)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020854307
• ISBN-13: 978-0020854302
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,721,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely indispensable, January 27, 2000

By 

Allen Smalling "Constant Reader," (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Handbook of Theological Terms: Their Meaning and Background Exposed in Over 300 Articles (Paperback)

Harvey's little blue paperback is truly the seminarian's friend and I always keep a copy in sight whem I'm preparing a sermon or otherwise committing "God talk" to paper. An especially nice feature of the Handbook is that it points out distinctions between Roman Catholic and Protestant terminologies, important in these ecumenical times when we often dialog together and take courses at each other's colleges and seminaries.

There are glossaries and dictionaries that are more up to date but that's not always an advantage, because their trendiness comes at the expense of excluding theological terms that are centuries old and will be around for centuries to come. I'm not sure the lay person will have much need for the Handbook, but by all means if people at your church are arrogant enough to use terms like "Arianism," "Docetism" or "Prevenient Grace" without defining them, get yourself a copy and fight back!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful dictionary, January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Handbook of Theological Terms: Their Meaning and Background Exposed in Over 300 Articles (Paperback)

This is an enormously helpful small dictionary of theological terms (particularly those used in systematic/doctrinal theology). It is even handed and good on both catholic and protestant terms. I'd recommend it to undergrads in theology classes and graduate students.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The good book..., January 22, 2004

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Handbook of Theological Terms: Their Meaning and Background Exposed in Over 300 Articles (Paperback)

This book, first published in 1964, is a handy little guide for theological terms. It is not the most complete available, nor is it the most authoritative, but in terms of ease of use (and of purchase) it is one of the better volumes. It is a little blue book (making it easy to spot on the shelf), small enough to be portable, and contains over 300 articles on the key terms in theology.

While it is true there has been a lot of theological development in the past 35 years, it is also true that theology has a centuries-old tradition and development, all of which underpins, in one way or another, the current context of theology. Thus, while one might not find the definition of 'womanist theology' contained herein, one will find the most standard terms for the greater portion of Christian history.

The choice of terminology is deliberately limited to systematic and philosophical theological language -- thus, terminology related to or specific to other disciplines (biblical studies, practical ministry, etc.) will not be found here. There are extended discussions on lengthier topics, such as the Trinity, Christology, doctrine of God, etc. There are many Latin and Greek terms, but not too many. There are also general discussions on major historical ideas (Arianism, Pelagianism, etc.) while leaving out other, larger systematic theological schools of thought (Thomism, Lutheranism, etc.).

This is a worthwhile book for Catholics or Protestants, and it is an very good, affordable option for a theological dictionary.