Introducing Christian Doctrine(2nd Edition) [Hardcover]

Millard J. Erickson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

This undergraduate text is an abridged, less technical version of Millard J. Erickson's classic Christian Theology, describing topics such as revelation, the doctrine of God, creation, and providence. A practical and accessible resource with both breadth and substance, this edition adds pedagogical aids, includes a chapter on postmodernity, and features the chapter from Christian Theology contemporizing the gospel message. (59)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This abridgment of Erickson's classic Christian Theology gives an overview of the doctrines of revelation, God, creation, providence, humanity, sin, Jesus Christ, atonement and salvation, the church, and eschatology. Erickson's careful theological reflection is here made accessible to any serious reader.

"Clearly written and well-outlined, this book would serve as an excellent college textbook as well as being accessible to educated laypersons." -Warren McWilliams, Religious Studies Review

"This is an outstanding introduction to theology that should become a standard undergraduate textbook. It's accessible to all general readers, and I strongly recommend it to all bookstores." -John Kohlenberger III, Bookstore Journal

"Unhesitatingly recommended for use in Christian colleges." -Robert A. Pyne and Gary L. Nebeker, Bibliotheca Sacra

"This prominent publication is most worthy of serious study." -The Baptist Standard

"Erickson's goal was to write a briefer version of his popular Christian Theology-with a view to providing a primer of and transition to more extended discussions of theology. As such, Erickson admirably achieved his purposes." -B. Dale Ellenburg, Mid-America Theological Journal

Millard J. Erickson is Distinguished Professor of Theology at Truett Seminary. He is the author of numerous works, including Christian Theology, God in Three Persons, and The Word Became Flesh.

L. Arnold Hustad is professor of theology and philosophy at Crown College, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.

About the Author

Millard J. Erickson is Distinguished Professor of Theology at Truett Seminary and at Western Seminary, Portland. He is the author of numerous works, including Christian Theology, God in Three Persons, and The Word Became Flesh.

L. Arnold Hustad is professor of theology and philosophy at Crown College, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic; 2 edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801022509
• ISBN-13: 978-0801022500
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Millard J. Erickson (B.A., University of Minnesota, B.D., Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, M.A., University of Chicago, Ph.D., Northwestern University) has taught theology at several evangelical seminaries. He has written over twenty-five books and numerous articles. He and his wife, Virginia, have three daughters and live in Mounds View, Minnesota.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Succinct, well-stated theology, January 3, 2002

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introducing Christian Doctrine(2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

My seminary diploma from Bethel has Erickson's signature on it (when he was there back in the 1980's), so I am familiar with this man's work. I studied theology using his Christian Theology text (it was 3 volumes at the time). I love what he has done in this second edition volume of Introducing Christian Doctrine, as he was able to condense his material to fit into 400 pages. He admits in his preface that it was his editor who is reponsible for being able to chop down his work in such a radical way, and I fully understand that the hardest task for a writer to do is to edit down his own work. Anyway, it worked.

We are using this text for the first time in our private Christian high school's junior and senior Bible classes. Some students appear to be a little lost, but many are welcoming the challenge to clearer thinking. The book is not "Theology Light," as another reviewer seemed to suggest, so please don't approach it as "easy." Good systematic theology takes lots of work, plenty of wrestling with scripture, and many restless nights. But I like the fact that this text is a softer approach (without a complete "dumbing down" of the material) for first-time theology students. (I'd be happy to let anyone know the results by the end of 2002 when we will complete this text.) Also, I like about Erickson's attitude is that, while he certainly has presuppositions, he attempts to fairly lay out the possibilities on issues that certainly divide Christians into separate camps. He gives his opinion, but he doesn't treat it as if anyone who disagrees is a heretic. All in all, Erickson's work gets a thumbs up for those who want an overview on the basic teachings of Christianity.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and easy to understand, May 29, 2004

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introducing Christian Doctrine (Hardcover)

I am not a school student anymore, but when I wanted clarification of certain Biblical doctrines, a friend of mine pointed me to this book. This book was written by Dr. Millard J. Erickson, a widely respected Evangelical professor of theology, and is widely used as a textbook throughout the United States. The book is divided into twelve parts: 1) The Doing of Theology (studying and contemporizing theology), 2) God's Revelation, 3) The Nature of God, 4) The Work of God, 5) Humanity , 6) Sin, 7) The Person of Christ, 8) The Work of Christ, 9) The Holy Spirit, 10) Salvation, 11) The Church (nature, government and ordinances), and 12) The Last Things (eschatology).

Unlike what you might expect from a textbook, I found this book to be very readable, with the issues being spelled out in easy to read language, with the different views of the doctrines being explained, with the author then focusing in on his view and how and why it differs from the other views. Overall, this book answered my questions quite nicely, giving me a much better understanding. So, even if you are a simple layperson like me, you will benefit from having this book. I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good quick reference, but Calvinist leaning, May 5, 2010

By 

Jeremy Hiltz (Chelsea, Maine) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Introducing Christian Doctrine(2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

"Introduction to Christian Doctrine" is a great quick reference book for theology for anyone interested in brief understandings of the major views on major subjects with the authors input on which best fits the Scriptures.

Today many people are ignorant concerning any doctrinal position other than their own. In light of that fact it is important for Christians to understand other views than those they are accustomed to.

As Charles Finney noted:

"My brother, sister, friend--read, study, think, and read again. You were made to think. It will do you good to think; to develop your powers by study. God designed that religion should require thought intense thought, and should thoroughly develop our powers of thought. The Bible itself is written in a style so condensed as to require much intense study. Many know nothing of the Bible or of religion, because they will not think and study."

This book will help give you concise descriptions of major views of theology and assist you in reflecting on them.

I rate this book as 4 Starts because the author leans toward Calvinism, and I vehemently disagree with Calvinism.