Lectures in Systematic Theology [Hardcover]

Henry C. Thiessen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1989

In this comprehensive introduction to systematic theology, Thiessen addresses a wide range of substantive issues in sections on theism, bibliology, theology, angelology, anthropology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 466 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Revised edition (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802835295
• ISBN-13: 978-0802835291
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #537,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A layman concerened with truth, November 13, 2003

By 

Trevor O. Stoute (Bridgetown Barbados) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lectures in Systematic Theology (Hardcover)

This work, IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, as a basic work in systematic theology, is top of the class, even after 54 years. Thiessen is concise, and his arguments are Biblical. I highly recommend it, regardless of your level of Biblical education.

I owned/managed a Christian bookstore. I have become quite familar, and in some cases intimately so, with theological writings. Most of the time I was disappointed with the treatment concerning salvation and associated doctrines as they were written primarily from a Calvinist/Reformed viewpoint. I had been looking for a work that dealt with the issues in a strictly Biblical manner, and HCT's work came to my attention.

While researching it I discovered that the original work had been 'edited', and the editing actually changed what HCT had stated originally. I purchased a used copy of the original, borrowed a copy of the edited version and did a comparison, particularly concerning the issues I already mentioned. To my dismay I discovered that HCT's stand and teaching on the matter had been markedly changed.

In reading the original work I was impressed with the similarity of my conclusions from my Biblical understanding to those of HCT. It immediately became my preferred theological work.

In the edited work this statement is made: "Extensive revisions mark the sections on inspiration, election, demons, and pretribulationism." The fact is that what HCT believed was the Biblical position and taught in his work was changed-up to make certain of his positions unrecognizable.

Apart from the theological disposition of the reader, it is, in my view, unethical to add, remove, and change a person's work to the extent that what they originally stated is perverted, that is, is no longer recognizable as the author's position. The upshot of that is that when a post 1979 edition is purchased with HCT's name on the cover, the reader is assuming that the content is the position of the original author. In this case, they are tragically misled.

I searched for and purchased several used coped of the original and sold them in the bookstore, recommending it above all others. I still do recommend it as the best introductory level theology I know of.

If you choose to buy it, search for a pre-1979 edition and get HCT's statements on the issues. They are invaluable.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Introduction to Systematic Theology, August 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lectures in Systematic Theology (Hardcover)

I have both the 1949 edition as well as the 1981 revision of Thiessen's Lectures and I can honestly say that the 1981 revision is a definite improvement over the original work, while retaining the vast majority of the original author's writings intact.

Contrary to what another reviewer said, the revised version's treatment of the Doctrine of Election is more biblically based, fundamentally sound, and theologically correct than the original and certainly represents the scriptural view of Election more faithfully.

Thiessen's work, though not as complete as other major works of theology, such as those by Hodge, Berkhof, Shedd, or Strong, is an excellent resource for pastors to use as an introduction to the study of systematic theology for church leaders or lay ministers. We use Thiessen in our church for training the ministerial staff and it is highly regarded by all of our church leaders. I highly recommend it.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely good, terse introduction to systematic theology, December 10, 2002

By 

David A. Bayliss "DAB" (Delray Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lectures in Systematic Theology (Hardcover)

I used this book as part of a two semester masters course in systematic theology. I -am- dispensationalist so am probably biased but I liked the level of treatment this book gave.
All the topics were tackled, lots of biblical references and it wasn't so wordy that I got bored.
I really liked the section on soteirology, I was actually inspired to get a couple of gospel messages out of it.
Systematic Theology can be dry. This book isn't.