Customer Reviews

Lectures in Systematic Theology

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This book by H.C. Thiessen was originally published in 1940s. This particular revision from 1979 is a true disappointment, save the update to the New American Standard. I strongly recommend getting an older publishing of this book (pre-1979). The most obvious difference in this revision is the section on Election. While Thiessen held that election was based upon foreknowledge (and indeed presents an awesome case in pre-1979 editions), the 1979 undermines his position and replaces it with unconditional election. Looks like a hyper-Calvinist got a hold of the book! All I know, is that if my dying work was this book and some fella came along 30 years later and imposed his false doctrine, undermining my position, I would sure be upset. God bless Thiessen, He was a great Bible teacher and may this corruption of his work be done away with!

This is a conservative, pre-millineal theology which is in line with the Baptist denominations as well as most non-denominational Bible churches. It also generally agrees with Chafer, Scofield, Walvoord, Geisler, and Ryrie.

I like the logic, the concise presentation - lots of inline partial quotes from references. I also like the organization very well. Even though I own several excellent theology books and sets, this is the one I really use the most.

This book is one of the best introductory systematic theology books out there. This book can go side-by-side with Charles Ryrie's "Basic Theology". Both books are for introductory level systematic theology students, and both are dispensationally oriented. Thiessen gives concise yet full treatments on every doctrine out there in evangelical theology. He does not go on and on with each doctrine, but goes right to the point. The change made by the most recent edition of the book regarding predestination is correct. This is the only dark spot about Thiessen's views. The editors were correct when they opted for the Calvinistic view of election rather than the Arminian. However, besides that one minor error, this book is a good way to start off systematic theology study before going into those multi-volume works. It is unfortunate that dispensationally oriented systematic theology books are few. Chafer's eight-volume work may be considered out-of-date even with classical dispensationalists. For all those looking for a good introductory level systematic theology book, this does the job.

I had this book in college and sold it....I regret it.
Now and updated edition,I have it once again never more
to depart.

My husband has told me to buy 5 of these books to give as gifts to people we care the most about. He and I read this book (borrowed from our pastor's library) together. It is a great book to teach you what God's character is. This book would give a new believer in Christ a very strong foundation. It is also set up that you need not read it from cover to cover as my husband and I did. You can read section, paragraph, or chapter and get alot of solid good teaching. Highly recommend. Obviously would buy again, already did!

This book provides a more "conversational" style to systematic theology. It is easy to read and speculative in a few areas. This book is much easier to use than sifting through a multiple volume systematic theology set, and it still provides moderate depth. I don't think I hold it quite elevate it to the same level of respect (among other authors writing the same type of book) as Thiessen's Introduction to the New Testament (which I would highly recommend as a NT survey book). This book does provide a good reference at times but lacks sufficient development of ideas (the author probably views these things as self evident) on some topics. Thiessen's theological background is lauded and makes a good systematic based around fundamentalism. I would choose Chafer first. More familiarity with this volume may change my mind a bit since this book is highly recommended by others in my church.

Thiessen follows the Princeton theologians in his layout and handling of theology, yet differs extensively with a number of aspects of Calvinistic theology. The reading style is a little tough; however, I completed the work before I entered college, so some of my recollection may simply be a reflection on my reading skills at the time. Thiessen's doctrine is conservative and relies heavily on Scripture. Overall, the work is not all that impressive, but yet it serves as a scholarly introduction to the topic of Systematic Theology (albeit, not quite as good as Ryrie). I would recommend this work for those beginning their foray into the field of Systematic Theology, having completed Ryrie's work (Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth), but yet looking for a little more depth.