Customer Reviews

The Moody Handbook of Theology

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a well written and well organized reference on the major branches of Christian theology. It is written from a Protestant/evangelical perspective but still gives adequate treatment to many other views including Roman Catholicism, liberal theologies and significant historical positions. Includes dozens of useful charts, some of which I have seen reprinted in other theology texts.

I particularly like the way the author develops the various layers of theological work starting with exegesis and biblical theology as the underpinning for systematics, dogmatics then contemporary etc. These relationships were not clear to me until I saw them in this book.

If you study theology to any degree, and especially if you are just starting to study it, this is dollar for dollar one of the best books you can invest in. Each topic is treated briefly but with sufficent depth to clarify the various views to help make further study fruitful. There are many lists of other works in the chapter end notes - also has a good subject index. I love this book and expect to continue using it often.

Enns does an excellent job in taking a very complex subject (namely, theology) and breaking it down into a very readable format. While he certainly has his personal theological bent, it is not very apparent throughout much of the book, as he seems to honestly tackle the different styles and beliefs of doctrines. He is very effective in objectively (as far as it can be done) describing the various systems of belief. Numerous charts found throughout the book accentuate the discussion of the different chapters. The glossary in the back includes 1-2-sentence defintions, and while this is perhaps too simple, I could see this being advantageous for a beginner who is easily overwhelmed. For someone who would like an overview of theology, I would think this book should be a most valuable research tool.

I have read many "theology" books, and this one rates among the best. This book goes into depth that will assist someone in full time ministry, but the material is explained in a way that anyone else can easily comprehend it. Paul Enns did an outstanding job at organizing truths and principles found in the Word of God into easily understood topics. The material is rock solid, since it is based entirely on the Bible itself. This book is a necessity for addition to anyone's library.

Paul Enns writes in a style easily read by most high school "B" students. This book is rather comprehensive in subjects, and covers most subjects rather well. It speaks to opposing (theological) views and explains the differences very well. It will introduce and explain issues related to basic subjects that, unless you've attended in-depth theology classes, you will not even know existed. Subjects include the Bible, God, Salvation, Church, Future Events, etc. It also includes many tables to provide the big picture very quickly.

For basic theology books, it is one of two books I recommend for everyone. (The other one is "Practical Christianity" by Floyd Barackman.) Neither of these books would serve well as seminary text books, but rarely are we looking for such material anyway! If you want to get a good understanding of a doctrine in 30 minutes, either of these two books are very good choices. (This is using the book as a reference book, not for general reading. One could certainly simply read the book, but my guess is most owners use it in reference style instead. It has a good index, etc.)

I actually like the format and flow of the book. My problem with it has to do with the fact that it misrepresents Arminianism. Arminianism and semi-pelagianism are not the same. Arminius affirmed total depravity and the bondage of the will. Arminius believed that divine grace is needed before one can have faith. Arminius also held to penal-substitutionary atonement, not governmental like the book presents. Later followers of Arminius did espouse these heretical views but that is not Arminianism.

Even if you do not agree with Arminianism, it is important to know accurately what they believe. everything else is pretty good, but for an understanding of Arminianism, look elsewhere.

Most handbooks of theology are fairly brief works of about 150 pages consisting of short articles that explain doctrines, heresies, movements, and leading men in the field of theology. However, this massive work is divided into five parts that cover biblical theology (in 16 chapters that survey the theology of all major biblical sections), systematic theology (bibliology, theology proper, christology, etc.), historical theology (surveying the major theological teachings of the ancient, medieval, Reformation, and modern eras), dogmatic theology (with chapters on Calvinistic, Arminian, covenant, dispensational, and Catholic theology), and contemporary theology (10 types, including Evangelical Feminism, Charismatic Theology and the Emerging Church). It has 48 chapters and an epilogue, 55 simple-to-understand charts, a 26-page glossary of terms and names, and several indexes (persons, subjects, and Scripture references), endnotes identifying sources quoted, and helpful bibliographies. Enns is a ThM and ThD graduate of Dallas Seminary and dispensational in his convictions, yet he graciously presents and responds to other views. He is currently a minister for Biblical Training & Leadership Development as professor and director of the Tampa Extension, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The simple writing style of this work makes it appropriate for Bible institute, college, and seminary students and graduates as well as for lay persons interested in learning more about theology. This volume is highly recommended as no other work is so comprehensive, understandable (using lay language yet scholarly with excellent endnoting), and well laid out. In the second edition Enns addresses developments in "progressive dispensationalism" which have come about since 1989 through Robert Saucy, Darrell Bock, and Craig Blaising. This new edition also addresses prosperity theology, openness theology, and dominion theology. My only complaint is my own preference for footnotes instead of his endnotes that complete each chapter.

I have had this book for years and refer to it quite frequently for a quick bursh-up on theology. Enns has done an excellent job of outlining salient facts on major areas of theological thought. The presentation methodology; of giving brief descriptions and using tables or charts, where needed; makes the material very accessible to the seminarian and layperson alike.
Each chapter has a very useful Notes and Bibliography section should you wish to get deeper into any topic.

This is an excellent tool that one can use for years to come. Outstanding contribution. Thank you.

This book is a gem! Thery is no other work with such a systematic, clear and balanced treatment as Enn's. Every Christian should possess this book. It gives an extremely valuable overview of both biblical and systematic theology, and of the different schools and movements throughout history.

For those who want to go further, I want first to recommend Gordon Lewis' 2000 pages thick book ("Integrative Theology"), which has much argumentation and interaction with all kinds of theologies, but it is far from being as clear as Enns' book. Second, one should buy books by Richard Swinburne ("The Coherence of Theism", "The Christian God", "Revelation", etc., all from Oxord U.), and balance Swinburne erroneous idea of a time-bound God with Norman Geisler's "Creating God in the Image of Man" or Paul Helm's "Eternal God".

I really like this book a lot. It covers just about every theological topic and it does so in clear, irenic language. This is a good companion to Charles Ryrie's "Basic Theology." Enns does a good job of being objective and nonbiased throughout the book. Buy it.

Paul Enns does a good job- no- an EXCELLENT job with systematically arranging,organizing and presenting theology in this volume. I agree with the previous comments by Bruno Granger- this book is a must have for believers everywhere. My one gripe, is that some of the material may need to be 'dumbed down' for new believers. You kinda need to 'study up' to this one :)