Customer Reviews

Systematic Theology

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Anyone wanting to read Hodge, should go with the three volume edition. Yes, there is far too much interaction with the pseudo-science of the day, but this "abridgement" lays waste to whole areas of interest to anyone who would want to read Hodge in the first place. It's interesting that one of the areas where the cutting is most obvious is in the area where the "editor" disagrees with Hodge the most, that is the locus of "eschatology". The editor is a Premillennialist and Hodge, like all Princetonians was a clear Postmillennialist. If you want to read Hodge without the excess verbiage, buy A.A Hodge's "Outlines of Theology", which is based on the very same lectures that Charles Hodge published as his Systematics. It's simpler, yet doesn't alter the truth the way this chopped-up mess does. This abridgement is a master maligned.

Note that the long latin quotations in the original book have simply been deleted, not translated. Still worthwhile even if many sections go over the head of the average reader--many other sections are accessible and made me exclaim "he is the Reformed C. S. Lewis".

The original Hodge's theology was three large volumes, with frequent pages cited in Latin, German, Greek, and occaisional other languages. But, it was the best of American Reformed theology from the turn of the century. Edward Gross has condensed and revised this work, and made it readable (all in English). I recommend this book for any Christian interested in the deeper side of the faith, and advise also reading Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie as a balancing view.

This is the most extensive theology from the REFORMED tradition in fairly recent times. Written by Charles Hodge, a professor at Princeton in the early 1900's, it is a scholarly presentation of the historic Christian faith. If you are looking for a deep analysis of doctrine, with consideration of the alternatives (Catholic, Orthodox, and Liberal) this is the book. Written at a Graduate level, I do not recommend it before studying college level theology. At least read Ryrie's "Basic Theology" (ISBN 089693814X) first. But for a really comprehensive study, this is the book.

Hodge's work is one of the great reformed theologies ever done. For myself, though, I feel like I missed out on much of it because I don't read Latin! There are too many passages that are written in Latin and then expounded in English. If you don't read Latin, I would recommend "Great Doctrines of the Bible," by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, or "Systematic Theology," by Loius Berkhof.

A must have systematic theology, I here refer to the unabridged 3 volume work!
Although I am not a postmillennialist and I do not reach to Hodge's work on a daily basis, I believe it to be full of truth and will and has been used, by the Spirit, to grow many of us in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
soli deo gloria - to God alone be the glory

Even without a table of contents, this is worth the time reading through it and studying its contents. I would suggest as you initially read through this volume you develop a computer spreadsheet so that after your initial read-through you can refer to your spreadsheet to locate sections when you want to re-read on a particular subject. The same comment applies to Volumes 1 and 3.

Once upon a time Princeton University had a very fine theological seminary. If wanted to study theology that was consistent Orthodox Presbyterian theology, consistent what was taught by the Puritans and the Westminster Confession of Faith. Hodges Systematic Theology is consistent with what Princeton University was then and no longer. Princeton fell into the suede to the popular intellectual pursuits of other theological seminaries. This work is comprehensive in presenting sound theological thought. Comparisons are made between theological thought of the Presbyterian church and Calvinism with other schools of thought in theology: Roman Catholic (called Romanist), Lutheran, liberal theology and nonChristian thought. The arguments for historic theology of the Reformed theology are sound and give a fair presentation of contrary thought.

I do not think this book is a difficult read who is familiar with theological terms, but its length demands a determine reader. I read each of the three volumes at three distinct times. I read several other books before moving until I went to the next volume. Although in three volumes the book is divided into four topics: Theology Proper, Anthropology, Soteriology and Eschatology. Charles Hodge argues on page 32 Ecclesiology is included throughout the book.

Theology Proper is the study of God. Hodge includes a discussion what the Bible teaches of the being of God, of the three held personality of the Godhead, or that of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are distinct in persons, same in substance, equal in power and glory, relation of God to the world, or His decrees and His works in creation and Providence.

Anthropology is the study of man. Hodge includes in this discussion the origin and nature of man. In this discussion he includes Darwin's theory of Evolution and why he finds it wanting. Besides thoughts from other theologians, Hodge discusses other scientific arguments of the origin of the universe. Anthropology is not limited to the origin of man and creation. It included of man's original state before God, man's original probation, Man's fall before God, the nature of sin, effect of Adam's sin on himself and the effects of Adams sin on prosperity. Who and what is man?

Soteriology is the study of Salvation. Hodge includes in this discussion God's purpose in providing salvation to man, God's plan of salvation for man, the person of Jesus, the work of Jesus, Jesus as redeemer, the application of redemption; regeneration, Justification, sanctification and means of grace.

Eschatology is the study of death and final events. Hodge includes in this discussion the state of the soul after death, man's resurrection unto life or unto death, the second advent of Jesus, the general judgment of all men: (some unto salvation and others unto damnation), the end of the world, and a new Heaven and New earth.

Ecclesiology is the study of the Church. That is the True church that includes all those truly saved by the Grace of God. What makes up what is taught in the Bible and what is contrary to God's Word. I repeat this book shares the views contrary to orthodox teaching of then the Presbyterian church.