Systematic Theology [Hardcover]

Louis Berkhof (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

Completely updated with a new introduction and preface, Berkhofs Systematic Theology now treats the essential subjects of theological prolegomena that were lacking in earlier editions: the nature and character of dogmatics, the methods and history of theological systems, and the foundations of God and Scripture. The standard systematic treatment of Reformed faith has just gotten better!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 992 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802838200
• ISBN-13: 978-0802838209
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Treatment of Reformed Theology, June 12, 2000

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Systematic Theology (Hardcover)

Professor Berkhof, who was the President of Calvin Seminary and professor of Systematic Theology at the same in the first half of the twentieth century, has given us an excellent compendium of Reformed theological thought in this hefty volume. The subject is treated in the classical style, moving through the Doctrines of God, Man in Relation to God, the Person and Work of Christ, the Application of the Work of Redemption, the Church and the Means of Grace, and the Last Things.

His treatment of the Doctrine of God covers a lot of territory, but leaves something to be desired in covering the Attributes of God. His chapter on the Trinity, however, is most helpful.

He is decidedly Calvinistic in his approach to soteriology, giving an excellent treatment of the classical Reformed view of the "doctrines of grace." His chapters on the Atonement are among the best in Reformed theology; and his chapters on the respective parts of the Application of Redemption (regeneration, conversion, justification, sanctification, etc.) are helpful.

His doctrine of the Church is Presbyterian to the last, which is a demerit to the book, in my judgment. The final section on Last Things gives a helpful overview of futurist eschatalogy, with Berkhof rejecting premillenialism. His critique of Dispensationalism is helpful (and scathing!).

The strength of the book is its clear coverage of the Reformed position. At times it is too brief, especially when dealing with divergent views of the various subjects - but that is almost necessary in a book like this.

The greatest fault of the book is the author's lack of actual exegesis of texts. Most of his theology is sound, but his exegetical defense of it is not as clear as one could desire. Too often the passages are only referenced in brackets with little or no quotation. Hence, one could easily read this book and become a Reformed theologian without knowing how to use the Bible to substantiate his or her beliefs.

That notwithstanding, this is a book to be read and studied by pastors and theologians. It is not the only book on theology to be digested, but it is a key one.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put Right Next to the Institutes, May 20, 2002

By 

Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Systematic Theology (Hardcover)

This should be next to your copy of John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion". Actually, my copy of the Institutes was looking ragged, so now I use an electronic copy. Still, for a good understanding of Reformed theology, you should have both of these. It is nice, in the new compilation, to have both the "Introduction" and "Systematic Theology". I agree that you need both publications and having them in one volume is handy.

I agree about the binding. It is sturdy enough (5 stars), but it is not "user friendly" (3 stars). The text nearly runs into the binding and its smaller size makes it hard to hold without it closing on itself. This makes it tough to read, holding it in hand while eating lunch. Still, the theological presentation is more important, so I give it 5 stars.

37 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 5 Star Content; 2 Star Publishing, March 17, 2006

By 

D. Sanger (Sterling Heights, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Systematic Theology (Hardcover)

Berkhof was the sine qua non of Reformed systematics texts for generations of American seminary students, pastors and theologians. He will still reward a close reading and sharpen the mind. The two stars are for the publisher, NOT THE CONTENT. Shame on Eerdmans! The production of this edition is a sloppy, careless bit of work not worthy of the memory of Louis Berkhof. Seminary students and pastors should consider the Banner of Truth edition instead: http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/item_detail.php?4381