Customer Reviews

Systematic Theology, Vol. 1: Introduction/Bible

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having sampled quite a range of Christian apologetics and theology works, I think I can say safely say Norman Geisler is a crucial addition to any thinking Christian's library.

At a time when liberal scholarship is adrift in a sea of desperation, the cool, calm analysis and breadth of knowledge of Geisler is an asset to a faith in need of revitalisation and energising.

Like Todd Vick, I think Geisler is at his best on issues like inerrancy and inspiration, but his thorough background treatise on the varying paths of liberal and fundamental thought is just as vital to understanding where Christianity has been and where it's going.

Systematic Theology is highly recommended as a solid grounding for evangelicals. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

This is the first systematic theology book i have ever read. I have read a few of Dr. Gieslers articles prior to this book.

I found this book to very exteremely through. There are no assumptions made and thus it starts in the begining. The Prolegomena (preconditions) covered every debating ground i could think of and some i didnt think of. To say the least to me it appears Dr. Giesler took every type of argument made to the "preconditions" and expanded on each one in great detail. I believe Dr Giesler did not build any "straw-man" arguments. He represented aposing views very very well and critqued them as fit. Dr. Giesler did a great job of putting all the evidence out there and allows you to draw your own conclusion but he is clear on where he stands and why. I found the book to be very well written, organized, and referenced. The material demands some heavy thinking but is still written in a very clear manner.

I am so impressed with this volume (1) that i now plan to read his following 3 volumes. I would recommend this to anyone who is learning what they believe, why they believe it, and how to think.

Dr. Geisler's four-volume systematic theology treatment needs to be studied by any serious student of Christian theology, because he emphasizes a logical approach and recognizes the importance of apologetics when doing any part of theology OR philosophy from a Christian standpoint. I certainly won't brag that I've made my way through all three of the presently available volumes, but as far as I HAVE gotten, I have been blessed, taught, motivated, and enlightened. Even those who find themselves at odds with Dr. Geisler's points-of-view on certain topics will appreciate the way he presents opposing and alternative ideas and deals with the differences, instead of assuming his to be givens.

Highly recommended and profoundly enjoyable.

Having sampled quite a range of Christian apologetics and theology works, I think I can say safely say Norman Geisler is a crucial addition to any thinking Christian's library.

At a time when liberal scholarship is adrift in a sea of desperation, the cool, calm analysis and breadth of knowledge of Geisler is an asset to a faith in need of revitalisation and energising.

Like Todd Vick, I think Geisler is at his best on issues like inerrancy and inspiration, but his thorough background treatise on the varying paths of liberal and fundamental thought is just as vital to understanding where Christianity has been and where it's going.

Systematic Theology is highly recommended as a solid grounding for evangelicals. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

As the first systematic theology book I've read, I didn't really know what to expect going into it; and being the first volume of Dr. Geisler's nearly 3,000 page, four volume masterpiece in Systematic Theology, the task seemed daunting to say the least. However, having read a few of Dr. Geisler's other works before this, I knew it would be a wealth of knowledge that would be well worth the time and effort invested in reading it, and would no doubt exceed my expectations in the process. So far, it appears I was right.

Not only is this first volume extremely thorough, but it is clearly written, heavily referenced, and incredibly organized. It is structured in a logical fashion in which there are little "a priori" assumptions. Instead, it starts at the most foundational level and builds from there, brick by brick, justifying every step of the way. In the first half, the Prolegomena (preconditions), Dr. Geisler lays out all the preconditions necessary for Christianity. I found this half to be delightfully philosophically rich in that it introduced and expanded upon, in great detail, every philosophical viewpoint and presupposition I could possibly think of and some I'd probably never have thought of - and in understandable language. In the second half, Dr. Geisler outlines not philosophy, but the Bible itself. Here, he links the philosophical views in the first half to their corresponding perspectives regarding the Bible and its origin, its historicity, its meaning, its theology, etc., and ultimately its purpose for us as humans. In both halves, the various viewpoints were represented and analyzed well, being critiqued or supported as seemed fit; and although Dr. Geisler is very clear on where he stands and why, he did a great job of laying out all the evidence, thus allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions from where the arguments lead. I also found the appendix on "Objections to Theistic Arguments" to be tremendously beneficial as well - something I wouldn't expect to see in a book on systematic theology.

Overall, I loved it and cannot wait to read the next three volumes, however long it takes. I would highly recommend this collection to any Christian who desires to take the time to think critically about their faith, as well as to simply learn what they believe and why they believe it. The wealth of knowledge available is truly overwhelming, but with patience and perseverance, this "culminating work of a lifetime of study and research" will leave you with a faith that is grounded, strengthened, justified, confident, defensible, and enriched. You will not be let down.

First of all, I love this book! I've now bought volumes two and three, and am eagerly awaiting the release of volume four. I can only recommend this book to those who are serious about Christian Theology, and learning the logic, history, and science behind it. Dr. Geisler strips everything bare and systematically (pun intended) lays out the foundations necessary to make a logical discourse in theology possible. After the preconditions (the first 12 chapters of the book), he goes into an extensive exposition on the Bible.

This book is a valuable tool in gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of the Bible. For the most part, it is right on the money. I found only one weak part in the book. In Chapter 25 "The Historicity of the Old Testament", he goes into a weak discourse on certain "gaps" in genealogies. He mostly does this to accomodate current scientific theories on the age of the earth, but his support and referrances are not adequately supported. This only accounts for one page out of 589. The other 588 seemed very well thought out and extremely thorough and knowledgable. 4.998 stars!!!

Norman Geisler's Four Volume set puts most systematic theologies to shame. It is one of the most highly respected and detailed theologies that I know of. This is an absolute must have resource for any pastor, teacher, or theology student. It will cover nearly every possible detail concerning the Bible. It is heavy reading and sometimes difficult to keep up with, but it is well worth reading.

Norm Geisler's Systematic Theology (Volumes 1-4) is something every Christian thinker should own. Within each volume, Geisler presents to the reader many various viewpoints on different philosophical and theological issues. In Systematic Theology Volume 1, part 1, Geisler lays the philosophical groundwork for doing Systematic Theology. In part 2 of this exhaustive masterpiece, Geisler defends the belief that the Bible is the inerrent, infallible Word of God and goes on to defend the historicity of the Bible. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Christian theology.

The challenge is getting through all the detail, but the research and historical facts are so supportive of the truth that you will be fully equiped to support that God exists and the Bible is completely trustly.

I have the complete set and as a pastor, I find it very helpful as he has something to say about most theological issues. I do not always agree with him but he is a great starting point. Also helpful is that he is very systematic and logical in his approach, he has good summary and comparison charts of different views. There are times when his analysis suffers from lack of specificity e.g. summarizing Calvin's view of the Lord's Supper. Never the less he adequately meets the goals of his project.