Foundations of the Christian Faith (Master Reference Collection)

Rating:
Summary: For Boice's Book? The usual excellence
Review: Having been his parishioner, Jim was a fantastic preacher and pastor at Tenth Presbyterian, Philadelpia. This work, like the others, is his usual: more excellence. Jim was educated at Harvard. We regret to announce that he attended Princeton Seminary, but he emerged without the vacuity of Dark Ages presuppositions. The contribution of this book, strategically, is that Jim puts biblical inerrancy, inspiration, and authority as the preliminary chapter (like Lewis Sperry Chafer's and Wayne Grudem's respective systematics). Those words will invoke choking for those in the backwoods of the liberal reservation. Oh well, get over it liberals. Liberal OT and NT criticism is a veritable mess. Biblical vandalism it is. The book, which affords a "basic" treatment, serves the average layperson (it's only 700 pages), but it is also a solid "refresher" for a well-trained, reading pastors, which excludes many evangelical and most liberal pastors alike. Avaricious readers used to be the expectation, the sine qua non of that profession. We regret this no longer obtains. Both of those sub species, evangelicals and liberals, alleged moral leaders, would do well to grab a pen, some paper, repent earnestly (including wearing undergarment of goat's hair with self-flagellative tools for whippings) and humbly digest this work designed for solid, educated laymen. For laymen who deserve the best since Christ died for them, this measures up. For lazy laymen without discipline, wake up, O Skull with lips, O Slug, and read this. "Thy brain and sluggish heart is empty". All serious laypersons in whom Christ has placed Himself and a thirst for Himself, tolle lege.

Rating:
Summary: For Boice's Book? The usual excellence
Review: Having been his parishioner, Jim was a fantastic preacher and pastor at Tenth Presbyterian, Philadelpia. This work, like the others, is his usual: more excellence. Jim was educated at Harvard. We regret to announce that he attended Princeton Seminary, but he emerged without the vacuity of Dark Ages presuppositions. The contribution of this book, strategically, is that Jim puts biblical inerrancy, inspiration, and authority as the preliminary chapter (like Lewis Sperry Chafer's and Wayne Grudem's respective systematics). Those words will invoke choking for those in the backwoods of the liberal reservation. Oh well, get over it liberals. Liberal OT and NT criticism is a veritable mess. Biblical vandalism it is. The book, which affords a "basic" treatment, serves the average layperson (it's only 700 pages), but it is also a solid "refresher" for a well-trained, reading pastors, which excludes many evangelical and most liberal pastors alike. Avaricious readers used to be the expectation, the sine qua non of that profession. We regret this no longer obtains. Both of those sub species, evangelicals and liberals, alleged moral leaders, would do well to grab a pen, some paper, repent earnestly (including wearing undergarment of goat's hair with self-flagellative tools for whippings) and humbly digest this work designed for solid, educated laymen. For laymen who deserve the best since Christ died for them, this measures up. For lazy laymen without discipline, wake up, O Skull with lips, O Slug, and read this. "Thy brain and sluggish heart is empty". All serious laypersons in whom Christ has placed Himself and a thirst for Himself, tolle lege.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect reference for new Christians
Review: I have gone to church all of my life and I have always considered myself a Christian. However, I did not truly know what I believed or why I believed it. I began to study the Bible in order to know for myself true Christianity apart from what is often called "Christianity" today. After a study of several books of the Bible, I have found that each book often covers a broad range of subjects and doctrines. This book, however, provides a horizontal view by taking one subject or doctrine and showing how it is consistently handled in different books of the Bible. It has helped me tie the books of the Bible together subject-by-subject and realize that although the Bible was written by over 30 authors over hundreds of years, there is a divine consistency in its message. This is a great book for any Christian or non-Christian who wants to find out what Christians believe and why they believe it.

Rating:
Summary: Very Readable, Interesting, and Thorough
Review: If you want to read any book about Christianity (besides the Bible), this is the place to start. Boice is an unusually clear writer; he writes so that the average human can understand him but his thinking is deep enough that most pastors would appreciate his insight. I've read most of CS Lewis' work, and like this book better than Lewis, and I like Lewis! The book is also well indexed, so that it is easy to use it as a reference.

Rating:
Summary: A layman's guide to systematic theology
Review: Obviously Boice has a Presbyterian bent, and though I disagree with some of his conclusions, I still highly recommend this volume. Apparently this used to be a 4-volume work, but it was shortened into one. It is very easy to read, so the layman could get a lot out of it. Boice attempts to give different positions for the issues, offering more than just his viewpoint. Overall, though, he remains very evangelical, and while we can certainly discuss our differences, I appreciate the flavor in which this work was written. Boice is kind but to the point. No doubt that it's long for many laypeople--more than 700 pages--but again, as the cover says, while it is comprehensive, it is still very readable. This book would also be good to keep on the bookshelf and look up theological issues as they come up.