Systematic Theology: Introduction Bible

Rating:
Summary: some recommendations
Review: For those interested in systematic theology, particularly by philosophically competent writers, I would recommend that they also read books by Gordon Clark and Vincent Cheung. Search the web for "trinity foundation" and "vincent cheung", and I think you will find them. Cheung's books are free for download.

Rating:
Summary: some recommendations
Review: For those interested in systematic theology, particularly by philosophically competent writers, I would recommend that they also read books by Gordon Clark and Vincent Cheung. Search the web for "trinity foundation" and "vincent cheung", and I think you will find them. Cheung's books are free for download.

Rating:
Summary: Very thorough, easy to understand
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Strong Introduction Text
Review: There is no perfect systematic theology text. However, this volume from Geisler is a very good one! Very few systematic theology texts have a 'prolegomena' and that alone sets this text apart from others.

Geisler begins this volume (there are others to follow) with a section on the "preconditions" of theology. This is typical Geisler style (since he did this in the classroom as well) and I believe it strengthens the whole "doing" of theology. In like fashion, Geisler also includes philosophical and apologetical preconditions for doing theology. This is another feature that I thought set this text apart from others. Thus, in the "Introduction" alone, Geisler has set the stage for his "doing" theology quite well (I can't wait to read the volumes that follow).

From the "preconditions," Geisler then moves into biblical theology. Not theology that is biblical, but Bibliology, or perhaps better put, The Bible. This section covers the truth claims from and about the Scriptures, the history of the manuscripts, Church history and the Bible, and also those aberrant teachers and their teachings who try and distort or alter traditional views about the Bible. Geisler is pretty thorough in this section. Of course, I think that this issue (the Bible and its inerrancy) is one of Geisler's strongest fields of expertise.

This text is a great "Introduction" text. What I mean by this is not that the text is for beginners (while it is written clear enough to be understood by anyone who never studied the issues previously and also for those seasoned readers), but by "Introduction" I mean just what the text actually is. It is an introduction to his overall systematic theology series which is to follow this text.

There are several areas of controversy in the text itself (of a more philosophical nature). For instance, Geisler is very much a Gilsonian Thomist. As such, Geisler believes and teaches that "beings" have a real distinction between their being and their essence, but God does not have this real distinction. This is a very hot Thomistic topic in current philosophy of religion circles. The debate rages mainly between those Thomists who follow Gilson's teachings on this issue and those who side with Wippel. While Geisler does not touch on the issue as controversial, he does address it in nice Gilsonian fashion. And I for one am in agreement with Geisler (and Gilson) on this issue.

Overall, this is a great text which demonstrates Geisler abilities and knowledge in these specific areas. I look forward to the volumes that follow and I highly recommend this volume.

Rating:
Summary: Starts at ground zero and builds brick by brick
Review: 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.