Theology

"For my own part I tend to find the doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than the devotional books, and I rather suspect that the same experience may await many others. I believe that many who find that 'nothing happens' when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand."C. S. Lewis

The word theology brings certain images to mind—aged scholars in tweed jackets with leather elbow patches and thick glasses reading enormous dusty tomes in chilly rooms accessed only by a stone spiral staircase, or young university students smoking pipes and drinking black coffee while discussing the influence of Tillich on the doctrine of the hypostatic union of the the anthropic person. Academic theologians are seen as studious, patient, intellectual. . . boring.

In our postmodern culture, ideas are expressed not held. Since we can't know anything for sure, why try? Life is busy and stressful enough; we'd prefer to spend our free time doing something fun instead of poring over hard-to-understand books. And tweed passed out of fashion a long time ago (though pipes and black coffee are making a come-back).

But academic theologians aren't theology. Theology—from the Greek theos (God) and logos (to know)—is the study of God. In a broad sense we are, every one of us, theologians. Paul said even unbelievers have knowledge of God (Rom. 1:18-23). As Christians we have definite beliefs about God. Sometimes those beliefs are unclear because we haven't taken time to study them, so we downplay their importance. We act like theology is optional, claiming "no creed but Christ." But the question isn't whether we're going to have a theology or not, it's whether our theology will be true or false. Because we want true theology, we base our study on God's Word where He has revealed Himself.

Theology is intensely practical: as one fellow said, it comes out our fingertips. It's not just mental exercise, it affects everything we do. God is concerned with what we believe because it influences the way we live. As Christians, we are new creations who want to serve Him (2 Cor. 5:16-18).

Disclaimer:

Our goal is to provoke theological discussion and thought. To that end our selection of theology offers a significantly different perspective than you'll find nearly anywhere else—at least all in one place. (We don't think we're heretics.) While we aren't dogmatic in our defense of all of them, we aren't apologetic either. We don't mean to be rude or divisive, but we aren't afraid to step on toes if it leads others to reflection. We believe generous dialogue is necessary among Christians to help us clarify what we believe and introduce us to new ideas (Prov. 27:17). It is our prayer that the books we offer help unify the Church, not divide it.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

 

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'Fundamentalism' and the Word of God
by J. I. Packer
from William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
for Adult
in Biblical Theology (Location: XTH-BIB)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Aaron's Rod Blossoming
by George Gillespie
from Sprinkle Publications
for Adult
in Church Government (Location: XWO-GOV)
Abide With Me
by John H. Parker, Paul Seawright
from New Leaf Press
for 7th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
Adopted By God
by Robert A. Peterson
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
After Darkness, Light
by R. C. Sproul, Jr., editor
from P&R Publishing
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$16.99
Against Christianity
by Peter Leithart
from Canon Press
in Ecclesiology (Location: XTH-ECC)
$15.00
All Things For Good
Puritan Paperbacks #17
by Thomas Watson
from Banner of Truth Trust
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
$9.00
Almighty Over All
by R. C. Sproul, Jr.
from Baker Books
for 11th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$16.00
Amazing Grace - DVD & Workbook
by Jerry Johnson
from Apologetics Group
for 9th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$25.00 (4 in stock)
Ancient Love Song
by Charles D. Drew
from P&R Publishing
in Bible Surveys (Location: XBI-SURV)
$9.50
And it Came to Pass
by Various
from Canon Press
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Apostolic Fathers
by J. B. Lightfoot
from Apocryphile Press
for Adult
in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC)
$31.95
Archko Volume
by Drs. McIntosh and Twyman, translators
Reprint Edition from Keats Publishing, Inc
for 10th-Adult
in History for Adults (Location: ADU-HIS)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Attributes of God Volume 1
by A. W. Tozer
from Wingspread Publishers
for Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$16.99
Attributes of God Volume 2
by A. W. Tozer
from Moody Press
for Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$15.99
Back To Basics
by David Hagopian, editor
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$16.00 $10.00 (3 in stock)
Backward, Christian Soldiers?
by Gary North
from Institute for Christian Economics
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
Baptism is Not Enough - Book w/DVD
from American Vision Press
for Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Baptism of Jesus the Christ
by Ralph Allan Smith
from Wipf and Stock Publishers
for Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
Baptized Body
by Peter J. Leithart
from Canon Press
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$15.00
Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible
by Robert H. Stein
from Baker Academics
for 11th-Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Battle Belongs to the Lord
by K. Scott Oliphint
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Presuppositional Apologetics (Location: XAP-PRE)
$14.99
Bavinck on the Christian Life
Theologians on the Christian Life
by John Bolt
1st edition from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
Beast of Revelation
by Kenneth Gentry
from American Vision Press
for Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Before Jerusalem Fell
by Kenneth Gentry
2nd edition from American Vision Press
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Biblical and Theological Studies
by Michael J. Wilkins, Erik Thoennes
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Philosophy (Location: XWV-PHI)
$11.99
Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church
by Michael Lawrence
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biblical Theology (Location: XTH-BIB)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Blessed Are the Hungry
by Peter Leithart
from Canon Press
in Communion (Eucharist) (Location: XWO-SAC2)
$15.00 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Blood-Bought World
by Toby J. Sumpter
from Canon Press
for 10th-Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
Body of Divinity
by Thomas Watson
from Banner of Truth Trust
Theology for 9th-12th grade
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
$16.00
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther
from Revell Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther, translated by J. I. Packer and O. R. Robinson
from Baker Academics
for 9th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$26.99
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther, translated by Henry Cole
from Canon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$12.95
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther, translated by Henry Cole
from Feather Trail Press
for Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Book of Psalms for Singing
by Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
from Crown and Covenant
for 7th grade-Adult
in Hymnals & Psalters (Location: XWO-HYMN)
$21.00
Bound Only Once
by Doug Wilson, editor
from Canon Press
for Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$12.00
Bruised Reed
Puritan Paperbacks #26
by Richard Sibbes
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
$10.00
By This Standard
by Greg L. Bahnsen
from Institute for Christian Economics
for 11th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
By This Standard
by Greg Bahnsen
from American Vision Press
for 11th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$16.95
C. S. Lewis: The Signature Classics Audio Collection
by C. S. Lewis
from HarperAudio
for 10th-Adult
in Audio Books & Dramas (Location: CD-AUDIO)
$59.99
Call of Grace
by Norman Shepherd
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Call the Sabbath a Delight
by Walter J. Chantry
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Calvin on the Christian Life
Theologians on the Christian Life
by Michael Horton
1st edition from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
Calvin's Institutes: A New Compend
by John Calvin
1st edition from Westminster John Knox Press
for 11th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$22.00
Calvin: Commentaries
Library of Christian Classics
by John Calvin, edited by Joseph Haroutunian
Icthus Edition from Westminster Press
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism
by Kenneth Talbot & Gary Crampton
from Christian Liberty Press
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$8.50 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Case for Covenantal Infant Baptism
by Gregg Strawbridge, editor
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$16.99
Celebrating the Sabbath
by Bruce Ray
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$6.99
Challenge of Jesus
by N. T. Wright
from InterVarsity Press
for 10th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine
by H. Wayne House
from Zondervan
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Children of the Promise
by Robert Booth
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$14.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Chosen by God
by R. C. Sproul
from Tyndale House
for 10th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$17.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Christ of the Covenants
by O. Palmer Robertson
from P&R Publishing
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Baptism
by John Murray
from P&R Publishing
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$5.95
Christian in Complete Armour
by William Gurnall, edited and introduced by James S. Bell, Jr.
from Moody Press
for Adult
in Devotionals (Location: XCL-DEV)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Salvation
by Robert Webb
from Sprinkle Publications
for Adult
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Theology and Ancient Polytheism
by Marcia Brim
from Brimwood Press
for 6th-12th grade
in Tools for Young Historians (Location: BIBWV-TYH)
$35.00
Christianity and Liberalism
by J. Gresham Machen
from Eerdmans
Religion/Philosophy for 11th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$15.99
Christianity and Liberalism
by J. Gresham Machen
from Canon Press
Religion/Philosophy for 11th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$11.95
Christianity and the State
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Christianity and the State (Location: XWV-STA)
$18.00
Christianity: A Total World and Life System
by Abraham Kuyper
from Plymouth Rock Foundation
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
Christological Controversy
Sources of Early Christian Thought
by Richard A. Norris, Jr. (translator and editor), series editor William G. Rusch
from Fortress Press
for Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Church is Israel Now
by Charles D. Provan
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for 10th-Adult
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$10.00
Classic Baptism
by James W. Dale
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
Clean Water, Red Wine, Broken Bread
by Doug Wilson
from Canon Press
for Adult
in Communion (Eucharist) (Location: XWO-SAC2)
$7.00
Complete Works of William Bates Volume III
by William Bates, edited by W. Farmer
from Sprinkle Publications
for Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
Comprehensive Faith
from Friends of Chalcedon
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
Concise Theology
by J. I. Packer
from Tyndale House
for 10th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$16.99
Conquering Faith
Chalcedon Monograph series
by William Einwechter
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$8.00
Contemporary Worship Music
from P & R Publishing
for Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Cornelius Van Til
by John Frame
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$16.00 (1 in stock)
Cornelius Van Til
by John Frame
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$20.00 (1 in stock)
Cost of Discipleship
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Foreword by Eric Metaxas
1st edition from Touchstone
for 10th-Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
$15.19
Counted Righteous in Christ
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
$6.50 (1 in stock)
Covenant of Grace
by John Murray
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$3.00 $2.00 (2 in stock)
Covenantal Apologetics
by K. Scott Oliphint
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Presuppositional Apologetics (Location: XAP-PRE)
Covenantal Gospel
by C. van der Waal
from Inheritance Publications
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$17.95
Covenantal Kingdom
by Ralph Smith
from Christian Liberty Press
for 11th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Day and the Hour
from American Vision Press
for Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Day of Delight
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Days of Vengeance
by David Chilton
from Dominion Press
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Death by Love
by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
Deep Exegesis
by Peter Leithart
from Baylor University Press
in Biblical Theology (Location: XTH-BIB)
$35.00
Deeper
Union
by Dane C. Ortlund
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
Delighting in the Trinity
by Michael Reeves
from InterVarsity Press
for Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$20.00
Desiring the Kingdom
Cultural Liturgies Volume 1
by James K.A. Smith
from Baker Academics
for 11th-Adult
in Art & Culture (Location: XCU-ART)
$17.50
Destruction of Jerusalem
by George Peter Holford
from Covenant Media Foundation
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$8.00
Developing Christian Character - Lecture series on DVD
by R. C. Sproul
from Ligonier Ministries
for 8th-Adult
in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
Discipling
by Mark Dever
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Church Ministry & Service (Location: XWO-MIN)
$6.50 (2 in stock)
Dispensationalism
by Keith Mathison
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$12.99 $6.50 (5 in stock)
Doctrine
by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
Doctrine of God
by Herman Bavinck
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
Dominion Covenant: Genesis
by Gary North
from Institute for Christian Economics
for 12th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
Easy Chairs, Hard Words
by Doug Wilson
from Canon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$12.00 $7.00 (7 in stock)
Emblems of the Infinite King
by J. Ryan Lister, illustrated by Anthony M. Benedetto
from Crossway Books
for 5th-8th grade
in Bible Doctrine for Kids (Location: BIBR-DOC)
$24.99
Engaging With God
from InterVarsity Press
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Erasing Hell
by Francis Chan, Preston Sprinkle
from David C. Cook
for Adult
in Heaven & Hell (Location: XTH-HEHE)
$12.50 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Eschatology of Victory
by J. Marcellus Kik
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$19.99
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
by R. C. Sproul
from Tyndale House
for 9th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$17.99 $10.00 (2 in stock)
Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
by Walter A. Elwell, ed.
2nd edition from Baker Books
for Adult
in Systematic Theology (Location: XTH-SYS)
$18.00 (1 in stock)
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