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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Abide With Me
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Amazing Grace - DVD & Workbook
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Archko Volume
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Back To Basics
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Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church
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Chosen by God
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Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
by R. C. Sproul
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Everyone's a Theologian
by R. C. Sproul
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Experiencing the Trinity
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God in the Dock
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Heaven Misplaced
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House for My Name: Questions & Answers
by Joshua Appel
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How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
by Douglas Stuart, Gordon D. Fee
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In These Last Days
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Inspiration and Authority of the Bible
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Institutes of Christian Religion (abridged)
by John Calvin
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Is Jesus Coming Soon
by Gary DeMar
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Justified by Faith Alone - Lecture series on 2 DVDs
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Kingdom, Come!
by Philip Graham Ryken
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Know What You Believe
by Paul E. Little
5th edition from InterVarsity Press
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Knowing God
by J. I. Packer
2nd edition from InterVarsity Press
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Law and Liberty
by R. J. Rushdoony
2nd edition from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
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Legacy of John Calvin
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Letters to a Young Calvinist
by James K.A. Smith
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Life of Christ
by James Stalker
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
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Life of Christ - Answer Key
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Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones: 1899-1981
by Iain H. Murray
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Luther's Three Treatises
Christian Heritage Series
by Martin Luther, introduction by Steven Wedgeworth
3rd edition from Canon Press
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$12.95
Manual of Christian Doctrine
by Louis Berkhof
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
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Manual of Christian Doctrine
by Louis Berkhof
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by Louis Berkhof
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Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses
by Martin Luther
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Method of Grace
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Mind of the Maker
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Miracles
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More Than Conquerors
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More Than Conquerors
by William Hendriksen
75th Anniversary
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O Worship the King
by Joni Eareckson Tada, John MacArthur, Robert & Bobbie Wolgemuth
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On Christian Liberty
by Martin Luther
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On Christian Teaching
by St. Augustine
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Our Hymns, Our Heritage
by David & Barbara Leeman, foreword by Keith & Kristyn Getty
from Moody Press
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$24.99
Passion of Jesus Christ
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
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$2.00 (6 in stock)
Pierre Viret
by Jean-Marc Berthoud
1st edition
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$14.50
Plan of Salvation
by Benjamin B. Warfield
from Wipf and Stock Publishers
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Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms
by Cherith Fee Nordling, David Guretzki, Stanley J. Grenz
from InterVarsity Press
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Political Polytheism
by Gary North
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Postmillennial Primer
by Andrew Sandlin
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Practical Implications of Calvinism
by A.N. Martin
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Primeval Saints
by James Jordan
from Canon Press
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Reading and Understanding the Bible
by Vic Lockman
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Recovering Our Lost Theology
by Rick Brownell
from Tate Publishing
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$21.99
Redemption Accomplished and Applied
by John Murray
from Eerdmans
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Reformed Faith
by Loraine Boettner
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Reformed Means Missional
by Samuel T. Logan, Jr.
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$14.00
Renewing Your Mind
by R. C. Sproul
from Baker Books
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$15.00 $4.00 (3 in stock)
Romance of Protestantism
Reformation Trail Series #04
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
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$12.95
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle
by M. A. Vroman
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$5.50 (1 in stock)
Search the Scriptures
by Alan M. Stibbs
2nd edition from InterVarsity Press
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Surprised by Hope
by N. T. Wright
from HarperOne
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$24.99
Taking God Seriously
by J. I. Packer
1st edition from Crossway Books
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$10.39
Temptation: Resisted & Repulsed
Puritan Paperbacks #40
by John Owen
from Banner of Truth Trust
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$9.00
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