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.

 

Did you find this review helpful?
167 Items found Print
Active Filters: 11th grade (Ages 16-17)
Abide With Me
by John H. Parker, Paul Seawright
from New Leaf Press
for 7th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
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)
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)
Back To Basics
by David Hagopian, editor
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$16.00 $10.00 (2 in stock)
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
Biblical and Theological Studies
by Michael J. Wilkins, Erik Thoennes
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Philosophy (Location: XWV-PHI)
$9.59
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)
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)
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)
$24.99
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
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
Bruised Reed
Puritan Paperbacks #26
by Richard Sibbes
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
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 the Sabbath a Delight
by Walter J. Chantry
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$9.00 $4.00 (1 in stock)
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
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
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)
Children of the Promise
by Robert Booth
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$14.99
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)
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
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)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Concise Theology
by J. I. Packer
from Tyndale House
for 10th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$16.99
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
Covenantal Kingdom
by Ralph Smith
from Christian Liberty Press
for 11th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$10.50
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
Developing Christian Character - Lecture series on DVD
by R. C. Sproul
from Ligonier Ministries
for 8th-Adult
in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Dispensationalism
by Keith Mathison
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$12.99 $6.50 (4 in stock)
Doctrine
by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$9.00
Easy Chairs, Hard Words
by Doug Wilson
from Canon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$12.00 $7.00 (3 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)
Everyone's a Theologian
by R. C. Sproul
from Reformation Trust Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Systematic Theology (Location: XTH-SYS)
Existence and Attributes of God
by Stephen Charnock
from Baker Books
for 11th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$75.00 (1 in stock)
Experiencing the Trinity
by Darrell W. Johnson
from Regent College
for 9th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$10.00
Explicit Gospel
by Matt Chandler
from Crossway Books
for 9th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$14.39 $9.00 (3 in stock)
Explicit Gospel
by Matt Chandler
from Crossway Books
for 9th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$11.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Family Worship Book
by Terry L. Johnson
from Christian Focus Publications
for 11th-Adult
in Family Worship (Location: BIB-FAWO)
$19.50
Feed My Lambs
by Tim Gallant
from Pactum Reformanda
for 11th-Adult
in Communion (Eucharist) (Location: XWO-SAC2)
$15.95
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for 9th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
Finished Work of Christ
from Crossway Books
for 11th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Five Dilemmas of Calvinism
by Craig R. Brown
from Ligonier Ministries
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$7.00
Five Points of Calvinism
by David Steele, Curtis Thomas, S. Lance Quinn
2nd edition from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$10.50 $7.50 (3 in stock)
For the Life of the World
by Alexander Schmemann
from St. Vladimir's
for 11th-Adult
in Communion (Eucharist) (Location: XWO-SAC2)
$16.50
Freedom of the Will
by Jonathan Edwards
from Dover Publications
for 11th-Adult
in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18)
$9.95
Future of Justification
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for 11th-Adult
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
$13.50
Glory of Christ
Puritan Paperbacks #22
by John Owen
Abridged from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
God Gave Wine
by Kenneth Gentry
from Oakdown Books
for 11th-Adult
in Culture of Drinking & Wine (Location: XCU-WIN)
$13.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
God in the Dock
by C. S. Lewis
from Eerdmans
Religion/Philosophy for 9th-Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
$18.00
God in Three Persons
by Allen Vander Pol
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
God is the Gospel
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$12.50
God's Plan for Victory
by Rousas John Rushdoony
2nd edition from Chalcedon Foundation
for 11th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Volume 1
by Klaas Schilder
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Devotionals (Location: XCL-DEV)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Gospel Treason
by Brad Bigney
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Repentance & Avoiding Sin (Location: XCL-REP)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Grasping God's Word - Workbook
by J. Daniel Hays, J. Scott Duvall
3rd edition from Zondervan
for 11th-Adult
in Bible Reference (Location: XBI-REF)
$13.97
Heaven Misplaced
by Douglas Wilson
from Canon Press
for 10th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$12.50
Hell on Trial
by Robert A. Peterson
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Heaven & Hell (Location: XTH-HEHE)
Heralds of the Reformation
by Richard Hannula
from Canon Press
for 5th-Adult
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$15.00
Hero of Heroes
by Iain Duguid
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Knowing & Loving God (Location: XCL-KNOW)
$9.99
Holiness of God
by R. C. Sproul
2nd edition from Tyndale House
for 9th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$17.99
Holiness of God - Lecture Series on Audio CD
by R. C. Sproul
from Ligonier Ministries
for 9th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Hosanna in Excelsis
by David & Barbara Leeman
from Moody Press
for 3rd-Adult
in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
$15.99
House Divided
by Greg L. Bahnsen and Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
from Institute for Christian Economics
for 10th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
House for My Name
by Peter Leithart
from Canon Press
for 10th-Adult
in Bible Surveys (Location: XBI-SURV)
$21.00 $12.00 (3 in stock)
House for My Name: Questions & Answers
by Joshua Appel
from Canon Press
for 5th-Adult
in Bible Surveys (Location: XBI-SURV)
$10.00
How to Read the Bible as Literature...And Get More Out of It
by Leland Ryken
1st edition from Zondervan
for 11th-Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
$16.99
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
by Douglas Stuart, Gordon D. Fee
3rd edition from Zondervan
for 10th-Adult
in Bible Reading & Study (Location: XBI-STUDY)
$16.99 $8.50 (2 in stock)
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
by Douglas Stuart, Gordon D. Fee
3rd edition from Zondervan
for 10th-Adult
in Bible Reading & Study (Location: XBI-STUDY)
Inspiration and Authority of the Bible
by B. B. Warfield
from Baker Books
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Institutes of Biblical Law Volume I
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for 11th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$40.00 $25.00 (2 in stock)
Institutes of Christian Religion (abridged)
by John Calvin
from Baker Books
for 10th-12th grade
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$24.00 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin, translated by Ford Lewis Battles, edited by John McNeill
from Westminster John Knox Press
Theology for 11th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin, translated by Ford Lewis Battles, edited by John McNeill
from Westminster John Knox Press
Theology for 11th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$90.00
Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin, translated by Ford Lewis Battles, edited by John McNeill
from Banner of Truth Trust
Theology for 11th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
Is Jesus Coming Soon
by Gary DeMar
2nd edition from American Vision Press
for 10th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$7.00 (4 in stock)
Justified by Faith Alone - Lecture series on 2 DVDs
by R. C. Sproul
from Ligonier Ministries
for 8th-Adult
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Kingdom, Come!
by Philip Graham Ryken
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$10.39
Know What You Believe
by Paul E. Little
5th edition from InterVarsity Press
for 9th-12th grade
in Beginning Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-BEG)
Knowing God
by J. I. Packer
2nd edition from InterVarsity Press
for 9th-Adult
in Knowing & Loving God (Location: XCL-KNOW)
$20.00
Last Days According to Jesus
by R. C. Sproul
from Baker Books
for 11th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$19.99
Last Days Madness
by Gary DeMar
4th edition from American Vision Press
for 11th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$17.95
Law and Liberty
by R. J. Rushdoony
2nd edition from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$9.00
Legacy of John Calvin
The Calvin 500 Series
by David W. Hall
from P&R Publishing
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Lessons from the Upper Room - Lecture Series on DVD
by Sinclair B. Ferguson
from Ligonier Ministries
for 9th-Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Letters to a Young Calvinist
by James K.A. Smith
from Brazos Press
for 10th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$9.99
Life of Christ
by James Stalker
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 7th-12th grade
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$14.50 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Life of Christ - Answer Key
by Michael McHugh & Edward Shewan
from Christian Liberty Press
for 7th-12th grade
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$5.30 $2.50 (1 in stock)
Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones: 1899-1981
by Iain H. Murray
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Lord's Service
by Jeffrey Meyers
from Canon Press
for 11th-Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$25.00
12