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?
81 Items found Print
Active Filters: Hardcover
'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)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
Abide With Me
by John H. Parker, Paul Seawright
from New Leaf Press
for 7th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
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)
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
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)
Christian Salvation
by Robert Webb
from Sprinkle Publications
for Adult
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Christianity and the State
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Christianity and the State (Location: XWV-STA)
$18.00
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)
Cornelius Van Til
by John Frame
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$20.00 (1 in stock)
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)
Deeper
Union
by Dane C. Ortlund
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS)
Discipling
by Mark Dever
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Church Ministry & Service (Location: XWO-MIN)
$6.50 (2 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)
$19.99
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)
Everyone's a Theologian
by R. C. Sproul
from Reformation Trust Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Systematic Theology (Location: XTH-SYS)
Exhortations
by Doug Wilson
from Charles Nolan Publishers
for Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
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)
Explicit Gospel
by Matt Chandler
from Crossway Books
for 9th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$14.39 $9.00 (3 in stock)
Faith & Action Trilogy
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon Foundation
for Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
Family Worship Book
by Terry L. Johnson
from Christian Focus Publications
for 11th-Adult
in Family Worship (Location: BIB-FAWO)
$19.50
Finished Work of Christ
from Crossway Books
for 11th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Fletcher's Checks to Antinomianism
by John Fletcher, edited and abridged by Rev. Peter Wiseman
2nd Printing from Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City
for Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Gentle and Lowly
by Dane Ortlund
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
Glory of Heaven
by John MacArthur
2nd edition from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Heaven & Hell (Location: XTH-HEHE)
$18.39
God is the Gospel
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$12.50
Handwriting on the Wall
by James B. Jordan
from American Vision Press
Bible Commentary for
in Bible Commentaries (Location: XBI-COMM)
He Shall Have Dominion
by Kenneth Gentry
from Institute for Christian Economics
for Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$72.00 (2 in stock)
Holy Baptism
by Duane Spencer & James Jordan
from Geneva Ministries
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Hosanna in Excelsis
by David & Barbara Leeman
from Moody Press
for 3rd-Adult
in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
$15.99
Imputation of Adam's Sin
by John Murray
from William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
for Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
In the Splendor of Holiness
by Jon D. Payne
from Tolle Lege Press
for Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$9.50
Incredible Scofield and His Book
by Joseph M. Canfield
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
$38.00 (2 in stock)
Informed Faith Volumes 1-3
by Rousas John Rushdoony
for Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
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 Biblical Law Volume II
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$35.00
Institutes of Biblical Law Volume III
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$25.00 $16.00 (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 Henry Beveridge
Revised from Hendrickson Publishers
for Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$29.95
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)
Institutes of the Christian Religion Volume 3
by John Calvin, translated by Henry Beveridge
Revised from Canon Press
for Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$16.95
Integrative Theology
by Gordon R. Lewis & Bruce A. Demarest
from Zondervan
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$24.00 (1 in stock)
Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
by Dr. William W. Klein; Dr. Craig L. Blomberg; Dr. Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.
from Word Publishing
for Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
Israel and the New Covenant
by Roderick Campbell
from Geneva Divinity School Press
for Adult
in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
John Calvin
by Burk Parsons (editor)
from Reformation Trust Publishing
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Knowledge of the Holy
by A. W. Tozer
from HarperOne
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Lectures on Revivals
by W. B. Sprague
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Luther's Works Volume 31
by Martin Luther, edited by Harold J. Grimm
from Muhlenberg Press
for Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$22.00 (1 in stock)
Making Sunday Special
by Karen Burton Mains
from Word Publishing
for Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Messiah the Prince, or the Mediatorial Dominion of Jesus Christ
by William Symington, introduction by Raymond P. Joseph
1990 Reprint from Still Waters Revival Books
for Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
More Than Conquerors
by William Hendriksen
from Baker Books
for 10th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$6.50 (1 in stock)
O Worship the King
by Joni Eareckson Tada, John MacArthur, Robert & Bobbie Wolgemuth
from Crossway Books
for 9th-Adult
in Devotionals (Location: XCL-DEV)
$8.00 (2 in stock)
Our Hymns, Our Heritage
by David & Barbara Leeman, foreword by Keith & Kristyn Getty
from Moody Press
for 9th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
$24.99
Paradise Restored
by David Chilton
from American Vision Press
for Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Paradise Restored
by David Chilton
from American Vision Press
for Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
Pathway to Freedom
by Alistair Begg, foreword by Charles Colson
from Moody Press
for Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Pleasures of God
by John Piper
from Multnomah Books
for Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
$6.00 (2 in stock)
Political Polytheism
by Gary North
from Institute for Christian Economics
for 10th-Adult
in Economics Resources (Location: ECON-REF)
Politics of Guilt & Pity
by Rousas John Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
Non-fiction/Biblical Interpretation for Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$20.00
Protestant Biblical Interpretation
by Bernard L. Ramm
3rd from Baker Books
for Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Rejoice and Tremble
Union
by Michael Reeves
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
Roots of Reconstruction
by Rousas John Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$25.00 (1 in stock)
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Knowing & Loving God (Location: XCL-KNOW)
$5.00 (2 in stock)
Simply Jesus
by N. T. Wright
from HarperOne
for Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$24.99
Song of the Three Holy Children
by Pauline D. Baynes
from Henry Holt and Company
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
Sovereignty
by R. J. Rushdoony
1st edition from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$40.00
Surprised by Hope
by N. T. Wright
from HarperOne
for 9th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$24.99
Systematic Theology
by R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
in Systematic Theology (Location: XTH-SYS)
$70.00
Systematic Theology
by Louis Berkhof
from Eerdmans
for 11th-Adult
in Systematic Theology (Location: XTH-SYS)
Taking God at His Word
by Kevin DeYoung
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
$14.39 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Ten Commandments
by Thomas Watson
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
The Ology
by Marty Machowski
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-7th grade
in Family Worship (Location: BIB-FAWO)
$29.99
Toward an Old Testament Theology
by Walter C. Kaiser
from Zondervan
for Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Traditional Hymns
from Henry Holt and Company
for Adult
in Hymnals & Psalters (Location: XWO-HYMN)
Treatise of Effectual Calling and Election
by Christopher Love
from Soli Deo Gloria
for Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$32.00 (1 in stock)
Unconditional Surrender
by Gary North
4th edition from Dominion Press
for Adult
in Ecclesiology (Location: XTH-ECC)
$25.00
What's So Amazing About Grace?
by Philip Yancey
Rev ed. from Zondervan
for 11th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$14.00
Who is Jesus?
9marks: Buliding Healthy Churches
by Greg Gilbert, Foreword by Trip Lee
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
Works of Jonathan Edwards - 2 Volumes
by Jonathan Edwards
from Hendrickson Publishers
for Adult
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
$175.00 (1 in stock)