Book Review: Systematic Theology

Part 5 of 10 in a series of "Top 10 Books" by Jeff Stebbins

During a recent Bible study, I heard a phrase I dislike. Struggling to explain a difficult verse, a friend said, "I like to think of God as..." Arrgh! No, it's not evil to say this. Still, it is galling, because what we 'like to think' about God is not just irrelevant, it can lead us away from truth into heresy!

Long ago, heretics were burned at the stake; now they get rich on books and talk shows as they lead people astray. Which is worse?

Without firm biblical foundations, believers can resemble spiritual "infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, blown here and there by every wind of teaching" (Ephesians 4:14). Our passionate faith needs to be knowledgeable, too. Bishop Moule once said, "Beware equally an undevotional theology and an untheological devotion."

To avoid misunderstandings about God, the Bible, our faith, or the church, we need at least one good resource to summarize and clarify the truths of Scripture. Otherwise, many of us may passively hope that we will eventually encounter the most relevant verses about a topic in Bible studies or sermons. Want to bypass all that passive wondering and hoping? You can't do better than Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. At christianbook.com, it's $28, and worth every dollar.

What does the Bible say about the character and role of each person of the Trinity? What about angels and demons? What about mankind, sin, Hell, salvation, the church, end times, or Heaven? What should be the roles of women in the church, or of men in the family? These truths are scattered--not hidden--in Scripture. Systematic theologies gather relevant references to enable more complete, less fragmented knowledge of God's truths.

With few theological terms, Grudem writes plainly about these and other tenets of our faith. His book is flavored both with deep knowledge and with intimate acquaintance, for Grudem shares of Whom he knows.

All 58 chapters, all 1200 pages, are practically informative and passionately worshipful. In fact, he ends each chapter with a praise song or hymn and a verse to memorize. Don't feel intimidated by the book's size--you can take small bites or big ones. You can read a chapter when it most interests you. Read about the resurrection at Easter, or about why God made us male and female when your son starts dating, or about Heaven when your aunt dies.

Grudem's text also shows us the bigger picture of Scripture and reconciles apparent contradictions. And he traces numerous biblical misunderstandings to their logical ends--to the heresies and cults that embody them. Best of all, Grudem helps us to know what God wants us to know, rather than what we would 'like to think.'

Favorite quote: God will never prove unfaithful to those who trust what He has said. Indeed, the essence of true faith is taking Him at His word and relying on Him to do as He promised. (p. 195)

Jeff & Beth Stebbins are members of Pulpit Rock Church and serve with the Navigators.

Are we there yet?

by George Brown

When embarking on a road trip with our kids, I must brace myself for those inevitable words, "Are we there yet?" or "How much longer?"

Life is often like an interminable road trip where you and I are asking God the question, "Are we there yet?" or "How much longer?" However, if we look and listen closely, we will see and hear an adventure unfolding that takes us into the magic and wonder of what it means to walk with God and experience His will for our life.

The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who sought hard after God and experienced the wonder and amazement of what God was doing. Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, and Joseph are just a few examples. Their journeys were often filled with twists and turns that would lead them to ask the question, "Am I there yet?"

Even the prophet Jeremiah experienced detours and unforeseen events. Jeremiah knew and understood his calling to warn Israel of the impending exile into Babylon. He would plead and lament with them not to resist the will of God in this matter. As he prepared to enter into exile himself, he was given the opportunity to stay in the land or join the others. He chose to join those being exiled in line with what he thought the Lord would have him do. Unexpectedly, the authorities reverse his choice, and he finds himself staying with the remnant of Israel in the land (Jeremiah 40 and 41).

I think all of us can identify with these characters to one degree or another. Life is filled with hopes and dreams, setbacks and detours. I find myself asking far too often, "How long, O Lord, how long?" But when I step back into the story that is my life in Christ, I am transported into the wonders of intimacy with Him that allow me to see His work in my life and the lives of those around me. All of a sudden I forget those questions I was asking, and the problems and challenges of this temporal journey seem insignificant.

With the writer of Hebrews, I concur, ". . . they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:16)

So are we there yet? How much longer will it be? Patience. We are almost there.

George and his wife Cathy have been at Pulpit Rock since 1994. They have been married over 20 years and have three teenage children -- Christopher, Michelle, and David. George serves as Sr. Vice President of VisionQuest Alliance, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to assist ministries in becoming more effective through shared services, systems and resources.