Here are some thoughts about books that I have read. I will add more in time.
Roy B. Zuck, Eugene H. Merrill (ed): A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament
3/5 stars
Basics about Old Testament Theology
This is a popular work about Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible. The work has been written by a group of the faculty of the Dallas Theological Seminary. Although there are minor traces of viewpoints of this institute, like dispensationalism, it does not show in a disturbing way. At first there is a very brief survey about the academic discipline (the justification of it and some history of the theology of the OT) and then the whole OT in groups of books. Clearly written. The writers stick with the basics. The work does not cover much new for those, who have studied these things earlier.
----------
Walter A. Elwell, Robert W. Yarbrough: Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey
3/5 stars
Basics about New Testament
The work is a textbook of the New Testament. The writers write from an evangelical perspective. They do not get into details, but they give an overview. The survey is balanced and dispassionated. Historical places, events and persons relating to the New Testament and the culture of the first century are handeled concisely. Some texts of the New Testament are also applied to our own time. The book is a good one to beginning students of theology and to interested laypersons. To those who are somewhat familiar with the New Testament history, theology and exegesis there is not much new in the book but it can still work as a rehearsal.
----------
Justo Gonzales: The Story of Christianity (2 volumes)
5/5 stars
Exellent survey to church history
Gonzales leads the reader through the 2000-years history of the Christian church. He writes from the Western perspective. Although the work is not very thorough, it is not shallow either. It gives a whole impression. It is not about isolated happenings, but the story has a logical progression. The writer handels the Roman Catholic and the Protestant Christianity evenly. The Orthodox Church gets more concise treatment after the Patristic era (the time of the Church Fathers). Gonzales gives bibliographies for those who want to dig deeper. I recommend the work to students of theology, and advanced laypeople, who want a good overview on the subject.
----------
Tremper Longman III:
How to Read the Psalms
4/5 stars
A Christian Introduction to the Psalter
The book is a good introduction to basic exegetical and theological issues concerning the Psalter. Longman writes mainly to a Christian audience from an Evangelical perspective. He is a respected Old Testament scholar. The book describes different genres of the Psalms and helps lay readers and beginning theological students to interpret this Biblical book in it's historical, cultural and literary context and use the Psalms in personal devotions and in the worship of the Church.
----------
Lee Strobel:
The Case for Christ
3/5 stars
Apologetics made easy
Strobel has written a very readable and simple introduction to Christian apologetics. He interviews Evangelical theologians and exegetes. He asks them very basic questions and gets concise but rational answers. Conversational tone of the book makes it very easy to read. After each chapter there is a small bibliography for those who want to dig deeper. Reading this book does not make one a specialist, but it may be a fine place for a lay Christian to start searching why believe in Christianity. It may also be a fine book for evangelism for people who are interested in looking some answers about Christianity.
----------
Sinclair B. Ferguson, Joel R. Beeke & Michael A. G. Haykin:
Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Century
3/5 stars
A place to begin for those with not much time and knowledge
The book is a very short introduction to the church history from a Western and Calvinistic point of view. Every chapter covers a whole century in few pages. Limited 112 pages naturally means a fragmentary and very selective handling of things, no author is able doing much more with these restrictions. You cannot sense how things develop, but at least you get a feeling to the subject. In my opinion although the book is more than a bit simplistic, it is a good way to start for those who have no prior knowledge at all and who do not want to spend more time and effort for studying. For those who are willing to get a bit more complete picture, I would recommend for example Bruce Shelley: Church History In Plain Language.
----------
Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart:
How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible
4/5 stars
A basic guide to understanding and applying the Bible
This book is about Biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, in other words how we can understand texts and apply them to our own contexts. The writers are well known Evangelical Biblical scholars. The book is easy to read. After you have assimilated the chapters you have a basic understanding about various Biblical genres. In the end there is also a helpful list of Biblical commentaries.
----------
Alister McGrath:
Christian Theology: An Introduction
5/5 stars
A very good introduction to systematic and historical theology
This book is a very good way to start studying academic systematic and historical theology. McGrath knows his subject well. He writes to those with little prior knowledge. He has chosen a descriptive way to present Christian doctrine rather than a prescriptive one. The book is used in many universities and theological seminaries in many countries including my own (Finland).
----------
Craig Blomberg:
Making Sense of the New Testament (Three Crucial Questions)
4/5 stars
A good starter for a lay person
This is a very short introduction to the New Testament. The writer is a well known Evangelical Biblical scholar. Blomberg does not try to cover too much. He focuses mostly on Jesus and Paul. He gives bibliographical recommendations for those, who want to go deeper. The book was easy to read. You could sense that the writer is an expert. I can recommend this work to those with little or none technical knowledge to the subject.
Ei kommentteja:
Lähetä kommentti