Charts of Christian Theology & Doctrine

This book is a wonderful starting point for studying (and preparing lessons on) issues of in-house Christian debate, such as predestination vs. free will, which it summarizes in four tables on six pages.Other tables cover alternative views on biblical inerrancy, theories of inspiration, the Trinity, original sin, the Atonement, water baptism, "tongues", the rapture, the millennium, etc. For each issue, the chart lists positions, adherents/proponents and descriptions/explanations.The book also has a number of straightforward lists, such as Messianic prophecies fulfilled, names of God, biblical teachings on the Holy Spirit, etc. The book concludes with an extensive bibliography.I highly recommend it as a very handy, helpful reference.

It answers all those questions about theology and doctrine you always wanted to ask. It is a handy reference to have on hand.

I really wanted to like this book. I keep trying to use it as a tool to help my wife and I understand the distinctions between the various "isms" which Christians discuss. We are both college educated and reasonably Biblically literate. We found this book frustrating for a number of reasons, but the main recurring problem is that difficult subjects are consistently defined in terms that are incoherent unless one is already familiar with the viewpoint to begin with. How about this definition of the "Idealism" view of God:"This philosophy is a mentalistic reductionism that explains a perceived dualism of matter and mind in terms of one all-inclusive mind. All components of the universe, including good and evil, become but a finite counterpart of the Infinite. All elements merge with the ultimate good. The good in turn represents ideal reality." (Section 13)Or this definition of dynamic monarchianism:"The notion of a subsistent God is a palpable impossibility, since his perfect unity is perfectly indivisible. The 'diversity' of God is apparent and not real, since the Christ event and work of the Holy Spirit attest only to a dynamic operation within God, not to a hypostatic union." (Section 23)This book is probably good at getting some conversation going about these things. But we have found it generally unhelpful in actually understanding them at all, or even understanding exactly where position X differs from position Y. What this book lacks is clear articulation--in unambiguous language--of those points at which the various positions differ.

Excellent addition to a class I’m taking

This book is very helpful when trying to get an overview on different viewpoints on theological issues. It is well layed out and includes all the most relevant and discussed theological doctrines.

I just received the book two days ago. It's a big book, although not thick and heavy. It sports graphs throughout every page giving a quick review and workings of the doctrine. Excellent to have when you need to do quick, visualization on doctrine for studies.

Extremely well written and chronological work. Very helpful for teachers.

Very good book. Essential in my coaching library.

Excellent book, I find the level of reading is much higher so I'm not reading it as quickly as I have for other books.

concise but adequate as a quick reference tool.