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Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs
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Average Rating:  out of 13 Reviews
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Price: $14.99
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Sale: $8.95
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Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780842339605
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Paperback
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Author: J. I. Packer
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Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
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Dewey Decimal Number: 230.044
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Publication Date: 2001-02-01
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Reading Level: 288
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Description: Theology matters! At last it can be understood easily, thanks to this "layman's language" approach to biblical belief. Authored by J. I. Packer, one of the premier theologians of Christianity, this summary of Christian teaching covers nearly 100 major Christian beliefs from a Reformed perspective. Brief, easy-to-understand chapters offer precise descriptions without sacrificing depth. Thoughtfully arranged and refreshingly readable, this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every Christian.
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: A great book! |
Date: 2008-08-18 |
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Details: This book is exactly what it says it is: concise Christian theology. It is intelligently written yet not too difficult for the non-academic to understand. It consists of many short, one concept chapters, each explaining a single Christian belief from the Bible with the chapters and verses to support them. |
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Review Summary: Concise Theology |
Date: 2008-04-23 |
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Details: This book is very informative and gives very precise answers to the questions I had. Sometimes I get really confused in the other books to which I refer; but I know that I can go to Concise Theology and get the answers in short monographs. |
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Review Summary: Concise and to the Point! |
Date: 2006-11-28 |
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Details: I heard that Dr. Packer is working on his magnus opus, his systematic theology. I cannot wait for that volume! Dr. Packer is a blessing to the Lord's Body. |
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Review Summary: Handy quick reference with a Reformed slant. |
Date: 2006-01-30 |
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Details: This is one of those "quick reference" type books. For those who need to brush up on basics; major theological points are put forth in a straight forward manner without the usual flummery.
Each salient has a page or two with appropriate Bible references. This format makes the book ideal for quick study or as a opener for discussion.
One caveat. The text definitely has a Reformed theological slant and may cause some to take umbrage at the tone of finality on matters that are quite open to reasoned disagreements. For example, the matter of Grace and Law. Opposing views are not given a fair hearing. But that is to be expected in a **CONCISE** handbook.
This handbook goes very well as a study guide to Berkohf's Systematic Theology.
Very good handbook that makes for a great reference. |
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Review Summary: Concise Philosophy & Prooftexting |
Date: 2006-01-20 |
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Details: Packer is considered by many to be an excellent scholar, and with that said, about half of his chapters are well thought out, and quite good for the one or two pages he gives them. However, the problem starts in that the rest are steeped in Reformed Traditions, and not necessarily the plain/normal interpretation as given to us in Scripture. Instead, Packer relies too heavily on the scholastic works of the Roman Catholic Saint Augustine and Calvin instead of trying to work things out on his own. He sticks with the "System". In many of his chapters, he comes across as arrogant and offensive to anyone who doesn't hold to his particular flavor of Reformed theology. He intentionally uses extreme and elitist labels to belittle other viewpoints. Packer, as with many of the High Calvinists, doesn't hesitate to put dissenters into any extreme category. In this book, Packer doesn't have to worry about being accused of being humble or irenic.
As a scholastic Calvinist, he also continues the tradition of emphasizing the work of Mosaic Law over Grace in sanctification. His other chapters are highly seasoned with Mosaic Law as well. He has 3 chapters that emphasize Law and not one on Grace! Someone should give him a copy of Romans and Galatians. In addition, Packer doesn't hesitate to use only those verses which seem to support his position. The rest are completely ignored. If you buy into the dogmatic System of logic and Reformed traditions, over the plain Word of God, then this is the book for you. For those who are truly seeking biblical insights, please look elsewhere, or at least read this book with an open study Bible that lists the verses that don't agree with him.
<<>>
As a follow-up to my previous review, I would like to make the following clarifications about Mr. Packer's work.
First of all, the title is very deceptive to the potential reader who might stumble across it in a bookstore. Instead of "Concise Theology: A Guide To Historic Christian Beliefs." Mr. Packer should have been upfront with the reader and called it "Concise Reformed Theology: A Guide to Reformed Traditions".
I have read this book twice, the first time being disappointed in noting how this is mainly the Reformed Church traditions in proof-text format. The second time I highlighted all the times he refers to Christians as being as Jews still under the Mosaic Law. I had to get a second highlighter as rarely does any chapter neglect this theory numerous times. The word "grace" is rarely mentioned unless it is equated with Mosaic Law.
As for his prooftexts for TULIP theology, just one flagrant example is in the chapter he calls "Definite Redemption" and it is based mainly on verses like John 17:9. Using isogesis, he takes the one verse completely out of context, as Christ is praying for His disciples, who are already saved. If this wasn't bad enough, he also fails to inform the reader that later on in the same chapter (verses 21-23) Christ does pray for those whom Mr. Packer says He doesn't...incredible! The other verses he lists, if taken in their contexts, never rule out General Redemption.
This is a classic example of a deductive and scholastic methodology where one interprets the Scriptures based on one's preconceived ideas of theology! It appears that he developed this habit from reading too many scholastic Puritans like John Owen. For the above example, here are just some of the verses the serious and objective Bible student should reference:
1 Tim. 2:4, 6; 2 Peter 2:1; John 3:16, 17; 1 John 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Cor. 5:19; Isa. 53:6; Heb. 2:9; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14; 2 Peter 3:9; Titus 2:11; John 1:29, etc...
As alluded to in my previous review, Mr. Packer's use of terms like "antinomian dispensationalist", and "hypothetical universalist", etc. are intended to be pejorative. As a theologian, Packer knows these are theological swear words, and he uses them as such to try and belittle any Christian who is not Reformed. As a teacher and pastor, he should know better how to lead by a Christ-like example. On the positive side, this book might be of use to the first year seminary student as a manual of how proof-texting can be abused, even by prominent theologians with an ax to grind. It might also be helpful in studying the logical fallacy known as Theologism (interpreting all Scripture using only one of God's attributes).
That said, if you do buy this book, do yourself a favor and PLEASE look at the verses he gives in their contexts, and use a concordance to reference those that challenge the ones he gives. If you are really looking for a biblical "concise" guide get A Survey of Bible Doctrine by Charles Ryrie, or his meatier Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth.
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