Series: Books Worth Reading – General Theological Works
Starting a new series today entitled, “Books Worth Reading.” The purpose of this series is an attempt to have a preliminary list of books, certainly not exhaustive, spanning various theological disciplines. Once I am finished with this series I’ll post all of the books in the resource section of this blog.
Here is where you come in. I need your help. I certainly have not read, nor am I aware of, all works relating to given topic. If you think there is something that should be added to a list let me know in the comments section and I’ll strongly consider adding it. I won’t be able to add everything, nor do I want to. These lists are not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, these books are some of the standard resources in particular fields. Some of these works will be Christian classics while others will be contemporary pieces. PLEASE help me by adding to the list!
The categories that will be covered in the following weeks are: General Works, Theological Method, Bibliology, Theology Proper, Anthropology, Hamartiology, Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, and Church History.
The first category is General Works on Theology:
- Augustine - On Christian Teaching
- Thomas Aquinas – The Summa Theologica 5 vols
- Herman Bavinck – Reformed Dogmatics 4 Vols
- John Calvin – Institutes of the Christian Religion 2 Vols
- Carl Henry – God Revelation and Authority 6 Vols
- Thomas Oden – Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology
- Francis Turretin – Institutes of Elenctic Theology 3 Vols
- Kevin Vanhoozer – Remythologizing Theology
This list is intentionally short. What is missing? What needs to be added?
Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology 3 Vols
Great suggestion Corey. I’ll certainly add Hodge to the list.
It’s really new, but I would probably add Gerald Bray’s God is Love simply because it covers the whole terrain of a systematic theology but in such an accessible way it’s suitable for high schoolers. People like you (and me to a less extent) will recognize when he’s discussing on-going theological issues, but he does so without jargon and only footnotes Scripture (I mean he manages a decent rundown on filioque without ever using the word)
If we’re doing multi-volume works, I might also add John Frame’s Theology of Lordship series, but that’s just my partiality talking
Yeah, I’ve heard some good things about Bray’s new work and also a few criticisms, largely having to do with the lack of footnotes (I guess that betrays what groups I run in). Bray is one of the best though and it is probably good to have a work that is a bit more accessible to a wider audience, so, I’ll add it to the final list. Good suggestion Nate.
My first thought was Barth’s Church Dogmatics just because he was so influential against liberalism. I might add something by Edwards. Maybe Religious Affections? I know that one isn’t really a general theological work, but good nonetheless. I am currently reading Justo Gonzalez’s three volume History of Christian Thought, which gives a comprehensive look at the ebb and flow of theology throughout the history of the church. I’m really enjoying it.
Daniel, thanks for the insight. I think you’re right about Barth. It would be hard to leave his Church Dogmatics off the list. I was trying to think of some Edwards stuff as well but I don’t think anything fits with General Theological works. I’ll be sure to add some of Gonzalez’s stuff to my list for Church History. Keep the comments coming!
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