This book is special. Its title might not suggest the wallop it packs, though the subtitle “Blueprints For Sanctification” at least sends you the right direction. When the author says he is going to approach his subject by doing some expositions of the key NT passages you still might realize what you are in for. It’s only when you actually start reading and the chapters add up that you see the treasure you have. Those passages he expounds are ones we read over too quickly and their incredible value he simply unfolds. Along the way, the book proves itself an instant classic. That might be cliché, but I believe time will prove it true.

There’s an appendix that lists the “Blueprint Passages” at the end, and he has something to say on each, but he soared in Romans 12, Galatians 2:20, and especially Romans 6. He really helped me see the role the Law has in the life of the Christian today. He steered away from extremes that find so many adherents these days.

I could not say that I agreed with every sentence in the book, but he always carefully explained himself and made you do your own thinking. I can’t follow all reformed conclusions that were made, but I think most Bible believers will be helped and everyone needs this book. I challenge you to see if you can’t agree with his final chapter on the ultimate goal. I sure did.

I must give you warning. This book is not for casual reading. It demands slow, reflective reading. You invest that effort and you will be rewarded immensely. This is one of the great ones.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Here is a paperback reprint of a classic. It’s been held in high regard for several years and has not yet been superseded. As I have delved into it, I am most amazed by its depth and scope. Some have found it too detailed, and I suspect we might want to use it more as a reference tool than for fireside reading, but it still holds great value as you track down theological themes in the New Testament.

When we say detailed, we mean 1000 pages. It actually takes through page 74 to describe how he thinks NT theology should be approached! He covers every topic thoroughly. You will know pretty much all that the New Testament has to say on the subject when you are done. I once read a criticism of this work that it doesn’t do too well in pointing out specific contributions to the whole each section makes. For example, you might not easily find what Paul added to the discussion. The truth is, there are many such volumes that explain those distinctions, but very few that give this comprehensive viewpoint. For that reason, this book remains indispensable to the theology section of your library.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

What is called a theological companion turns out to be an astute theological dictionary from a seasoned theologian. The scope of this fine volume is so massive that it is hard to believe that one writer gave us the entire volume. Most dictionaries are compiled by a host of scholars who can even contradict themselves across entries, but here we have a unified approach to all things theological.

The book begins with a timeline of theologians to help you place the many theologians that will receive a biographic entry in the volume. That is a great help in seeing who was contemporary with each other. Next, there is a list of entries which is much easier than flipping through the large volume itself. Still, the majority of the book is a-to-z entries.

In addition to influential theologians, he gives almost every theological word imaginable whether common like “justification”, or biblical like “abba”, or of a modern scholarly bend like “open theism”, or even esoteric like “womanism.” Exhaustive is a fair description.

The articles are of various lengths following a logical approach to their complexity and importance. You might occasionally disagree with his choice, or find something missing like the “New Perspective on Paul”, but it is broad enough to cover most everything you might need in such a volume. You might even disagree on a theological conclusion, but you will never find him careless, naive, or harshly dogmatic. His lifetime in theology is apparent.

Quite simply, I must rate this a winner and consider it a jewel to have on your shelves.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Likely the most important book of its kind for this generation, this massive volume covers the doctrine of Scripture from every conceivable vantage point. Edited by the redoubtable D. A. Carson, this book maintains a consistently high level of scholarship. Though I did not read every page (I wanted to provide somewhat of a timely review),  I read much and was impressed throughout.

The volume begins with a spectacular introductory essay by Carson that was fascinating. He at once laid bare the lines of debate and an outline of the history. Starting a trend that carried through the book, he named names. He was never ugly, but he put people with positions and then evaluated positions in this successful romp through the issues.

Next comes nine chapters on historical topics. There might be more information than you feel the need to know, but in any future historical questions you will likely find your answers here.

The heart of the book was chapters 11-24 on biblical and theological topics. These articles were excellent even if certain parts were somewhat esoteric. Still, the great subjects were fully addressed. The next section on philosophical and epistemological topics carried the theological discussion forward. The section on comparative religion topics was much less interesting to me, but that is likely a matter of taste. The book ends with Daniel Doriani encouraging us to think holistically and then some FAQ by Carson.

This book is a major publishing event. Pastors will find some that is helpful clarification, but some that is needless complication. We must remember, though, that the book is dedicated to scholarly concerns in addition to what is helpful to us. There were statements that I could not agree with in these pages, but this book is a presentation of the conservative position. To that end, it was just what was needed in our complicated days.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Anizor and Voss write here on a doctrine, the priesthood of the believer, that is precious to some of us, yet under duress in many places. Whole segments of Christendom deny its existence. This book shows that is both a biblical idea and an idea believed by several across the centuries.

This book is at its best discussing what the Scriptural basis of the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer is. Chapter 2 entitled “A Royal Priesthood” lays out well the case for clear teaching on this doctrine. I had never considered Adam as a priest, but Israel was clearly “a kingdom of priests.” Even more important is when the authors draw out the New Testament teaching on the subject. To me, it is undeniable as they well show.

The balance of the book looks at the subject in more of a church history vein. Luther might not deserve quite as much credit as they give him, but he does play into the history. They also explain what all priesthood really means in our lives, which is the reason for the subtitle “a vision for the priesthood of the believer.”

They take care to write to those who might be in a group that has priests today and deny that all Christians are priests. Some of that explanation might not be necessary to one not in one of those groups.

They write well and make a good contribution to this important dialog. This is a fine theological volume to have.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

IVP continues to uphold its well-earned reputation in quality reference works with this revised work. It is essentially a new work in that so many articles were enlarged. The material covered also differs from the first edition because another volume, IVP’s New Dictionary of Biblical Theology had already pulled out that material. This volume focuses exclusively on historical and systematic theology in its massive 1000 pages.

The list of contributors is impressive. The scholarship is of the highest quality and none of the articles I read seemed to be done in haste. You might make the mistake of forgetting a subject would actually be categorized as biblical theology and search in vain, but if you are looking for historical or systematic theology subjects you likely won’t fail to find an entry here. At least I couldn’t.

Besides the great entries on all the theological concepts, I really enjoyed the biographical entries on the great theologians. They even had an entry for Charles Spurgeon! They purposely included articles on global theology and theological trends of our day.

The book is attractive and a joy to peruse. It will serve as an outstanding reference for many years. I loved it!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This volume of charts is part of the Kregel Charts of the Bible and Theology series. Though it covers Prolegomena, or introductory issues, this material is not for the beginning Christian like several books of charts are. Written by H. Wayne House with Kyle A. Roberts, it aims at an audience that has wrestled some with systematic theology.

It begins with helping readers see the difference between objective and subjective theologies. As is done throughout the book, it uses the explanations of the most famous corresponding theologian. That will range from the rather orthodox to the rather unorthodox theologians and theological positions.

At times, like in sharing different perspectives on possibility, the different position positions have a few that seem really close. Some charts, like the one comparing systematic, biblical, historical, and philosophical theologies, rose above the others in value. Still, they are all worthwhile.

I believe the greatest value in this book will be for those doing a deeper study on theology. From that perspective, complex things are well compiled and condensed without sacrificing understanding. It would likely be a boon to one teaching or needing a refresher in systematic theology.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.