Systematic Theologies   In my own personal studies, and as I am preparing for sermons, I will use a variety of sources. This is helpful because it provides me with a broad range of how to explain the doctrines of the Bible. Different thinkers have different insights on the same passage, some good, some not so good. No one individual has said everything there is to say on the Bible. The good insights help to sharpen my understanding, and develop my comprehension of God’s Word. The validity of any writer’s or teacher’s reflection can usually be verified by a little work on your part. You simply have to be willing to put the time in and do your homework. As part of my study regimen, for every verse I teach on, not only will I consult my commentaries, but I also examine what various authors of systematic theologies have gleaned. Below is a list of the systematic theologies I personally own, with a short comment, or two, about each one. Hopefully this will help you in your studies as well. There are other theological works I use, but since, for the most part, they are not considered systematic theologies, I have not listed them here. One exception, however, would be Charles Finney’s work. At a later time I may expand the scope of this section to include theological works which are not systematic. Though these authors are on my shelves, that is not to say that I am in full agreement with everything they believed, nor that I find all their arguments convincing. It is simply to say that I want to expose myself to as much of what has been written about any passage in the Bible, so that I can be the best teacher I am able to become. All to the glory of God! Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1939. Berkhof's "Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Berkhof, who was born in 1873, and died in 1957, was a professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1906-1944. He also served as the school’s president. He was Reformed in his doctrine. This work is a standard volume for a number of Reformed seminaries. It was the text I used in my Theology 1 class. Overall, it is a very helpful work, though some of his views I do not agree with, such as his position on Israel’s future. Boice, James Montgomery. Foundations of the Christian Faith. Revised one-volume edition. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986. Boice's "Foundations of the Christian Faith" Click here to find a copy     Before his death on June 15, 2000, Boice was the pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. The work is Reformed in perspective, but is very readable and easy to understand, unlike some theologies which are challenging for those who have not attended a Bible college or seminary. Boyce, James Pettigru. Abstract of Systematic Theology. 1887. Reprint, Christian Gospel Foundation, n. d. It was first published in 1887. Click here to read the on-line Text of this work     Boyce lived from 1827 to 1888. He was professor of systematic theology and polemic theology at the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1859, until the year of his death in 1888. This is a Baptist theology with a Reformed flavor. Though old, it has been very helpful to me. Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. 2 vols. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated and indexed by Ford Lewis Battles. The Library of Christian     Classics, vols. 20-21. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960. Translated from the 1559 text. "Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion"  Click here to find a copy     Calvin’s dates are 1509-1564. While this is not the only version of Calvin’s Institutes, it is easily the best. He was a French reformer who is considered the greatest theologian of the Reformation era; some would say the greatest theologian in church history. The doctrine in this work is Reformed, and it has been the most influential systematic theology written. Dabney, Robert Lewis. Systematic Theology. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1985. Reprint of 1878 edition. Dabney's "Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Dabney (1820-1898) was a Southern Presbyterian teaching in the Reformed tradition. He was professor of theology at Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He also served as chaplain and later on as chief of staff for General Stonewall Jackson during the American Civil War. Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985. Erikson's "Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Erickson taught systematic theology at Bethel Theological Seminary, in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1969-1991. He also served as academic dean. His perspective is Baptist and moderate Reformed, which comes out in his views on soteriology. This is a very easy to understand work, and he does engage in issues current to today, though I find him to be weak in some areas. His defense for a substitutionary atonement is exceptional, but his discussion, for instance, of progressive creationism is wanting. He opts for a day-age theory, and believes that the word "day" can mean a period or long period of time, however, he offers no evidence to support this within the context of Genesis 1. Finney, Charles G. Finney’s Lectures on Systematic Theology. Ed. By J. H. Fairchild. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1953. Reprint of 1878 edition. Finney's :Lectures on Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Finney (1792-1875) is largely known as a revivalist. He served as president of Oberlin College from 1851-1866, though he had no theological training. Very strong Arminian views. He was so opposed to the Doctrines of Grace, at times he was belligerent and obnoxious. His teaching included the idea that Christians can reach perfection before death. Even though this work provides great insight into Finney’s heretical views, it neglects too many other topics to be considered a systematic theology in the classical sense. Geisler, Norman. Systematic Theology. 4 vols. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2004.           Geisler's "Systematic Theology: Volume One" Click here to find a copy Geisler's "Systematic Theology: Volume Two" Click here to find a copy Geisler's "Systematic Theology: Volume Three" Click here to find a copy Geisler's "Systematic Theology: Volume Four" Click here to find a copy     The four separate volumes deal with the introduction, as well as the Bible (vol. 1), God and creation (vol. 2), sin and salvation (vol. 3), the church and last things (vol. 4). Of this set, I own volume 3. Geisler is Arminian in persuasion, which clearly comes out in his discussions on salvation. Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Grudem's "Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Grudem has been professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. This is a rather easy read, covering many contemporary issues. He writes from a Reformed perspective. Gill, John. Complete Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978. First published as A Body of Doctrinal Divinity (1767), then as  A Body of Practical Divinity (1770).       Gill's "A Complete Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity Volume 1" Click here to find a copy Gill's "A Complete Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity Volume 2" Click here to find a copy Gill's "A Complete Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity Volume 3" Click here to find a copy     Gill lived from 1697-1771. He was a very influential Baptist puritan pastor, on top of being a profuse writer. In addition, he was a well-respected theologian in England during the 18th-century. Another of his works I have, is his The Cause of God and Truth (1735-1738). This latter work is considered to be one of the most complete defenses of Calvinistic theology ever to be written. The size of the print is somewhat tiring to read, but there is much to glean from his observations. Hodge, Archibald Alexander. Outlines of Theology. 1878. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1949. A.A. Hodge's "Outlines of Theology" Click here to find a copy     Hodge (1823-1886) was professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary from 1877-1886. His father was Charles Hodge. He writes from a Reformed Presbyterian point of view. Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. 3 vols.1871-1873. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970. Charles Hodge's "Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Charles Hodge was the father of Archibald Hodge. He writes from a Reformed and Presbyterian perspective. This work is a classic and has been used by pastors and theologians from the time it was first published, to the present day. It is a significant work. Lewis, Gordon R., and Bruce Demarest. Integrative Theology. 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987-94. Gordon & Demarest's "Integrative Theology" Click here to find a copy     Lewis and Demarest are both systematic theology professors at Denver Seminary, which is conservative Baptist. They write from a moderately Calvinistic and Baptist point of view. The goal of these two men was to integrate historical, biblical, apologetic, and practical information with systematic theology. Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor, 1986. Ryrie's "Basic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Ryrie was professor of systematic theology at Dallas Theological Seminary from 1953-1958, and 1962-1983. This is a very easy to read volume. While he makes contributions on various subjects, I do not agree with his position on the Lordship debate. Also, he writes from a moderate Calvinistic position. He is dispensational. Shedd, William G. T. Dogmatic Theology. 3 vols. in 4. Reprint edition: Minneapolis: Klock and Klock, 1979. First published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1889. William G.T. Shedd's "Dogmatic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Shedd, 1820-1894, was professor of Bible and theology at Union Seminary in New York, from 1863 to 1893. His point of view is Reformed and Presbyterian. This is, without doubt, one of my favorite theological texts. The depth with which Shedd discusses issues in inspiring. Furthermore, he provides arguments that are extremely helpful, even for modern minds. Strong, Augustus H. Systematic Theology. Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1907. Strong's "Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Strong lived from 1836 to 1921. He served as president and professor of theology at Rochester Theological Seminary, and then, from 1905 to 1910, he served as the first president of the Norther Baptist Convention. This work has received wide circulation among Baptists. He writes from a moderate Calvinist as well as a Baptist perspective. Many good insights in this volume, but I warn you, be prepared to suffer from eye strain. Yes, the print is that small! Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology. Rev. by Vernon D. Doerksen. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977. First published in     1949. Thiessen's Lectures in Systematic Theology" Click here to find a copy     Thiessen (1883-1947) was professor and chairman of the faculty at the Wheaton College Graduate School. His point of view is dispensational, and Baptist. Warfield, Benjamin B. Studies in Theology. New York: Oxford Press, 1932. Warfield's "Studies in Theology" Click here to find a copy     Warfield (1851-1921) was a Reformed theologian who taught New Testament and then systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary from 1887 until 1921. He is considered to be one of the greatest theological minds in American Christian history. This, along with other works he has authored, have been a tremendous aid in my spiritual growth.