question for Christian Theology

Truth Seeker · 05-28-2006, 03:41 PM

Hello,
This is my first thread... [

]

The question at hand is:

In your honest opinion..
What are the best books, textbooks, or authors..
a Christian Theologian wannabe
should read for obtaining
an absolute understanding
of Christian Theology?

The question rephrased; If I wanted to become the ultimate Christian Theologian.. what books should I have in my personal library.. from most important to least important.. to know and understand?

Folowing the Truth wherever it may lead

mee · 05-28-2006, 04:57 PM

the bible

most important

Truth Seeker · 05-28-2006, 05:17 PM

hey thanks!
I do have several Holy Bibles in my house.

The core concept of understanding Christianity should be found in the Bible.

Thanks from a fellow believer,
TS

KnightoftheRose · 05-29-2006, 02:12 AM

Hey Truth Seeker. I would suggest Christian Theology by Alister E. McGrath - it's very non-biased, and deals largely with theological history. It's a real good place to start for those new to theology. I would also suggest Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Grudem's pretty conservative and heavy-handed at times, but he's still pretty good. Are you Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, or what? That might help narrow down which theologians you should tackle after some introductory books. (On a side note: man, it's been a long time since I've posted on this forum. Hi everyone!)

Thomas · 05-29-2006, 01:07 PM

Depends upon what denomination of Christianity you are drawn towards.

The theology differs, in some cases marginally, on other matters radically. It is equally important to understand from what perspective a theological writer approaches the subject.

Thomas

Truth Seeker · 05-29-2006, 03:45 PM

Hello everyone,
Thanks for responding.

My father was of the Catholic faith.
My mother was Methodist.

For years I was involved with a non-denominational movement. It was mainly Protestant oriented.

I married a Bible thumping Baptist. She grew up singing in the church, her family was like the house band or something. They are pretty much still heavily involved with the church they go to.

But anyhow I wanted to super-strengthen my faith/knowledge.. because of the shared information on the internet. I've read some good Christian books over the years.. mostly life stories and similar things of interest.

After reading an internet Christian debate I got the feeling there is much more to be known and understood.. that to share the faith with blatant educated non-believers was going to have to take a deeper approach than what I was previously accustomed to.

Thanks again for the replies,
TS

BlaznFattyz · 05-29-2006, 04:01 PM

the works of dr. j. vernon mcgee are excellent. you can visit http://www.ttb.org and go to resources.

Jeannot · 05-29-2006, 04:31 PM

On a more informal level, there's CS Lewis' MERE CHRISTIANITY and GK Chesterton's ORTHODOXY.

Quahom1 · 05-30-2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth Seeker

Hello,
This is my first thread... [

]

The question at hand is:

In your honest opinion..
What are the best books, textbooks, or authors..
a Christian Theologian wannabe
should read for obtaining
an absolute understanding
of Christian Theology?

The question rephrased; If I wanted to become the ultimate Christian Theologian.. what books should I have in my personal library.. from most important to least important.. to know and understand?

Folowing the Truth wherever it may lead

"Church History in Plain Language"
by Bruce L. Shelley

"How the Irish Saved the World"
by Thomas Cahill

"Believe in the God that Believes in You"
by Robert Schuller

"Crossing the Threshold of Hope"
by Pope John Paul II

"Bondage of the Will"
by Martin Luther

"The Book of Mormon"

"The Qu'Ran"

"The Pentatuch"

These are just for starters.

And welcome to CR.

v/r

Q

Dor · 05-30-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth Seeker

Hello,
This is my first thread... [

]

The question at hand is:

In your honest opinion..
What are the best books, textbooks, or authors..
a Christian Theologian wannabe
should read for obtaining
an absolute understanding
of Christian Theology?

The question rephrased; If I wanted to become the ultimate Christian Theologian.. what books should I have in my personal library.. from most important to least important.. to know and understand?

Folowing the Truth wherever it may lead

The Bible.
The Bible. different verse
The Bible. 3rd verse.
etc

Dor · 05-30-2006, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahom1

"The Book of Mormon"

v/r

Q

wil · 05-30-2006, 01:29 PM

I'd suggest a parallel bible...makes for easier comparisons between versions...looking at four bibles at once without flipping back and forth..

Also a book of parallel gospels....allowing one to look at Mathew, Mark, Luke and John and their similarities and differences..same reason as above.

And a couple different bibles with commentaries allowing you to get deeper into the scriptures gaining some historical context.

Metaphysical Bible Dictionary..by Fillmore is great for looking up the meanings behind names and places in the bible...

Hopefully in there some of these will have maps tis great to look and establish relationships between the events...

Dor · 05-31-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

Metaphysical Bible Dictionary..by Fillmore is great for looking up the meanings behind names and places in the bible...

For Christian Theology?

Hmmm book by a man that started a group that denies the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the personality of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of atonement for sin, heaven, hell, sin and the devil...

Quahom1 · 05-31-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dor

He asked from a theological perspective...

wil · 05-31-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dor

For Christian Theology? Hmmm book by a man that started a group that denies the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the personality of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of atonement for sin, heaven, hell, sin and the devil...

Ok, I wouldn't mind having a better book to obtain meanings and thought behind the names and places in the bible as a reference on my bookshelf...which one have you compared to the MBD and why do you feel it superior?

And unless I'm mistaken tis some churches and Catholicism that made the decsions on most of the above...not all of Christendom follows your doctrine...

As we've previously discussed nuch of the above was determined the bishops and church elders of the day, Jesus became a diety by a close vote...far from unaminous consent...and the Trinity was decided over a fist fight....as for hell and the devil...I don't believe Fillmore did believe in a critter...course neither did the Jews that wrote or read the texts today...and he fully believed in a hell of your own creation, the devil in one's mind that conflicts the Christ...and a heaven in our midst as Jesus spoke....scary stuff indeed.