The Christian faith is organically linked to the New Testament by Christians who have lived before us. Church history is a study of the continuing influence of Christianity, so Historical Theology is a study of man’s expression of his faith by each generation in different sociological and ecclesiastical settings. Church history is more than the accumulation of facts, it is an understanding of missionary outreach, the form of worship, the nature of the church in all of its settings, the history of doctrine and the formulation of creeds.
Systematic Theology takes the material furnished by biblical and historical theology, and with this material seeks to build up into an organic and consistent whole all of our knowledge of God and of the relations between God and the universe, whether this knowledge be derived from nature of from the Scriptures.
In the helpful new book Historical Theology An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, a companion to Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology Dr. Allison provides a robust reference tool that will serve the Church by helping Christians understand what the Church has believed and taught on the Word of God, God, humanity, the person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit, redemption, the Church and the future.
Historical Theology read together with Dr. Grudem’s Systematic Theology will give new or seasoned Christians valuable insight and instruction into what Christians should believe by helping them to understand what the Bible teaches about the Scriptures, humanity, the future, and more. Historical Theology will help Christians to understand that they are not the first Christians to think seriously about their faith, but rather that they have a rich intellectual heritage that goes back to the early church. When read together as I did, I believe both volumes will help the new up to the seasoned scholar to be able to know the truth from God’s Word, apply it to their lives and aid in their teaching to God’s people. I highly recommend both Historical Theology and Systematic Theology and pray that God will continue to use both of them for His glory in instructing His redeemed Bride in the Truth of His Word for the sake of the advancement of the Gospel.
Title: Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
and Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine
Authors: Greg R. Allison and Wayne Grudem
Publisher: Zondervan (1994, and 2011)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Zondervan book review bloggers program. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
