Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. By Wayne A. Grudem. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994, 1264 pp. $39.95.

Wayne Grudem's systematic theology is very complete, well reasoned, yet clear and readable, and handsomely printed. Very biblically based (as the title suggests), it is not dry, but engaging, challenging and personal. It is abreast of the latest writings and well-fitted for seminary classes, but can be read easily by lay persons. Grudem has a gift for simplifying, explaining and illustrating theological truths.

Grudem's methodology comes from John Frame's definition that "Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, `What does the whole Bible teach us today?' about any given topic." In keeping with this definition, each of Grudem's fifty-seven chapters carries a question or two in the subtitle. Examples are: Chapter 21, The Creation of Man. Why did God create us? How did God make us like himself? How can we please him in everyday living? Chapter 22, Man as Male and Female. Why did God create two sexes? Can men and women be equal and yet have different roles? Chapter 23, The Essential Nature of Man. What does Scripture mean by "soul" and "spirit"? Are they the same thing? Grudem exegetes pertinent Bible passages to craft his theological answers.

The book has seven parts: 1. Word of God, 2. God, 3. Man, 4. Christ and the Holy Spirit, 5. Application of Redemption, 6. Church, 7. Future. Any grouping is difficult. Part Four, for example, has four chapters on Christ, and only one on the Holy Spirit. Part Five contains thirteen chapters, including the Baptism and Filling of the Holy Spirit, while Part Six has two additional chapters on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, the parts fit together well enough.

A unique feature of this theology is Grudem's stated purpose of not interacting with liberal theology. He states, "I write as an evangelical and for evangelicals. This does not mean that those in the liberal tradition have nothing valuable to say; it simply means that differences with them almost always boil down to differences over the nature of the Bible and its authority" (p. 17). This is a refreshing, positive feature. Grudem focuses on what the Bible says, not the denials or denunciations of the critics. He defends the truth, but from the strength of ascertaining what Scripture says and means. Grudem's work is scholarly, aware of diverse views, yet cogently argued to present positive truth.

Each chapter is well organized and follows the outline format of a textbook. Each chapter also has a section of "Questions for Personal Application," containing thoughtfully composed questions for personal reflection and/or discussion. Some chapters have a list of "Special Terms" that could serve as a reminder to students of what might appear on an exam. Each chapter also has a bibliographical list that divides standard evangelical works into sections-Anglican, Arminian, Baptist, Dispensational, Lutheran, Reformed, Renewal and Roman Catholic (Traditional and Post-Vatican II). There is also a complete bibliography at the end of the book.

The above groupings are generally clear, but sometimes blurred. The Baptist section frequently lists the works of Gill, Boyce, Strong, Mullins, Carl Henry, Erickson and Lewis/Demarest. Carl Henry, a Baptist, is not widely known for covering Baptistic theology. However, Henry Thiessen, clearly a Baptist theologian, who died as President of Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary, is listed in the Dispensational section. This points up the difficulty of categorizing some theologians. Still, the listed dates and pertinent pages of each theology facilitate further reading.

Each chapter suggests a passage of Scripture to memorize and prints several verses of a hymn appropriate to the lesson-something used by Grudem in his seminary classes. Charts and diagrams are rare, but appear more often than in other theologies. Eight charts illustrate church polity; five God and creation, four each the trinity, the Christological controversies, and eschatology. Two are on justification, one presents Spirit baptism and another sanctification. A three-page chart shows the gradual formation of the Apostles' Creed. Five appendices are found, including forty pages of historic confessions-from the Apostles' Creed to the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy.

There are four indices-authors, sixty hymns, Scriptures discussed in some detail, and subjects. Each is superbly done. Grudem cites his own writings more than any others, followed by L. Berkhof, D. A. Carson, Calvin, John Murray, Erickson, A. Hoekema and Pinnock. Nearly 700 authors are indexed, but such neo-orthodox thinkers as Niebuhr and Tillich are missing, as are Emery Bancroft and Elmer Towns, who as Baptists each wrote extensive evangelical theologies.

Grudem's theology supports biblical inerrancy, the trinity, five-point Calvinism, premillennial eschatology, a posttribulation rapture, all spiritual gifts (except apostleship) for today, a loose definition of the church that includes Old Testament Israel, and baptism by immersion for professing believers only. He ably presents a complementarian view of man and woman.