• What is hell?
34. The New Heavens and New Earth
What is heaven? • Is it a place?
• How will the earth be renewed?
What will it be like to live in the new heavens
and new earth?
Appendix 1: Historic Confessions of Faith
Appendix 2: Glossary
Appendix 3: Annotated
Bibliography of Evangelical Systematic Theologies
Author Index
Subject Index
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(From the) Preface
I have tried to make Bible Doctrine understandable even for
Christians who have never studied theology before. I have avoided using technical terms
without first explaining
them. And most of the chapters can be read on their own so that someone can begin at any
chapter and grasp it without having read the earlier material.
Introductory
studies do not have to be shallow or simplistic. I am convinced that most
Christians are able to understand the doctrinal teachings of the Bible in considerable depth,
provided that they are presented clearly and without the use of highly technical language.
Therefore, I have not hesitated to treat theological disputes in some detail where it seemed
necessary.
The following six distinctive features of this
book grow out of my convictions about
what systematic theology is and how it should be taught.
1. A clear biblical basis for
doctrines. Because I believe that theology should be
explicitly based on the teachings of Scripture, in each chapter I have
attempted to show where the Bible give support for the doctrines under
consideration. …
2.
Clarity in the explanation
of doctrines. I do not believe that God intended the study of
theology to result in confusion and frustration. A student who comes out of a course in theology filled only with
doctrinal uncertainty and a thousand answered questions is hardly "able to give instruction in sound
doctrine and also to
confute those who contradict it" (Titus 1:9).
3. Application to life. I do not believe that God intended the study of theology
to be dry and boring. Theology is the study of God and all his works! Theology
is meant to be lived and prayed and sung! All of the
great doctrinal writings of the Bible (such as Paul's epistle to
the Romans) are full of praise to God and personal application to life.
4. Focus on the evangelical world. I do not think that a true system of theology can be constructed from within what we may call the "liberal"
theological tradition-that is, by people who deny the absolute truthfulness of the Bible, or who do
not think the words of the Bible to be God's very words. For this reason, the other writers with whom I interact in this book are mostly within what is today called the larger
"conservative evangelical" tradition-from the
great Reformers John Calvin and Martin Luther, down to the writings of evangelical scholars today. I write as an evangelical and
for evangelicals. …
5. Hope for progress in doctrinal unity
in the church. I believe there is still much hope for the church to attain deeper and purer
doctrinal understanding and to overcome old barriers, even those that have persisted for
centuries. Jesus is at work perfecting his church …
6. A sense of the urgent need for greater doctrinal understanding in the whole church. I am convinced that there is an urgent need in the church today for much greater understanding of Christian doctrine, or systematic theology. Not only pastors and teachers need to understand theology in greater depth-the whole church does as well. …
Commendations
'Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology has proved a magnificent provision for the body of Christ in terms of sound doctrine and warm pastoral application. Thousands of Christians are stronger because they now have this book on their shelves. Bible Doctrine makes Wayne Grudem's helpful work even more accessible. I wholeheartedly commend it.' Terry Virgo
'The full version of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology has already won its way, and a wider public will surely benefit from its shorter form.' J. I. Packer
'An essential guide to the substance of evangelical belief, this book should be read by every student and preacher of God's Word.' Gerald Bray
Bibliographic details
ISBN: 9781844742813Format: Hardback
Page count: 528 pages
Published by: IVP
Date of publication: 18/09/2009
Bible Doctrine
Wayne Grudem
ISBN: 9781844742813
528 pages, Hardback
Published: 18/09/2009
£19.99
CONTENTS
Preface
1. Introduction to Systematic Theology
What is systematic theology?
• Why should Christians study it? How should we study it?
PART I: THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD
OF GOD
2. The Authority and Inerrancy of the Bible
How do we know that the Bible is God's Word?
• Are there any errors in the Bible?
3. The Clarity, Necessity, and Sufficiency of the Bible
Can only Bible scholars
understand the Bible rightly?
• For what purposes is the Bible accessory?
• Is the Bible
enough for knowing what God wants us to think or do?
PART II: THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
4. The
Character of God: "Incommunicable" Attributes
How do we
know that God exists?
• Can the really
know God? How is God different from
us?
5. The "Communicable" Attributes of God
How is God like us?
6. The Trinity
How can God be three persons, yet one God?
7. Creation
Why, how, and when did God create the universe?
8. God's
What is the extent of God's control over
creation?
• If God controls all things, how can our actions have real
meaning?
9. Prayer
Why does God want us to pray? • How can we pray effectively?
10. Angels, Satan, and Demons
What are angels? • Why did God create them?
• How should Christians think
of Satan and demons today?
PART III: THE DOCTRINE OF MAN
11. The Creation of Man
Why did God create us? • How did God make us like himself?
What does Scripture mean by "soul" and 'spirit"?
12. Man as Male and Female
Why did God create two sexes?
• Can men and women be equal and yet have different roles?
13. Sin
What is sin? • Where did it come from?
• Do we inherit a sinful nature from Adam?
PART IV: THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
14. The Person of Christ
How is Jesus fully God and fully
man, yet one person?
15. The Atonement
War it necessary for Christ to die? • What really happened in the atonement?
• Did Christ descend into hell?
16. Resurrection and Ascension
What was Christ's resurrection body like? • What is its significance for
us?
• What happened to Christ when he ascended into heaven?
PART V: THE DOCTRINE OF THE APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION
17. Common Grace
What are the
undeserved blessings that God gives to all people, both believers and unbelievers?
18. Election
When and why did God choose us? •
Are some not chosen?
19. The Gospel Call
What is the gospel message? •
How does it become effective?
20. Regeneration
What does it mean to be born again?
21. Conversion (Faith and Repentance)
What is true repentance? • What is saving faith?
• Can people accept Jesus as Savior and not as Lord?
22. Justification and Adoption
How and when do we gain right legal standing
before God?
• What are the benefits of being a member of God's family?
23. Sanctification (Growth in Likeness to
Christ)
How do we grow in Christian maturity?
• What are the blessings of Christian growth?
24. The Perseverance of the Saints (Remaining a
Christian)
Can true
Christians lose their salvation?
• How can we know five are
truly born again?
25. Death, the
What is the purpose of death in the Christian
life?
• What happens to our bodies and souls when we die?
• When will we receive resurrection bodies?
• What will they be like?
PART VI: THE DOCTRINE OF THE
CHURCH
26. The Nature of the Church
How can we recognize a true
church?
• What are the purposes of the
church?
• What makes a
church more or less pleasing to God?
27. Baptism
Who should be baptized? • How should it be done?
• What does it mean?
28. The Lord's Supper
What is the meaning of the Lord's Supper?
• How should it be observed?
29. Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I): General Questions
What are spiritual gifts? • How many are there?
• Have some gifts ceased? • How do we seek and use spiritual gifts?
30. Gifts of the Holy Spirit (II): Specific Gifts
How should we understand and use specific
spiritual gifts?
PART VII: THE DOCTRINE OF THE
FUTURE
31. The Return of Christ: When and How?
When and how will Christ return? • Could he come back at any hour?
32. The Millennium
What is the millennium? • When does it occur?
• Will Christians go
through the great tribulation?
33. The Final Judgment and
Eternal Punishment
Object requiredObject requiredObject required Who will
be judged?
• What is hell?
34. The New Heavens and New Earth
What is heaven? • Is it a place?
• How will the earth be renewed?
What will it be like to live in the new heavens
and new earth?
Appendix 1: Historic Confessions of Faith
Appendix 2: Glossary
Appendix 3: Annotated
Bibliography of Evangelical Systematic Theologies
Author Index
Subject Index
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(From the) Preface
I have tried to make Bible Doctrine understandable even for
Christians who have never studied theology before. I have avoided using technical terms
without first explaining
them. And most of the chapters can be read on their own so that someone can begin at any
chapter and grasp it without having read the earlier material.
Introductory
studies do not have to be shallow or simplistic. I am convinced that most
Christians are able to understand the doctrinal teachings of the Bible in considerable depth,
provided that they are presented clearly and without the use of highly technical language.
Therefore, I have not hesitated to treat theological disputes in some detail where it seemed
necessary.
The following six distinctive features of this
book grow out of my convictions about
what systematic theology is and how it should be taught.
1. A clear biblical basis for
doctrines. Because I believe that theology should be
explicitly based on the teachings of Scripture, in each chapter I have
attempted to show where the Bible give support for the doctrines under
consideration. …
2.
Clarity in the explanation
of doctrines. I do not believe that God intended the study of
theology to result in confusion and frustration. A student who comes out of a course in theology filled only with
doctrinal uncertainty and a thousand answered questions is hardly "able to give instruction in sound
doctrine and also to
confute those who contradict it" (Titus 1:9).
3. Application to life. I do not believe that God intended the study of theology
to be dry and boring. Theology is the study of God and all his works! Theology
is meant to be lived and prayed and sung! All of the
great doctrinal writings of the Bible (such as Paul's epistle to
the Romans) are full of praise to God and personal application to life.
4. Focus on the evangelical world. I do not think that a true system of theology can be constructed from within what we may call the "liberal"
theological tradition-that is, by people who deny the absolute truthfulness of the Bible, or who do
not think the words of the Bible to be God's very words. For this reason, the other writers with whom I interact in this book are mostly within what is today called the larger
"conservative evangelical" tradition-from the
great Reformers John Calvin and Martin Luther, down to the writings of evangelical scholars today. I write as an evangelical and
for evangelicals. …
5. Hope for progress in doctrinal unity
in the church. I believe there is still much hope for the church to attain deeper and purer
doctrinal understanding and to overcome old barriers, even those that have persisted for
centuries. Jesus is at work perfecting his church …
6. A sense of the urgent need for greater doctrinal understanding in the whole church. I am convinced that there is an urgent need in the church today for much greater understanding of Christian doctrine, or systematic theology. Not only pastors and teachers need to understand theology in greater depth-the whole church does as well. …
Object required Object required Object required
