Everyone's a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology

Insightful. Theological. Profound. This 357 page, 60 chapter book, is packed full of theological teaching and truth. Written for the non-seminarian, every reader will gain tremendous understanding of the Bible, God, and many other major theological positions held by the historical evangelical church. Though this is no light-weight book, it is accessible. Without the expense of a first year seminary class, every Christian could pick up a copy of this book and greatly benefit in spiritual growth and renewing of their mind. The teaching gift of R.C. Sproul is truly amazing and God-given. He is able to take 60 major concepts and simplify the truths for the average person to grasp and pack it all in a relatively small book. Each of the chapters could be an expanded book by itself. I believe every Christian should have a copy in their library and reference it often.The sections and chapters include:PART ONE: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 What Is Theology Chapter 2 The Scope and Purpose of Theology Chapter 3 General Revelation and Natural Theology Chapter 4 Special Revelation Chapter 5 The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture Chapter 6 Infallibility and Inerrancy Chapter 7 Canonicity Chapter 8 Scripture and AuthorityPART TWO: THEOLOGY PROPER Chapter 9 Knowledge of God Chapter 10 One in Essence Chapter 11 Three in Person Chapter 12 Incommunicable Attributes Chapter 13 Communicable Attributes Chapter 14 The Will of God Chapter 15 ProvidencePART THREE: ANTHROPOLOGY AND CREATION Chapter 16 Creatio Ex Nihilo Chapter 17 Angels and Demons Chapter 18 The Creation of Man Chapter 19 The Nature of Sin Chapter 20 Original Sin Chapter 21 Transmission of Sin Chapter 22 The CovenantsPART FOUR: CHRISTOLOGY Chapter 23 The Christ of the Bible Chapter 24 One Person, Two Natures Chapter 25 The Names of Christ Chapter 26 The States of Christ Chapter 27 The Offices of Christ Chapter 28 Why Did Christ Die? Chapter 29 Substitutionary Atonement Chapter 30 The Extent of the AtonementPART FIVE: PNEUMATOLOGY Chapter 31 The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament Chapter 32 The Holy Spirit in the New Testament Chapter 33 The Paraclete Chapter 34 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Chapter 35 The Gifts of the Spirit Chapter 36 The Fruit of the Spirit Chapter 37 Are Miracles for Today?PART SIX: SOTERIOLOGY Chapter 38 Common Grace Chapter 39 Election and Reprobation Chapter 40 Effectual Calling Chapter 41 Justification by Faith Alone Chapter 42 Saving Faith Chapter 43 Adoption and Union with Christ Chapter 44 Sanctification Chapter 45 Perseverance of the SaintsPART SEVEN: ECCLESIOLOGY Chapter 46 Biblical Images of the Church Chapter 47 The Church: One and Holy Chapter 48 The Church: Catholic and Apostolic Chapter 49 Worship in the Church Chapter 50 The Sacraments of the Church Chapter 51 Baptism Chapter 52 The Lord’s SupperPART EIGHT: ESCHATOLOGY Chapter 53 Death and the Intermediate State Chapter 54 The Resurrection Chapter 55 The Kingdom of God Chapter 56 The Millennium Chapter 57 The Return of Christ Chapter 58 The Final Judgment Chapter 59 Eternal Punishment Chapter 60 Heaven and Earth Made New Appendix The CreedsThis book receives a 10 out of 10.

Many people, including Christians downplay the importance of theology in their lives. For example, it’s not uncommon to hear a Christian say, “I don’t have a theology”, or something of similar effect. This is not only untrue it’s dangerous. Doctrine comes from the Bible and the application of our doctrine is theology. Believing that theology is only for those who are in the ivory tower of academia who emphasize minute points of doctrine isn’t the point of theology. Everyone is a theologian—the question is whether they are a good one or a bad one. In Dr. Sproul’s new book Everyone’s a Theologian An Introduction to Systematic Theology he takes on many popular ideas of theology and seeks to help his reader understand not only what particular theological terms mean but also why they are significant to our lives. Written in his usual easy to read style, this book is a true blessing and treasure trove for the church.The book has eight sections. Each section takes a major doctrine such as what is theology, Scripture, theology proper, anthropology and creation, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. As Dr. Sproul elaborates on these critical doctrines, he helps readers to understand, what the terms mean like any good teacher does. Then he moves to show where the teaching about the particular doctrine under consideration is in the Bible.We live in an age where many Christians emphasize their feelings above the Word of God. Throughout the history of the Church men and women have valued the study of theology so highly that even non-academic people have dedicated their entire lives to the study. While we live in a changing age, we have an unchanging God. One area where theology can help us is in our daily lives such as in dealing with difficult people and difficult situations. This comes from a proper view of God who sees all and knows all—who reaches out to the broken hearted, redeems sinners, is sanctifying them, and will one day glorify them. Understanding the doctrine of God and the person and work of Christ is but one example of why theology is important today. To be “saved” from sin to Jesus is a doctrinal and theologically loaded concept that far too many Christians have sadly very little knowledge about. Yet understanding what we’ve been saved from, sin, and to the Lord Jesus Christ is to begin to grasp the critical doctrines of justification and definitive sanctification.Whether you are a new or seasoned Christian, been to Bible college or seminary, this book has something for you. Everyone’s a Theologian will be a book I read and reference often in my various writing projects. I highly recommend this book and pray the Lord uses it in the life of His Church in powerful ways to the glory of the Risen Savior—Jesus Christ.

Divided into 8 sections (introduction, theology proper, anthropology and creation, christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, eschatology) for a total of 60 chapters, an appendix which consists of the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, and Chalcedonian Creed, a subject index and a scripture index. The chapters are short, flow well, and are structured similarly. A weighty bias is evident throughout as Sproul is a dedicated 5 point Calvinist which obviously affects how he interprets and explains the nature of the church, the second coming, how salvation works, and so forth. I do appreciate Sproul's ability to clarify and simplify the field of systematic theology for the average layman.

R.C. Sproul has been one of my favorite teachers since I first became a Christian over 30 years ago. I learned much from him about the holiness and the sovereignty of God through his books and recordings. He has always been able to take difficult truths and explain them in a way that makes “perfect” sense. I am happy he published this new book, Everyone’s a Theologian, as a resource for Christians. It is important that Christians become familiar with what the Bible says from cover to cover concerning critical concepts such as sin, salvation, the church, and so on. I like the title because it reminds us that all of God’s people are theologians. We all have some view of or study of God. So we shouldn’t ask the question of whether or not we are theologians, but rather we should ask whether or not we are good theologians. This book will certainly help us become sharper students of God and his word. I don’t agree with Sproul’s view concerning baptism and eschatology, but he doesn’t make too much of the topics anyway.

Sadly not read by RC himself so was quite dissapointed to be honest.Thought this should have been made clearer.

This book is an excellent overview of the Bible's main themes. R.C. Sproul dedicates a short chapter to each theme outlining what the Bible says about each topic. He gives an overview of the main differences/distinctives that different christians hold regarding each theme in a descriptive manner as well as defining his own beliefs regarding each topic.The book is an excellent introduction to systematic theology for anyone wanting to have a basic grasp about what topics emerge out of a systematic study of scripture. It avoids technical and academic jargon without dumbing down any issues that need to be studied diligently. The author also presents his writings in a way that is easy to understand and remember as well as being thought-provoking and edifying to the christian thinker.Overall, it is an enjoyable read and leaves the reader wanting to study their bibles in more detail and carry on pursuing their search for biblical truth.

Good and prompt response

Highly recommended

Eye opening thoughts from R C, every question answered and point raised dealt with in a simple but yet sound evangelical way, with God's word at the heart of all, just as it should be!

easy to read, clearly stated in non-technical language. RC Sproul is a good communicator and has many other books worth reading

Very readable,.

Excellent

Am extremely helpful and stimulating book.

Livro muito claro, com os principais temas relacionados ao cristianismo explicados de forma simples e clara. Me fez conhecer e entender muitos tópicos relacionados à teologia, uma leitura fácil e cativante.

very basic stuff. expected something a little more challenging.

This book is very well written with clear and easy expression. If you have an interest in the first step of systematic theology, this book would be very good choice for you.

I just briefly scan through the topics and enjoy what i see. Always like Sproul's books. To the point

Authoritative, lucid, comprehensive and Calvinist.

Thankful for the honest, biblical, SIMPLE but by no means lacking depth truth teaching of Dr RC Sproul yet again. Thank the Lord Jesus for raising up a man who can take complex truths and explain them simply. Thank you Dr Sproul.