30 review for Systematic Theology: Introduction/Bible

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Ben De Bono – Mar 01, 2012

   I had discussion with one of my professors this past week about Geisler. He made the comment, referring to Geisler, that not everyone who has an intellectual mind also possesses a subtle mind. It's a fascinating and important distinction that perfectly sums up everything that is right and wrong with this book. Geisler clearly knows his stuff. He's a logical thinker capable of building clear arguments in favor of his positions. But despite being able to put together a clear, logical argument, Gei I had discussion with one of my professors this past week about Geisler. He made the comment, referring to Geisler, that not everyone who has an intellectual mind also possesses a subtle mind. It's a fascinating and important distinction that perfectly sums up everything that is right and wrong with this book. Geisler clearly knows his stuff. He's a logical thinker capable of building clear arguments in favor of his positions. But despite being able to put together a clear, logical argument, Geisler's approach lacks any of the subtle complexity that makes a systematic theology truly great. There is no room for mystery in Geisler's world. Every t is crossed and every i is dotted. The problem is that that's not how theology works. Theology is complex and intricate. That doesn't mean that conclusions must be relativistic but it does mean that theologians must avoid brushing off complex counter arguments with brief five point responses - something Geisler does repeatedly in his book. Reflecting on this first volume, I have to wonder if that sort of blunt, ultimately simplistic approach is indicative of an evidentialist approach to theology. It seems that evidentialism requires an airtight case, which allows little room for the complexity that comes with truly engaging with and internalizing conflicting views. That doesn't mean the work is valueless. For better or worse Geisler is a good representative of evangelical theology and the way that most evangelicals go about theology. He makes the case for evangelical theology in a perfectly evangelical way. Unfortunately, it's a case that will only be accepted by those already on board with his views. Anyone opposing Geisler's positions can, for the most part, dismantle his arguments very quickly. As an evangelical I find this very problematic and it's why I'm being so hard on the book. I do hold to many (though certainly not all!) of Geisler's positions, but the way he argues them makes those views unsustainable. For evangelicalism to survive we must stop accepting easy answers and be willing to engage in complex discussion that doesn't always end with everything as neatly tied down as we might like it to be. Through one volume Geisler appears unwilling or incapable of doing so. If I'm right about him be an indicator of evangelical thought, then evangelicalism is, sadly, not in good shape. Perhaps it's time for evangelicals to end their decades long polemic against Karl Barth and relearn how to defend conservative, orthodox theology in an intellectually defensible way that we can actually be proud of.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   David Close – Nov 18, 2015

   Very comprehensive, but would have benefited from more depth into specific topics/discussions.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Nathan Parker – Apr 14, 2018

   This is a solid overview of the Prolegomena and doctrine of the Bible (Bibliology) in Systematic Theology. It is in-depth enough for PhD-level research, as well as Geisler takes an Apologetics-style approach to Systematic Theology, so this will benefit students of Apologetics as well, in addition to those who want a practical approach to studying Systematic Theology. I look forward to interacting with the rest of the series.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Kingsley Layton – Feb 08, 2018

   A great alternative to people like Grudem without deviating one iota from the truth.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Philip Dampier – Apr 30, 2018

   Very comprehensive. Disagree with his treatment of eschatology but that is a person understanding difference.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Katie – Feb 12, 2017

   Grad school read

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Bryant Rudisill – Aug 12, 2011

   Thank God for theistic philosophers. Such an exhaustive precondition laid as a foundation to Dr. Geisler's magnum opus; and his prolegomena does well in supporting the weight of the first-story (an intimidating defense of the orthodox view of the Bible) of a seven-story construction. I give ten stars because there was little to disagree with and much knowledge gained from his near-irrefutable rebuttal of classic and modern arguments against a theistic God and the divine-authority of Scripture. I u Thank God for theistic philosophers. Such an exhaustive precondition laid as a foundation to Dr. Geisler's magnum opus; and his prolegomena does well in supporting the weight of the first-story (an intimidating defense of the orthodox view of the Bible) of a seven-story construction. I give ten stars because there was little to disagree with and much knowledge gained from his near-irrefutable rebuttal of classic and modern arguments against a theistic God and the divine-authority of Scripture. I understand now why there is such an importance for today's theologian to be WELL-educated in philosophy. Dr. Geisler does immensely well in defending his theology from a philosophical stance. He argues neatly, rather exhaustively, while remaining compact, and thoroughly, being careful to leave no room for error and careful to give no ground or opportunity to be rebutted. Though your mind may well be fried after the closing of this giant, its completion is to your advantage.

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Michael – Jan 21, 2009

   Systematic, indeed... and thorough. Hardly ever three points and done, get used to reading "fifteenthly ..." The prolegomena is an excellent overview of the necessary philosophical presuppositions and refutation of the faulty ones involved in an approach to theology. The Bibliology section is repetitive (!), but serves to establish exactly what the evangelical position toward the Scriptures is. Written at a surprisingly readable level. Should be easily read by the layman. Will serve well as a bib Systematic, indeed... and thorough. Hardly ever three points and done, get used to reading "fifteenthly ..." The prolegomena is an excellent overview of the necessary philosophical presuppositions and refutation of the faulty ones involved in an approach to theology. The Bibliology section is repetitive (!), but serves to establish exactly what the evangelical position toward the Scriptures is. Written at a surprisingly readable level. Should be easily read by the layman. Will serve well as a bibliographic reference for reading more on the various topics discussed.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Jacob Aitken – Nov 03, 2013

   Geisler's idiosyncrasies aside, I actually kind of liked this book. It is very-well organized and is sensitive to a lot of critiques raised by Roman Catholics. Since he is not specifically dealing with Calvinism in this book, he therefore actually takes his arguments to the next level. Geisler's idiosyncrasies aside, I actually kind of liked this book. It is very-well organized and is sensitive to a lot of critiques raised by Roman Catholics. Since he is not specifically dealing with Calvinism in this book, he therefore actually takes his arguments to the next level.

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Tyler Farr – Jun 10, 2009

    Good systematic theology for those of you who like Geisler.

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Daniel – May 22, 2011

    While other Volumes in this series may be less then useful, this Volume contains some useful references.

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Jared Daugherty – Jan 27, 2008

    This is a great introduction to systematic theology and why it matters when we study the Word of God. If we carefully interpret God's Word with God's Word we cannot fall into heresy nor redundancy. This is a great introduction to systematic theology and why it matters when we study the Word of God. If we carefully interpret God's Word with God's Word we cannot fall into heresy nor redundancy.

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Kevin –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Cory Kierkegaard –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Everlasting Nonexistence –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Tyler Sherron –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Hae-yu –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    John Converse –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Thomas Hoch –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Adam –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Dylan Mccabe –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Pauline Puritan –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Jesse Curlee –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Randy Kidd –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Paul –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Sean –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    John Wiley –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    R. C. Maxson –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Jason Trivium –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    teresa knecht –