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DNA: Foundations of the Faith
Systematic theology for the urban context Foundations of the Faith presents each reader with a survey of systematic theology written in the heart language of the urban context. D.A. Horton writes with a conviction that every believer should have the privilege of being equipped with a working knowledge of what the principle teachings of Christianity are. This tool can be used in any setting from the seminary classroom to the local street corner. Written in a workbook style, readers will explore key scriptures and record all that is discovered as each person is equipped to live out the truths they learn. Whether attending ReachLife Institute, studying with a small group, or going through this workbook alone, your faith will be enriched as the study of these foundational truths are learned and applied to life.
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
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About the author
D.A. Horton
12 books39 followersD.A. Horton, PhD serves as an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Intercultural Studies program at California Baptist University.
He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Theology with a North American Missions emphasis at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His dissertation was titled, The Quantitative and Qualitative Measuring of Spiritual Capital Among Latinas/os in Higher Education. He earned his Masters Degree in Christian Studies and B.S. in Biblical Studies from Calvary University.
He has authored nine books, taught Bible studies virtually through Family Life, Lifeway, and RightNow Media, and is frequently invited to speak at various conferences.
He and his wife Elicia have been married for 22 years, and they have two daughters and one son.
He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Theology with a North American Missions emphasis at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His dissertation was titled, The Quantitative and Qualitative Measuring of Spiritual Capital Among Latinas/os in Higher Education. He earned his Masters Degree in Christian Studies and B.S. in Biblical Studies from Calvary University.
He has authored nine books, taught Bible studies virtually through Family Life, Lifeway, and RightNow Media, and is frequently invited to speak at various conferences.
He and his wife Elicia have been married for 22 years, and they have two daughters and one son.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 20, 2019
This is a quick read, and provides a good guideline for many essentials of the common Protestant faith. There is room in the printed version for notes and responses, and it moves rapidly from one basic point of theology to another. It could prove to be a handy extra tool for a young church.
It is very heavy-handed on the divine authority given to men to lead the church. Women do not have leadership roles, according to this book, unless it is in serving in auxiliary roles. I found that part both odd and irritating, as this is an extremely specific, white-male-oriented, America-in-the-1900s look at scripture and scriptural interpretation. A theology that says 50% of the church can't lead is an odd theology to hold. There are a few other odds and ends that are dropped in without context that struck me as special pleading, as if the author is saying "I have this personal thing I want to bring in here, so here we go."
And oddest of all is the heavy direction it puts to a specific type of church government and development. While it is true in history there have been many ways to govern a church, it has not been true in history that we've discovered the one, perfect way. We all have our flavors and desires. We might not catch the meaning of scripture, for one. We might be trying to force an adaptation to a Graeco Roman world that doesn't apply today, for another. The revolution of Constantine might have thrown everything off whack and we still haven't gotten back on track, for a third reason. I didn't feel as if the author was relaxed enough to say "On some things, like the divine nature of Christ, we hold a standard. On others, like the order of worship or the method of church government, we allow for diversity."
I'd therefore not recommend this book as a primary resource for growing Christians. It is not bad, it just has some weak spots that might improperly guide the naive into thinking that some personal, cultural accommodations to 1950s America are part of standard Christian theology.
It is very heavy-handed on the divine authority given to men to lead the church. Women do not have leadership roles, according to this book, unless it is in serving in auxiliary roles. I found that part both odd and irritating, as this is an extremely specific, white-male-oriented, America-in-the-1900s look at scripture and scriptural interpretation. A theology that says 50% of the church can't lead is an odd theology to hold. There are a few other odds and ends that are dropped in without context that struck me as special pleading, as if the author is saying "I have this personal thing I want to bring in here, so here we go."
And oddest of all is the heavy direction it puts to a specific type of church government and development. While it is true in history there have been many ways to govern a church, it has not been true in history that we've discovered the one, perfect way. We all have our flavors and desires. We might not catch the meaning of scripture, for one. We might be trying to force an adaptation to a Graeco Roman world that doesn't apply today, for another. The revolution of Constantine might have thrown everything off whack and we still haven't gotten back on track, for a third reason. I didn't feel as if the author was relaxed enough to say "On some things, like the divine nature of Christ, we hold a standard. On others, like the order of worship or the method of church government, we allow for diversity."
I'd therefore not recommend this book as a primary resource for growing Christians. It is not bad, it just has some weak spots that might improperly guide the naive into thinking that some personal, cultural accommodations to 1950s America are part of standard Christian theology.
September 16, 2018
Great read add to your library.
February 17, 2014
What steps do you take to get a new believer up to speed on the core doctrines of the Christian faith? Now, what if that individual is from an urban context? Does that change how you approach the situation? Pause and think about that for a moment. If you’re D.A. Horton, then the answer is, “Yes, you change your approach to fit the context!” If you’re trying to disciple someone in an urban context then you need to adjust your approach accordingly so that you’re maximizing your efforts and putting things in a way they can understand. It is with this idea in mind that Horton chose to write DNA: Foundations of the Faith, a systematic theology workbook for the urban community.
A systematic theology workbook? For the hood?! Yes! The urban community is no different in their need for the gospel and understanding Bible doctrine. If anything, there is a greater need for resources like this because the urban community is a prime target for wolves (false teachers) who are trying to fleece God’s flock. That being said, figuring out good methods to disciple in an urban context is a challenge. For a long time resources targeting this specific demographic have been sparse. Sure, you can listen to a Christian rapper give you the gospel, but resources that go beyond that are hard to find. That’s where DNA comes into play, it is the perfect resource for urban leaders to use in discipleship and Bible studies. This book is written in the common language of the ‘hood, so it’s easy to digest without getting bogged down with weighty theological terms. Everything is broken down in a way that even youth & teens can grasp the concepts.
So, let’s talk about how this book is structured. Just like any other systematic theology you would find on the shelf, Horton covers the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Each chapter’s title is phrased as a question, such as “What is the Bible?” or “Who is God?”. The core topics covered include: the Bible, God, sin, salvation, the church, angels & demons, the end times, evangelism, and Christian living. Each chapter is meant to be interactive, which means that the reader isn’t expected to just passively absord the information that D.A. is disseminating. After explaining a key facet of an area of doctrine, he takes you to the Scriptures (so be sure to have a Bible at your side) and then asks you questions about what you just learned so that you can begin to apply it. The best way to learn is by doing, which he does by making you think about what you’re reading and showing you where you can find your answers from the Word of God. The true beauty of this book is its format. It’s perfect for personal Bible study as well as in a group setting. It is meant to be flexible and to be taught.
While D.A. Horton is from a Reformed background, DNA doesn’t really take sides when it comes to doctrinal issues. For the most part, as its title suggests, it sticks to the foundations of the faith that are agreed upon by just about every major denomination. Dividing issues and secondary matters are left out of this book because that’s not its intent. The goal of DNA is to build up believers in the faith, not to stir up controversy. No matter what your background, you’ll be able to make use of this resource and not have to worry about something being taught that is contrary to anything that is strictly evangelical.
As a whole, I think Horton did a great job with DNA. I read through this book alongside my oldest son and it served as a great resource in building him up in the Faith. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who disciples or teaches in an urban setting. This is a great book for discipling new believers or as a Sunday School/Bible study course at a church. And, this isn’t just for the youth, adults can use this as well. This is the kind of resource that has been missiing in the urban commmunity and I’m glad it’s finally here!
A systematic theology workbook? For the hood?! Yes! The urban community is no different in their need for the gospel and understanding Bible doctrine. If anything, there is a greater need for resources like this because the urban community is a prime target for wolves (false teachers) who are trying to fleece God’s flock. That being said, figuring out good methods to disciple in an urban context is a challenge. For a long time resources targeting this specific demographic have been sparse. Sure, you can listen to a Christian rapper give you the gospel, but resources that go beyond that are hard to find. That’s where DNA comes into play, it is the perfect resource for urban leaders to use in discipleship and Bible studies. This book is written in the common language of the ‘hood, so it’s easy to digest without getting bogged down with weighty theological terms. Everything is broken down in a way that even youth & teens can grasp the concepts.
So, let’s talk about how this book is structured. Just like any other systematic theology you would find on the shelf, Horton covers the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Each chapter’s title is phrased as a question, such as “What is the Bible?” or “Who is God?”. The core topics covered include: the Bible, God, sin, salvation, the church, angels & demons, the end times, evangelism, and Christian living. Each chapter is meant to be interactive, which means that the reader isn’t expected to just passively absord the information that D.A. is disseminating. After explaining a key facet of an area of doctrine, he takes you to the Scriptures (so be sure to have a Bible at your side) and then asks you questions about what you just learned so that you can begin to apply it. The best way to learn is by doing, which he does by making you think about what you’re reading and showing you where you can find your answers from the Word of God. The true beauty of this book is its format. It’s perfect for personal Bible study as well as in a group setting. It is meant to be flexible and to be taught.
While D.A. Horton is from a Reformed background, DNA doesn’t really take sides when it comes to doctrinal issues. For the most part, as its title suggests, it sticks to the foundations of the faith that are agreed upon by just about every major denomination. Dividing issues and secondary matters are left out of this book because that’s not its intent. The goal of DNA is to build up believers in the faith, not to stir up controversy. No matter what your background, you’ll be able to make use of this resource and not have to worry about something being taught that is contrary to anything that is strictly evangelical.
As a whole, I think Horton did a great job with DNA. I read through this book alongside my oldest son and it served as a great resource in building him up in the Faith. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who disciples or teaches in an urban setting. This is a great book for discipling new believers or as a Sunday School/Bible study course at a church. And, this isn’t just for the youth, adults can use this as well. This is the kind of resource that has been missiing in the urban commmunity and I’m glad it’s finally here!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews