Essentials of Christian Theology

by William C. Placher (Editor), Leanne Van Dyk (Contributor), Hughes Oliphant Old (Contributor)

Presenting two dialoguing essays on nine foremost theological questions, William Placher— the recipient of the American Academy of Religion’s 2002 Award for Excellence in Teaching—has provided an unparalleled introductory reader in theology. Himself giving an excellent discussion of the history and current state of each doctrinal issue, he allows the essays to explore and raise questions about their key elements—and the contemporary issues confronting them.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Faith, Nonfiction, Reference

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Stephen Kramar · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to formal study of theology, I found this basic primer fascinating in its summary of the major topics. Reading two essays of current theologians on each topic opened my eyes to the wide expanse of Christian belief and thought over the centuries. Again my eyes have been opened to how much I thought I knew until I learned more which conclusively convinced me I know even less!

[Courtney Sells-Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just more old white men talking about god

[Tung · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the title a bit misleading as I expected the book to be another systematic theology primer. Instead, this book is designed more to challenge classical thinking about theology. The book is organized into chapters that cover the major themes one would find in a systematic theology textbook – revelation, creation, soteriology, eschatology, etc – but rather than cover the various beliefs around each topic, each chapter very quickly summarizes the major lines of thought, and then includes two essays written by contemporary theologians that further discuss each topic from various perspectives. For example, in a chapter on ecclesiology, the book summarized the marks of a church and the sacraments of the church in just 6 pages. Then one theologian discussed the historical development of the institution of the church before weighing in on his belief of how the contemporary church should operate. The second theologian (a liberal theologian) discussed the need for the church to be inclusive. An interesting read that won’t give you great depth on any one doctrinal position, but will provide good fodder for seminary discussions.

[Shane Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Are you looking for an accessible and concise overview of the major theological debates raging between professionally spiritual Christians today? Look elsewhere! To a layman this book is an obscure and often unreadable mishmash of the worst collegiate-style pretension. If you are a seminarian who enjoys the self-important and jargonistic writing of lazy theologians, you might find the topics of the book tired and repetitive. If a couple of very ambitious editors with big scissors were let loose on this volume, they might extract something worthwhile out of it. The editor's commitment to preserving the words of the opinionated blowhards who contributed to the book was a terrible weakness. As it is, the introductory sections preceding the selected essays are by far the best part of the book.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good basic theology book, but it is limited. Full of good and interesting basic theological topics written by people who have different views on the topics than the norm. What bothered me was the way the book was edited together doesn't lend itself to much continuity between the ideas presented. You get a collage of ideas but not a sense that they are linked together.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Placher's introductions to each chapter are exemplary teaching texts, laying out the history and stakes of each doctrinal locus crisply and helpfully. The voices that follow are much more of a mixed bag in every respect. I can't wholly recommend the book as a standalone textbook, but if the introductions were excerpted they'd make a very good short one.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as satisfactory an introduction text to theology as I was hoping. Too oddly specific and niche in theology to function well as "essentials."

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

11/16/12.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful compendium of essays on the faith. I didn't agree with all of them, but all made me think hard about what I do believe!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful handbook for theologians of all types.