Essential Christian Doctrine: A Handbook on Biblical Truth

by John F. MacArthur Jr. (Editor)

A Concise Summary of Biblical Truth by John MacArthur

Doctrine not only equips you with more knowledge about God, it also shapes your affections toward him and directs your actions for him—but it can be difficult to know where to begin.

This concise handbook, developed from John MacArthur’s larger work Biblical Doctrine, is an entry point for studying theological topics such as the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the church, and more. As MacArthur walks through the essentials of the Christian faith doctrine by doctrine, he’ll not only encourage your heart and mind, but also empower you to proclaim the faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Genres: Theology, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction

800 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[PBartist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me so much! It gives you a lot of information a Christian should know in order to evangelize and just know what we believe. I am so grateful to have gone through this with some great teachers!

[Owen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed going through this with the high-school class - learned much, and will go back to this as a valuable reference in future reading/assignments.

[Deon]

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[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential Christian Doctrine by John MacArthur is such a good resource. I got this book to review from Crossway Books and because of the nature of the situation, it’s a digital copy. I’m so glad because now it’s a searchable addition. I’ve been using this for research for the past few months and I’m enjoying it.

John MacArthur’s reputation precedes this book. He is educated, popular, and faithful to the word of God. It’s reasonable to see this book and conclude by the title and author that it’s a solid addition to your shelf. This isn’t a book I would pick up and read before bed as it’s more of a systematic book and is therefore more like a textbook. I can honestly say that I would disagree with some conclusions that MacArthur has made about scripture but it’s secondary things. I appreciate that he is a man that has friends that also disagree with him yet they are all still friends. (See Ligonier Roundtables)


What is doctrine? Doctrine is a teaching based on Christian beliefs found in scripture. This book would be beneficial to any Christian library. It will allow you to come to a greater understanding of who God is and what He has said. The importance of knowing and believing sound doctrine continues to be minimized in this world. Without doctrine, we can’t even know what we believe.

Essential Christian Doctrine on your shelf would be a great grab when you need a reference for something that you’re studying. No personal library should only include authors that you totally agree with. The secondary and tertiary issues that you may not agree with John MacArthur on can easily be put to the side as his work is still beneficial to your growth in knowledge and understanding of God’s word.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

With only a few exceptions sprinkled through this extensive and comprehensive distillation of the essential Christian doctrines, the explanations of the Biblical view of each main domain of Christian belief is clearly explained and impeccably supported by scriptural references. (There were some spots we wrestled with and felt we’re not as clearly explained as they could have been, but that was rare.) We read through this book at our women’s Bible study at church over the course of 10 weeks, which was a bit like drinking from a fire hose. If you can slow down and savor this book, reading it in chunks over the course of 6-12 months, it will give you excellent material for meditation on the magnificence of God, His creation, and His redemptive plan.

[Clint Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

***DISCLAIMER - I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FOR FREE FROM CROSSWAY TO REVIEW***

MacArthur has most definitely written a very important work here. Moreover, it has staying power because of its plethora of Scripture references. John MacArthur's Essential Christian Doctrine: A Handbook On Biblical Truth is a must-have for the Christian.

[Timothy Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful for this handbook that has shaped and sharpened my thinking on theology. It has given me a grid from which to view all topics of theology and life, helping me think categorically and biblically on every topic and how doctrines relate to one another. Our church has taught through this book in the youth group and seen much good fruit.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Introduction to Christian Doctrine

If you adhere to John MacArthur's teachings, you'll love this book. If you don't, it will probably be a struggle to get through.

[emma jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I wouldn’t say I agree with everything in this book, but it’s a very helpful overview and reference book.

[Gavin Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, just seemingly abridged at the expense of thorough Scriptural explanation

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with almost all the positions held by this book. What I don't like about it is it seems the writers have their views of the Bible so clear in their mind, that when there are multiple reasonable Christian views, the writers do not provide an understanding of the other point of views. Thus, it is hard for me to read this book and say I understand the different views, and I truly believe my position. I'm sorry to say, I would recommend Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, 2nd ed would be a better choice is you were only going to read one systematic theology book. Whenever did not understand this book or wanted to understand both sides, I would grab Grudem's book and it would clear up my understand in several the sections that I looked at. I have not read Grudem's book cover to cover, and from reading his preface, I believe most of what Grudem believes, but there are areas I think I would disagree with his conclusions. But on the chapters that are on hard topics I did read, I think Grudem still provided both sides clearly, even if we disagree.

One other note is that on the discussion of spiritual gifts in this book is not consistent between the chapters on the Holy Spirit and the Church.