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Theology for the Community of God
This proven systematic theology represents the very best in evangelical theology. Stanley Grenz presents the traditional themes of Christian doctrine -- God, humankind, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the last things--all within an emphasis on God's central program for creation, namely, the establishment of community. Masterfully blending biblical, historical, and contemporary concerns, Grenz's respected work provides a coherent vision of the faith that is both intellectually satisfying and expressible in Christian living. Available for the first time in paperback.
732 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1969
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About the author
Stanley J. Grenz
54 books33 followersStanley James Grenz was born in Alpena, Michigan on January 7, 1950. He was the youngest of three children born to Richard and Clara Grenz, a brother to Lyle and Jan. His dad was a Baptist pastor for 30 years before he passed away in 1971. Growing up as a “pastor’s kid” meant that he moved several times in his life, from Michigan, to South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Colorado.
After high school Stan began his undergraduate studies in 1968 with the idea that he would become a nuclear physicist. But God had other plans for him, and in 1971, while driving home to Colorado after a visit with his parents in Oklahoma, he received a definite call into full time Christian ministry.
In 1970-1971 Stan traveled in an evangelistic youth team where he met Edna Sturhahn (from Vancouver, BC), who then became his wife in December, 1971. Both Stan and Edna completed their undergraduate degrees at the University of Colorado and Stan went on to receive his M. Div from Denver Seminary in 1976, the same year in which he was ordained into the gospel ministry. During the years of study in Colorado he served as a youth pastor and an assistant pastor. From Denver, Stan and Edna moved to Munich, Germany where Stan completed his Doctor of Theology under the mentorship of Wolfhart Pannenberg. Their son, Joel was born in Munich in 1978.
During a two-year pastorate (1979-1981) in Winnipeg, MB, where daughter Corina was born, Stan also taught courses at the University of Winnipeg and at Winnipeg Theological Seminary (now Providence Seminary). His full time teaching career began at the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD (1981-1990). Those years were followed by a twelve-year (1990-2002) position as Pioneer McDonald Professor of Baptist Heritage, Theology and Ethics at Carey Theological College and at Regent College in Vancouver, BC. From 1996 to 1999 he carried an additional appointment as Professor of Theology and Ethics (Affiliate) at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard IL. After a one-year sojourn as Distinguished Professor of Theology at Baylor University and Truett Seminary in Waco, TX (2002-2003), he returned to Carey in August 2003. In fall 2004, he assumed an additional appointment as Professor of Theological Studies at Mars Hill Graduate School, Seattle WA.
Stan has authored or co-authored twenty-five books, served as editor or co-editor for two Festschriften, contributed articles to more than two dozen other volumes, and has seen to print more than a hundred essays and an additional eighty book reviews. He had plans to write many more books. Two more of his books will appear in print within the next year.
In addition to writing and lecturing all around the world, Stan loved preaching. He admitted to “breaking into preaching” in some of his lectures. He served as interim pastor of several congregations and as guest preacher in many churches. He loved the Church, both locally and worldwide.
Stan wholeheartedly supported and encouraged his wife Edna in her pastoral ministry, her studies and in the enlargement of her ministry gifts. At First Baptist Church, he played the guitar and trumpet in the worship team and sang in the choir. He was proud of his children and their spouses, Joel and Jennifer and Corina and Chris, and delighted in his new granddaughter, Anika. Stan was a friend and mentor to many, always encouraging people to strive to new heights.
As a theologian for the Church Stan wrote from the deep, interior vision of the sure hope that we would enter into the community of God in the renewed creation. He articulated the reality of this new community as the compass for Christian theology: 'Now the dwelling of God is with human beings, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' (Rev. 21:3
After high school Stan began his undergraduate studies in 1968 with the idea that he would become a nuclear physicist. But God had other plans for him, and in 1971, while driving home to Colorado after a visit with his parents in Oklahoma, he received a definite call into full time Christian ministry.
In 1970-1971 Stan traveled in an evangelistic youth team where he met Edna Sturhahn (from Vancouver, BC), who then became his wife in December, 1971. Both Stan and Edna completed their undergraduate degrees at the University of Colorado and Stan went on to receive his M. Div from Denver Seminary in 1976, the same year in which he was ordained into the gospel ministry. During the years of study in Colorado he served as a youth pastor and an assistant pastor. From Denver, Stan and Edna moved to Munich, Germany where Stan completed his Doctor of Theology under the mentorship of Wolfhart Pannenberg. Their son, Joel was born in Munich in 1978.
During a two-year pastorate (1979-1981) in Winnipeg, MB, where daughter Corina was born, Stan also taught courses at the University of Winnipeg and at Winnipeg Theological Seminary (now Providence Seminary). His full time teaching career began at the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD (1981-1990). Those years were followed by a twelve-year (1990-2002) position as Pioneer McDonald Professor of Baptist Heritage, Theology and Ethics at Carey Theological College and at Regent College in Vancouver, BC. From 1996 to 1999 he carried an additional appointment as Professor of Theology and Ethics (Affiliate) at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard IL. After a one-year sojourn as Distinguished Professor of Theology at Baylor University and Truett Seminary in Waco, TX (2002-2003), he returned to Carey in August 2003. In fall 2004, he assumed an additional appointment as Professor of Theological Studies at Mars Hill Graduate School, Seattle WA.
Stan has authored or co-authored twenty-five books, served as editor or co-editor for two Festschriften, contributed articles to more than two dozen other volumes, and has seen to print more than a hundred essays and an additional eighty book reviews. He had plans to write many more books. Two more of his books will appear in print within the next year.
In addition to writing and lecturing all around the world, Stan loved preaching. He admitted to “breaking into preaching” in some of his lectures. He served as interim pastor of several congregations and as guest preacher in many churches. He loved the Church, both locally and worldwide.
Stan wholeheartedly supported and encouraged his wife Edna in her pastoral ministry, her studies and in the enlargement of her ministry gifts. At First Baptist Church, he played the guitar and trumpet in the worship team and sang in the choir. He was proud of his children and their spouses, Joel and Jennifer and Corina and Chris, and delighted in his new granddaughter, Anika. Stan was a friend and mentor to many, always encouraging people to strive to new heights.
As a theologian for the Church Stan wrote from the deep, interior vision of the sure hope that we would enter into the community of God in the renewed creation. He articulated the reality of this new community as the compass for Christian theology: 'Now the dwelling of God is with human beings, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' (Rev. 21:3
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December 23, 2023
I didn’t read every chapter of this book, because it was for a class and there were a few sections that weren’t assigned. The parts I did read, though, were a good look at pretty much all the major topics in Christian theology. This one-volume work is obviously less exhaustive than works that are multiple volumes, but I still found it to be pretty thorough.
There were two particular aspects of this book that have stuck with me. One is Grenz’s discussion of human nature. He proposes that, rather than viewing humans as made of multiple parts that have been put together (i.e., we are souls trapped in bodies), we should view humans as wholistic creatures with the ability to engage in multiple planes of reality (i.e., we can engage with the physical world and the spiritual world). Our bodies, then, are essential aspects of our being along with our spirits. While I’ve moved away from a dualistic, “spirit-centric” view of humanity for a while, I hadn’t found a thoroughly fleshed out alternative, and I really like Grenz’s proposal. The second aspect of the book that I thought was really great was the last few chapters on eschatology, particularly the chapter on ethics.
As far as negatives, I found the book to be pretty dense at times. I had to reread a lot of paragraphs multiple times before I felt like I could really grasp them. Overall, though, this was a pretty good book and I would recommend it for anyone seeking a relatively short volume on systematic theology.
There were two particular aspects of this book that have stuck with me. One is Grenz’s discussion of human nature. He proposes that, rather than viewing humans as made of multiple parts that have been put together (i.e., we are souls trapped in bodies), we should view humans as wholistic creatures with the ability to engage in multiple planes of reality (i.e., we can engage with the physical world and the spiritual world). Our bodies, then, are essential aspects of our being along with our spirits. While I’ve moved away from a dualistic, “spirit-centric” view of humanity for a while, I hadn’t found a thoroughly fleshed out alternative, and I really like Grenz’s proposal. The second aspect of the book that I thought was really great was the last few chapters on eschatology, particularly the chapter on ethics.
As far as negatives, I found the book to be pretty dense at times. I had to reread a lot of paragraphs multiple times before I felt like I could really grasp them. Overall, though, this was a pretty good book and I would recommend it for anyone seeking a relatively short volume on systematic theology.
September 13, 2013
Няколко години след като го прочетох като основен учебник за курса ми по систематично богословие, аз все още смятам книгата на Гренц за най-доброто систематично богословие, на което съм попадал. По-кратка от повечето подобни книги и сравнително по-лесна за четене тя в същото време е твърде задълбочена. Гренц подхожда новаторски в няколко области. Това се набюдава още в подребдата на материала - вместо традиционното започване с Божието откровение той започва с учението на Бога, а темата за библията е разгледана много по-късно. Необичаен за систематично богословие е и основният център, около който се завърта книгата - вярващата общност, в която и за която се прави богословието. Тези и други характерни черти са накарали някои хора да определят "Theology for the community of God" като първото систематично богословие написано от постмодерна богословска перспектива. Ако това наистина е така (а творчеството на Гренц и неговият силен интерес към постмодерният начин на мислене и "богословстване" определено го потвърждват) тогава опитът е твърде успешен.
Личното ми мнение е, че книгата на Гренц е в пъти по-добра от систематизациите на Ериксън и Грудъм (вероятно двете най-често споменавани съвременни алтернативи) и веоятно ще има много по-дълготраен ефект и приложение от тях.
Личното ми мнение е, че книгата на Гренц е в пъти по-добра от систематизациите на Ериксън и Грудъм (вероятно двете най-често споменавани съвременни алтернативи) и веоятно ще има много по-дълготраен ефект и приложение от тях.
August 15, 2024
This was a phenomenal systematic theology overall. Of the handful that I've read or heavily referenced, this is probably my favorite. Two things that he emphasizes that I particularly appreciate: 1, he is very trinitarian. The Trinity is foundational for understanding who God is. Because God is triune, “trinitarian love is not merely one attribute of God among many. Rather, love is the fundamental ‘attribute’ of God” (72). He has created humanity ultimately to live in community (as he eternally has), with him, with each other, and with the rest of creation.
I mostly agreed with his theology. A few spots I disagreed or questioned. Of all the things I could mention, I'll just pick one. His view of the "ordo salutis" (order of salvation) is very unconventional. Typically, theologians in the West have started in eternity past with "election" and work their way forward. Grenz starts in the future with the goal of salvation and works his way back. He argues that our view of salvation should not be founded in the unknown of God’s existence and thoughts prior to creation but in his present work in the world. As a result, Grenz's view of the controversial doctrine of election is about what Christians are elected to, not when election took place.
Thanks, Stanley.
______
My ⭐️ rating criteria
- ⭐️: I absolutely did not like or totally disagreed with the book and would recommend that no one else read it
- ⭐️⭐️: the book was below average style or content, arguments were very weak, wouldn’t read it again, but wouldn’t beg people not to read it necessarily
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️: a fine book, some helpful information (or a decent story, for the handful of novels I read), maybe I disagreed somewhat, enjoyed it decently well
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: a very good book, information was very helpful, mostly agreed with everything or it was a strong argument even if I disagree, was above-average enjoyable to read
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: incredible book, I enjoyed it more than most other books, I want to read it again in the future, I will be telling everyone to read it for the next few weeks
I mostly agreed with his theology. A few spots I disagreed or questioned. Of all the things I could mention, I'll just pick one. His view of the "ordo salutis" (order of salvation) is very unconventional. Typically, theologians in the West have started in eternity past with "election" and work their way forward. Grenz starts in the future with the goal of salvation and works his way back. He argues that our view of salvation should not be founded in the unknown of God’s existence and thoughts prior to creation but in his present work in the world. As a result, Grenz's view of the controversial doctrine of election is about what Christians are elected to, not when election took place.
Thanks, Stanley.
______
My ⭐️ rating criteria
- ⭐️: I absolutely did not like or totally disagreed with the book and would recommend that no one else read it
- ⭐️⭐️: the book was below average style or content, arguments were very weak, wouldn’t read it again, but wouldn’t beg people not to read it necessarily
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️: a fine book, some helpful information (or a decent story, for the handful of novels I read), maybe I disagreed somewhat, enjoyed it decently well
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: a very good book, information was very helpful, mostly agreed with everything or it was a strong argument even if I disagree, was above-average enjoyable to read
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: incredible book, I enjoyed it more than most other books, I want to read it again in the future, I will be telling everyone to read it for the next few weeks
October 8, 2021
I just finished "Theology For The Community Of God," by Stanley J. Grenz.
Ok. Over 650 pp. Here we go.
I'm only a couple of pages in a Grenz writes well. He wants you to walk away from this chunk-o-book not wondering about what you just read. I would say this is a good first ST at a college level.
His intro section on theological method is quite good. He covers what theology should cover and who it serves and how: Narrative over proposition. He covers models, framework and motifs, leaving--for instance--inspiration for his Pneumatology. Grenz driving or integrative motif will be the Already/Not Yet Kingdom of God, (fully fleshed out as the community of God: the eschatological community) and he could not have picked a better one.
Dealing with theology proper, the Doctrine of God in unity and in trinity, he forms the foundation of his attributes of God upon "God is love." He does a good job laying some historical groundwork which pulls in Plato and Aristotle so we can have an idea of how we got from scripture to here.
Grenz section on Providence was a bit descriptive rather than prescriptive but it gets better and he ties Providence to eschatology: God is the goal to which all things move.
His anthropology defines sin as our failure or disruption of the community God desires for us and His creation. Grenz spends time dealing with inherited guilt which is the point total depravity hinges upon. From the two sections in play from Rm 5 and Ep 2 he says that inherited guilt is impossible to establish.
He oddly sticks angelology at the end of anthropology (which is admittedly angelology + demonology + satanology + "structures" = spiritual entities or simplified as "angelology").
His Christology (the person and work of Christ) is split in four chapters, Jesus as Divine, Jesus as Human, Jesus as theantropic (human/divine), and His work of atonement.
Grenz proposes a few options from which one tries to establish Christ's divinity: Jesus' sinlessness, teaching, death, claim, and resurrection. He shot holes in all but the resurrection. The resurrection is the great rewind button from which we can establish the previous or the importance of the previous but without the resurrection one only has a dead Messiah of which there were quite a few.
While going through some of the early Christological heresies, specifically Apollinarianism, he cuts to the mic drop "that which hasn't been assumed has not been saved." Then he goes into the question of if Jesus could sin and seemes to forget the above. The whole argument hinges on original sin in us and Jesus not having it. It would be more coherent to eliminate any part of original sin and any of it being passed on to man. The only places so far in this text which seem to mess up the "Systematic" nature are around original sin. The other is in stating that total depravity would accumulate by each generation...but somehow original sin wouldnt.
Grenz seems to apply a modified Rahner's Rule to the Logos: we don't ask what the Logos was doing before the incarnation because the Logos is one and the same as Jesus (the immanent Trinity is the economic Trinity). It's not like he has a weak Trinitarianism so I wonder what drove this statement. Maybe I'm looking too deep.
Grenz spent a lot of ink being descriptive about the current state of the virgin birth in Protestantism and Catholicism before one prescriptive page affirming. He was so good in his analysis that I thought he would reject it. I appreciate this rigor.
His coverage of the atonement was good. He spent time in historical theology along side subjective/objective/dynamic conceptual models. His writing seemed to want to create distance from many hardliners objective models of the atonement. I appreciate this. He never landed at "this is it," rather he covered the exegetical data and showed how the objective, subjective and dynamic concepts were in the texts.
In Pneumatology under soteriology:
"Radical repentance is intricately related to conversion," p 407.
I appreciate that because it places a spotlight on the moment of conversion and its major ramifications. We must keep in mind it is followed by sanctifications continual work. So a moment followed by every moment.
Grenz speaks to the Kingdom with one hand on Ecclesiology and the other on eschatology and he does it very well.
When he arrives at eschatology he deals with the final state quite well giving room to universalism, annihilationism and finally landing on a cleaned up version of eternal torment.
Good book for a conservative though edgy ST.
#StanleyJGrenz #StanleyGrenz #Grenz #TheologyForTheCommunityOfGod #SystematicTheology #Dogmatics
Ok. Over 650 pp. Here we go.
I'm only a couple of pages in a Grenz writes well. He wants you to walk away from this chunk-o-book not wondering about what you just read. I would say this is a good first ST at a college level.
His intro section on theological method is quite good. He covers what theology should cover and who it serves and how: Narrative over proposition. He covers models, framework and motifs, leaving--for instance--inspiration for his Pneumatology. Grenz driving or integrative motif will be the Already/Not Yet Kingdom of God, (fully fleshed out as the community of God: the eschatological community) and he could not have picked a better one.
Dealing with theology proper, the Doctrine of God in unity and in trinity, he forms the foundation of his attributes of God upon "God is love." He does a good job laying some historical groundwork which pulls in Plato and Aristotle so we can have an idea of how we got from scripture to here.
Grenz section on Providence was a bit descriptive rather than prescriptive but it gets better and he ties Providence to eschatology: God is the goal to which all things move.
His anthropology defines sin as our failure or disruption of the community God desires for us and His creation. Grenz spends time dealing with inherited guilt which is the point total depravity hinges upon. From the two sections in play from Rm 5 and Ep 2 he says that inherited guilt is impossible to establish.
He oddly sticks angelology at the end of anthropology (which is admittedly angelology + demonology + satanology + "structures" = spiritual entities or simplified as "angelology").
His Christology (the person and work of Christ) is split in four chapters, Jesus as Divine, Jesus as Human, Jesus as theantropic (human/divine), and His work of atonement.
Grenz proposes a few options from which one tries to establish Christ's divinity: Jesus' sinlessness, teaching, death, claim, and resurrection. He shot holes in all but the resurrection. The resurrection is the great rewind button from which we can establish the previous or the importance of the previous but without the resurrection one only has a dead Messiah of which there were quite a few.
While going through some of the early Christological heresies, specifically Apollinarianism, he cuts to the mic drop "that which hasn't been assumed has not been saved." Then he goes into the question of if Jesus could sin and seemes to forget the above. The whole argument hinges on original sin in us and Jesus not having it. It would be more coherent to eliminate any part of original sin and any of it being passed on to man. The only places so far in this text which seem to mess up the "Systematic" nature are around original sin. The other is in stating that total depravity would accumulate by each generation...but somehow original sin wouldnt.
Grenz seems to apply a modified Rahner's Rule to the Logos: we don't ask what the Logos was doing before the incarnation because the Logos is one and the same as Jesus (the immanent Trinity is the economic Trinity). It's not like he has a weak Trinitarianism so I wonder what drove this statement. Maybe I'm looking too deep.
Grenz spent a lot of ink being descriptive about the current state of the virgin birth in Protestantism and Catholicism before one prescriptive page affirming. He was so good in his analysis that I thought he would reject it. I appreciate this rigor.
His coverage of the atonement was good. He spent time in historical theology along side subjective/objective/dynamic conceptual models. His writing seemed to want to create distance from many hardliners objective models of the atonement. I appreciate this. He never landed at "this is it," rather he covered the exegetical data and showed how the objective, subjective and dynamic concepts were in the texts.
In Pneumatology under soteriology:
"Radical repentance is intricately related to conversion," p 407.
I appreciate that because it places a spotlight on the moment of conversion and its major ramifications. We must keep in mind it is followed by sanctifications continual work. So a moment followed by every moment.
Grenz speaks to the Kingdom with one hand on Ecclesiology and the other on eschatology and he does it very well.
When he arrives at eschatology he deals with the final state quite well giving room to universalism, annihilationism and finally landing on a cleaned up version of eternal torment.
Good book for a conservative though edgy ST.
#StanleyJGrenz #StanleyGrenz #Grenz #TheologyForTheCommunityOfGod #SystematicTheology #Dogmatics
July 21, 2017
Grenz's systematic theology is written through the lens of community, particularly community with God, others and creation. This lends itself to easy application of deep theological truths. It's thorough, readable, and blends scripture, tradition, philosophy and culture together while giving primacy to scripture.
Grenz is not a theologian without controversy, however. He has been called a "post conservative" evangelical, which should not be misunderstood as "once-conservative-but-now-liberal." As Roger Olson has explained, it was that Grenz was concerned to liberate evangelicalism from rigid neo-fundamentalism.
When reading any theologian, it is always wise to do some homework and learn about the man or woman writing. No one does theology in a vacuum.
Grenz is not a theologian without controversy, however. He has been called a "post conservative" evangelical, which should not be misunderstood as "once-conservative-but-now-liberal." As Roger Olson has explained, it was that Grenz was concerned to liberate evangelicalism from rigid neo-fundamentalism.
When reading any theologian, it is always wise to do some homework and learn about the man or woman writing. No one does theology in a vacuum.
November 21, 2012
This was actually a good book by Grenz. Later in his career, I became cynical of what he wrote, especially in regards to epistemology and the trinity, but at this stage, I do believe that his output was edifying, beneficial and for the life of the church.
Good, sound, practical - probably the biggest draw backs was/is the Baptistic perspective advanced here in. Still worthy of engaging, and from a Baptist, this is about as good as you are gonna get.
Good, sound, practical - probably the biggest draw backs was/is the Baptistic perspective advanced here in. Still worthy of engaging, and from a Baptist, this is about as good as you are gonna get.
July 26, 2025
A clear, polished, comprehensive introduction to systematic theology. Does a great job unifying theology around the theme of community. A contender for the leading graduate level introduction.
A balanced baptist but ecumenical orthodox approach. Relies on Pannenberg, Barth, Berkhof, and many other including the most references to The Systematic Theology of Augustus Strong I have ever seen. (A work I personally hold dear as my first taste of systematic theology). Not as much reliance on patristics.
As a pedagogical masterpiece, it does not assume Latin, Greek, German or other foreign languages. Also defines obscure theological terms. The presentation is well organized and the writing is a textbook example of clarity. And this could also be seen as a potential weakness. It is more descriptive than persuasive. He presents the primary orthodox options for most contentious issue but doesn’t try to make a persuasive case for his own position. His arguments are blunt and not sharply polemic or passionate. This is a bonus for a textbook, but makes it slightly less engaging.
Overall, highly recommended as a first work of serious systematic theology.
A balanced baptist but ecumenical orthodox approach. Relies on Pannenberg, Barth, Berkhof, and many other including the most references to The Systematic Theology of Augustus Strong I have ever seen. (A work I personally hold dear as my first taste of systematic theology). Not as much reliance on patristics.
As a pedagogical masterpiece, it does not assume Latin, Greek, German or other foreign languages. Also defines obscure theological terms. The presentation is well organized and the writing is a textbook example of clarity. And this could also be seen as a potential weakness. It is more descriptive than persuasive. He presents the primary orthodox options for most contentious issue but doesn’t try to make a persuasive case for his own position. His arguments are blunt and not sharply polemic or passionate. This is a bonus for a textbook, but makes it slightly less engaging.
Overall, highly recommended as a first work of serious systematic theology.
November 20, 2018
It might surprise you to hear that I have always thought of the idea of systematic theology as being too complex for me to grasp. This book really helped me get over that. Grenz argues that because God is community within himself, existing as father who eternally begets the son in a relationship characterized by their spirit, the entirety of God's program for creation has to do with participation in that divine community. This extends from our understanding of ourselves as creatures of God, to the mission of the Christ to bring reconciliation, to the work of the Spirit, to the doctrine of the church, to the final fulfillment of God's purpose at the second coming of Christ and the resurrection of the saints. This is a long book, but it is thorough. It hits the mark in accomplishing the author's intentions. If systematic theology has ever been a bit intimidating for you, give this work a chance. It's worth it.
October 12, 2023
This book was dense, but very helpful in guiding me to form a more grounded understanding of Christian theological concepts. This book helped me grow in my knowledge of who God is and what my mission is as a believer. Grenz's main idea is that the God created us to be in community with Him and others and our mission is to bring that message to the ends of the earth. All through his book, Grenz uses this idea in order to shape our theological beliefs as followers of Yahweh.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to go to the next level in their understanding of theological concepts. It may be easy for beginners to understand, but I am not sure if this book is best suited for someone researching Christian theology for the first time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to go to the next level in their understanding of theological concepts. It may be easy for beginners to understand, but I am not sure if this book is best suited for someone researching Christian theology for the first time.
April 12, 2021
I enjoyed reading this. That says quite a bit for a book that is clearly meant to be used as a textbook for a Systematic theology class. It goes through the standard categories, moving from Proper Theology to Anthropology then to Christology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, and finally Eschatology. The book puts a significant focus on the corporate aspect of Christian faith. It is written from an Evangelical perspective, but gives significant emphasis to the shared catholic heritage of Christianity and shows some of the breadth of beliefs within the faith.
January 11, 2025
Four-and-half-stars. Great systematic theology. Not so easy that it’s beginner level, not so advanced that it’s esoteric, but solidly intermediate; works either as a read through or a reference—a balance pretty hard to strike in the systematic field. Grenz is insightful throughout—though there is some trudgery in the 600+ pages (maybe unavoidable in this type of book)—but on top of it, he’s great at engaging in ancient to modern voices as needed to show how certain doctrines developed. While fair and irenic, he has no problem picking his hills of pushback.
February 2, 2017
I must say that while much of Grenz' book is good, I was greatly turned off by his perspective of the human soul and the intermediate state. It's odd that he discusses God as an immaterial being and angels and demons as immaterial beings, but rejects the immaterial side of humanity, something that has been accepted since the earliest days of the church. I purchased this book along with Allister McGrath's book on theology. While Grenz was more readable, I found McGrath much more satisfying.
January 12, 2017
An excellent work of systematic theology from a moderate evangelical perspective. Particularly worth noting is his conception of systematic theology as a framework for understanding reality, not to be confused with the reality itself. While paedobaptist readers will find his dismissive treatment of infant baptism fails to do justice to the question's complexity, the work is overall both comprehensive and accessible, a text worth returning to again and again.
May 23, 2019
I appreciated how Grenz wove the threads of community and the Kingdom of God through the entire text. The sections on ecclesiology and eschatology were particularly impactful.
Grenz seems to offers a balanced and middle-of-the-road treatment of many subjects. Other readers, depending on their backgrounds, may arrive at a different conclusion.
Grenz seems to offers a balanced and middle-of-the-road treatment of many subjects. Other readers, depending on their backgrounds, may arrive at a different conclusion.
October 2, 2025
I know the information was good I just had a hard time reading it. It is long and somewhat dry. However, I have heard from many people that this is one of the most interesting and easy to read systematic theologies they have read so... maybe I am just too unfamiliar with the genre haha.
November 26, 2025
ambivalent about the traditional view of creation ("young world")
good about the spiritual gifts having been ceased
good summary of variouus eschatological views
overall, Louis Berkhof's is still better.
also, John Frame's and MacArthur and Mayhue's
good about the spiritual gifts having been ceased
good summary of variouus eschatological views
overall, Louis Berkhof's is still better.
also, John Frame's and MacArthur and Mayhue's
November 23, 2017
As my first foray into theology, this book was a welcome guide and safe starting point that I will be forever grateful for.
February 2, 2018
With the help of my maginificent professor who himself was taught by Grenz himself, this textbook on theology had been an impacting piece of literature in my life.
July 25, 2019
Helped a lot in my ordination process
April 30, 2020
You can read my review here: https://joeburnham.com/review/theolog...
February 25, 2022
Overall it was good. But very dry and boring to read.
February 28, 2012
There are a number of Christian systematic theology texts out there, and all of them essentially cover the essentials of the faith by breaking the book into sections that cover doctrines of theology (related to God), anthropology (related to man), Christology (related to Christ), pneumatology (related to the Holy Spirit), ecclesiology (related to the church), and eschatology (related to end-times). This textbook does the same thing, except it frames each of these sections and their underlying doctrines through the lens of community. For example, the doctrine of the Trinity highlights God as a self-existing community; and the Fall is presented as man’s broken purpose which was community with God. This social framework provides coherency across the different topics. Grenz does an excellent job of not only introducing each doctrine, but also tracing the theological history of each doctrine and highlighting the various philosophical positions within each point. For the most part, Grenz avoids academic jargon, so the prose is mostly readable. Overall, a thorough and well-crafted survey of Christian theology. Recommended.
August 8, 2012
This book is eye opening to understanding God and Theology based on the people of God. It's a different spin from then Trinitarian view as in the orthodox perspective, but definately is trinitarian in it's reapect to the Father, Son and Spirit. It's a favorite of mine and I refer to it often. Thank you Dr.Rim for introducing me to Grenz, and Dave Rodriguez for the dialog as I discovered someone who you encountered far before me. To bad I didn't get to see him in person, but I look forward to the day I will meet him in the new kingdom.
January 21, 2008
A systematic theology at its heart, Grenz’s work moves through each of the traditional Western systematic categories. Grenz, however, has been called the theologian of the Emerging (Postmodern) Movement and his systematic theology reflects this in style and content. Grenz uniquely emphasizes the Trinity, eschatology, and – especially – community in his theology. Overall a great resource, Grenz is readable and thorough. A
August 24, 2014
This is the best all-time systematic theology book I've ever read. Enough said. May God bless the late Stanley J. Grenz and his family for how God has used him powerfully in the kingdom to lead many to a strong trinitarian understanding of God in community and flowing out to humanity.
February 17, 2015
A thick volume and ambitious in the scope of what Grenz seeks to do. It is a very good starting point for most western Christians looking for an improved understanding of what they were likely taught in their Church experience. That said some of the theology is a bit dated/underdevloped.
July 16, 2008
partially read for class. good book. approaches theology from the perspective of the whole Christian community.
June 2, 2010
An excellent theological study, very readable rather than technical.
April 22, 2011
partially read a lot of it for class.
March 19, 2012
Where as some of my own personal beliefs differ from Grenz, specifically in pneumatology, I feel that he brings a great balance and full understanding to the arena of Systematic Theology.
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