Foundations of Theology Bundle (15 vols.)

For decades, Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology has remained one of the most important and widely-used systematic theologies. It provides the clearest and most succinct articulation of Reformed theology. From its first publication in 1932, Berkhof’s work was revised, reprinted, and translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese, and it had become a standard theological text by 1950. It has gained near-universal use in seminaries and Bible colleges across the world, and is widely cited and used by pastors, theologians, and students of nearly all denominational affiliations. Although many of Berkhof’s ideas are not original—he wrote squarely within the Reformed tradition of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck—they are succinct, clear, and well-organized. Berkhof divided his Systematic Theology into six sections:

• Doctrine of God
• Doctrine of Man in Relation to God
• of the Person and Work of Christ
• Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption
• Doctrine of the Church and the Means of Grace
• Doctrine of the Last Things

Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology was first published by Eerdmans in 1932 as a three-volume set: an introductory volume, plus two volumes entitled Reformed Dogmatics. Much of the material in these volumes was transcribed from his lectures at Calvin Theology Seminary between 1926 and 1928. In 1938, Berkhof revised the 2-volume Reformed Dogmatics, and it was published in smaller type by Eerdmans as a single volume entitled Systematic Theology. Berkhof’s Introductory Volume to Systematic Theology was published separately. For decades, both the Systematic Theology and its introductory volume have been reprinted as two-volume sets or combined one-volume editions.

Written by Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founding president of Dallas Theological Seminary and long-time editor of Bibliotheca Sacra, this is the first dispensational, premillenial systematic theology ever published. It is a complete, unabridged systematic theology meaning it covers a lot of ground that many earlier theologies did not, such as ecclesiology (e.g., the doctrine of the universal church, the church's rule of life), angelology (e.g., the relationship between Satan and sin), and typology. This is truly one of the heavyweight works of the evangelical movement, very much in demand today.

From the editor of the popular Ryrie Study Bible comes a systematic approach to Christian theology that will prove edifying to any class of theologian, be they pastor or plumber. In Basic Theology, Ryrie has taken the daunting topic of theology and created an even-handed introduction to and reference for a variety of major theological concerns, giving the reader a sturdy foothold for their faith and a powerful weapon against heresy and unfounded interpretations of God’s Word. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian. There is everything wrong, however, with being an ignorant or sloppy theologian. As Christians, our thoughts about God need to coincide with what He’s said about Himself in the Bible. The phrase “sound doctrine” that Paul used means healthy doctrine (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9). Healthy doctrine or healthy theology is always expected to result in holy living.

Written with a clear understanding of the Scriptures and an unpretentious style, Charles Ryrie’s classic Basic Theology is a standard text for many Bible students and pastors. In fact, Ryrie's theology is required reading for a variety of seminary courses. The work's clear, thoughtful language and concise exposition of topics make Basic Theology an easy to understand introduction to systematic theology for the layperson. It also serves as a handy and compact reference for the theologian or scholar. This edition features 94 chapters arranged in outline style for easy reference. It also includes charts, definitions, scripture and subject indices to guide you to a clear and comprehensive picture of Ryrie's approach to systematic theology. Considerable attention is given to the dispensational view of the end times. Reading this book will help you begin to think about how God wants to conform you to the image of Christ. Designed with personal application in mind, Basic Theology will provide you with sound theology, which in turn produces holy living.

In one systematic volume, James Boice provides a readable overview of Christian theology. Whether teacher or student, pastor or layperson, Foundations of the Christian Faith will provide a rich source of Scriptural knowledge, covering all the major doctrines of Christianity. Boice maintains a remarkable practicality and thoroughness that have made this a standard reference and text for over two decades. With scholarly rigor and a pastor's heart, Boice carefully opens the topics of the nature of God, the character of his natural and special revelation, the fall, and the person and the work of Christ. He then goes on to consider the work of the Holy Spirit in justification and sanctification. The book closes with careful discussion of ecclesiology and eschatology. It is imperative for modern Christians to develop a greater understanding of the Bible and God. As Boice states in the first chapter, “We do not have a strong church today, nor do we have many strong Christians. We can trace it to an acute lack of sound spiritual knowledge. Why is the Church weak? Why are individual Christians weak? It is because they have allowed their minds to be conformed to the 'spirit of this age,' with its mechanistic, godless thinking... A weak God produces no strong men, nor does he deserve to be worshiped. A strong God, the God of the Bible, is a source of strength to those who know Him… So let us learn about God and come to know God in the fullest, biblical sense... This is true wisdom for everyone. It is the special duty and privilege of the Christian.”

Theologian and apologist Norman Geisler has been one of the most prolific and influential leaders in the area of evangelical apologetics. For over forty years he has studied and defended the faith as an author and as an internationally known speaker and debater. He brings vast experience to his magnum opus, the four volumes of Systematic Theology. Josh McDowell, author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter, calls Dr. Geisler’s Systematic Theology “Tremendous!” and insists that no library should be without these four volumes. Exhaustive in its approach and erudite in its presentation, Geisler’s Systematic Theology formulates a coherent perspective that not only represents the Christian belief system, but also looks to history, philosophy, science, and ethics to create as full a view as possible.