Book Review: Exploring Christian Theology, Volume One

Exploring Christian Theology, Volume One
Nathan D. Holsteen and Michael J. Svigel, General Editors
Bethany House, 2014
English, 272 pgs

From the Back Cover

The Foundations of Theology in Everyday Language
Dallas Seminary professors Nathan Holsteen and Michael Svigel are passionate about the key doctrines of Christianity. They want readers to know why they're important and why they matter. This volume includes two parts:

• How Firm a Foundation: Revelation, Scripture, and Truth
• God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

The authors explore these important topics in a concise and highly readable style that makes sense--whether you're a student of the Bible, a pastor, or someone who simply wants to know God better.

For each topic you'll find

• An introduction, overview, and review of the key points
• Several applicable Bible texts, including verses to memorize
• A quick-paced history of the doctrine
• Distortions to be aware of and avoid
• Reading lists for further study
• A glossary of theological terms

Review:
As a former Religious Education student and a current pastor's wife, I found this book to be exceedingly well done. I appreciate that the authors do not rush through the topics. They carefully explain each one. While the language can be at times studious, it is a fairly easy book to read. The glossary at the back of the book really can help those who may not have much study in the past. The beginning part of the book, called The Christian Story in Four Acts is a brief, yet thorough, overview of really the history of all mankind.

I appreciate the copious charts, graphs and illustrations. They do not distract from the topic and in some cases, can help clarify a difficult concept. The lists of books for further study are immense.

My husband is impressed enough with this book that we have already ordered the previous volume which was released in January 2014 (so how is this V1?) and will be ordering the next when it comes out. He believes these are essential to his ministry library.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House in exchange for a review on this blog and a commercial bookselling website. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.