I must make a confession. I still really like Erickson for a good, thorough, evangelical systematic theology. I’ve read several of his Theology Proper monographs as well, and I think he is the best American evangelicalism has to offer. There are other guys, to be sure. But, for a good, trustworthy starting point, I always look to Erickson. I know Grudem displaced him a while back. I think Erickson is much better.
I like Pannenberg, too … (heh, heh)
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
I agree with you about Erickson Tyler. He is far better than Grudem. Grudem is well organized and clear, but he is not as thorough and as deep, and he has issues (e.g. prophecy). I have not read the work Olson cites, and it is a hefty price. I’ll keep a sharp eye out. I am working on updating my bibliography of Systematic Theology, although it’s not going as fast as I would want. I also like Pannenberg, but he is not evangelical in our sense, and is “scientistic” in his method. I prefer more “speculative” or reflective work, philosophically informed, which is what you get with Erickson, but with rigorous method. I really want Van Der Kooi/Van Den Brink, but I’ll have to wait for a second hand version. Of special interest to me is the chapter “The Doctrine of Creation.”
That said, I could not put a book that vacillates on inerrancy at the top of my list.
Dr. Paul Henebury
I am Founder of Telos Ministries, and Senior Pastor at Agape Bible Church in N. Ca.
I agree about Pannenberg. I like what I read of his vol. 1 because it’s so different from the normal evangelical fare. I found what I’ve read of Brunner also very intriguing, though also very different.
I now have all of Donald Bloesch, and he really intrigues me. Nobody talks about him. He seemed to occupy this no-man’s land, not quite a member of the conservative club, but certainly not a liberal revisionist. I need to read more from him.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
He was influential back in the day. His 7 vol systematics is uneven but worthwhile for ST junkies (pretty awful eschatology). His method (in Vol 1) is pietistic and influenced a lot by P. T. Forsyth. That makes it stimulating and informative, while also giving the feeling that it could spin off the rails at any time. Btw, don’t buy his criticisms of propositional revelation!
Bloesch’s smaller 2 volume Essentials of Evangelical Theology is well worth having, as are his books on Piety, Prayer, and Faith.
Dr. Paul Henebury
I am Founder of Telos Ministries, and Senior Pastor at Agape Bible Church in N. Ca.
Discussion
NewCalling Henebury
What say ye, Paul!?
I must make a confession. I still really like Erickson for a good, thorough, evangelical systematic theology. I’ve read several of his Theology Proper monographs as well, and I think he is the best American evangelicalism has to offer. There are other guys, to be sure. But, for a good, trustworthy starting point, I always look to Erickson. I know Grudem displaced him a while back. I think Erickson is much better.
I like Pannenberg, too … (heh, heh)
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewWell
I agree with you about Erickson Tyler. He is far better than Grudem. Grudem is well organized and clear, but he is not as thorough and as deep, and he has issues (e.g. prophecy). I have not read the work Olson cites, and it is a hefty price. I’ll keep a sharp eye out. I am working on updating my bibliography of Systematic Theology, although it’s not going as fast as I would want. I also like Pannenberg, but he is not evangelical in our sense, and is “scientistic” in his method. I prefer more “speculative” or reflective work, philosophically informed, which is what you get with Erickson, but with rigorous method. I really want Van Der Kooi/Van Den Brink, but I’ll have to wait for a second hand version. Of special interest to me is the chapter “The Doctrine of Creation.”
That said, I could not put a book that vacillates on inerrancy at the top of my list.
Dr. Paul Henebury
I am Founder of Telos Ministries, and Senior Pastor at Agape Bible Church in N. Ca.
NewYes
I agree about Pannenberg. I like what I read of his vol. 1 because it’s so different from the normal evangelical fare. I found what I’ve read of Brunner also very intriguing, though also very different.
I now have all of Donald Bloesch, and he really intrigues me. Nobody talks about him. He seemed to occupy this no-man’s land, not quite a member of the conservative club, but certainly not a liberal revisionist. I need to read more from him.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewBloesch
He was influential back in the day. His 7 vol systematics is uneven but worthwhile for ST junkies (pretty awful eschatology). His method (in Vol 1) is pietistic and influenced a lot by P. T. Forsyth. That makes it stimulating and informative, while also giving the feeling that it could spin off the rails at any time. Btw, don’t buy his criticisms of propositional revelation!
Bloesch’s smaller 2 volume Essentials of Evangelical Theology is well worth having, as are his books on Piety, Prayer, and Faith.
Dr. Paul Henebury
I am Founder of Telos Ministries, and Senior Pastor at Agape Bible Church in N. Ca.