These three books are combined in
this review because all can be helpful tools in making Kingdom
disciples through teaching the great doctrines of the Word.
Jonathan Wilson’s A Primer for Christian Doctrine sets forth a
brief intro to defend the continued need for doctrine.
Wilson writes in the beginning
that the book is not a condensed systematic theology nor a short
summary on Christian doctrine. It is a primer to help Christians
know what we mean when we talk about “doctrine” and “theology.”
As you will be reminded in the “In Case You’re Asked” section of
Equip for Ministry, doctrine does not often receive positive
press today. The church is in trouble because it does not know
sound doctrine. And while it is true that doctrine can and does
often divide, this primer is intended to focus attention on
things that, properly understood, could draw us together. This
primer is intended to help the reader appreciate certain
differences while maintaining a unity with other Christians.
We need to explore ways of
encouraging people to know what they believe and why, especially
the rising generation. Wilson writes, “I have tried to write
this book so that it can guide you through almost any study of
Christian doctrine.” You will probably want to supplement this
Primer with a book such as Unlocking Grace. Roger Smalling in a
simple but not simplistic way sets forth biblical doctrines that
were reintroduced to the church during the Protestant
Reformation. Some of the topics include Inability of Man,
Justification By Faith, and Sacrifice of Christ.
Unlocking Grace was originally
written in Spanish (Si, Jesus!) while Smalling was serving as a
missionary in Latin America. He writes, “…the study of grace
turns out to be an involved journey, with unexpected twists. One
of these twists is that while we are defining grace, we find
ourselves defined more clearly—like it or not. The trip is long
but not boring, and it is truly exhilarating with glorious
scenery along the way.”
The third book listed in
doctrinal study, The Westminster Confession of Faith Study Book,
A Study Guide for Churches, is written by Joe Pipa of Greenville
Theological Seminary. It is a study guide on the Westminster
Confession of Faith and it also includes the Westminster Larger
and Shorter Catechisms, The Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic
Confession and the Canons of Dort. Because teaching doctrine is
part of the discipline of making Kingdom disciples, there is no
better place to begin than with the Westminster Standards. No
better summary of historic orthodox Christianity can be found.
The study guide for churches will
facilitate the study of the standards. With each of the
twenty-six lessons there are suggestions of which of the
confessions and catechisms should be read with the lesson and
what should be memorized.
This would be a good study and
teaching resource but also a constant reference for preachers
and teachers, especially with all that is included in the
volume.
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