I’m compiling a list of books for use as a resource in a ‘getting started with theology’ course I’m trying to put together. Anything that introduces the basics of the sorts of things you’d expect: theology (of course, the Bible, church history, prayer, ethics… The emphasis is on ‘introductory’, though. (NB: ‘introductory’, not simplistic)
Oh, and nothing too partisan.
Any ideas?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Tony Buglass 01.22.09 at 2:37 pm
The old Methodist LP textbooks (Groundwork in Theology/Ethics/Christian History, etc) were reasonably good starters. I’d also recommend “Christian England” by David Edwards as a very readable and comprehensive survey of British church history from Romano-British beginnings to 1914, complete with surveys of the teaching of major theologians along the way. For biblical stuff, “One Bible - Many Voices” by S E Gillingham is an accessible introduction to the biblical canon and how it was developed. “The Historical Jesus” by Gerd Theissen is a large and comprehensive survey of issues, sources, etc in studying Jesus from a primarily historical angle. “Faith Seeking Understanding” by Daniel L Migliore is a good theology reader - it used to be the set text in the Open Learning Centre Apologetics course.
My starter for 10…
I’m sure I’ll think of some more.
Chris R. 01.22.09 at 3:20 pm
Hi Richard,
I was given Grenz & Olsen’s *Who Needs Theology?: An Invitation to the Study of God* in my intro to theology seminary class — it’s a brief paperback that discusses all the fundamental entry-point issues you mention. Thought I don’t agree with all of Stanley Grenz’s theological views, as one might expect, all his more controversial ones (I’m thinking mainly of his sympathetic stance re postmodernism) are left out of this text. There’s also a *Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms* edited by Grenz, Guretzki and Nordling (IVP) that’s a good accompaniment. If you want to throw in some church history, you can’t beat the 100-page paperback, *Church History: An Essential Guide* by Justo Gonzalez.
Best wishes in Christ!
Will 01.22.09 at 4:55 pm
Tom Wright’s Simply Christian and Mike Lloyd’s Cafe Theology. Lloyd’s book appears steep with 400 or so pages, but actually a fun read.
Rick O'Donnell 01.22.09 at 5:25 pm
I might suggest C.S. Lewis’ ‘Mere Christianity’ as recommended for further reading.
PamBG 01.22.09 at 6:15 pm
‘How to read the Bible’ by Etienne Charpentier. Or, in two volumes, ‘How to read the New Testament’ and ‘How to Read the Old Testament’.
Kim 01.22.09 at 6:27 pm
It is crucial gently but firmly to disabuse fundies and ideologues from the get-go in theological studies, and to provide a good grounding in patristics and early church history. As an introduction to introductions to the Bible, Robert Carroll’s Wolf in the Sheepfold: The Bible as Problematic for Theology (1997) does the former with page-turning flair. For the latter, the late Henry Chadwick’s The Early Church (1967) is still a good primer, while Norbert Brox’s A History of the Early Church (1994), a standard text for European students, “offers an illuminating alternative to sometimes more conservative British works” (as the back cover puts it). Also the recent The SCM Press A-Z of Patristic Theology (2005) by John Anthony McGuckin is a must-have “dictionary”, written with the tyro in mind but handy for the vet too.
On doctrine, Tony mentions the Migliore book, which is excellent. I’ve had a perusal of the new SCM Core Text Christian Doctrine (2008) by Mike Higton, and it looks to be fantastic (though as Mike wrote the Foreward to my own book, I would say that!). One could go on … And one should go to “Faith and Theology”, which many moons ago engaged in a similar exercise, with plenty of respondents.
Ben Myers 01.22.09 at 11:38 pm
As a discussion-starter, you could hardly do better than Kim’s Propositions!
And Rowan Williams’ Tokens of Trust is beautiful — plus, I’ve just recently discovered Mark McIntosh’s Mysteries of Faith, which is an excellent and elegant exploration of Christian doctrine. (If you wanted a more advanced textbook-type of book, McIntosh’s Divine Teaching is also really outstanding.)
And although it’s out of print, I also have to mention Robert Jenson’s incomparable Story and Promise.
Kim 01.23.09 at 12:35 am
On doctrine, I can second Ben’s recommendation of Divine Teaching: An Introduction to Christian Theology (I read it over the Christmas period). It’s demanding, but it’s fresh, imaginative (the painting on the cover of “The Tree of Life” is far out), and deeply learned; but most of all, it teaches the art of thinking theologically (with case studies from some of the classics). And Tokens of Trust, in turn, is by one of the world’s greatest practitioners of the art. And Story and Promise, if you can get a copy, by America’s greatest living theologian is, I’m afraid, “partisan”, because it’s distilled Jenson, but the fact that he’s almost always right, as well as winsome, should make up for that.
Micky 01.23.09 at 12:24 pm
Mary T Malone’s two Volumes ‘Women and Christianity’ (Columba) offer useful historical insights regarding the role, context, status and contribution of women from the early church up to 1,500 (I’m not sure if a third volume is out yet covering up to current day).
If you want introductions to Feminist theology, Nicola Slees ‘Faith and Feminism’ is not too daunting for the uninitiated. Rosemary Radford Ruether’s Sexism and God-Talk is a classic in this area.
For ‘applied’ or lived pastoral theology, Vantone’s ‘Love’s Endeavour, Love’s Expense’ is very helpful - if you can get past the exclusive language. For a global perspective on pastoral theology it is hard to beat ‘Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural Word’ by Emmanuel Lartey (Epworth) and there is also David Lyall’s ‘Integrity of Pastoral Care’ from SPCK. If you want more on pastoral theology contact Jane Leech, Esther Shreeve (Cambridge) or Helen Cameron (Queens)
Micky 01.23.09 at 12:25 pm
That should read ‘Vanstone’s’
mary 01.23.09 at 9:17 pm
“An Introduction to Christianity” by Alister Mc Grath
“Feminist Theology” - a reader ed by Ann Loades
“What St Paul Really Said” by Tom Wright
“The Authentic Gospel of Jesus” by Vermes
“Jesus in His Jewish Context” by Vermes
“Jesus” - a short biography by Martin Forward
“A History of God” by Karen Armstrong
“The Battle for God” by Armstrong
“”THe Gospels and Jesus” by Graham Stanton
“How to read the Apocalypse” by Jean-Pierre Prevost
“Finding the way through John” by John Fenton
“Following the Lamb” by Christina Le Moignan
Angela Shier-Jones 01.24.09 at 6:48 am
Might seem slightly off the wall but Brian McLaren’s Generous Orthodoxy is a fascinating into into theology and its impact on Christian living rather than just an abstract academic text. Without intending to he introduces the key areas of dispute in theology in such a way that a novice could actually understand WHY it is in dispute.. easy read too.. Published by Zondervan.