A Introductory Guide to Christian Beliefs

Dr Wayne Grudem has always been one of my favourite authors. His Systematic Theology, Bible Doctrine (abridged ed. of his Systematic Theology) for example, has been a useful resource for me. Very recently (2005 Winter), he has produced another new bk titled Christian Beliefs:Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know. I suppose this is an abridged ed. of his Bible Doctrine!! For me, abridged doesn't always mean bad quality or too brief to be useful. As the Synopsis describes, it is a basic guide to twenty Christian beliefs that is solid, yet readable, and not intimidating for new believers and Christians in general. It includes chapter review questions.

Description of Christian Beliefs:Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know

Albert Mohler Jr. (President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky) descrbe this bk as:

Christian Essentials Made Plain and SimpleGod doesn’t call every Christian to go off to seminary, but there are certain matters of doctrine—that is, the church’s teaching—that every Christian simply must know. Theology is important because what we believe affects how we live. If you’re a relatively new believer in Jesus, or if you’re a more mature Christian looking for a quick brush-up on basics of the faith, Christian Beliefs is for you.This readable guide to twenty basic Christian beliefs is a condensation of Wayne Grudem’s award-winning book on systematic theology, prized by pastors and teachers everywhere. He and his son, Elliot, have boiled down the essentials of Christian theology for the average layperson and made them both clear and applicable to life. You will learn about the Bible, the characteristics of God, what it means that we are created in the image of God, what God has done for us in Christ, the purpose of the church, and much more. Each chapter includes questions for personal review or group discussion.These truly are twenty basic beliefs that every Christian should know. Wayne Grudem is a master teacher with the ability to explain profound truths in simple language. He is a man of deep conviction and theological passion—and those who read this book will be both educated and encouraged in the faith.

J. I. Packer (Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia) too gave his endorsement:

Based on Systematic Theology, this summary will certainly help beginners with
Christ to get the hang of their faith.

Table of Contents

1. What Is the Bible?.....

2. What Is God Like?.....

3. What Is the Trinity?.....

4. What Is Creation?.....

5. What Is Prayer?.....

6. What Are Angels, Satan, and Demons?.....

7. What Is Man?.....

8. What Is Sin?.....

9. Who Is Christ?.....

10. What Is the Atonement?.....

11. What Is the Resurrection?.....

12. What Is Election?.....

13. What Does It Mean to Become a Christian?.....

14. What Are Justification and Adoption?.....

15. What Are Sanctification and Perseverance?.....

16. What Is Death?.....

17. What Is the Church?.....

18. What Will Happen When Christ Returns?.....

19. What Is the Final Judgment?.....

20. What Is Heaven?.....

Appendix 1: Historic Confessions of Faith.....

Appendix 2:Books for Further Reading in Systematic Theology.....

Author's info: Dr Wayne Grudem was previously professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He holds degrees from Harvard (BA), Westminster Seminary (MDiv), and the Cambridge (PhD). He is author of a number of books, including the Silver Medallion Award-winning Systematic Theology. He is also the co-editor of Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.