How to Choose a Systematic Theology Book (Building Your Theological Library)
It is the current year and a new “magnum opus” 400+ page systematic theology book was just released. The internet hypes it up like it’s a must-read and the newest master work that should be included in everyone’s library. You feel like you’re missing out if you don’t add it to your shelf. If you’re anything like me, you do judge a book by its cover and if it looks simple and has a sleek minimalist design, it’s an easy “add to cart.” The next thing you know, you have yet another heavy book taking up space on your shelf and gathering dust, and your bank account is about $50 lighter than it was before you made that purchase. I know, because I’ve been there and I have multiple bookshelves bending under the weight of untouched and unreferenced books.
In this short list, I am going to walk you through three suggestions I have for you as you build your theological library with systematic theologies, starting with the lowest cost of entry and then moving up the chain.
1. Start With a Confession of Faith
My first suggestion is to start with a confession of faith. Now, you may be thinking to yourself that that’s cheating, a confession of faith does not count as a systematic theology book. The truth is, a well-done confession of faith, like the Westminster Confession of Faith or the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, is a potent and concise work of systematic theology. If you want to know how to explain a theological topic in just a few words, or if you are in need of a short quote related to a topic of systematic theology, the first kind of extrabiblical book I would guide you to is a confession of faith. A confession of faith is as cheap as you want it to be, they are all available for free online. If you desire, you can also pick up a print edition pretty cheaply, or grab a Banner of Truth edition if you’re into that kind of thing. Honestly, if you haven’t read a confession of faith, you’re probably better off starting there before you move onto a meatier work of systematic theology.
2. Move Onto a 1-Volume Systematic Theology
My second suggestion is to continue on with a 1-volume work. This is where it gets a little tougher for those of us who are “balling on a budget.” You saved your money on the confession so that you could spend it here on an actual extended work of systematic theology. If you are going to buy just one one-volume systematic theology, I would recommend picking up Herman Bavinck’s Wonderful Works of God. This book was recently republished by Westminster Seminary Press, and it is equal parts profound and readable. Not to say it isn’t intellectually challenging, but Bavinck has some beautiful phrases within this dense work of systematic theology. Not to mention, Reformation Heritage Books has a great deal on it for significantly cheaper than you’ll find on Amazon. If Bavinck is a little too trendy for you, Louis Berkhof’s systematic theology book is just about as meat and potatoes as it gets. It may put you to sleep but in it you will find clear reasoning and a book that has stood the test of time.
3. Add a Multi-Volume Set
My third suggestion is to add a multi-volume set. So far, you have your free (or low-cost) confession of faith. You’ve got your 1-volume. Finally, we come to the time where we get a multi-volume, shelf-beautifying work of Systematic Theology. Here, I’m going to be as pragmatic as possible for you. If you already picked up Bavinck’s Wonderful Works of God as your 1-volume, your best bet is probably to grab the 2-volume John T. McNeill edition of Calvin’s Institutes and call it a day. You could read a few pages from Calvin every day for the rest of your life, going through the institutes again and again, and glean something new every day. The man was brilliant, and while the institutes are certainly a challenge for the modern reader, there is gold that is worth digging for. If you still have space on your shelf and in your budget after acquiring Calvin, you could pick up Bavinck’s four-volume Reformed Dogmatics or if you’re interested in scholastic theology, Francis Turretin’s Institutes of Elenctic Theology.
4. Resist the Urge to Buy on Impulse
BONUS SUGGESTION: But wait, there’s more! My fourth suggestion for you when it comes to buying systematic theology books is, once you have your bases covered, be very very slow before buying a brand new work of systematic theology, especially from an author that is still living. My suggestions are all dead guys for a reason - they have each stood the test of time as imperfect yet helpful theologians. Especially if like me you’re thin on budget, resist the urge to buy the shiny new systematic that comes in the current year, whatever that year may be. It doesn’t seem like such a massive work could come and go, and get blown away by the wind, but it’s very possible that the new “up-to-date” work of systematic theology may become outdated next year. For my fellow frugal freddies out there, let’s stick to what is tried and true.
Well there you have it. Those are my recommendations for you, as you seek to buy less books, better. There are way more books of systematic theology out there that I could have chosen, like this one, this one, and maybe even this one, but for the purpose of this article, keeping costs as low as possible and getting the absolute best of the best, these are my $.02, although I can’t guarantee they’re worth any more than that.
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