A Handbook of Theological Terms: Their Meaning and Background Exposed in Over 300 Articles

by Van Austin Harvey

Book Overview

From Simon & Schuster, A Handbook of Theological Terms is Van A. Harvey's collection of the terms' meanings and backgrounds exposed in over 300 articles.

An especially nice feature of this handbook is that it points out distinctions between Roman Catholic and Protestant terminologies, important in these ecumenical times when we often dialog together and take courses at each other's colleges and seminaries.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684846446
• ISBN13: 9780684846446
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 4.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.3" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Indispensable

This book is a "must have" for all theology students (or the interested layperson). Harvey covers a lot of ground--from church history, to attributes of G-d, to issues in philosophy. In short, this book is a good primer to topics you'll encounter in class. If a lecture was boring or the professor was unclear, turn to this little gem and get a good summary of what you missed (at times this book will be all you'll need to consult--that's how comprehensive it is). I don't keep many books on my shelf; most go back to the used bookstore. But Harvey's book is a keeper. It's loaded with need-to-know information and the writing is divine. Also recommended: The Gospel of Arnie

Indispensable

This book is a "must have" for all theology students (or the interested layperson). Harvey covers a lot of ground--from church history, to attributes of G-d, to issues in philosophy. In short, this book is a good primer to topics you'll encounter in class. If a lecture was boring or the professor was unclear, turn to this little gem and get a good summary of what you missed (at times this book will be all you'll need to consult--that's how comprehensive it is). I don't keep many books on my shelf; most go back to the used bookstore. But Harvey's book is a keeper. It's loaded with need-to-know information and the writing is divine. Also recommended: How to Lose Your Faith in Divinity School

Essential

Don't start seminary without this. Before you master Greek & Hebrew, you have the language of theology to conquer. Profs only have so much time, and if half the words they use are flying over your head, this book is your new best friend. Don't try to take an Early Church History or Theology class without it!

Absolutely indispensable

Harvey's little blue paperback is truly the seminarian's friend and I always keep a copy in sight whem I'm preparing a sermon or otherwise committing "God talk" to paper. An especially nice feature of the Handbook is that it points out distinctions between Roman Catholic and Protestant terminologies, important in these ecumenical times when we often dialog together and take courses at each other's colleges and seminaries.There are glossaries and dictionaries that are more up to date but that's not always an advantage, because their trendiness comes at the expense of excluding theological terms that are centuries old and will be around for centuries to come. I'm not sure the lay person will have much need for the Handbook, but by all means if people at your church are arrogant enough to use terms like "Arianism," "Docetism" or "Prevenient Grace" without defining them, get yourself a copy and fight back!

Helpful dictionary

This is an enormously helpful small dictionary of theological terms (particularly those used in systematic/doctrinal theology). It is even handed and good on both catholic and protestant terms. I'd recommend it to undergrads in theology classes and graduate students.