Lectures in Systematic Theology

by Henry Clarence Thiessen

Book Overview

Originally published in 1949 and then revised in 1979, this comprehensive introduction to systematic theology has well served countless students and pastors for more than half a century. In this... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802835295
• ISBN13: 9780802835291
• Release Date: November 1979
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 450 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Rightly Dividing the Word by Clarence Larkin came to my mailbox as described.

The Book had the Dust Jacket. It was stained but the book was nearly flawless. So I was very happy with it. If you like Christian Theology then you must check out Dr Larkin's books. A must for any level learner.

A layman concerened with truth

This work, IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, as a basic work in systematic theology, is top of the class, even after 54 years. Thiessen is concise, and his arguments are Biblical. I highly recommend it, regardless of your level of Biblical education.I owned/managed a Christian bookstore. I have become quite familar, and in some cases intimately so, with theological writings. Most of the time I was disappointed with the treatment concerning salvation and associated doctrines as they were written primarily from a Calvinist/Reformed viewpoint. I had been looking for a work that dealt with the issues in a strictly Biblical manner, and HCT's work came to my attention.While researching it I discovered that the original work had been 'edited', and the editing actually changed what HCT had stated originally. I purchased a used copy of the original, borrowed a copy of the edited version and did a comparison, particularly concerning the issues I already mentioned. To my dismay I discovered that HCT's stand and teaching on the matter had been markedly changed.In reading the original work I was impressed with the similarity of my conclusions from my Biblical understanding to those of HCT. It immediately became my preferred theological work.In the edited work this statement is made: "Extensive revisions mark the sections on inspiration, election, demons, and pretribulationism." The fact is that what HCT believed was the Biblical position and taught in his work was changed-up to make certain of his positions unrecognizable.Apart from the theological disposition of the reader, it is, in my view, unethical to add, remove, and change a person's work to the extent that what they originally stated is perverted, that is, is no longer recognizable as the author's position. The upshot of that is that when a post 1979 edition is purchased with HCT's name on the cover, the reader is assuming that the content is the position of the original author. In this case, they are tragically misled.I searched for and purchased several used coped of the original and sold them in the bookstore, recommending it above all others. I still do recommend it as the best introductory level theology I know of.If you choose to buy it, search for a pre-1979 edition and get HCT's statements on the issues. They are invaluable.

Extremely good, terse introduction to systematic theology

I used this book as part of a two semester masters course in systematic theology. I -am- dispensationalist so am probably biased but I liked the level of treatment this book gave. All the topics were tackled, lots of biblical references and it wasn't so wordy that I got bored.I really liked the section on soteirology, I was actually inspired to get a couple of gospel messages out of it.Systematic Theology can be dry. This book isn't.

Great Dispensational Doctrinal Overview

This is one of the better intro's to theology. It is concise, yet very informative. It is also from a Dispensational perspective. Most of the more popular systematic theologies are not Dispensational, except for Ryrie's and Chafer's.As for the revised version changing from election based on God's foreknowledge (Arminian view) to election based on God's sovereignty (Calvinist view), I believe it was a mistake. To change the position of the original author is to take away from the book. One doesn't have to agree with everything he says to benefit from his writings. And besides, Dispensationalists are divided on this view, as are many evangelicals, so why not just leave Theissen's view in Theissen's book? My 5 star rating is for the original work.

Very good Systematic Theology Book

This book is one of the best introductory systematic theology books out there. This book can go side-by-side with Charles Ryrie's "Basic Theology". Both books are for introductory level systematic theology students, and both are dispensationally oriented. Thiessen gives concise yet full treatments on every doctrine out there in evangelical theology. He does not go on and on with each doctrine, but goes right to the point. The change made by the most recent edition of the book regarding predestination is correct. This is the only dark spot about Thiessen's views. The editors were correct when they opted for the Calvinistic view of election rather than the Arminian. However, besides that one minor error, this book is a good way to start off systematic theology study before going into those multi-volume works. It is unfortunate that dispensationally oriented systematic theology books are few. Chafer's eight-volume work may be considered out-of-date even with classical dispensationalists. For all those looking for a good introductory level systematic theology book, this does the job.

Outstanding Introduction to Systematic Theology

I have both the 1949 edition as well as the 1981 revision of Thiessen's Lectures and I can honestly say that the 1981 revision is a definite improvement over the original work, while retaining the vast majority of the original author's writings intact.Contrary to what another reviewer said, the revised version's treatment of the Doctrine of Election is more biblically based, fundamentally sound, and theologically correct than the original and certainly represents the scriptural view of Election more faithfully.Thiessen's work, though not as complete as other major works of theology, such as those by Hodge, Berkhof, Shedd, or Strong, is an excellent resource for pastors to use as an introduction to the study of systematic theology for church leaders or lay ministers. We use Thiessen in our church for training the ministerial staff and it is highly regarded by all of our church leaders. I highly recommend it.