the advantage of a good, sound, basic manual

Berkhof, in the Manual of Christian Doctrine, presents a foundational, rock-like overview of theology. I say this because it is so valuable to have a source like this that enables you to see in just the right 'dose' (it's not a 1000 page tome and it's not an article or too-short run-through that overlooks topics or doesn't cover topics in a complete way) at 370 pages the complete picture.

For those who know the Work this book by Berkhof validates the Work teaching as esoteric - i.e. practically-instructive - Christianity at foundational levels. In ways that are striking yet also not surprising.

In the section on the 'seat of religion' in a human being different views are discussed then Berkhof gives the Biblical view which meshes totally with Work teaching regarding Magnetic Center and the centrality of the intellectual division of emotional center as being where one develops from and also in how that part of that center is able to control other centers once it is developed or brought to life.

That is just one example. He also defines 'religion' in a way that is just new knowledge. We all assume we know what that word means, but we don't really. It would be hard to paraphrase what Berkhof writes on that but, basically, after giving alot of insight and other views religion means a conscious and voluntary spiritual relation to God, which expresses itself in life as a whole and particularly in certain acts of worship. That succinct definition will hit you with new meaning if you read the short sections prior to it.

Louis Berkhof, Manual of Christian Doctrine. ISBN: 0802816479

(Don't confuse it with his Summary of Christian Doctrine which is a much, much shorter work and not a good overview of theology because it leaves much out.)