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12.23.2006

On the making of a definitive theology book list

I've been promising a definitive list of theological books for a long time now, off and on. I havn't come to one though. I think I know why now: for theology, or biblical doctrine, it may be better to think in terms of "teachers" rather than single books. Each book really has a school behind it, and the writer himself will sum up that school. Maybe that doesn't get at it, but the Bible says one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is teaching, and it just seems that is a more convenient category for gathering theological influences.

Like for instance:

THE SEVEN CHRISTIAN TEACHERS:

Augustine
Calvin
Vos
etc.
etc.

Using this method I could come up with a balanced, definitive seven-teacher list. It might be surprising though because I would put Pink on that list. And this gets to the usefulness of the 'teacher' rather than 'individual book' category: you choose from what is behind the teacher, the school, and what he represents in being able to articulate that school. It also solves the problem of theologians like Vos who don't really have that one book that sums up their contribution.

Now I'll get to work on a definitive list...

Posted by c.t. at 18:58