Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth

I finished reading Basic Theology in 1991 right after I returned from Iraq. After Bible College and Seminary we pastors sometimes accidentally reccomend resources that are out of the reach of many of our parishoners. This one is an exception! Have no fear of reccomending this text for anyone, especially new believers (and young people who are seeking to understand the Bible.) When I baptize a new believer I purchase them a Ryrie study Bible. It is not that I endorse all that Ryrie teaches, but the consistancy he brings in his study Bible is helpful. Besides, if this book is purchased as a companion to The Ryrie Study Bible, Ryrie's bias can be compensated for since it is known. R. Bultmann (proving a broken clock is right twice daily) once said that "presuppositionless exegesis is impossible." To understand the presuppositions behind the Ryrie Study Bible examining Basic Theology has no second! Dr. Robert Stein once said in Hermeneutics class that everyone should learn one system of Theology as a touch stone to compare all other systems one encounters. For a young Christian this is a perfect example of a touch stone to enter into dialogue with other systems of Theology. Several high school students were so impressed with (in a previous church) that they saved their allowances and each bought a copy. They were not disappointed. It was exciting that they were able to begin to access the Bible in a systematic manner. Ryrie puts it all together, in a readable format. If you are looking for a present to give on Epiphany Sunday this is an excellent gift. The value of the ease of reading cannot be stressed enough! This was part of his goal in writing and he accomplishes this and his other goals in an agreeable manor. There is a glossary in the back that explains the technical words which the average layman does not know, but should learn. This is not the text my Bible college used for Introduction to Doctrine, but there are several that do use it as an introductory text book. For those who are not a fan of Ryrie or Dispensational Theology (whether progressive, traditional or classic), this book is still worth having. Ryrie consistantly honors God and holds an undeniably high view of Scripture. He is doing his best to engage the text, aware of his own bias. We should be so humble as to write a book that people can understand! Ryrie demonstrates his firm grasp of the content of the Bible as he put this book together in simple (not simplistic or reductionistic) terms. If your goal is to read and understand the major doctrines of Scripture, and you want a book that does not impress with fancy words, but with understandable language, then book is for you. BUY THIS BOOK! If you are looking for more in depth studies in systematics I reccomend that you purchase Grudem's Systematic Theology and purchase all of the books in his cross reference system. If you are not infinitely rich then I would rccomend the following books to buy: Lewis Sperry Chafer's Systematic Theology eight volumes in four books for a fuller treatment of Dispensational Theology; Robert Reymond's A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, now in its revised and updated printing for current reformed theology; Francis Pieper's 4 volume Christian Dogmatics for a conservative Lutheran perspective (reformed leanings); Millard Erickson's Christian Theology, now in its second edition for Baptist thinking; Paul Tillich's Systematic Theology if you really want a philosophy book rather than a theology book and Wolfhardt Pannenberg's three volume Systematic Theology for very helpful continental Lutheran theology. Grudem's and Erickson's have condensed shorten versions which are similiar to Ryrie, but Ryrie is not condensed or shortened - it is just easy to read. Ryrie is the BEST place to start!

This book is recommended reading by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum in his methodical biblical study teaching. This is an excellent book taking you through all the vital concepts of the Christian faith in an easy to read and easy to understand format. For christian parents this is an excellent resource to cover with our kids. Also a great book to gift to those new to the christian faith or those who have been christians a while. I think any Pastor should have read this book as well.

Good Doctrinal Guide. He is solid.

This book is easy to read without being technical which will really help anyone learn a great deal more about what the bible is teaching. The book is structured logically from concepts to definitions to end time events. In addition, the book is dispensational in nature which in my opinion leads to a much better understanding of the bibles lay out from the beginning to end. For example, God gives his revelation over great periods of time rather than all at once so the dispensational structure helps to bring out God's truth in such a way that can be understood more fully.

Book construction quality is not horrible but could be improved. The content of the book however is great I have used this as a resource in my studies and find it to bring added value in multiple ways.

Bought this 20 years ago. Out of print for a while (apparently). Happy to find it and own it again. Invaluable - concise and clearly written. Helped me tremendously through first semesters in seminary. When I asked a friend, "can't understand what everyone is talking about in class," he said, get Ryrie's Basic Theology. If you don't know where to begin, this is the place. It will whet your appetite and give you a solid basic foundation. Never written a review before but Ryrie's book is a great help. I will read it over and over anytime I need to grasp the big picture. Hundreds of good systematic, biblical, and historical theology texts available, but without this book, I would still be foundering in unfamiliar territory.

This book is extremely important. Every Christian should understand the doctrines that we profess and that unite us. We live in a time of great deceit. There are many denominations that have rejected one or more of these doctrines and lead their followers into apostasy. Like the pilot that sets his navigation system one degree off- he may look like he is on course for a while- but after several thousand miles, he is far from the intended target. The target is salvation and eternal life. If you do not study the truth of these doctrines, how will you know if you are on course or not? There will be many that will hear " Depart from me. I never knew you" .

I purchased this book for $10 from Goodwill Books, Charlotte, NC. It's in unused, new condition. Excellent book on Systematic Theology although I disagree with one or two of his conclusions but I don't think that anybody agrees 100% with anyone when it comes to Christian Doctrine. For example Ryrie doesn't believe the 9 Gifts of the Spirit are for today. He is a Cessationist. The other day I was discussing this book compared to Chafers 8 volumes of Systematic Theology with a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where Chafers is required reading. The graduate smiled and thought that Ryrie's was just as good, written in a clearer style and much, much cheaper!!!

Biblical basics - well structured! Those, who are interessed in better understanding biblical truth, here find very helpfull literature. It's absolutely right, what's said in the book description: "Systematic Guide". It's really one. And: Not personal convictions, but apprenticeship (teaching), which is based on the bible!

If you ever needed to clearly understand the Christian faith this with a Charles Ryere study Bible will do the trick.

Dr. Charles C. Ryrie was probably the finest Dispensational theologian of the 20th century. This is a great 👍 theology written in clear, understandable language. Charles C. Ryrie was a classic Dispensationalist, 4 point Calvinist, and blessed with a great ability to explain complex concepts in a concise manner. This systematic theology is well organized and a great resource for the new or mature believer. Highly recommended.

I have come across other authors who often interpret bible out of context. Charles Ryrie is very reliable in his interpretation. His Basic Theology book is easy to read, clear and simple yet covers all the basic I need.

Good