Rating: 
Summary: A Great Tool for Theology
Review: Dr. Enns did a phenominal job in collaborating so many Theological articles; He hands it to his readers like a home made apple pie. This work provides a wonderful and balanced source as far as history and theology, not to mention the author's recommended reading at the end of each topic. Any one who purcheses this book will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Very thorough yet simple in style
Review: Enns does an excellent job in taking a very complex subject (namely, theology) and breaking it down into a very readable format. While he certainly has his personal theological bent, it is not very apparent throughout much of the book, as he seems to honestly tackle the different styles and beliefs of doctrines. He is very effective in objectively (as far as it can be done) describing the various systems of belief. Numerous charts found throughout the book accentuate the discussion of the different chapters. The glossary in the back includes 1-2-sentence defintions, and while this is perhaps too simple, I could see this being advantageous for a beginner who is easily overwhelmed. For someone who would like an overview of theology, I would think this book should be a most valuable research tool.
Rating:
Summary: Very thorough yet simple in style
Review: Enns does an excellent job in taking a very complex subject (namely, theology) and breaking it down into a very readable format. While he certainly has his personal theological bent, it is not very apparent throughout much of the book, as he seems to honestly tackle the different styles and beliefs of doctrines. He is very effective in objectively (as far as it can be done) describing the various systems of belief. Numerous charts found throughout the book accentuate the discussion of the different chapters. The glossary in the back includes 1-2-sentence defintions, and while this is perhaps too simple, I could see this being advantageous for a beginner who is easily overwhelmed. For someone who would like an overview of theology, I would think this book should be a most valuable research tool.
Rating:
Summary: Good handbook of theology for anyone in any walk of life
Review: I have read many "theology" books, and this one rates among the best. This book goes into depth that will assist someone in full time ministry, but the material is explained in a way that anyone else can easily comprehend it. Paul Enns did an outstanding job at organizing truths and principles found in the Word of God into easily understood topics. The material is rock solid, since it is based entirely on the Bible itself. This book is a necessity for addition to anyone's library.
Rating:
Summary: A good buy for pastors and interested lay people
Review: I really like this book a lot. It covers just about every theological topic and it does so in clear, irenic language. This is a good companion to Charles Ryrie's "Basic Theology." Enns does a good job of being objective and nonbiased throughout the book. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent doctrinal primer for theologians of all levels
Review: Paul Enns does a good job- no- an EXCELLENT job with systematically arranging,organizing and presenting theology in this volume. I agree with the previous comments by Bruno Granger- this book is a must have for believers everywhere. My one gripe, is that some of the material may need to be 'dumbed down' for new believers. You kinda need to 'study up' to this one :)
Rating:
Summary: Clear and Thorough -- Quick & Easy to Read
Review: Paul Enns writes in a style easily read by most high school "B" students. This book is rather comprehensive in subjects, and covers most subjects rather well. It speaks to opposing (theological) views and explains the differences very well. It will introduce and explain issues related to basic subjects that, unless you've attended in-depth theology classes, you will not even know existed. Subjects include the Bible, God, Salvation, Church, Future Events, etc. It also includes many tables to provide the big picture very quickly. For basic theology books, it is one of two books I recommend for everyone. (The other one is "Practical Christianity" by Floyd Barackman.) Neither of these books would serve well as seminary text books, but rarely are we looking for such material anyway! If you want to get a good understanding of a doctrine in 30 minutes, either of these two books are very good choices. (This is using the book as a reference book, not for general reading. One could certainly simply read the book, but my guess is most owners use it in reference style instead. It has a good index, etc.)
Rating:
Summary: Clear and Thorough -- Quick & Easy to Read
Review: Paul Enns writes in a style easily read by most high school "B" students. This book is rather comprehensive in subjects, and covers most subjects rather well. It speaks to opposing (theological) views and explains the differences very well. It will introduce and explain issues related to basic subjects that, unless you've attended in-depth theology classes, you will not even know existed. Subjects include the Bible, God, Salvation, Church, Future Events, etc. It also includes many tables to provide the big picture very quickly. For basic theology books, it is one of two books I recommend for everyone. (The other one is "Practical Christianity" by Floyd Barackman.) Neither of these books would serve well as seminary text books, but rarely are we looking for such material anyway! If you want to get a good understanding of a doctrine in 30 minutes, either of these two books are very good choices. (This is using the book as a reference book, not for general reading. One could certainly simply read the book, but my guess is most owners use it in reference style instead. It has a good index, etc.)
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable work with an unchallenged Clarity
Review: This book is a gem! Thery is no other work with such a systematic, clear and balanced treatment as Enn's. Every Christian should possess this book. It gives an extremely valuable overview of both biblical and systematic theology, and of the different schools and movements throughout history.
For those who want to go further, I want first to recommend Gordon Lewis' 2000 pages thick book ("Integrative Theology"), which has much argumentation and interaction with all kinds of theologies, but it is far from being as clear as Enns' book. Second, one should buy books by Richard Swinburne ("The Coherence of Theism", "The Christian God", "Revelation", etc., all from Oxord U.), and balance Swinburne erroneous idea of a time-bound God with Norman Geisler's "Creating God in the Image of Man" or Paul Helm's "Eternal God".
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding theology resource
Review: This is a well written and well organized reference on the major branches of Christian theology. It is written from a Protestant/evangelical perspective but still gives adequate treatment to many other views including Roman Catholicism, liberal theologies and significant historical positions. Includes dozens of useful charts, some of which I have seen reprinted in other theology texts. I particularly like the way the author develops the various layers of theological work starting with exegesis and biblical theology as the underpinning for systematics, dogmatics then contemporary etc. These relationships were not clear to me until I saw them in this book. If you study theology to any degree, and especially if you are just starting to study it, this is dollar for dollar one of the best books you can invest in. Each topic is treated briefly but with sufficent depth to clarify the various views to help make further study fruitful. There are many lists of other works in the chapter end notes - also has a good subject index. I love this book and expect to continue using it often.
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