Manual of Christian Doctrine

Rating:
Summary: An excellent summary
Review: Berkhof's manual is an excellent summary of Reformed Christian doctrine, kind of a "systematic theology lite". He draws from the theology of Calvin and Turretin to give a comprehensive yet very usable overview of the historic faith.

Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to Reformed Theology
Review: Berkhof's manual is an excellent summary of Reformed Christian doctrine, kind of a "systematic theology lite". He draws from the theology of Calvin and Turretin to give a comprehensive yet very usable overview of the historic faith.

Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to Reformed Theology
Review: For those looking for an introductory textbook on Reformed theology this book is a good place to start. Berkhof goes over the major evangelical themes in systematic theology (Theology Proper, Anthropology, Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology). However, he also adds a Reformed slant to it by discussing issues like predestination and covenant. As someone who is outside of the Reformed tradition but holds to the basic tenents of Calvinism, there are more agreements than disagreements with the book. I would highly recommend this book to laypeople and Bible study teachers. It is essentially a condensation of Berkhof's Systematic Theology textbook (removing all the details and difficult terms). Unlike Robert Reymond, Berkhof doesn't resort to logic and rationalism to support his Reformed viewpoint, that is why I would recommend his books over Reymond's. Overall, a good introductory book on Reformed theology for laypeople and students.