John Hendryx of Reformation Theology writes:
No Time for Seminary? Here is some sound advice for studying theology at home. Due to the compromising theological climate at many modern seminaries, we believe that if you take the time to carefully read the following materials you will get a better theological education than 90% of seminary graduates.
What following materials is Hendryx referring to you might ask? Monergism has created theology “bundles” which can be purchased together where you would save around 25% off the books you purchase. These bundles carry excellent books, and if you are new to theology, be sure to check out the “Theology 101 Bundle.” Such resources are wonderful fuel to drive blue collar theology both in the local church and in the home. I am grateful that these such curriculum is being made available at an affordable price so that more and more of God’s people can cultivate a passion for sound, biblical theology. Here’s the curricula:
Theology 101 Bundle: Beginner-level Curriculum
This bundle includes the following 7 books:
1) Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
2) According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible by Graeme Goldsworthy
3) The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
4) The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
5) Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray
6) Knowing God (paperback) by J. I. Packer
7) What is Reformed Theology? by R. C. Sproul
Theology 301 Bundle: Intermediate-level Curriculum
This bundle includes the following 6 books:
1) Westminster Confession of Faith
2) A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson
3) The Ten Commandments by Thomas Watson
4) The Lord’s Prayer (paperback) by Thomas Watson
5) Outlines of Theology by A. A. Hodge
6) An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke
We suggest you read the books listed above in the following order: 1) Westminster Confession of Faith: a) the Shorter Catechism; b) the Larger Catechism; c) the Confession; 2) A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson; 3) The Ten Commandments by Thomas Watson; 4) The Lord’s Prayer by Thomas Watson; 5) Outlines of Theology by A. A. Hodge; & 6) An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke.
Theology 501 Bundle: Advanced-level Curriculum
The Bundle includes the following seven items
1) A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (2nd ed.) by Robert L. Reymond
2) Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos
3) The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
4) Overcoming Sin & Temptation by John Owen (edited by Kelly M. Kapic & Justin Taylor)
5) The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
6) God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton
7) Institutes of Elenctic Theology (3 vol. set) by Francis Turretin
Any reason why no theologians prior to 1500 are included? Were there no theologians before this time? Theology had not yet been invented?
Notably missing are anything by Augustine, Jerome, and Thomas Aquinas. Jerome, after all, did the lion;s share of the work in answering many of the well known heresies. Personally, I like the writings of Cyril of Jerusalem.
God bless..
Timothy,
Indeed, there are some great theologians prior to 1500, not the least of which include Augustine and Athanasius. The list was compiled by a blog entitled “Reformation Theology” and a website called Monergism Books. The majority if not all of the books are from the Reformed tradition. That is not to say that there are not good books or theologians outside the Reformed tradition but that the website is committed to propagating such a tradition. I do not know, however, of many evangelicals referencing Jerome or Aquinas (the latter except in philosophical inquiry and evidentialist apologetics).
Thanks for the reply. It just seems to me that in order to be able to understand Reformmed theology, one has to know something about theology from before the Reformation. Theology 101 should include at least 1-2 books from before 1500. In my discussions with members of reformed churches, it seems their theology is limited to their personal interpretation of scripture and Sproul, Piper, or MacArthur. I’m sure that some folks have studied Jerome and Thomas Aquinas, but most seem ignorant of anything existing prior to 1800. Most haven’t even read what Luther or Calvin actually wrote.
I understand that another site created the lists and that you are merely repeating their list. You lack authority to change their list.
Timmy,
From your quote of John Hendrix: “for studying theology at home…carefully read the following materials…[and] you will get a better theological education than 90% of seminary graduates.”
And you followed with a desire that “more and more of God’s people can cultivate a passion for sound, biblical theology.”
I agree that it is good that Christians should strive for a solid understanding of theology, particularly to have a refinement of those hermeneutical tools that can reveal the meatier things buried in the scriptures. When I try to discuss some of these deeper things I often hear argumentation to the effect that “I don’t understand it, therefore you can’t either, therefore we shouldn’t try.” Accessibility of such materials to “blue-collar theologians” is contingent on aptitude and desire. Arguably, Godly wisdom is not contingent on the intellectual level of information, but rather assent to the most basic aspects of God’s truth. However, for those with the aptitude, the desire for greater understanding should follow in some period as a person is continually sanctified.
For those with the aptitude who have realized the desire to study in depth, a matter of applying this type of material becomes increasingly acute. With regard to application, to what end is it satisfying to claim a better theological education than seminary graduates who have the recognized authority (a degree) to minister in ways than one who has no seminary degree?
This is a question that is intensely personal. I have always studied ahead of myself. In high school I studied music theory on my own and by graduation was producing orchestral compositions – none of which have ever been played. My first year of college I studied music. Bored, I dropped out and joined the Marines. While in the Marines I self-taught myself physics. When I got out I went back to school as a physics major. During this time, God worked in me and produced a desire to study the Bible. I taught myself hermeneutics and exegesis while garnering the attention of my physics professors, although I rarely studied. I was merely being taught things that I already knew. As an undergraduate I was invited to join a graduate lab, but instead I left to attend a good Bible college. Having studied, I was taught pretty much what I had already studied with the exception of some Christian philosophy that has been helpful and I left satisfied with an understanding of the material I needed to continue to study the Bible. I have a decent job now in manufacturing to support my family, but would love to use in ministry what I have taught myself. However, pursuing education without obtaining a degree is proving a frustrating obstacle to this, even within my own church. This is the background of my question.
Having read your blog, I recognize that you are very thoughtful regarding such matters and I would appreciate any insight you would have.
Jim,
Thanks for sharing a little of your story. Yes, I can relate a little to what you are saying. I think churches are set up where they are depending very much on degrees, resumes, and other objective credentials much like any other job occupation in corporate America. When you have a stack of resumes of potential ministers you do not know, where do you begin? The obvious answer is to go for the most qualified (e.g. the most accomplished). To be fair, there has to be some way of discerning and deciding on what resumes reflect what they are looking for in a minister.
There are churches I know that will not consider a minister unless he has a Ph.D. They are also the same churches which have not done anything for the kingdom in two decades. That is not to say that having a Ph.D. is bad! Rather, it is problematic when we put all our cookies into this jar, assuming they “qualify” or exceed assumed or arbitrary criteria.
Blue Collar Theology and theological education in the local church addresses this directly because you are cultivating theologians and ministers from within your own ranks. You not only know their competence, you also know their character. You know they are approved workmen, not by a diploma on a wall or initials after their name, but by faithfulness in serving God’s people and fruitfulness in ministering in His name. The reality is, many if not most churches having nothing to fall back except the same criteria an secular corporation in American capitalism has. Resumes, academic pedigree, name dropping, etc.
As far as being useful in ministry, I would just want to encourage you to try to cultivate friendships with others with whom you can have edifying conversation to stimulate one another in your pursuit of holiness and knowledge of God. Leadership in a nutshell is influence, and influence is appreciated through meaningful investments in relationships with other people. If your greatest investments were in just a small fraction of the people in your church or world, if you are faithful in delivering others that which God has entrusted to you, you are going to be a blessing.
Sure, embracing obscurity and cultivating contentment in the shadowlands is a hard discipline, especially when God raises up other men to greater eminence. Nevertheless, we must remind ourselves that what God prizes most of eternal significance comes not in a big auditorium but a small closet, not when our works are on display before the world but when our left hand does not know what our right hand is doing. It is not riding in town in a Cadillac, but going outside the camp on a donkey.
I say all that to encourage you brother. However, if in your church, you are not being given an opportunity to use your spiritual gifts and abilities to edify the church and build the Body of Christ, then I would encourage you to humble approach your elders/pastors and communicate your desire to be more useful in the church. If they don’t consider you “qualified,” then that is another thing. At that moment, I would just encourage you to submit to God’s sovereignty and prayerfully seek His direction whether it is His will for you to be there or not. Obviously, that is something only God can reveal, so I do not want to begin to know the answer to that dilemma. In the meantime, support your pastor. Pray for your him and the leadership team. Ask for a teachable spirit and humble posture. And be faithful in serving in whatever capacity the Lord provides for you.
May God find in you and me a hunger to spend and be spent for His glory in the church!
Thanks, Timmy. Wise counsel.
-Jim