The Best "Assembled" Systematic Theology

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Taylor

Puritan Board Post-Graduate
There are several threads here from over the years already devoted to "the best systematic theology." Well, I think this will be a fun collaborative experiment in that same vein. I have seen very good reviews of the Contours of Christian Theology collection. If you aren't familiar with it, it is a multi-volume systematic theology in which every loci is handled in a single volume by a different scholar. Well, I am wondering what people's thoughts here would be regarding assembling your own systematic theology series in this manner (in which every loci is a separate volume and probably separate author), but with works already written, whether old or new. So, for example, we would see something like this (just off the top of my head):

1. Prolegomena: Philosophy of Revelation (Herman Bavinck)
2. Theology Proper: The Nature and Attributes of God (Stephen Charnock)
3. Anthropology: Human Nature in Its Fourfold State (Thomas Boston)
4. Christology: The Person of Christ (Donald Macleod); The Work of Christ (Robert Letham)
5: Soteriology: Redemption Accomplished and Applied (John Murray)
6. Ecclesiology: The Church of Christ (James Bannerman)
7: Eschatology: The Promise of the Future (Cornelis Venema)
8. Ethics: The Ten Commandments (Thomas Watson)

What would you assemble together to be your "perfect" systematic theology series?
 
Well, this wasn't exactly my project, but Hornbeek's Institutes is composed entirely of quotes from Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Bucanus, Maccovius, Ames, Gomarus, the Leiden Synopsis, etc, and it's a high quality one volume systematic theology.
 
Well, this wasn't exactly my project, but Hornbeek's Institutes is composed entirely of quotes from Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Bucanus, Maccovius, Ames, Gomarus, the Leiden Synopsis, etc, and it's a high quality one volume systematic theology.

Is it available in English? ... Awaiting the inevitable negative answer. :um:
 
1. Prolegomena: Philosophy of Revelation (Herman Bavinck)
I think this is an excellent idea. Just need to point out Bavinck's "Philosophy of Revelation" is not really a Prolegomena. I love the work but it is more of a revelational epistemology. If you want a nice Prolegomena that gets to the point, Berkhof's "Introduction to Systematic Theology" may be ideal.
 
I think this is an excellent idea. Just need to point out Bavinck's "Philosophy of Revelation" is not really a Prolegomena. I love the work but it is more of a revelational epistemology. If you want a nice Prolegomena that gets to the point, Berkhof's "Introduction to Systematic Theology" may be ideal.
Yes, that is a way better choice. Like I said, that list was just off the top of my head, and I did this in between classes at school. For some reason, at that time the only book about revelation I could think of was Bavinck's. Haha!

To everyone, I want to see lists, lists, and more lists!!!
 
Prolegomena- Richard Muller's The Study of Theology, Kuyper's Principles of Sacred Theology, Richard Muller's PRRD, vol. 1
Scripture- Frame's Doctrine of the Word of God, Ward's Words of Life, Richard Muller's PRRD, vol. 2, Whitaker's Disputations
Doctrine of God-Trinity Letham's book The Holy Trinity, Richard Muller's PRRD, vol. 4.
Doctrine of God- Attributes Charnock Existence and Attributes of God, Richard Muller's PRRD, vol. 3
Anthropology- Sherlock's Doctrine of Humanity, Vos's RD, Boston's Human Nature in its Four-Fold State
Sin- Henri Blocher's Original Sin, John Murray's Imputation of Adam's Sin
Christology- Hodge's ST, MacLeod's Person of Christ, Letham's Work of Christ
Salvation- Anthony Hoekema's Saved by Grace, Ferguson's The Christian Life
Justification- John Owen's volume 5, James Buchanan's Justification, J.V. Fesko's Justification, Ferguson's The Whole Christ
Ecclesiology- Bannerman's The Church of Christ, Clowney's The Church
Sacraments- Fesko's Word, Word, and Spirit; Mathison's Given For You
Eschatology- Hoekema The Bible and the Future, Vos's Biblical Theology
 
Some books not yet mentioned that I've found helpful:

Prolegomena-Horton's Covenant and Eschatology
Trinity- Gregory of Nazianzus On God and Christ
Ethics- Murray's Principles of Conduct
Ecclesiology- Kuiper's The Glorious Body of Christ
 
Is this really a book on the prolegomena portion of systematics?

Yes and no. It's not what you would expect of traditional prolegomena, especially in terms of its organization. But it does focus pretty specifically on theological method and the nature of God's action and revelation. So it addresses a lot of the area of prolegomena, even if it does so in an untraditional manner, and does not do so comprehensively. His analysis and critique of various forms of modern theological method (think especially postliberal / narrative) are very well done. It's a tough read, but incredibly insightful into a lot of issues within the realm of prolegomena. I'm currently re-reading it and picking up even more insights the second time through. I highly recommend it.
 
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