Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

“After a quarter century of remarkable usefulness globally, Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, in its second edition, remains remarkable for its extraordinary juxtapositions. It is penetrating but not confusing; forthright and unequivocal but not reckless or overstated; readable and clear but not superficial; biblically grounded, even biblically saturated, but not textually careless or glib; devout and reverent but not uncritical or naive; practical but not trendy or sentimental; comprehensive but not majoring on minors; a book for the church but not parochial or sectarian. I thank God for this precious gift to Christ’s people worldwide.”

“Wayne Grudem’s second edition of Systematic Theology displays all the virtues of the first. He shows and explains how the doctrines discussed stem from the biblical text. Even if readers disagree here or there, they understand why Grudem argues as he does since he makes his case from the Scriptures. The book stands out for its clarity and accessibility. Academics, immersed in technical study for years, are prone to forget that most people have never read a systematic theology before. The lucidity and simplicity of Grudem makes his work an ideal textbook. This is not to say that scholars cannot profit from his work as well since he lays out arguments cogently. The pastoral tone of the work shines through as well. The hymns and songs concluding the chapters remind us that theology isn’t a matter of abstract teaching but should lead us to praise and worship of the Lord.”

“Wayne Grudem studied with me in the early 1970s, and both of us have endorsed one another’s sys- tematic theologies. That is perhaps unusual. Our two books look at theology from somewhat different “perspectives,” as I like to say, and so they appeal to somewhat different readers. But Grudem’s book has sold a lot more copies, and deservedly so. I couldn’t be happier. I wish that all Christian writers could be as thankful for God’s ministry through friendly “rivals,” authors who bless the church through biblical, clear, and winsome teaching. Scripture is so rich that we need to look at it from many angles. We need more systematic theologies, not fewer. But for now, Wayne’s work is the best.”

“It is impossible to estimate the benefit that Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology has had for countless individuals, churches, Bible colleges, and seminaries over the past twenty-five-plus years. I’ve gladly used it as my main text in teaching theology to thousands of students whom I’ve had the privilege to teach at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Southern Seminary. And oh how my students have loved the clarity, comprehensiveness, worshipfulness, and biblical fidelity of this textbook. But now we have, due to Dr. Grudem’s painstaking work, an even better, more complete, updated version of this excellent theology book. Praise be to God, and deep thanks to Wayne Grudem, for extending the life of this work and making it even better for another generation of theological students of God’s Word.”

“Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem stands squarely in the stream of broadly Reformed tradition on the main issues of theology, including the doctrine of Scripture, the doctrine of God, and the doctrine of salvation. Perhaps the strongest feature of the book is its accessibility. Grudem does not water down the meat of theology. But by minimizing technical terminology and by including hymns, questions, and indications of application, he makes systematic theology much more accessible and life-invigorating for a large range of Christian readers. In this second edition he has made further improvements by including new material and by modifying his views on a few difficult issues.”

“I can neither quantify nor qualify all the ways in which Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology has assisted me over the past twenty-five years. I’ve turned to it innumerable times and for innumerable reasons, and it has invariably proven a trusted and steady guide. It was there when I was first exploring Christian doctrine and there when I was ready to dive deeper. I can say truly that few books have been more meaningful or had more influence. With the arrival of this long-awaited second edition, it is fitting that the book that has so guided me and my generation can be refreshed in such a way that it can equally impact my children and theirs. I have every confidence that it will.”

“I used to tell people that Grudem’s Systematic Theology was the best single volume theology available. After using it for a quarter of a century, I now believe it is the best of all the systematic theologies in print, single or multivolume. It is one of those rare works that can challenge the scholar and instruct the beginner. This new edition addresses the most important changes in the theological landscape since 1994, and it has completely updated bibliographies. It is simply indispensable.”

“Our current generation is seeing a resurgence in Reformed theology and practice, fueled by the likes of John Piper, R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, the Gospel Coalition, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. At the heart of this renaissance is a textbook read by over 750,000 students, pastors, Christian leaders, and lay people in churches. Defining and explaining scores of doctrines, connecting them to the Bible, providing interpretations of key supporting passages, defending a Reformed theological understanding of the doctrines, and offering concrete applications of them, Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine has provided an essential foundation for this Reformed resurgence. This second edition, updated and expanded, will undoubtedly continue to energize this reawakening!”

“How does one improve on a classic? You can’t, say some. But I beg to differ. In this second and expanded edition of Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem has made his classic work even better, more insightful, significantly more detailed, and an even greater resource for the Christian and the local church. When I’m asked to recommend a good and comprehensive volume on Christian doctrine and practice, I never hesitate. My encouragement is precise and to the point: “Get Grudem!””

“If you were hoping to find a student’s textbook of theology that seeks your spiritual no less than your intellectual formation, rejoice. Wayne Grudem has written exactly what you wanted, and he has done so very competently indeed. [endorsement for the first edition] ”

“As a theology professor at Biola University, where I have taught for over twenty years, I feel like I coteach all my classes with Wayne Grudem. Our students are taught the basic doctrine of the Christian faith in three semesters of required courses. Grudem’s Systematic Theology provides the core content for my classes and many of the other undergraduate theology courses at the university. Grudem wrote this book to strengthen the church, and it excels in its clarity, readability, and biblically based approach that seeks to get theology into real life. Systematic Theology consistently accomplishes Grudem’s goal—to lead the reader to greater knowledge and worship of the God of the Bible. ”

“Grudem’s Systematic Theology is well organized, easy to understand, usually persuasive, and devotional. Grudem does not merely inform you; he stirs your affections to love and worship the triune God. Grudem is not attempting to write a cutting-edge contemporary theology that plays theological ping-pong with trendy nonevangelical theologians. Nor is he attempting to write a historical theology that exhaustively explains what significant Bible interpreters and theologians have believed. Rather, he is serving the church by helping Christians who are not experts in theology better understand what the whole Bible says about God, God’s Word, man, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels and demons, salvation, the church, and the end times.”

“The whole church is indebted to Wayne Grudem for a fresh presentation of evangelical Christianity. . . . Even those who do not share his . . . positions on certain issues will be enriched by Grudem’s clear statement of basic evangelical theology and his helpful cross-references to other major theological positions. Of particular value is his constant eye to the application of doctrine to personal life, ministry, and the church. For Grudem, intellectual understanding cannot be separated from heart experience.”

“I warmly welcome the second edition of Systematic Theology. There is nothing like it. Here is an introduction to biblical doctrine that every believer can read and understand. As we read we are not only informed but edified and led to worship. And when we disagree or simply want to dig deeper, we are pointed to other resources in the Christian tradition. Just as the first edition was widely used, so I trust this new edition will do much good.”

“Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology can help any Christian who is thinking through the great questions of our faith—the questions we all inevitably ask. The answers offered here are biblical, insightful, and clearly written. I have turned here many times through the years, and I have always been helped and enriched.”

““I think the best place to start is the chapter in Grudem’s Systematic Theology.” I must have said that dozens of times over the last quarter century or so to Cambridge University undergraduate and graduate students (as well as many others) when they have asked me for a good resource on a particular question about theology. And I have frequently reached for it myself. In 1995 it was the best new systematic theology in decades. Since then it has done more for theological literacy in the UK than almost any other book. This new edition will extend its preeminence and usefulness. The commitment to Scripture and to the gospel of Christ remain as strong as ever. The learning is, if anything, deeper and more considered. When I do find something I disagree with, I am always helped by reading Wayne’s arguments. The tone is fair-minded, loving, and doxological. Its very special quality is its atmosphere of worship: the book breathes Christ. With Wayne in person, you are never far from a smile and a prayer; this new edition (in addition to all its other qualities) retains that fragrance.”

“I know of no other systematic theology that has had such an impact on so many believers. I have personally benefited from it and widely recommended it. Both its accessibility and its thoroughness have served to draw many thousands of believers into serious Bible study. I am delighted to recommend this new edition with its additional material. ”

“For more years than I can remember, “Grudem” (as I and most of my friends refer to it now) has been the go-to reference book in my songwriting, as it invariably brings clarity, balance, and profound insight in exploring the central themes of the Christian faith. And I’m delighted that this updated edition includes much-needed discussion on some hot topics of the moment, including penal substitution and the creation debate. This is a must-have addition to the libraries not only of pastors and teachers but also of worship songwriters who take their lyric writing seriously. I highly recommend it. ”

“Since the first edition was published in 1994, Wayne Grudem’s introduction to biblical doctrine has equipped a generation of students, church members, church leaders, and pastors around the world with a robustly biblical systematic theology. This updated second edition will ensure that a new generation is helped in the same way. The great strength of Grudem’s work is that it is unashamedly biblical in approach, reflecting in its methodology his deep convictions about the inerrancy, sufficiency, and clarity of Scripture. It is accessible and well structured and is written with an irenic spirit that evaluates different opinions amongst evangelicals without being afraid to draw firm conclusions. In this new edition Grudem clarifies and affirms his commitment to divine impassibility, the eternal generation of the Son, and the ontological equality of the Father and the Son within the Trinity. Ηe adds helpful and succinct critiques of the “new perspective” on Paul, Roman Catholicism, and Mormonism. The inclusion of questions for personal application, traditional hymns, and contemporary worships songs ensures that the truths explained never remain abstract or purely intellectual, and he helpfully highlights the implications of theology for contemporary church life and ministry. These revisions and updates will ensure that this work remains unsurpassed as a one-volume introduction to biblical doctrine, and my prayer is that it will help foster a love of contemporary Reformed evangelical theology in the coming generation, just as the first edition did in mine.”

“I have been thankful to God for Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology for many reasons, but here are the top three. First, it is a means of making theology accessible and clear for every Christian. I have commended this work to many and ensured that our children had it as part of their “essential Christian library” before leaving home. Second, Wayne Grudem is rightly convinced that theology should be lived and prayed and sung. The study of God and his Word compels holy awe, joyful worship, and willing obedience. Third, this book has an absolute commitment to the authority and infallibility of Scripture, alongside the recognition that believers who submit to the authority of the Word differ on the interpretation of numerous issues. Each section provides a comprehensive listing of alternative works. I am delighted that this updated edition is now available for a new generation.”