Great overview/survey of systematic theology from R.C. Sproul. This book is planted firmly in reformed theology. I appreciate R.C.'s writing style and the way he explains things so that even us simple folk can understand. ( )

If every Christian (not just Reformed Christians) who didn't feel theologically adept read this book, they would not fail to be better for it. Highly recommend. ( )

Theme: an introduction to systematic theology
Type: nf
Value: 2+
Age: hs
Interest: 1-
Objectionable: 124-second opportunity to be redeemed? what was first? 124-second Adam? (last); 162-blood not necessary (only death necessary is implication); 164-man is cursed;224/243-6 adoption not equivalent to being born into family (of God);
Synopsis/Noteworthy: accomplishes purpose well--making theology accessible/readable; I read 12 sections

I am a HUGE R.C. Sproul fan. The Holiness of God and Chosen By God are seminal works in how I currently think about God. I hold Sproul in the highest of regard as an author, theologian, and Christian leader.

I guess that's why I was so disappointed with Everyone's a Theologian.

I was thrilled when I saw the book at a conference I attended. I am always on the lookout for new systematic theologies. I immediately purchased it and began my digestion of Everyone's a Theologian shortly after. What I discovered is a very readable but quite superficial tip-of-the-hat to the field of systematic theology. The Sproul books I had previously read would attack an issue, dealing with it in both a biblical and thorough manner. This new work from Sproul is not cut from the same cloth; Everyone's a Theologian suffers from its lack of depth. As the title insinuates, Sproul comes from the position that everyone has a personal theology, whether it is correct or not. He then goes on to address the traditional divisions of theology (theology proper, christology, ecclesiology, soteriology, etc.). Each division is given 6 to 8 5-page chapters. The chapters read easily and would be accessible to novices of systematic theology.

The strengths of the book include its simplicity, brevity, and the nuggets of wisdom that one comes to expect from Sproul. Paradoxically, the weaknesses of the book include its over-simplicity, its often unnecessary brevity, and the want for more nuggets of wisdom from Sproul. In essence, Sproul sets out to write a book that is accessible to most everyone and winds up writing a book that says less than he needs to write. For example, on the issue of election, Sproul spends a grand total of 5 pages. When discussing the biblical images of the church, he offers 4 pages. Sometimes his brevity leaves one wondering if he has really even addressed the issue at all. The book reads like the chapters were lectures that were transcribed and formatted for a book.

Despite its shortcomings, Everyone's a Theologian can be a useful tool for those new to systematic theology. However, I believe more useful tools already exist. For example, Wayne Grudem's Bible Doctrine, though longer and less accessible, is a much better book. ( )

Well this book was like sitting through a college lecture. Most of it went way over my head and I hope that when i come across the topics discussed next time I will be able to remember more. One thing that he mentioned that really got my mind running was when Paul is discussing speaking in tongues and how if no one is there to translate then you need to stop in case there is a new believer present that might think you are weird. But i think churches sometimes get stuck never pushing the faith of the parishioners because we dont want to offend the people just visiting and trying out the church. The there are the people on the other side who do whatever they can to not make welcome anyone into the church. It seems to be a tough middle ground to fall on. OK i'm off my soap box. Back to the book. Sproul reminds me of the great men of old with faith and knowledge that dwarf normal men. He does try to bring it down to a level that all can understand using modern references to today.

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