Basic Theology

, the book makes a conscious effort to use simple language and examples, many illustrations, and few footnotes [Ryrie 1999, p.10.]

"Basic Theology" is written from a theologically conservative perspective. It assumes and gives evidence for a number of presuppositions, including the inerrancy of Scripture, a normal/plain interpretation of scripture, and the legitimacy of proof texts [Ryrie 1999, pp.16-17.] . Ryrie's theology stems from an objective approach to Scripture, arguing that "when objective authority is supplemented, compromised, or abandoned, theism will be weakened or even relinquished." [Ryrie 1999, p.23.]

Content

The following list summarizes the topics covered by "Basic Theology" [Ryrie 1999, pp.5-8.] :
* Prolegomena
** Concepts and Definitions
** Some Presuppositions
** The Question of Authority
* The Living and True God
** The Knowledge of God
** The Revelation of God
** The Perfunctions of God
** The Names of God
** The Triunity of God
* The Bible: God-Breathed
** Special Revelation
** The Biblical Doctrine of Inspiration
** Defections from the Biblical Doctrine of Inspiration
** The Inerrancy of the Bible
** Inerrancy and the Teachings of Christ
** Problem Passages
** The Canon
** Interpretation of the Bible
* Angels: Ministering Spirits
** The Existence of Angels
** The Creation of Angels
** The Nature of Angels
** The Organization of the Angels
** The Ministry of Angels
* Our Adversary the Devil
** The Reality of Satan
** The Creation and Sin of Satan
** The Activities of Satan
** Satan's World
* Demons: Unclean Spirits
** The Reality of Demons
** What are Demons Like?
** What Do Demons Do?
* Man: The Image of God
** Evolution and Origins
** The Creation of Man
** The Facets of Man
** The Fall of Man
* Sin
** The Biblical Concept of Sin
** Christ's Teaching Concerning Sin
** The Inheritance of Sin
** The Imputation of Sin
** Personal Sins
** The Christian and Sin
* Jesus Christ Our Lord
** The Preincarnate Christ
** The Incarnation of Christ
** The Person of Christ Incarnate
** Christ: Prophet, Priest and King
** The Self-Emptying of Christ
** The Sinlessness of Christ
** The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ
** The Post-Ascension Ministries of Christ
* So Great a Salvation
** Some Introductory Considerations
** The Biblical Terminology
** The Passion of Christ
** The Meaning of the Death of Christ
** Some Results of Salvation
** Theories of the Atonement
** The Doctrine of Election
** the Extent of the Atonement
** The Application of Salvation
** The Security of the Believer
** What Is the Gospel?
* The Holy Spirit
** Who Is the Holy Spirit?
** The Holy spirit in Old Testament Times
** The Holy Spirit in the Life of Our Lord
** The Spirit Indwelling
** The Spirit Sealing
** The Spirit Baptizing
** The Spirit Gifting
** The Spirit Filling
** Other Ministries of the Spirit
** History of the Doctrine of the Spirit
* "I will Build My Church"
** What Is the Church?
** The Distinctiveness of the Church
** Principles and/or Pattern?
** Types of Church Government
** Qualified Leadership for the Church
** Ordinances for the Church
** The Worship of the Church
** Other Ministries of the church
* Things To Come
** Introduction to Eschatology
** A Survey of Postmillennialism
** A Survey of Amillennialism
** A Survey of Premillennialism
** God's Covenant with Abraham
** God's Covenant with David
** An Outline of Future Events
** The Tribulation Period
** The Rapture of the Church
** The Pretribulational Rapture View
** Populating the Millennial Kingdom
** The Midtribulational Rapture View
** The Posttribulational Rapture View
** The Millennium
** Future Judgements
** Resurrection and Eternal Destiny
* Central Passages
** Some Central Passages for the Study of Theology
* Definitions
** Some Definitions for the Study of Theology
* Indices
** Index of Scripture
** Index of Subjects

Criticism

See also

* Charles Caldwell Ryrie
* Systematic Theology
* Conservative Protestantism

Notes

References