Book Review: Concise Theology

J.I.Packer has been an influence on my theology and my walk with Jesus as long as I can remember. The book I am reviewing today, his "Concise Theology", was one of my baptism presents, and proved invaluable as a schoolboy, leading a CU at school, thinking about university, and studying theology at university. It proved particularly valuable when gathering and working with other Christians in CU at university, because it is concise. This review is relatively brief, not least because the format of this book is relatively simple.

This is the cover of my original, now deceased copy. I don't think there has been a huge amount changed for the more recent edition, though I may be wrong!

The format of this book, as alluded to above, is a masterclass in simplifying theology. There are a total of 94 miniature 'chapters', in a book only 224 pages long! Each of these chapters signifies a specific doctrinal element of Christianity. There are of course more than 94 things to consider, but this is a concise work of theology. Packer helpfully divides these 94 parts into four sections, all relating to how God is revealed, and in a Trinitarian framework. The fourth ties these all together, in what is arguably the section on eschatology, entitled "God Revealed as Lord of Destiny". The Trinitarian formulation is very clear, with the first section being "God Revealed as Creator", the second taking the title "God Revealed as Redeemer", and the third being "God Revealed as Lord of Grace". The structure and layout of this book is classically orthodox, and incredibly straightforward. Each of the 94 mini-chapters is essentially a tiny exposition of one verse and an encouragement to read the other verses. This is theology straight from the biblical text.

Packer's own words from the back cover are a useful aid in explaining the purpose of this book;

"This book sets out in short compas what seems to me to be
the permanent essentials of Christianity, viewed as both a belief
system and a way of life ... Theology is for doxology and 
devotion - that is, the praise of God and the practice of godliness.It should therefore be presented in a way that brings awareness of the divine presence. Theology is at its healthiest when it is consciously under the eye of God of whom it speaks, and when it is singing to his glory"

J.I.Packer.

I heartily agree. I've shared before about the need for everyone in churches to be engaged in theology. Even those outside the church who would critique it should know what they are critiquing - a common problem, as demonstrated and explained by a recently reviewed book on the New Atheists. This book, this "Concise Theology" is a wonderful example of theology made accessible, the Bible unlocked, and the mysteries of God de-jargonified. As a theology graduate, I keep my copy for reference and quick consultation, or as a starting point. I'd recommend it to simliarly minded folks for the same reason. But I feel this is the sort of book that every reading Christian should own. It's that good, that simple, and that usable. It does what it says on the tin, and its marvellous!