This is a great, introductory theology text, and is more readable than other introductory texts I’ve looked at in the past. I appreciate that it pushes towards the integration of faith and practice.

A typical text is written from the "I'm right and everyone who disagrees with me is wrong" perspective. The perspective of this book is refreshingly different: "Here is an overview of what Evangelical Christians agree on, plus both sides of many issues they disagree on, plus an acknowledgement of many of the places those outside Evangelicalism would disagree." That last part is accomplished mostly like this: instead of breezily asserting all the Evangelical truths as though preaching to the choi...

This book is low-key genius. Why? Jones goes over the foundational doctrinal areas within the Christian faith, explains the heart of it, how it changes how we live practically in the world AND THEN she talks about early Christian heresies and what makes them heresy in transgressing against the specific doctrines... not just as theological hair-splitting, but she presents why that matters as it relates to the way we follow Jesus in the world. So good!Bonus points: This book pairs really well with...

Great introduction to theology! I really appreciated the catholicity of the book, focusing on the things that all believers agree on and using the work of thinkers from many different branches of the church.

This is the first book I’ve ever won from Goodreads First Reads, and in the past week or so I’ve won three other books. I’m one lucky dog! I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy this book (I couldn't imagine some book I won could be that good) but when I read the first few chapters I was quite surprised by how informative, enjoyable, and lucid this book is. I found Jones’s work to be a pleasing introduction to the world of theology. As someone who has been a student of apologetics, my knowl...

Good, college-level introduction to Christian theology from an evangelical perspective. Both evangelical and ecumenical, Felker Jones treats intramural evangelical debates in an even handed way. The sidebars with primary source selections (often from female, minority, and global voices) are a welcome feature.

Christopher A. Hall said it best: “A wise, well-written introduction to the wonder and joy of Christian doctrine.”

would recommend :)

A dense, helpful book about several doctrinal issues found in the church/parachutes. Dr. Jones defines key words and heresies interspersed with psalms, hymns, and scriptures. This book attempts to tie Side A (beliefs Christians have) and Side B (Christian ethics) together.

In her book, Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically, Wheaton University’s Dr. Beth Felker Jones presents an argument that theology is not just for academic discussion. No, theology must go beyond ivory tower philosophical gymnastics and have a deeply practical nature. Her other books are Faithful: A Theology of Sex, God the Spirit: Introducing Pneumatology in Wesleyan and Ecumenical Perspective, and The Marks of His Wounds: Resurrection Doctrine and G...

Great intro to Christian doctrine. Accessible, but shows a decent level of depth as well. I really liked how she always had an eye toward the practical implications of theology, though I think she could have gone into more detail as to how it can be worked out. But, overall, good book and well worth the read!

Simple in the complexity of Christian doctrine, this is a great book to gain one's theological footing whilst recognizing a call to both understand what Christians believe and live accordingly.

As an introduction to evangelical theology that is open to the ecumenical breadth of Christianity past and present, this is not a bad book. But as theology. I struggle to engage it seriously as theology as such, Jones and I are maybe just too different for me to see the book as significant understanding. For instance, it seems to me that:1. The book is addressed all but exclusively to an audience of evangelicals who speak a certain language. There is very little argument that is genuinely public...

This is a simultaneously deep and practical guide to "doing" theology -- loving God and living a life that reflects Christian beliefs. I would commend it highly to anyone, but it would be perfect for a high school or college theology class. It walks through a basic systematic theology that is evangelical, global, and very informed about the history of the Christian traditions. Readers are exposed to great thinkers in the church (past and present) as well as areas where different Christian tradit...

This book was a great introduction, especially for this first-year seminarian, to the world of theological thought and doctrine. It proceeds pretty much in a linear fashion through the doctrines of Christianity as outlined by the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, without really saying that that is what it's doing. But proceeding in such a manner is pretty logical, since the creeds naturally provide that progression order. Felker Jones is a great writer and distilled some particular concepts down in a...

Focuses on linking doctrinal orthodoxy with orthopraxis. Author writes from a Wesleyan perspective, often citing John and Charles Wesley, though often does provide points of comparison with other traditions, and does so charitably. Included are serveral boxes highlighting key ideas, quotes, biblical texts, which I'm not a fan of- feels a bit like a high school textbook. Overall a helpful book which can provide helpful points of contact between academics and church life.

Good overview of doctrine Though I do not agree with the author on every count, she did a thorough overview of doctrine in the church and covers variations well. I would recommend this book for a better understanding of what we, as Christians believe.

I highly recommend this book! She clearly describes each doctrinal area, what you need to know under each heading, and how to apply that to your life. Terminology is always explained well, and she even includes quotes, excerpts, and topics from pertinent original sources. I was thrilled to find this book, and I will read all of her books now (it was that good!). Best theology book on the market, by far!

Jones walks one through Christian doctrine in a way that is easy to understand but also in a way that leads to contemplation. I read this as a textbook and discussing it was very helpful to understand and make her book even more relatable to the Christian faith. She also added thoughts from outside Western theology which was helpful in understanding a small part of the global church.

ABeth Felker Jones offers a concise and clearly written introduction to theology for undergraduates or interested lay people. She ably covers the standard theological topics. Though I usually feel like sidebars are interruptions, they are purposeful and beneficial in this book; they contain excerpts from primary sources, theologically rich hymns and poems, and extended quotations from scholars who either have had significant influence or whose important majority world perspectives have yet to be...