The Ology Travel Guides
Tools for your travels through the Land of The Ology
Throughout our summer series, we’ll highlight some tools for your travels through the Land of The Ology. Every good traveler has maps and guidebooks. That’s exactly what theology books are. They are not encyclopedias but tour guides. Stop by the Soteria Bookstore and check out some of these books.
- When is it too early to introduce theology to kids? Never! This series of board books includes solid theology in simple, trustworthy books.
- The Ology by Marty Machowski. The Ology (yes, our series title is inspired by the book) has short readings, lots of pictures, and great analogies. It’s great for short supper-time reading or to leave around the house for young readers to pick up on their own.
- Our midweek kid’s ministry, Kids 4 Truth walks through 12 key doctrinal truths every two years. One of the best ways to learn theology is to learn alongside children! You should consider volunteering this fall.
- Emblems of the Infinite King by J. Ryan Lister. I love how Lister shows that theology is an adventure! He writes theology as a journey for kids.
- Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware. Sometimes as I get older I find my books getting “younger.” In other words, even after years of studying the big books, I appreciate books that make it simple. I don’t truly understand theology until I’m able to explain it to elementary students. Ware is a master at this.
- Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie ought to be on the shelf of any church leader or student. Basic Theology works doctrine by doctrine through the Bible. His Survey of Bible Doctrine is a condensed version
- Another highly respected theology text is Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Our church is not on the same page as Grudem on a few secondary doctrinal topics, but he is still one of the best theologians alive.
- Knowing God by J.I. Packer is a 20th-century classic. It is rich and devotional. When you finish it, you’ll feel like you’ve reached the top of a great vista. Pastor Monty mentioned another classic, The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. Tozer’s work on the attributes of God is short and should be read multiple times in your life.
- There are also entire books written about individual doctrines–or specific topics within doctrines! Books in this category range from simple to scholarly. Our bookstore has three books by Greg Gilbert that I’d put in this category. What is the Gospel? Who is Jesus? and Why Trust the Bible? They’re short and readable. But don’t let their simplicity fool you. They are full of truth.