Class: Christian Belief
On this page, you will find my slides, recommended books, and links to articles and videos that will help you study, delight in, and grow in your walk with Christ.
Here is a master list of books I have found helpful in growing in the 3 Dynamics of Spiritual theology (doctrine, affection, and practice).
Week 1: Introduction
Theology is the study of how to speak truly of God and of all things in relation to God.” — Kevin Vanhoozer
Books:
Week 2: The Trinity
To believe and love the Trinity is to possess the key of theology.” — Charles Spurgeon
Books:
The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture by Brandon D. Smith
The Trinity in the Canon: A Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Practical Proposal edited by Brandon D. Smith
Articles:
10 Things to Know about the Trinity
Videos:
Week 4: Scripture
The Christian Scriptures are the primary text for Christian spirituality. Christian spirituality is, in its entirety, rooted in and shaped by the scriptural text.” — Eugene Peterson
Christian Belief - Scripture.pdf
Books:
Articles:
Why Read the Bible Every Day by Dane Ortlund
Videos:
Week 5: Humanity
Christian Belief 5 Humanity.pdf
Week 6: Sin
Sin is sinful, all sinful, only sinful, altogether sinful and always sinful." — Ralph Venning
Books:
Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen (this also has On the Mortification of Sin, but has more from Owen as well).
Articles:
The Sin-Crushing King by Kevin DeYoung
Week 7: Salvation
If theology is to be Christian, then it can only be a theology which understands in dynamic fashion the unsurpassable scandal of the Cross." — Hans Urs von Balthasar
Christian Belief 7 Salvation.pdf
Books:
Articles:
The Ukulele and the Cross
Jesus's death for our sins accomplished unfathomable riches of mercy and grace to be poured out upon us needy sinners. Theologians have wrestled with the various angles that describe what Jesus did for us on the cross. Some will even argue that there is only one way to describe and define what Jesus did for us on the cross. Ra…
Was it Possible for Jesus to Sin? by Brandon Smith
Week 8: The Holy Spirit
A man may easier see without eyes, speak without a tongue, than truly mortify one sin without the Spirit. — John Owen
Christian Belief 8 Holy Spirit.pdf
Books:
The Holy Spirit by Gregg Allison and Andreas J. Köstenberger
Walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit: Ten Classic Sermons by C. H. Spurgeon
Articles:
We Believe in the Holy Spirit by David Mathis
What Does it Mean to Walk by the Spirit?
Week 9: The Church
No one can have God as Father who does not have the church as Mother. — Cyprian of Carthage
Christian Belief 9 The Church.pdf
Books:
Articles:
Have Your Renounced Satan? The Lost Second Vow of Baptism by Ryan Griffith
Week 10: The Last Things...and Beyond
Christian Belief 10 Eschatology.pdf
Books:
Jesus Wins: The Good News of the End Times by Dayton Hartman
Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life by Eugene Peterson
Articles:
It’s the End of the World and We Know It by Smith and Medders
Why We Won’t Spend Eternity in Heaven by Benjamin Gladd
Videos: