One of the great challenges for me is trying to learn from history. I have such a propensity to hunker down into my current circumstances. Theologically speaking this is not helpful. In truth, many of the current debates or controversies have already been encountered by faithful forebears in church history.
Therefore, it is good to learn theological truth as well as the way in which other Christians have worked through these issues in history. As a pastor we have used Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology as a text to introduce men to the theological truth. Now, I am thankful, that Gregg Allison has published a Historical Theology that functions as a companion to Grudem’s very helpful work.
Allison provides the historical narrative to how these various doctrines have been understood and worked out throughout church history. And it helpfully corrolates with Wayne Grudem’s topical study.
If you have studied historical theology before you can no doubt see how helpful this is. Allison’s arrangement of the historical theology is topical not chronological. This makes things much easier for me to keep straight. It is also a great auxilary to a study in systematic theology.
Gregg Allison sat down with The Gospel Coalition for this interview. I thought it was helpful.
Discounted copies of Historical Theology are available at Amazon and Westminster Books.