Review of The Trials of Theology by Cameron and Rosner

Author: Edited by Andrew J.B. Cameron and Brian S. Rosner

Pages: 192pgs

Publisher: Christian Focus

Price: 9.89

Genre: Theology/Ministry

Quick Summary:

This book is written specifically for students of theology. There are numerous trials that come with giving yourself to the study of theology. This book considers voices from the past as well as voices from the present. The modern authors give tips for steering clear of the various pitfalls unique to the specific disciplines of theology. The past authors give a more general advice to doing theology.

In this book you will hear from Augustine, Luther, Spurgeon, Warfield, Bonhoeffer, and C.S. Lewis. The modern authors are: D.A. Carson (biblical studies), Carl Trueman (church history), Gerald Bray (systematic theology), and Dennis Hollinger (Christian Ethics). It may be helpful to view the table of contents: http://www.monergismbooks.com/pdfs/trialstheology1.pdf

What I Liked:

This book is filled with wisdom and amazing quotes to put on my wall. It is great hearing voices from the past share their hopes and fears for the next generations. But sometimes the voices of the past are trapped in their own era and their timeless advice is muddied by specificity. Thankfully we are also given in this book advice from modern authors that say essentially the same thing but do with the specificity required of our own day. This book is such an excellent idea and it delivers on its promises.

I have to agree with what Dr. Schreiner blurbed on the back cover, “I was consoled, convicted, instructed, and even ushered into God’s presence by this book”. I was deeply convicted by Warfield and Bonhoeffer. I was instructed by Lewis and Trueman. And I was consoled by Carson and Spurgeon. The chapter by John Woodhouse is equally convicting, encouraging, and instructive.

What I Disliked:

I was a tad disappointed by the light sampling of Augustine. There is so much that Augustine has said that could have been placed in this book. What is here is greatly helpful but considering all that Augustine offered to the topic it seems lacking.

At times a couple of the modern authors seem to be more engaged in defending the need for their particular discipline than expressing the trials attending it. There are some spots that major on the “trials” but offer little advice on “becoming a proven worker”. But when read as a whole this book certainly delivers.

Should You Buy It?

If you are a pastor or a student of theology then this book needs to be on your shelf. If you do not tend to read or study theology much then you would benefit from this book but it may not be a necessity. This book should be given to every seminary freshman. You can buy it for yourself or a gift for only 9.89.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars