The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What is diff. between Berkhof's Manual and Summary

I found two Berkhof books on www.christianbook.com. What is the difference between them, and how do they in turn differ from his massive book Systematic Theology?<br><br>The two smaller books are: <br><br>Manual of Christian Doctrine and Summary of Christian Doctrine<br><br>Thanks!

Well the full size Systematic (very detailed) is 784 pages, vs. Manual of Christian Doctrine is 372 (based on his Systematic), and the Summary of Christian Doctrine is 198 pages (being a simpler version of the Manual, simplified language...). Compare them at Amazon: Summary of Christian Doctrine, Manual of Christian Doctrine and his Systematic Theology. If you have not read any of them then a good process would be Summary, Manual, and then the Systematic. Of course, purchase them from someone like CVBBS.<br><br>By far the BEST systematic!!!<br><br>BTW, his History of Christian Doctrine is a good read as well.<br><br>

Calvin,<br><br>Each of the two volumes you have asked about is an abbreviated version of the Systematic Theology; the "Summary" is about 50% less detailed than the "Manual" and the "Manual" is about 50% less than the "Systematic". Each one is also more simplified in the use of technical/theological terms, etc. You might think of them in this way:<br><br>Systematic Theology: High School, College, and Grad School level.<br><br>Manual of Christian Doctrine: High School, Adult Sunday School level.<br><br>Summary of Christian Doctrine: Late Grade School, High School, Mid-Late Teen/Adult Sunday School level.<br><br>I have all three and appreciate them in their intended purposes. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img]<br><br>In His Grace,

If you would like to immediately take a look at the contents of Berkhof's Summary book, it is online at:<br><br>[u]Summary of Christian Doctrine[/u]<br><br>Just click on the Chapter titles.<br><br>Colin

I ordered my Systematic from CVBBS and was able to get the Summary bundled with it; both at a reduced price. You might be able to get both of them for about the price of just the Systematic at other places.<br><br>I use them both and love them!<br><br>Thanks for giving me the heads up on that bargain last fall, Joe!<br><br>Kim<br>

Glad that you are enjoying them. It is amazing how this one Systematic keeps coming up year after year for positive discussion. Good Stuff [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/yep.gif" alt="yep" title="yep[/img]