Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (RE: Lit) - Hardcover

Driscoll, Mark; Breshears, Gerry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1433506254 ISBN 13: 9781433506253

Publisher: Crossway Books, 2010

Synopsis

Doctrine is the word Christians use to define the truth-claims revealed in Holy Scripture. Of course there is a multitude of churches, church networks, and denominations, each with their own doctrinal statement with many points of disagreement. But while Christians disagree on a number of doctrines, there are key elements that cannot be denied by anyone claiming to be a follower of Jesus.

In Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe, Driscoll and Breshears teach thirteen of these key elements. This meaty yet readable overview of basic doctrine will help Christians clarify and articulate their beliefs in accordance with the Bible.

About this title

About the Author:

MARK DRISCOLL is the founding pastor and preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, one of the fastest-growing churches in America, and president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network.

GERRY BRESHEARS is professor of theology and chairman of the division of biblical and theological studies at Western Seminary. Driscoll and Breshears also coauthored Vintage Jesus, Vintage Church, and Death by Love, all in the Re:Lit: Vintage Jesus series.

Review:

“An interesting, clear, practical, biblical, and remarkably insightful guide to the main doctrinal teachings of the whole Bible!”
—Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary

"Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have written a remarkably insightful treatment of central biblical teachings, with a few surprising but welcome choices. Doctrine is meaty, well-researched, clearly written, interesting, and refreshing—a rare combination. Those who know that truth matters will relish this book. If you don't know that truth matters you should read it anyway, and enjoy watching your mind and heart change."
—Randy Alcorn, founder, Eternal Perspective Ministries; author, If God is Good and Heaven

"Sadly, many Christians think that doctrine is terminally boring and inherently divisive. Driscoll and Breshears blow that stereotype out of the water as they tackle thirteen core doctrines with uncommon grace and penetrating clarity. This addition to my personal library will undoubtedly become well-worn."
—Larry Osborne, Pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, California; author, Sticky Church

"This valuable resource will help Christians clearly understand and articulate their beliefs while igniting a deeper love and passion for Christ."
—Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor, LifeChurch.tv; author, WEIRD: Because Normal Isn't Working

"We used the unpublished manuscript of Doctrine as a textbook at ChangePoint. In short, the students loved it! They found it easy to read and very practical. Most are looking forward to buying a copy for their personal libraries. Our church has already benefited from Mark and Gerry's latest effort. Buy the book! Use it with your leaders and watch a deeper understanding of doctrine change their lives."
—Dan H. Jarrell, Teaching Pastor, ChangePoint Church, Anchorage, Alaska

"God is raising up a new generation of Christ-followers who long to know him and his missional ways in a theologically-robust manner. This latest book by Driscoll and Breshears is certain to play a major role in forming such doctrinally-sound Christians. Besides covering all the major theological topics, they address deep doctrinal issues in a clear and understandable way. And, as in all their books, they help us grasp what difference these doctrines can and should make in our lives and churches."
—Gregg R. Allison, Associate Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I like Doctrine very much. It is a relatively short, clear, and accurate topical summary of biblical teachings, focused on the practical application of doctrine. There is much here to aid readers who have thought in the past that theology was too complicated, uninteresting, or irrelevant. This book is none of those things. It takes off on wings of eagles. It is so important today that believers understand and become committed to all that God's Word says. This book is a wonderful tool to help them do that."
—John M. Frame, J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida

"Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have accomplished the unusual: they have written a book on doctrine that is both interesting and substantive! Doctrine is rigorously biblical and theologically faithful. It lays out with clarity the great truths of the faith, showing their essential character and practical import. This is a good gift for the body of Christ. I will be happy to commend to it to the seasoned saint and the new believer."
—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I offer my unlimited limited endorsement of Doctrine. It's limited with respect to acknowledging that not everyone needs to agree with every point of doctrine outlined in the book in order to benefit from the fair-minded treatment that Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears give to each of the Christian doctrines examined. In areas where Christians are known to hold differing views, Driscoll and Breshears respectfully outline options before clearly stating their own beliefs. It's unlimited with respect to wholeheartedly embracing the clear ambition of the book. In an age when people, even Christians, place such high personal value on internal experience, we desperately need to look outside ourselves—to the doctrines of the Bible—to truly hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ."
—James H. Gilmore, author, The Experience Economy and Authenticity

"I listened to the sermon series that preceded this book and was very excited to hear they were putting it all into print. Doctrine should not be a dirty word in the church. Right now the need for Christians to hold fast to biblical truth is greater than ever, and this book is a solid, sleek, no-nonsense resource that is perfect for equipping every believer with the knowledge of essential biblical doctrines."
—Dustin Kensrue, singer and guitarist, Thrice

"Whenever a new book comes across my desk I always ask What am I going to do with this? The answer is not always immediately clear. But with this book, I knew within the first few pages: I’m going to buy a number of copies, give them to our leaders, and tell them to give the copies to young Christians to read. Breshears and Driscoll have done us all a huge favor in writing Doctrine. Foundational truths are explained in clear and accessible terms. This is doctrine taught as doctrine should be taught: biblically, thoroughly, accessibly, clearly, and practically."
—Steve Timmis, Director, Acts 29 Western Europe; coauthor, Total Church

"When my friend Mark Driscoll says he has written a book about what Christians should believe, I believe him, and here he has. Mark writes like he preaches: clear, direct, and commanding of your attention. This resource is a challenging yet easy-to-understand guide to the major doctrines of Scripture. I commend it to you as a companion to your study of God's Word."
—James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Chicagoland Area; radio teacher, Walk in the Word

"At the beginning of the 20th century when many sought to redefine the church in terms of emotional experience and loose ecclesiastical unity, Gresham Machen courageously defended biblical orthodoxy, with the following words: 'It is only as Christ is offered to us in the gospel—that is, in the "doctrine" that the world despises—that Christ saves sinful men.' At the beginning of the 21st century, against similar adversaries, Driscoll and Breshears brilliantly, comprehensively, and without compromise restate the absolute importance of doctrine, without which there is no Christ and no Christianity."
—Peter R. Jones, Director, truthXchange, Scholar-in-Residence and Adjunct Professor, Westminster Seminary California

"In this helpful and accessible book, Driscoll and Breshears lay out the key doctrines of the Christian faith. Doctrine defines the core beliefs that make up biblical Christianity in a readable, understandable, and authentic way. Furthermore, I am encouraged that it consistently points the reader to God's mission to redeem the world through his Son Jesus Christ."
—Ed Stetzer, President, LifeWay Research; contributing editor, Christianity Today

About this edition

• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1433506254
• ISBN 13: 9781433506253
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 464