Book Review - Pilgrim Theology

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Michael Horton has done a masterful job in providing a systematic theology written for the common man. Pilgrim Theology (the abbreviated version of his larger systematic theology, The Christian Faith), is a thorough, but not tedious explanation of the basic doctrines of Christianity. Horton presents these doctrines in simple terminology and in concise wording. He gives “just enough” information without exhausting the subject matter or his readers. Where technical terms are used there is either an immediate explanation or one is included in a helpful glossary located in the back of the book.

Description

Pilgrim Theology covers the major topics you’d expect in a book about theology: Christology, soteriology, eschatology, and more in only 450 pages. While that isn’t necessarily a short read, it isn’t nearly as daunting as the 1000+ pages in the larger, original volume. Wasting no words, Horton still manages to give a fairly comprehensive overview of each doctrine he addresses.

The author is Reformed in his theology and writes from that perspective. While I may not agree with him in all areas (baptism, for instance), I appreciated his approach in explaining things fairly and clearly, and not just assuming that all readers understand a law-gospel dichotomy or covenant approach to scriptural exegesis.

Every subject that Horton takes on is given from the perspective of a teacher. He highlights terms and even asks review questions at the end of each chapter, to allow the reader to gain an insight into how well they understand the material. The book is laid out in a logical way and can be used easily as a reference. Going back through and finding specific answers to questions, is no chore. Each section is written in such a concise way that you can turn to within a few pages of where you need to be, almost instantly.

Recommendation

In a day where theological scholarship is neglected and even scorned by some, Pilgrim Theology puts the access to doctrinal understanding in the hands of every layman. It is well suited to be used as a textbook to teach the church at large about fundamental doctrines of our faith. As a pastor myself, I plan to use this in the future to teach my flock why we believe what we believe.

This was my first exposure to Michael Horton, but I have since read Putting Amazing Back Into Grace. And I look forward to reading more of his work. I highly recommend Pilgrim Theology for anyone, pastor or not, who is interested in theology, specifically from a reformed perspective.

About the author

Michael S. Horton (Ph.D. University of Coventry and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford) is the J Gresham Machen professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. Horton was a minister in the United Reformed Churches. The author of many books, Horton was awarded the 2012 Christianity Today Book Award in Theology and Ethics for his systematic theology: The Christian Faith.

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