HOW TO BUILD YOUR THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION



A CLASSIC SEMINARY EDUCATION:

My Recommended Reading List

Samuel Ling - China Horizon

June 3, 2001

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CONTENTS

Bible Versions and Study Bibles 2

Bible Study Aids 3

How to Interpret the Bible 4

Bible Dictionaries 4

Bible Commentaries 6

Topical Analysis of the Bible 7

Theological Dictionaries 7

Bible Surveys 8

Bible Introduction (Background) 8

(Evangelical) Biblical Theology 9

Doctrine: Creeds, Catechisms and Study Guides 10

Textbooks on Systematic Theology 11

Systematic Theology: Themes 12

Church History 15

Apologetics

Modern Thought and Modern Theology

Pastoral Ministry and Counseling

Evangelism and Discipleship

Audiotapes and Videotapes

Bookstores, Wholesale Distributors, Publishers

Periodicals

Distributors of Audiotapes and Videotapes

Theological Seminaries

Building one’s own theological foundation is a life time task. It may involve going to seminary, or it may not. Sadly, very often a seminary degree does not mean a solid foundation in the doctrines of the Bible. However you can launch out on your own seminary education. It will involve effort and sacrifice of time. But it is most rewarding, and most importantly, it strengthens your faith and your ministry.

New books are not always better than old books. Spiritual giants like John Stott and J.I. Packer advises the reader to drink from the foundations of ripe, mature theology which has been handed down through the centuries. Let the beginner take heed!

You can begin at a number of points, since a theological system is a comprehensive whole made up of many parts. You may start with a serious study of each book of the Bible; or by studying systematic theology. You may begin by using reference works (e.g. theological dictionaries) to supplement your preparation for Sunday School classes and Bible studies; or you may choose to follow a Bible survey or a Bible textbook.

BIBLE VERSIONS AND STUDY BIBLES

Christians need to make the most out of their personal devotions. Building a theological foundation can begin here!

Although most Christians are now using The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, there are problems. A British edition of the NIV has been published, using “inclusive language.” I have recently switched back to the New American Standard Bible (NASB). It may not read as smoothly as the NIV, but it is more accurate to the original words of Scripture. If you shop carefully at your local Christian bookstore, there may be a very inexpensive version of the NASB (as low as US $3 or $6), which you may buy for your entire Sunday School class/Bible study group.

For Chinese readers, I recommend both the Union Version (He he ben) and the newer New Chinese Bible (Zhong wen xin yi ben), which is somewhat patterned after The NASB. Do not confuse the New Chinese Bible (a translation) with Xian dai zhong wen yi ben, which is the Chinese version of The Good New Bible (only a paraphrase).

A solid tool to accompany your Bible study is The Reformation Bible (former name: The New Geneva Study Bible, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson / Foundation for Reformation, 1995; $26.99 from Ligonier Ministries, P.O. Box 547500 Orlando FL 32854; 407 333 4244 or 800 435 4343; Fax 407 333 4233). The notes and the special articles all seek to build a solid theological foundation from the historic, 16th century Reformational perspective. If we complement this with the Life Application Bible (Tyndale and Zondervan, 1988), we will have two tools to build solid, practical Bible studies and sermons.

For Chinese readers, the NIV Study Bible published by Christian Renewal Ministries (Sheng jing: xin guo ji ban yan du ben, or The CRM Study Bible, Milltown, NJ: Christian Renewal Ministries, 1996) is the most complete study Bible. This Bible gives you background and guides you to understand the meaning and content of the Bible.

Another helpful Chinese tool is the study Bible edited by China Graduate School of Theology’s faculty: Sheng jing: chuan zhu zhu xi ben [The Bible: CGST Study Edition] (Hong Kong: Christian Communications Ltd., 1987). The bottom half of every page is shaded in gray, and packed with thought-provoking questions (no answers, just questions!).

Christian Renewal Ministries has recently published The Devotional Bible, which is the Chinese translation of The Life Application Bible.

The ones I have listed are aimed at building one’s theological foundations.

There are other study Bibles for devotional use. For example, The Living Bible or its newer edition, The New Living Translation (Tyndale House), as well as the very popular Good News Bible (American Bible Society), are paraphrases, not translations. They are helpful for you to get a contemporary twist to the text, but do not rely on them to give you the accurate meaning of the text. In fact, Dr. Kenneth Taylor originally did The Living Bible translation to help his elementary-school age children to understand the Bible.

There are non-evangelical translations which can be scholarly, but should be used for reference only: e.g. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV—National Council of Churches USA); The New English Bible (Oxford University Press/Cambridge University Press); The New Jerusalem Bible (Roman Catholic); and The New American Bible (Roman Catholic).

Two older translations formed the background to the NASB, and are very solid and reliable: The Revised Version (RV) of the 1880’s, and The American Standard Version (ASV) of the 1900’s. The Reformation Bible is based on The New King James Version (NKJV), which patterns itself after the King James Version of the 1610s – archaic sounding, but quite good.

Both Chinese and English Bible readers should be aware that The Restoration Bible (hui fu ban) is published by The Living Stream Ministries (shui liu zhu shi zhan), operated by the cult commonly known as The Local Church Movement, begun by the late Witness Lee. Another cultic Bible is The New World Translation, published by The Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses). College students often receive a copy of the New Testament of this translation on campuses.

BIBLE STUDY AIDS

To help you along in your Bible study, I would recommend works which stimulate your thinking.

The best tool is Search the Scriptures (London: Inter Varsity Press, 1949), which has been translated into Chinese as Yan Jing Ri Ke (Hong Kong: Christian Communications Ltd., 1972, 1980, 1982; 3 volumes). Two sets of questions are given for every passage from Genesis to Revelation. No answers, just questions! This is probably the most difficult book in its category, but well worth your diligent effort in digging into the Word of God. When you have adequately and correctly answered the two questions for every passage, you almost have a sermon/Bible study lesson ready!

Another book in the same category is This Morning With God (IVP), and the Chinese translation is Qing Chen Jing Si Zhu Hua (Hong Kong: Seed Press, 1976-1981; 4 volumes). There are a greater number of questions for each passage; and they are easier to answer. I would use this book in conjunction with Search the Scriptures.

For those who cannot get hold of either volume, The Navigators (Navpress) as well as Inter Varsity Press have been producing series after series of Bible study guides. I have particularly enjoyed using The “Lifechange Series” published by Navpress. These are guides which points you to open the Bible and find the answers to the study questions.

Very often Bible study group leaders and Sunday School teachers try to gather many books and create their own lessons each week. This can be very unwise and unproductive, since the “experts” have already done the homework, and produced solid series of Bible study guides. My recommendation is to follow one book each quarter for your Bible study group, such as the Lifechange series by Navpress, or any number of paperback guides from Inter Varsity Press.

One criterion to keep in mind, when you are shopping for Bible study guides in the Christian bookstore, is: Does this guide merely encourage group discussion? Does this guide merely encourage people to open up themselves and talk about their present and past experiences, including hurts and pains? Or does this guide primarily point the group members to explore the text of the Bible? Is there a balance between “observation” and “interpretation” questions, on the one hand (which forces the reader to grapple with the text), and “application” and “ice-breaker” questions, on the other (which brings the Bible to our own situation)? A study guide which does not have a solid portion (at least half) of study questions in the “observation” and “interpretation” category, may be wasting your group members’ precious time.

HOW TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE

For decades in the 20th century, T. Norton Sterrett’s How to Understand Your Bible (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1974) was a standard evangelical text, for Sunday School, Bible studies and Bible college classes. The Chinese translation is: Ru he ming bai sheng jing (Taipei: China Sunday School Association). This book asks the student to use an English Bible and an English dictionary to look up the meaning of words. It does not point the student to Greek or Hebrew study aids. Thus, it is easy to use for the beginner. This book belongs to the generation when evangelicals were not running to the non-evangelicals for guidance, and when evangelicals really believed, and emphasized, the fact that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. (With the advent of neo-evangelicalism, scholars are shying away from emphasizing the doctrinal unity of Scripture, leaning toward highlighting the historical progression and the variety of literary genres reflected in the various books of the Bible. Newer books, such as the very very popular How To Understand The Bible For All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and others, conveniently skips over the doctrine of inspiration, and immediately points the reader to the various kinds of literature in the Bible – a dangerous move).

An older text on hermeneutics (the science of interpreting the Bible) is Louis Berkhof’s Principles of Bilbical Interpretation (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans). More recent books on interpretation have been written by R.C. Sproul and John Stott. Shorter works in Chinese include A. Stibbs’ Understanding God’s Word (Milltown, NJ: Christian Renewal Ministries, 1975). Bernard Ramm’s Protestant Bible Interpretation (Ji du jiao shi jing xue in Chinese) is less conservative, and more broadly appealing. Though it sells better than Berkhof, I would still recommend the Sunday School teacher to work through Berkhof, supplemented by Stott and Sproul’s paperbacks.

Dan Doriani’s Getting the Message (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1996) is a fresh, dynamic approach to Bible interpretation which is faithful to the inspiration and authority of Scripture, and in dialogue with contemporary theories of interpretation. Doriani also balances concerns of the heart with those of the mind. Consider using this along with Berkhof, Stott and Sproul!

BIBLE DICTIONARIES

The one single volume which I think a Christian should purchase to supplement his/her Bible is The New Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans; originally published by Inter Varsity Press, 1962); Chinese translation: Sheng Jing Xin Ci Dian (2 volumes; Hong Kong: Tien Dao, 1993, 1997). When you are preparing for a Bible study lesson/sermon, look up the most significant (heavy) doctrinal words in the dictionary, e.g.: sacrifice, temple, church, love, righteousness, faith, justification, inspiration, God, etc. Also, read one article a day during a spare moment (before you go to bed!)! It will really enrich your understanding of what God’s Word teaches.

The Chinese version, based on the 1982 2nd edition, is expensive (approx. US $155 in North America for the two volumes), but well worth the investment. You need to learn to use it regularly!

The New Bible Dictionary lists all the contributing authors in the front of Volume 1. You can learn to identifythe author of each article. Here are some authors who are solid and reliable, who have written significant articles on doctrinal themes in The New Bible Dictionary:

Leon Morris – Australian theologian

R. A. France – author of The Living God (Chinese: Ren shi yong sheng shen, Campus Evangelical Fellowship) and several other books

J. I. Packer – wrote the article on “Inspiration” and many others; author of Knowing God, God’s Words, Concise Theology, Keep in Step with the Spirit, and The Quest for Godliness, etc.

F. F. Bruce – New Testament scholar, for many years professor in Manchester, England; author of The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (IVP)

Donald Guthrie – Bible scholar, London Bible College; author of New Testament Introduction, New Testament Theology.

John Murray – late professor, Westminster Seminary; his classic works include The Imputation of Adam’s Sin (Presbyterian and Reformed); Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Eerdmans); Commentary on Romans; and his 4-volume Collected Works of John Murray (Banner of Truth Trust).

R. V. G. Tasker – British author of several commentaries.

J. A. Motyer – British author of several commentaries, esp. in the Tynddale OT/NT commentaries series.

E. J. Young – late Old Testament professor, Westminster Seminary; author of Thy Word Is Truth (still in print from Banner of Truth); Studies in Genesis One; Thy Servants the Prophets; a 3-volume commentary on Isaiah; etc.

H. Ridderbos – Dutch Reformed New Testament theologian

J. B. Payne – former professor, Covenant Seminary and Wheaton College.

J. D. Douglas – Scottish church historian; for many years professor at Singapore Bible College; the original general editor of The New Bibel Dictionary!

Meredith Kline – brilliant Old Testament scholar; former professor at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and Westminster Seminary.

The New Bible Dictionary is an excellent “buffet table” where you can try “nuggets” from the giants listed above. Once in a while, in some of the articles authored by other scholars, one finds objectionable viewpoints, e.g. that parts of the Five Books of Moses were written after the Exile, etc. Let the reader beware.

Note: there are at least three English versions: the original New Bible Dictionary (the cover may look different because of different printings); the Tyndale Illustrated Bible Dictionary (3 volumes); and the New Bible Dictionary: Third Edition. I prefer the first: it is the original, it is the cheapest, and since it is older, it is not as much affected by contemporary theories of biblical criticism. The Tyndale edition is in 3 volumes, and has many illustrations in color. The text is the same as the older version; only the illustrations are new; and the price is rather high.

BIBLE COMMENTARIES

Commentaries are very useful in giving you balance, an overall view, and things you may overlook in preparing sermons.

My favorite New Testament commentary series is William Hendriksen, The New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker); it was completed after Hendriksen’s death by Dr. Simon Kistemaker of Reformed Theological Seminary. Hendriksen - Kistemaker is expository and homiletical; that is, the commentary reads like a sermon. There are many helpful outlines, and I Corinthians, in particular, was written by Kistemaker who responded intelligently to contemporary debates, e.g. the place of women in the ministry of the church.

The single one-volume Bible commentary most available and most helpful is The New Bible Commentary: Revised (Eerdmans, 1970; Chinese translation was based on original version: The New Commentary, Inter Varsity, 1953; in Chinese: Sheng Jing Xin Shi, Hong Kong: Christian Witness Press, 1958). It is compact, and does not intend to answer every theological question. But is is a helpful overview of the content of the passage. Remember that this commentary has gone through many editions, including the present 21st century edition. I prefer the older editions, which have not been influenced by contemporary theories of biblical criticism.

Ripe, mature commentaries on the various books of the Bible have been written by Puritans and other church leaders since the 17th century. They have been collected in The Geneva Commentaries, published by Banner of Truth Trust. Also try the one-volume (abridged) Bible commentary by Matthew Henry, or his 6-volume set. It is devotional, and solidly rooted in the Puritan quest to reverently understand God’s Word.

Campus Evangelical Fellowship in Taiwan has been translating and publishing the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries and Tyndale New Testament Commentaries series (English original published by Inter Varsity Press). They are very helpful. More recently written commentaries contain evangelical scholar’s dialogue with, and use of, contemporary theories of Bible interpretation.

Some individual Bible commentaries are truly classics: the 3 volume commentary on Isaiah by E.J. Young, the 1-volume or 2-volume commentary on Romans by John Murray, and the 2-volume on The Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd-Jones are tremendous feasts of spiritual wisdom. They are all in print at this point! Martyn Lloyd-Jones has been hailed as the greatest preacher in the 20th century. He has written Bible commentary series on Romans and Ephesians, etc.

The Anchor Bible and other commentary series published by Word and Zondervan put the reader in touch with contemporary debates in Bible background and interpretation. They do not have the same solid, traditional flavor as Hendriksen, Murray, Young and the Puritans.

TOPICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BIBLE

The Topical Analysis of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1991; subsequently renamed Baker’s Topical Guide to the Bible) was edited by Walter Elwell of Wheaton College. Chinese translation was published in 1996 as Zhu Ti Hui Shi Sheng Jing (Hong Kong: Logos Publishers, Unit 1011, Fo Tan Industrial Centre, 26 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, Shatin, Hong kong, fax 852 2687 0281, 1997).

This is an excellent tool, because it is simply an arrangement of Bible verses, all typed out in full, according to an order of doctrine/systematic theology. This is helpful as you study a particular topic or doctrine.

THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARIES

The New Dictionary of Theology, edited by Sinclair Ferguson, David F. Wright and J.I. Packer (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity, 1988) is a standard reference volume for evangelicals. It stands in the center of the evangelical movement, and sometimes somewhat to the left of center. The Chinese equivalent, Dang Dai Shen Xue Ci Dian (2 volumes, edited by Arnold Yeung), leans further toward the left, and is much more appreciate of the contemporary (non-evangelical) academic scene. For example, while Yeung has added new material to the original English text, he does not always give equal treatment to more conservative views (e.g. his work in the article on “Apologetics” gives almost no attention to evangelicals like Cornelius Van Til and Carl F. Henry).

Yeung’s work should be supplemented by Charles Chao’s A Dictionary of Theological Terms (Shen xue ming ci ci dian, Reformation Translation Fellowship, 3rd edition, 1998). Chao is Reformed, and gives a more conservative interpretation of key terms; his writing, however, can be difficult to read. His book is really useful mainly for his solid biblical stance.

Another helpful work is Walter Elwell’s Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1984). Elwell has been teaching theology at Wheaton College for many years.

Dr. Colin Brown of Fuller Theological Seminary was editor of The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1975; 4 volumes, including index), the standard work which has taken into account contemporary critical theories. A broader academic volume consulted by students of religion and theology is Gerhard Kittel, ed. (translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley), Theological Dictionary of the Theology of New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-74, 10 volumes). Fortunately, this has been abridged into one volume, nicknamed the “Little Kittel”: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Arbdiged in One Volume (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1985).

Both give definitions of the word in Greek, along with background in Hebrew and Old Testament usage as well as secular Greek usage. Kittel should not be considered an evangelical work.

A visit to your local seminary library will put you in touch with many other dictionaries of the Bible and dictionaries of theology. Use your discretion! Likewise when you visit your local secular bookstore – the religion section often carries dictionaries of the Bible and dictionaries of theology.

BIBLE SURVEYS

For the Old Testament, two one-volume textbooks are conservative and highly readable: Jack Scott, God’s Plan Unfolded (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1976), and Leon Wood, A Survey of Israel’s History (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1970). Scott‘s is a clearly covenantal perspective on the Old Testament.

The Christian Education and Publications Committee (Presbyterian Church in America) has published a very substantial series entitled Adult Biblical Education Series (Committee on Christian Education and Publications, 1852 Century Place, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30345, 1980). There is one volume introducing the Old Testament; one volume introducing the New Testament; and numerous volumes treating every part of the Bible. Lessons are written out in full, for the benefit of the Sunday School teacher or Bible study leader. Lessons may be too long to be covered in 1 hour; I suggest using one of Scott’s lessons for two sessions. Sometimes Scott will include other materials, e.g. sketches of Church History. Available from the Christian Education and Publications bookstore in Atlanta, Georgia.

BIBLE INTRODUCTION (BACKGROUND)

Two standard, older evangelical introductions to the background of the Bible were written by Gleason Archer (A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1964) and Merrill Tenney (New Testament Survey, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1961). Students at Moody and Trinity have nicknamed Archer’s book “The Yellow Bible,” since Dr. Archer used to examine the students on their memory of the content in it! Tenney is available in Chinese: Xin Yue Zong Lan (Hong Kong: China Alliance Press, 1976). Edward J. Young has also written a solidly conservative introduction to the Old Testament, which is available from the Southeast Asia Theoloogical Education series (Chinese Christian Literature Council). The English original, An Introduction to the Old Testament, is out of print. Try hunting for it through used-book dealers!

My position is: the Bible student should start with a clearly and solidly conservative reference tool such as Young and Archer.

A more scholarly approach is New Testament Introduction by Donald Guthrie of London Bible College (IVP). Guthrie gives an overview of the many theories on a debate, and then seeks to offer reasonable support for the conservative view. This is the kind of approach which contemporary evangelical scholars should, but do not, imitate. Guthrie solidly stands in the evangelical tradition.

Other evangelical scholars who have stood firm in the midst of the academic world include: F. F. Bruce (author of dozens of books) and Dr. Metzger of Princeton Seminary (expert on New Testament textual criticism).

(EVANGLEICAL) BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

Biblical theology is different from systematic theology. While systematic theology asks the question, “What does the entire Bible teach about a particular topic x?,” Biblical theology is the study of themes which God has revealed, at different periods of the history of revelation. For example, studies on the covenant in the Five Books of Moses; the promise of the Messiah in the Old Testament prophets; the kingdom of God in the Gospels; suffering and the age to come in the epistles of Paul; etc. are classic examples of Biblical theology.

Your understanding of the Bible will be greatly enriched through the study of Biblical theology. Another benefit is: you will be amazed how Jesus Christ is really the central figure and focus of the Old Testament.

In my view, an effective worship leader should be a student of Biblical theology, especially Old Testament biblical theology.

Biblical theology is grounded on two beliefs: the historical progression of revelation, and the unity of revelation. Contemporary evangelical Biblical scholars often forget the unity of revelation; e.g. they pitch Jesus (a Hippie-like lover of all people) against Paul (whom they accuse of being a woman-hater). This is the kind of Biblical study which clearly harms the church and erodes the Christian’s confidence in the Bible!

A word of caution: Biblical theology refers to the evangelical study of the history of revelation. This is not to be confused with another movement, the “Biblical theology movement” which is non-evangelical (treated by J.I. Packer in his book, Truth and Power). This non-evangelical type of Biblical theology purports to study what the people of God believed and preached at different points in time; however, these scholars do not necessarily (often they actually do not) believe that the Bible is inspired and inerrant.

The great leader of the evangelical Biblical theology movement – as properly understood by J.I. Packer in Truth and Power – is Dr. Edmund P. Clowney, retired president of Westminster Theological Seminary. You can taste the riches of Biblical theology through Clowney’s book, The Mystery Unveiled, or his older work, Preaching and Biblical Theology. A shorter work by one of the numerous students of Clowney, is Charles Drew, Ancient Love Song: Finding Christ in the Old Testament (Presbyterian and Reformed, 2001).

Standard academic works on Old Testament biblical theology include: Gerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology (available in Chinese: Sheng jing shen xue; make sure that it is Vos’ work and not another author’s by the same title); Meredith Kline, Treaty of the Great King; and Meredith Kline, The Structure of Biblical Authority. Seminary students are often required to read works on biblical theology by non-evangelical such as Von Rad and W. Eichrodt.

New Testament biblical theology is best exemplified by the last section in G. Vos, Biblical Theology, and Vos’ other work: Pauline Eschatology. Besides G. Vos, Herman Ridderbos is another name to remember when shopping for books on biblical theology. Ridderbos has a book on Paul. Vos has a shorter book entitled The Coming of the Kingdom.

A French Roman Catholic author has edited a one-volume Dictionary of Biblical Theology, which is very helpful as a supplementary tool.

DOCTRINE: CREEDS, CATECHISMS, STUDY GUIDE

To build one’s theological foundation from the beginning, or to teach young people, I suggest two catechisms: The Shorter Catechism with Scripture Proofs (Banner of Truth Trust, 3 Murrayfield Road, Edinburgh EH12 6EL, Scotland; or P O. Box 621, Carlisle, PA 17103, USA; US $1.00) and The First Catechism (Great Commission Publications, 3640 Windsor Park Drive, Suite 100, Suwanee, GA 30024-1800, 1996, 95 cents). Both can be ordered from the CEP bookstore.

The Shorter Catechism was written by the Westminster Assembly in England(1647), for use in churches to teach their young people Bible doctrine. Since then, it has become the best exposition of Protestant doctrines in history! Dr. J. I. Packer has, on many occasions, required his theology class to memorize all the 100+ answers! For the contemporary adult, we may need a study guide to accompany it: G. I. Williamson, The Shorter Catechism for Study Classes (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1970; 2 volumes), available from CEP bookstore. Reformation Translation Fellowship has translated this as Ji Du Jiao Yao Dao Chu Jie [First Steps in Christian Doctrine] (Taipei: Reformation Translation Fellowship,1979), useful for training classes for elders, deacons and Sunday School teachers. I would use it in high school and college Sunday School classes.

The more complete exposition of Reformational doctrine is The Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (Atlanta, GA: Presbyterian Church in America, 3rd edition, 1990; available from CEP bookstore). Get the version with scripture texts! I particularly appreciate the Confession’s definition of the authority of the Bible (Chapter 1); its explanation of assurance of salvation (chapter 19); and the Larger Catechism’s explanation of the use of God’s law. Both the Larger and the Shorter Catechism devotes plenty of space to explaining the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. G. I. Williamson has written The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes (Phillipsurg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1964) as a study guide. The Confession and the Shorter (not the Larger) Catechism has been collected in Reformation Translation Fellowship’s creeds volume: Li Dai Jiao Hui Xin Tiao Jing Xuan [Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions and Catechisms] (Taipei: Reformation Translation Fellowship, 1993). Another standard Chinese colleciton of creeds is: Li dai ji du jiao xin tiao [Confessions, Catechisms and Church Councils] (Hong Kong: Chinese Christian Council, 1957).

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has compiled a volume of creeds known as The Book of Confessions (Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396, 800-524-2612 or 502-569-5000 ext. 2503, 1996; $4.00). Seminary bookstores now carry it regularly. The study version is more expensive than the regular version. This volume contains most of the Reformed creeds, along with 20th century statements which may contain a Neo-Orthodox / Barthian slant. It is an inexpensive, helpful reference work.

A good seminary bookstore will carry several volumes of creeds and confessions.

Baptists should be interested to know that the London Confession (1680s) is now available in both English and Chinese!

TEXTBOOKS ON SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

For many years, the standard Reformed textbook is Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1939; reprinted in numerous editions). The contemporary edition has included another work, formerly called The Introductory Volume, along with Systematic Theology. You should buy this combined one-volume edition whenever possible! It is well worth the US $35-40 investment.

Dr. Berkhof taught systematic theology for many years at Calvin Seminary, and can be considered a 20th century “heir” to Charles Hodge (see below). Berkhof has written another “companion volume”: A History of Christian Doctrines (translated as: Ji du jiao jiao yi shi, Taipei: Reformation Translation Fellowship, 1984). Solid, comprehensive, succinct.

These three books should be used together.

Berkhof has written a shorter version, A Manual of Christian Doctrine, which has been translated by Rev. Charles Chao of the Reformation Translation Fellowship, entitled Ji Du Jiao Jiao Yi Gai Lun (Taipei: Reformation Translation Fellowship, 1974). English version is still in print.

A still shorter version is A Summary of Christian Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 1938, reprinted numerous times), published by Tien Dao Publishers in Hong Kong as Ji Du Jiao Jiao Yi Gai Yao (Hong Kong: Tien Dao Publishing House, 1978, 1983, 1986). English version is in print both in Britain and in North America. A must buy!

Two standard works on systematic theology are probably too long for the beginner, but a worthwhile investment for future study: John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (tr. Ford Lewis Battles; Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960; 2 volumes), and Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, many editions, 3 volumes; there is a one-volume abridged edition). Calvin’s work is unparalled; you can buy a Chinese excerpted version in the Ji Du Jiao Li Dai Ming Zhu Ji Cheng (Christian Classics Library) series, published by Chinese Christian Literature Council, Hong Kong. The Chinese title is Ji Du Jiao Yao Yi. (volumes 5-6 of the series).

Charles Hodge was systematic theology professor at Princeton Seminary in the 19th century; although many people would no longer use his “arguments from experience,” and many cannot read the Latin sections of the 3 volume text, Hodge remains a tower of strength defending the orthodox, Reformed, evangelical positions. Fortunately for 21st century readers, there is now a one-volume abridged version. The passages in Latin have been deleted, the resulting work is much easier to use!

For the average, beginning student (seminarian, layperson or Sunday School teacher), two easier one-volume texts are: James M. Boice, Foundations of Christian Faith (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1986; formerly 4 volumes), and Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994). Boice is pastor at Tenth Presbyterian Church, and a staunch defender and able expositor of Bible doctrines. He follows the same outline as Calvin’s Institutes. Parts I, II and III of Boice has been translated into Chinese as: Quan quan zhi shen [The Sovereign God] (Milltown, NJ: Christian Renewal Ministries); Jiu shu zhi shen [God the Redeemer] (Milltown, NJ: Christian Renewal Ministries, 1997); and Xiang shen jue xing []Awakening to God] (Milltown, NJ: Christian Renewal Ministries, 1999).

Grudem is Reformed, and sympathetic to certain themes in the contemporary charismatic movement. Grudem adds a hymn at the end of every chapter, and his sectional headings are framed in questions; highly readable! There is now a shorter version by Grudem, called Bible Doctrine. Beginners can consider either the longer or shorter work!

Chinese-readers should be encouraged to know that Dr. Luke Lu (Lu Pei yuan) has written a three volume work called Ji yao shen xue (Essential Theology I, II, III), which has been published by Overseas Campus Magazine (Lomita, California) and Campus Evangelical Fellowship (Taipei). This is the newest brief introduction to systematic theology for the beginner!

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: THEMES

Doctrine of the Knowledge of God / Doctrine of Revelation / Doctrine of Scripture

John Frame, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1987). Translation into Chinese currently in progress, China Horizon.

J. I. Packer, Fundamentalism and the Word of God (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1958). Chinese: Ji yao zhu yi yu shen di dao (Hong Kong: Christian Communications Ltd., 1962). An earlier defense of the authority of Scripture, in response to a liberal Anglican bishop’s attack on evangelicals (the latter wrote Fundamentalism and the Church of God).

J. I. Packer, Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw, 1996. Reprint by Inter Varsity Press. A recent review of the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, as well as a presentation of the history of the contemporary inerrancy movement, set against the background of so-called “evangelical” and non-evangelical views of Scripture.

E.J. Young, Thy Word Is Truth (Banner of Truth), reprint of a classic on inspiration and inerrancy.

The Infallible Word, by the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary. Also by Westminster’s faculty: Scripture and Confession. Inquire at: wts.edu.

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978). Available at .

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics, with commentary by Norman Geisler.

R.C. Sproul, Explaining Inerrancy. Several editions.

Sheng jing: shi dai di jian zheng (The Bible: A Contemporary testimony), Hong Kong: Scripture Press. Contemporary articles expounding the Doctrine of Scripture.

Kevin Vanhoozer, Is There A Meaning In This Text? – hermeneutic interaction with the postmodern philosopher, Jacques Derrida. Very important evangelical defense of the doctrine of Scripture.

Doctrine of God

J. I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1973). Chinese: Ren shi shen (Hong Kong: Christian Communications Ltd., 1979).

J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1961). Chinese: Chuan fu yin yu shen di zhu quan (Reformation Translation Fellowship).

Stephen Charnock, The Existence and Attributes of God. Unparalled Puritan work (Banner of Truth), heavy going.

A. Pink, The Attributes of God, and The Sovereignty of God.

John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence (Banner of Truth), is a warm work to encourage true believers that God is in control of all aspects of our lives.

R.C. Sproul’s books, e.g. One Holy Passion, and his videotapes on either the attributes of God, or the holiness of God. (Ligonier Ministries)

Doctrine of Man, Manhood and Womanhood, Culture, Anthropology

Abraham Kuyper, Lectures on Calvinism (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1931; still in print).

Anthony Hoekema has written a number of individual works on various doctrines, including the doctrine of man.

Two books on the meaning of womanhood and the role of women are: Susan Foh, Women and the Word of God (Presbyterian and Reformed, 19779), and James Hurley, Man and Woman in Biblical Perspective (Zondervan, 1981). William Hendriksen/Simon Kistemaker, New Testament Commentaries: I Corinthians (Baker) discusses the role of women in the church in the relevant sections; it is contemporary, and interacts with contemporary feminist schools of thought.

Harvie M. Conn, Eternal Word and Changing Worlds: Anthropology, Theology and Mission in Trialogue. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982.)

Doctrine of Salvation

John Murray, The Imputation of Adam’s Sin (Presbyterian and Reformed) is a classic treatment of the doctrine of sin: that we all have sinned IN Adam, WITH Adam, in the one sin by the one man. A short, serious exegesis of Romans 5:12-21. Also consult Murray’s commentary on Romans, at chapter 5.

Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1981). China Horizon is publishing the simplified-Chinese script version of this book in 2001. (Peoples Book House, Johore Bahru, Malaysia.)

John Murray, The Atonement. Brief, solid.

John Owen, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Introduction by J.I. Packer (Banner of Truth). Owen is solid and difficult to read; Packer’s introduction is well worth the price of the book.

John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1955). Chinese translation: Zai si jiu shu qi en (Hong Kong: Tien Dao, 1993).

Unparalled classic.

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

John Owen, The Holy Spirit. Banner of Truth has published an abridged version which has also been made easy to read.

Sinclair Ferguson and Martyn-Lloyd Jones have both written solid books on the Holy Spirit.

For treatment on how the Holy Spirit works in sanctification and on the charismatic movement, a must-read is J.I. Packer, Keep In Step with the Spirit (Revell; Chinese: Huo zai sheng jing zhong). Packer treats the Wesleyan-Methodist view, the Keswick Movement view, and the charismatic movement view critically, pastorally and irenically. Packer’s own view is the Augustinian view.

Doctrine of the Church

Edmund P. Clowney, The Church (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1995).

Easy to read, solidly based on biblical theology.

Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ. Chinese translation: Ji du rong yao di shen ti (Taipei: Reformation Translation Fellowship, 1994).

Doctrine of the Last Things

Robert G. Clouse, ed., The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views. Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1977. Chinese: Qian xi nian si guan (Taipei: China Evangelical Seminary, 1977).

William Hendriksen, Israel in Prophecy (Chinese: yu yan yu yi se lie, Tien Dao Publishers).

CHURCH HISTORY

The standard texts in church history for seminary students are those written by Williston Walker (A History of the Christian Church; translated into Chinese: ji du jiao hui shi); Kenneth Scott Latourette (A History of Christianity and many other renditions); and more recently by Gonzalez (A Story of Christianity).

For the beginner (Sunday School student), The Church in History by B. K. Kuiper (CSI Publications, 1951; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, reprinted 1998) is highly readable, and contains many, many pictures and charts. It has been translated by Mrs. Morley (Sophie Lin) Lee, under the title Li Shi Di Gui Ji(Taipei: Campus Evangelical Fellowship, 1986). The book was originally written for senior high students in Christian high schools. Well illustrated with pictures, charts and maps, it is most helpful for any adult beginner in church history. It takes an uncompromisingly Protestant and Reformed stand.

A highly readable English textbook is Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley of Denver Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary (Dallas, TX: Word, 1982). It is much longer than Kuiper, and is written from a generally evangelical (sometimes Baptist) point of view. Shelley chooses important themes in church history, and always begins a chapter with an anecdote. Thus the approach is selective rather than exhaustive.

For Reformation history, standard works include: Roland Bainton, The Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century, (Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1952) and his biography of Martin Luther: Here I Stand (available in Chinese, entitled Zhei shi wo di li chang). For the Reformed movement, try John T. McNeill, The History and Character of Calvinism (New York: Oxford University Press, 1954); Francois Wendel, Calvin; and T.H.L. Parker, Calvin.

The impact of Calvin’s theology (Reformed theology) has been profound in the modern world. Douglas F. Kelly, The Emergence of Liberty in the Modern World: The Influence of Calvin on Five Governments from the 16th through 18th Centuries (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1982) traces the development of concepts of law and democracy in Geneva (Switzerland); Holland; England; and New England. The Puritan movement is the outworking of Calvinist theology in England under Elizabeth I (1558-1603),James I (1603-1620) and subsequent monarchs. J.I. Packer has given us a highly readable selection of essays on the Puritans’ view on the Bible, preaching, family, worship, etc. in The Quest For Godliness (British edition: Among God’s Saints). Erroll Hulse has written a book aimed at the high school/college level: Who Are The Puritans? What Do They Teach. Banner of Truth Trust carries this title.

For the outworking of New England Puritan theology, two academic works written by a non-evangelical (non-believer?) remain important: Perry Miller, The New England Mind: The Seventeenth Century, and The New England Mind: From Colony to Province.

Later developments in Reformed theology in North America have been briefly noted in a collection of essays edited by David Wells: Reformed Theology in America.

The Pietist movement has exerted tremendous influence on the modern evangelical church. Ernst Stoeffer’s book is unparalleled: The Rise of Evangelical Pietism (E.J. Brill, Netherlands).

George Marsden has done us a service by chronicling the history of modern American fundamentalism. His first work is Fundamentalism and American Culture (New York: Oxford, 1981). His thesis is the fundamentalism is primarily an American movement. His sequel is Reforming Fundamentalism, which tells the story of Fuller Theological Seminary from its inception in 1947. In general, highly respected scholars who have written on the history of evangelicalism include: Mark Noll, George Marsden, Daryl Hart, and Nathan O. Hatch.

APOLOGETICS

A beginner’s text in apologetics is Richard Pratt, Every Thought Captive (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed). It presents presuppositional apologetics at a senior high/college level. A more complete introduction to apologetics is found in John M. Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God (P&R). The ambitious student should consult Greg Bahnsen, ed., Van Til’s Apologetic (P&R), and sample selections from Van Til’s works there. Very few of Van Til’s writings are in Chinese (China Horizon is presently translating Bahnsen).

The Chinese reader may begin his study of apologetics with three books by Lit-Sen Chang: the first is Ren wen zhu i pi pan. (A Criticism of humanism). Simplified script: Ren ben yu shen ben (Christian Communications Inc. of Canada). This is a brief treatment of both Chinese/Asian and western humanist philosophy. Then try his Comprehensive Christian Apologetics (Zong ti bian dao xue), Volme 1 (China Alliance Press) – the English translation: Lit-Sen Chang, What Is Apolgetics, China Horizon, 1999, only contains the first half of the Chinese volume 1.

Non-presuppositional apologetics texts include works by Norman Geisler, J.P. Moreland, Josh McDowell, R.C. Sproul, and Paul Little.

CRITIQUES OF ASIAN AND WESTERN THOUGHT

Francis Schaeffer’s Escape from Reason (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1968; Chinese: Li xing di gui bi) and How Should We Then Live? (Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1976) are classic critiques of humanistic culture in western history from a biblical perspective (Chinese: Qian ju ke jian, Hong Kong: China Alliance Press).

The works of the late Dr. Lit-Sen Chang (1904-1996) are biblical in foundation, and provide shattering critiques of Chinese and western humanism. For beginners: Ren wen zhu-i pi pan (A Criticism of Humanism). Or consult: Zong ti bian dao xue (Comprehensive Christian Apologetics), 4 volumes. The essence of Volume 3 has been rendered in English as Asia’s Religions: Christianity’s Momentous Encounter with Paganism (China Horizon, 1999), which provides a comprehensive treatment and critique of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Zen and Hinduism. The first half of Volume 1 is translated as What Is Apologetics (tr. Samuel Ling, China Horizon, 1999).

Works which are sympathetic to, or sometimes celebrations of, Chinese thought include works by Thomas In-seng Leung and Yuan Zhiming. Additional works critical of western culture include books by Leslie Newbign. The serious student should browse in secular bookstores for a good dictionary of philosophy; e.g. Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. Copleston’s set, A History of Western Philosophy, remains unparalleled; it is always a solid long-term investment. If you have time only to read one secular book on western philosophy, consider Will Durant, A Story of Philosophy. Available in all bookstores. Clear exposition of Kant and other major philosophers.

Samuel Ling critiques contemporary Chinese culture in biblical and bicultural perspective, in The Chinese Way of Doing Things (China Horizon, 1999).

CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENCE

The Creation Science school’s dean is Henry Morris. Consult any number of his books!

Peter Kung-ho Chow, A Christian View of Science, is in Chinee only: Ji du jiao ke xue guan. China Evangelical Seminary, evised edition. The beginning section provides a solid introduction to apologetics.

APOLOGETICS IN THE CONTEMPORARY MAINLAND CHINESE

INTELLETUAL CONTEXT

Samuel Ling and Stacey Bieler, eds., Chinese Intellectuals and the Gospel. China Horizon, 1999. Historical and cultural background of PRCs (mainland Chinese intellectuals); plus proven strategies to evangelize and disciple them.

Consult Chinese articles in Regent Chinese Journal. Published by Regent College’s Chinese Studies Program (5800 University Blvd Vancouver BC V6T 2E4 Canada), this periodical often carries research articles on philosophy and culture written by mainland Chinese intellectuals.

MODERN THOUGHT AND MODERN THEOLOGY

A most succinct summary and critique of modern schools of theology (both liberal and conservative) is found in Harvie M. Conn, Contemporary World Theology: A Layman’s Guidebook (Presbyterian and Reformed, 1973). The Chinese translation is entitled Xian dai shen xue lun ping , translated by Rev. Charles Chao and Rev. Watson Soong (Taipei: Reformation Translation Fellowship, 1973). Reviews and critiques modern theology (Kant, Barth, Bultmann, Tillich, Theology of Hope, etc.); then critiques evangelicals (pietism, fundamentalism, neo-evangelicalism, etc.).

Chinese readers may be encouraged to know that Carl Henry’s God, Revelation and Authority (6 volumes) is available in Chinese: Shen, qi shi, quan wei (4 volumes; also in abridged version).

Cornelius Van Til’s historic works critiquing Karl Barth are The New Modernism and Christianity and Barthianism. Originally published by Presbyterian and Reformed, they are currently out of print. However the reader may consider purchasing the Cornelius Van Til CD-ROM from Westminster Theological Seminary’s bookstore at: wts.edu. For a long while, it was on sale for US $50. The CD-ROM contains dozens of books, hundreds of articles and dozens of audio lectures by Van Til; a classic and a bargain!

There are very few courageous critiques of Barth in Chinese, unfortunately.

POSTMODERNISM AND PAGANISM

Chinese reviews of postmodern thought and hermeneutics can be found in China Graduate School of Theology Journal, Issues ##22 and 27. Most articles review rather than critique postmodernism (exception: article by Wai-Yee Ng). Other examples of postmodern hermeneutics can be found in Jian Dao journal (Alliance Bible Seminary, Hong Kong), or Regent Chinese Journal (Regent College, Vancouver, Canada).

English introductions include: Stanley Grenz, A Postmodernism Primer and Veith, Postmodern Times. For more complete presentations of deconstructionism, consult Kevin Vanhoozer, Is There A Meaning In This Text? Or D.A. Carson’s The Gagging of God.

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND COUNSELING

EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP

J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (IVP). Chinese translation: Quan fu yi yu shen di zhu quan (Reformation Translation Fellowship). God’s eternal election (predestination) is not an obstacle to evangelism; it is precisely solid ground for active evangelism! Read this classic treatment on the subject.

Walter Chantry, Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic? (Banner of Truth Trust). Chinese translation by Hay-Him Chan: Dang dai fu yin: chun zhen? Hun zha? (Evangelical Press, Hong Kong). Uses the story of Jesus and the rich young ruler to illustrate the superficiality of contemporary evangelism. Jesus’ presentation of the gospel includes God’s holiness, God’s law, and an unswerving call to repentance.

Peter Jones, Gospel Truth/Pagan Lies (Main Entry Editions). Brief presentation of the gospel set in the context of contemporary paganism (New Age). Can be used as an evangelistic tool (tract). Junior/senior high level.

Will Metzger, Tell the Truth (Inter Varsity) is a solid text which gives a dependable presentation of the biblical gospel.

MISSIONS, CULTURE AND ANTHROPOLOGY

A readable introduction to the biblical theology of missions is J. Bavinck, An Introduction to the Science of Missions (Presbyterian and Reformed); the Chinese translation: Xuan jiao xue gai lun (Tien Dao), covers about 2/3 of the English version.

Abraham Kuyper, Lectures on Calvinism (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1931; in print). A classic! The “Stone Lectures” presented at Princeton University, 1898, calls America never to forget that: history will always be a conflict between the worship of the one true living God and idol-worship.

Harvie M. Conn, Eternal Word and Changing Worlds: Anthropology, Theology and Mission in Trialogue. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982.) Critical history of anthropology, missionary anthropology, Bible translation and contextualization; provides biblical alternative to, and dialogue with, contextualization (e.g. to Charles Kraft).

Some of Paul Hiebert’s books contain very helpful, balanced, and thoughtful insights on culture, e.g. articles on “The Flaw of the Excluded Middle” and “Critical Contextualization.”

AUDIOTAPES AND VIDEOTAPES

The reader may consider securing audio and videotapes of lectures on theology, biblical doctrine and apologetics from Regent College Bookstore and Ligonier Ministries. The latter is the teaching ministry of R. C. Sproul, and has a very elaborate catalog, free upon request. The reader may consider subscribing to Ligonier’s monthly devotional magazine, Tabletalk.

Other sources of theology tapes include: Westminster Media/Westminster Theological Seminary bookstore; and the extension studies offices of Reformed Theological Seminary and Covenant Theological Seminary. You may or may not need to enroll in extension/distance learning courses, in order to purchase the tapes.

BOOKSTORES, WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS, PUBLISHERS

Alleluia Books 603 N New Ave #A-C Monterey Pk CA 91755

Voice/Fax 626 571 6769 800 795 1985

■ Rev. Huang carries books from over 100 Chinese Christian publishers!

Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (ACE) – The Cambridge Declaration (April 1996) 1716 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19103 PO Box 2000 Phila PA 19103 215 546 3696

■ The late Dr. James Boice and his partners called the church back to the 5 emphases of the Reformation: the Bible only; Christ only; salvation by grace only; through faith only; and for the glory of God only. Get the Cambridge Declaration (1996) free, as well as a catalog! ACE also publishes Modern Reformation magazine.

Ambassadors For Christ Gospel Book House PO Box 0280 Paradise PA 17562

717 687 8564 or 800 624 3504

■ Publishes a catalog; and a separate listing of books helpful for mainland Chinese scholars ministry.

Back to God Hour 6555 W. College Dr., Palos Heights, IL 60463

708 371 8700 Fax 708 371 1415 BTGH@

■ Publishes TODAY, a devotional guide, in English, and in an English-Chinese bilingual format.

Banner of Truth P O Box 621 Carlisle PA 17103 717 249 5747 Fax 717 249 0604

■ The standard publisher of Puritan titles; get their catalog, and subscribe to their magazine.

Barnabas Resources Altadena CA

■ Dr. Robert Clinton publishes his own books on leadership. Get a price list.

Campus Evangelical Fellowship PO Box 13-144 Taipei Taiwan 100 Republic of China 886 2 2368 2361 fax 886 2 2367 2139 info@.tw

■ Has published many reference works and theological books.

China Ministries International (RTF books) 1605 E. Elizabeth Pasadena CA 91104 626 398 2343 Fax 626 398 2361 104435.2547@

■ Carries many Reformation Translation Fellowship titles.

China Source ICS/BGC, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187 630 752 5951 Fax 630 752 5916

■ Carries many exceptional books, tapes, videos, etc. on China ministry. Expert advice from these materials!

Christian Communications Inc. of Canada 416 297 6540 Fax 416 297 6675

■ Publishes a series of books for mainland Chinese scholars ministry!

Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation CCEF 1803 E Willow Grove Ave Glenside PA 19038 215 884 7676

■ Carries books, videos and conducts courses on biblical counseling.

Christian Education and Publications Bookstore (PCA) 1852 Century Place, Atlanta, GA 30345 800 283 1357 404 320 3363

■ Carries many doctrinal books, Sunday School materials, etc.

Christian Reformed Home Missions 616 246 0772

■ Carries Discover Your Gifts and other helpful guides.

Christian Renewal Ministries 200 N Main St Milltown NJ 08850 732 828 4545

Fax 732 745 2878

■ Published the Chinese NIV Study Bible; James Boice’s Foundations of the Christian Faith; Francis Schaeffer’s The Church Before the Watching World, etc.

Covenant Theological Seminary Bookstore 12330 Conway Rd St Louis MO 63141 314 434 0110 Fax 314 434 5525

■ A helpful staff gets you Reformed and evangelical works. Covenant Seminary belongs to the Presbyterian Church in America.

Great Commission Publications

3640 Windsor Park Drive, Ste 100, Suwanee, GA 30024 770 831 9084 800 695 3387

■ Publishes Sunday School textbook series for children, youth and adults. Get a catalog AND a Sunday School catalog!

Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship

5333 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91942

619 462 9775

■ Carries books, videos on Biblical counseling, and conducts courses.

MacLaurin Institute 331 17th Ave. SE Minneapolis MN 55414

612 378 2159 Fax 612 378 1935 osburn002@maroon.tc.umn.edu

■ Aims to share a Biblical worldview with international students; a most intriguing book list! Get it!

Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co PO Box 109 Phillipsburg NJ 08865-0817

800 631 0094 908 454 0505 Fax 908 859 2390

■ Publishes a variety of Reformed theological (and popular Christian) books. Get the catalog; P&R runs sales often.

Reformation Translation Fellowship P O Box 17-154 Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China / No. 46, Sec. 1, Chung Yang North Road, 3rd Floor, Peitou 112, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China Fax 886 2 8965360

US Board: Dr. Robert Heimburger 76122.1433@

■ Ask for catalog

Regent College Bookstore 5800 University Blvd Vancouver BC V6T 2E4 604 228 1820 Fax 604 224 3097 800 334 3279 bookstore@regent-college.edu regent-

■ Most worthwhile to get on their mailing list, and to read about the audiotapes they carry, which were recorded from lectures/courses taught at Regent.

Westminster Theological Seminary Campus Bookstore P O Box 1073 Glenside PA 19038 215 886 0999 888 987 2665 = 888 WTS BOOK Fax 215 886 5352

■ Inquire about their catalog, as well as the tape catalog (lectures at WTS recorded!) from Westminster Media, also on WTS campus.

PERIODICALS

Back to God Hour, 6555 W. College Dr., Palos Heights, IL 60463

708 371 8700 Fax 708 371 1415 BTGH@

■ Today devotional magazine; English edition; Chinese-English bilingual edition

CCCOWE (Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism)

Fax 852 2787 4670 Lit Dept Fax 852 2789 4740 Ph 852 2391 0411

■ Publishes Chinese Churches Today (Chinese) and Chinese Around the World (Enlgish). Standard must-reading for every Chinese Christian church leader.

CGST Journal 5 Devon Road Kowloon Hong Kong

■ Published by China Graduate School of Theology.

Chinese Christian Mission 707 762 1314Fax 707 762 1713 ccmlit@

■ Proclaim (Chinese) and Challenger (English) magazines; bookroom

Hong Kong Christian Times Fax 852 2785 8335 chritime@

■ weekly newspaper

Logos and Pneuma / Institute for Sino-Christian Studies Fax 852 2601 6977

■ Liu Xiaofeng’s translation of Russian/European theology, etc.

Overseas Campus 310 316 4160 cefoc@

■ Magazine; books on mainland Chinese ministry

Theology and Belief – Mr. Zhongxin Wang nanjing@bu.edu

144 Hancock St. Auburndale, MA 02166 617 965 2133 Fax 617 244 0690

■ Chinese Christian Scholars Association (mainland Chinese and others)

DISTRIBUTORS OF AUDIOTAPES AND VIDEOTAPES

Bible Study Hour 1716 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

Gospel Films (Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?) 800 253 0413

Gospel Tape Ministry (Chinese) 15640 Twin Valley Ct Silver Spring MD 20906 301 924 0723

Inter Varsity (IVCF) Media 800 828 2100

■ Videos: Doors of Opportunity, Proclaim

Liognier Ministries PO Box 547500 Orlando FL 32854

400 Technology Park, Ste 150 Lake Mary FL 32746 v 407 333 4244

407 333 4244 800 435 4343 Fax 407 333 4233

Main Entry Editions (Dr. Peter and Mrs. Rebecca Jones)

1057 Chestnut Drive, Escondido CA 92025 760 741 3750 info@spirit-

■ Audio series: Spirit Wars. Books: The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back; Spirit Wars

Mission to North America (PCA) 1852 Century Place Atlanta GA 30345 404 320 3330

■ Videos: Proclaim Liberty, etc.

Stephen Tong Evangelical Ministries International (STEMI)

P O Box 823 Carmel IN 46032 800 565 4243 Fax 317 818 6908

■ Price list/catalog of Stephen Tong’s books and some tapes

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES

China Evangelical Seminary PO Box 30-525 Taipei Taiwan 100 Republic of China

886 2 2365 9151 Fax 886 2 2365 0225 cesadm@.tw

Covenant Theological Seminary 12330 Conway Road St Louis MO 63141

314 434 4044 800 264 8064 Fax 314 434 4819

International Theological Seminary Dr. Joseph Tong, President 1600 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles CA 90017 213 413 8683

Logos Evangelical Seminary

9358 Telstar Ave. El Monte CA 91731 626 571 5110 Fax 626 571 5119

Reformed Institute for Christianity and the 21st Century

(a summer school in Mandarin)

Dr. Stephen Chan, Dean - 15604 N.E. 1st Pl., Bellevue, WA 98008

Res V/F 425 603 0884 Ofc 206 296 5321 schan@seattleu.edu

calek@ Cell 425 891 0016

Reformed Theological Seminary 1015 Maitland Center Commons Maitland FL 32751

RTS Charlotte 2101 Carmel Road Charlotte NC 28226-6399 800 752 3282 RTS Orlando 407 875 8388 Fax 407 875 0879

RTS Jackson 601 922 4988 Fax 601 922 1153

RTS Charlotte 704 366 5066 Fax 704 366 9295

Regent College 5800 University Blvd. Vancouver BC V6T 2E4 604 224 3245

Fax 604 224 3097 Bookstore 800 334 3279 bookstore@regent-college.edu

Singapore Bible College 9-15 Adam Road Singapore 289886 Phone 65 446 4677

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School 2065 Half Day Road Deerfield IL 60015

800 345 TEDS 847 317 8000

Tyndale College and Seminary 25 Ballyconnor Ct Toronto ON M2M 4B3

416 226 6380 Fa 416 226 4148

Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia)

PO Box 27009 Chestnut Hill Philadelphia PA 19118

215 887 5511 800 626 8599 Registrar Fax 215 887 5404

Originally entitled “Building Your Theological Foundation,”

Pasadena, California May 18, 1999

Amplified under present title

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada May 2, 2001

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