Okay my soon to be 9th grade son just told me he wants to study Theology ....

[momof2boys]

this fall. I have no idea where to begin. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks:glare:

[angela in ohio]

I heard a Veritas Teacher Training speaker say that most high school students could do the work in today's seminaries. You could look at a few seminaries for your denomination and see what is on the book list.

[Harriet Vane]

I went to a private Christian high school and had an excellent doctrine course while there. I have also spent many years teaching biblical inductive method seminars. I don't have a seminary degree, but I do have some opinions about teaching Bible.

 

The very best thing you can do is look FIRST at what straight Bible text teaches, and then compare that to specific denominational doctrines. I would urge you to look fearlessly at a wide range of doctrines. Anyone would benefit from careful Scriptural study on various philosophies, deciding which makes sense to you according to how well they line up with what the Bible says.

 

As such, a great way to study doctrine is to start with the books of Romans and Hebrews. Explorer's has a study dealing with Romans that might be a good way to facilitate part of this. Romans is a wonderfully complete explanation of major doctrines, and Hebrews shows really well how New Testament and Old Testament philosophies fit together.

 

When I was in high school we used a text by Ryrie to study doctrine (ours was an evangelical perspective), but I do not remember the name of it.

 

The very last thing I would do, AFTER studying Romans and Hebrews, would be smaller, subject-by-subject studies. My reasoning is that Romans and Hebrews provide a context for then skipping around the Bible topically.

 

Since my own dd is still only 11yo, I have not looked into specific texts for teaching theology. However, whatever I choose I still plan to hinge the entire thing on a larger study of Romans and Hebrews.

 

Hope this helps.

[Beth in SW WA]

this fall. I have no idea where to begin. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks:glare:

 

For starters, this is a classic: How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth by Dr. Gordon Fee (Regent Seminary in Vancouver BC).

 

Before reading what others say about the Bible, and his/her interpretation, it would be great if your ds knew how to study the Scriptures on his own. This book is a great start.

[ereks mom]

Cornerstone Curriculum's Starting Points course is excellent! ER absolutely loved it (and he plans to study Religion & Philosophy in college).

 

Two of the books used in this course are Paul Little's Know What You Believe and Know Why You Believe. He especially liked The Deadliest Monster (which he believes should be required reading for every Christian! :)) and he loved [C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. Since taking this course, he has become a great fan of C.S. Lewis.

 

If you don't want a full year course, your ds could read other books that deal with theology and apologetics. ER recommends Josh McDowell's Don't Check Your Brains at the Door. Amazon.com says, "Laced with clarity and humor, McDowell and Hostetler expose common myths about God, the Bible, religion, and life, showing how Christianity stands up to the test of fact and reason. Solid, exciting Christian apologetics for teens. Examines common myths about God, religion, and life that contradict God's Word."

[Chris in VA]

I second Paul Little's titles. I would really encourage your son to become very familiar with the Bible. Theology makes for some interesting stuff--

I was wondering if you would share what faith persuasion you are? Does he want to stay in the same denom? (or non-denom! lol)

As for Seminary, our Episcopal Seminary has become so danged liberal that some of the profs aren't even Christian, in any remotely orthodox way. I'd steer clear of their reading list. YMMV with yours.

[momof2boys]

First we are Southern Baptist and my son states that he does not want to change denominations. His reason for wanting to study theology is to gain a better understanding of the Bible and other religions in order to be able to defend his faith with confidence out in the world.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have been looking at cornerstones Starting Points curriculum and am leaning heavily toward that.

Thanks:)

[jananc]

His reason for wanting to study theology is to gain a better understanding of the Bible and other religions in order to be able to defend his faith with confidence out in the world.

 

 

It sounds like he want to study apologetics. Here are a couple of suggestions:

 

1) "The Art of Apologetics, an Introductory Study in Christian Thinking and Speaking", by Karen Kovaka, is a ten-lesson study guide used along with Little's book "Know Why You Believe" and Francis Schaeffer's book "The God Who is There". It's pretty heavy stuff, but it is supposedly designed for high schoolers. I'll probably have my ds wait until 11th to try to tackle it. It is meant to include group discussion so a class would be nice, but you could do it with him (you'd have to read it, too :D )

 

2) You could use the apologetics questions that are on the NCFCA.org website and have him prepare answers/discuss with you. There are 100 questions, I believe, which are used as prompts for 6 minute speeches at the NCFCA tournaments. You could just use them as prompts for research and writing exercises if you're not interested in having him develop speeches. http://www.ncfca.org/speech scroll to the bottom and click on Apologetics Questions.

[Nissi]

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem might fit the bill.

Nissi

[debbiec]

Yes, He also has a shorter version of this called Bible Doctrine ~ (I have both though and DS has been through a course, at church, with both. Bible Doctrine was much easier for him.

[readwithem]

Another consideration would be a Worldview camp. They're scheduled all over the country in the summer with one in the fall in TX. You can read more here

 

http://www.worldview.org/

[LizzyBee]

The book Knowing God by J I Packer would be a good start. You got lots of good suggestions!

[ereks mom]

ER plans to attend a small, private college affiliated with the SBC. He's not sure whether he'll attend seminary, but if he does, I think he'll probably go to New Orleans (NOBTS) since that's where dh went! :)

[SophiaH]

DH is taking Systematic Theology I right now (online) from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His choice of two textbooks were Grudem's Systematic Theology (already mentioned) and the one he ultimately decided on: Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson. He is really enjoying the Erickson book. He says it's very well-written and thoughtful. Not sure about how it would be for a 9th grader to read through but it would be a good reference in any case.

[Susan in TN]

...looking up websites of theological seminaries of your denomination (or others.) Many of them have free online study resources, lectures, articles, recommended reading lists, etc.

[Brindee]

A practical idea, putting what he learns into practice, might be a sort of apprenticeship with a pastor of your denom. My 9th grade son is doing that with our pastor right now, and loves it! Our pastor comes over once a week or so, and they study and discuss scripture and ideas on sermons, how to research and study for sermon topics, etc. My ds also goes with the pastor on Bible Studies and errands that deal with church matters. It's pretty exciting for ds and us (his parents)!

[Cynde]

The Potter's School has lots of classes in this subject area if you'd be interested in an online option. Dd has taken a couple of them. She got a lot out of them and found the discussions with the teacher and other students beneficial. TPS is registering for fall classes this month.

[homewithtrinity]

I was in the same boat this last year. I let Trey read about several programs. He chose Sonlight 200 church history. I can not tell you how happy he is with the Bible selections. He is always telling me stuff he learned. Trey has since talked with the pastor and is studying under him.