{"id":569,"date":"2015-02-11T12:00:06","date_gmt":"2015-02-11T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/?p=569"},"modified":"2015-02-13T21:45:06","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T21:45:06","slug":"bible-resource-spotlight-the-christian-faith-by-michael-horton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/2015\/02\/bible-resource-spotlight-the-christian-faith-by-michael-horton.html","title":{"rendered":"Bible Resource Spotlight: The Christian Faith by Michael Horton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reader Appeal: Seminary students; Professors; Pastors<\/p>\n

Genre: Theology<\/p>\n

FBSN Rating: A<\/p>\n

The first thing you say when you see Michael Horton’s book of systematic theology is “wow.” That’s because, at over 1,000 pages, this brick-sized tome gives new meaning to the digital revolution. Yes, you might want to buy the e-book version of this one, if only to save the wear and tear on your wrists.<\/p>\n

However, if you get past the size of the book and open up its pages, you’re going to say “wow” again, though likely in a more humble way. Michael Horton has taken the deep things of God and given them a careful, organized explanation for 21st century folks like you and me. Yes, he tends toward the academic (using words like ectypal, preexistence, ecclesiology, and so on). But that’s OK – sometimes I need to learn a new word or two in my growing understanding of God and his love for me. And yes, Horton delivers copious footnotes and bibliographies that his scholarly colleagues will expect and demand. In case you don’t know him, Michael Horton is a lauded professor at Westminster Seminary California and an associate pastor at a church in Santee, California. He’s also editor of Modern Reformation Magazine, and co-host of the international radio broadcast show, White Horse Inn.<\/p>\n

But for those who were always curious about going to seminary but never took the leap, or for those who simply feel that love of learning and a passion for Christ, Mike Horton offers something more than just footnotes and strange words. He delivers an opportunity to dig deeply into the history and orthodoxy of our faith with a trusted, knowledgeable guide by our side.<\/p>\n

No, this book is not for everyone. And honestly, no one is likely to read the whole thing unless he or she is an OCD scholar who can’t stop turning pages. Still, this comprehensive work is fascinating and valuable simply because of its breadth, collected all in one place.<\/p>\n

Here’s how an ordinary Bible Study Nerd would use The Christian Faith<\/em>:<\/p>\n