How do faith and predestination work together? | 1/19/2026

Written by Charles Ryrie, 'Basic Theology' is a standard text for understanding Christian theology. The book features 94 chapters arranged in outline style, including charts, definitions, and Scripture and subject indices. It covers major doctrines such as God, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, the church, Satan, sin, salvation, man, angels, demons, and events to come. Ryrie's work emphasizes the dispensational view of the end times and is designed to help readers think about God in accordance with biblical teachings, promoting sound theology and holy living.

J. I. Packer's "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God" addresses the apparent tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in evangelism. Packer argues that God's sovereignty doesn't negate the importance of evangelistic efforts. Instead, it underscores the need for reliance on God's power in the process of conversion. The book explores the theological underpinnings of evangelism within a Calvinistic framework, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit and the necessity of prayer. It challenges common misconceptions about Calvinism and its implications for missionary work. Packer's work remains influential in shaping evangelical approaches to evangelism.

This work, published in 1947, is the first consistently premillennial and dispensational systematic theology ever written. It covers a wide range of theological topics, including bibliology, theology proper, angelology, anthropology, hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. Chafer's work is notable for its completeness and accessibility, making it readable for both scholars and those not formally trained in theology. The eight volumes are highly regarded for their practical and devotional content, as well as their comprehensive treatment of systematic theology.