Member Reviews
Theology can sound intimidating and daunting! Thats where this book comes in and gives you confidence and understanding in the fact that, you are a theologian! A theologian is simply someone who uses words about God. After the authors help you realize you are theologian, then this book dives in the basics of Christianity to help you grow your knowledge as a theologian. This book goes over the foundational doctrines and helps you understand and comprehend the basics. It's not too overwhelming and it's easy to digest all the information presented. I think this book would be a wonderful tool for both those new to the faith and even seasoned Christians.
Thank you, B & H publishing Group, and Net Galley, for a copy in return for my honest review.
J.T. English and Jen Wilkin walk the reader through very important theological tenants of Christianity. Through anecdotes and cultural references, English and Wilkin explain topics that can be difficult to understand in ways that any Christian, whether new in their faith or having believed for years, can learn something new and understand the impact it should have on their life. I appreciated the questions at the end of each chapter as they helped put into practice what was discussed in each chapter.
I was provided a copy by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Here's my thoughts:
Okay this was excellent. A short little book that's a great crash course for believers old and new in the teachings of Christianity and the importance of knowing God as He reveals Himself through His Word. Whether you've grown up in church or are just learning about Christianity for the first time, Wilkin and English make theological concepts very accessible and summarize in a way that's easy to understand.
While it's nothing groundbreaking or incredibly new, I would recommend this book for either personal study in basic systematic theology or Bible study discussions in a group.
The only two minor criticisms I had:
1) Sometimes they present certain Calvinistic / reformed viewpoints a little too dogmatically to represent Christianity as a whole.
2) The plethora of movie references got a bit old - would have liked expansion into other pop culture or literature references.
But really, truly. Loved reading this. Not super deep or innovative necessarily, but a super helpful resource!
Another great book by Jen! I always read her book like a devotional and read one chapter a day and this one is just as good as the other books she has written. I will be purchasing this book so I can read it again in the future.
This was a great book. I don't typically read Christian non-fiction anymore but I have a soft spot for both these authors from my early days as a Christian. This was as practical and easy to read as everything else they've written. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because I wish Christians were learning these concepts in their own local churches but as long as celebrity Christian books come out like this, there won't be a need for that.
"You Are a Theologian" by J.T. English and Jen Wilkin is a transformative exploration of the often overlooked reality that each one of us is, in some way, a theologian. The book's central thesis revolves around the idea that theology isn't confined to seminaries or religious scholars; it's a fundamental aspect of our lives. Through accessible language and relatable anecdotes, the authors empower readers to embrace their inherent theologian status, encouraging them to engage with the deep questions of faith, God, and the Christian doctrine.
This book offers a refreshing perspective on theology, making it approachable and relevant to everyday life. One key takeaway is the authors' emphasis on the importance of sound theology in shaping our beliefs, actions, and relationships. They guide readers in understanding that theology isn't an abstract concept but rather a tool that can be used to navigate the complexities of the modern world. "You Are a Theologian" helps readers develop a more profound understanding of their faith and encourages them to think deeply about their beliefs and how they impact their daily decisions.
This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a more profound connection with their faith and a clearer understanding of their role as a theologian. It's particularly valuable for those who might have considered theology as the exclusive domain of experts. J.T. English and Jen Wilkin's approachable and relatable style ensures that even those with limited theological background can benefit from their wisdom. Whether you're a Christian looking to strengthen your faith or someone interested in understanding how theology shapes our world, "You Are a Theologian" offers invaluable insights and guidance that will enrich your spiritual journey and deepen your understanding of the theological aspects of life. In short, this book is a beacon for those who are curious about theology, inviting them to embrace their theologian status with open arms.
Anything written by Jen Wilkin warrants a serious consideration for purchase for both myself and the church library I look after. This one is a definite must-have for both myself and the church library.
The book was written in a highly readable style to make it as easy to understand as possible, given the sometimes extremely complex subject matter. Who is God and why should it matter to you.
A full 5 stars.
This is a pretty well written entry level systematic theology. If you're new to Christianity, it's a great place to learn the basics and drive your search for knowledge deeper. If you're familiar with Christianity or even a seasoned believer, there's still some good meat for you here and I would definitely recommend it.
Theology can be intimidating. It's also been a predominantly male led field. I've been super encouraged by the uptick in theology focused books by women like Amy Gannett and Phylicia Masonheimer. This one by J.T. English and Jen Wilkin is a good hybrid if you're looking for an entry point. I found it encouraging and thorough - a great place to start if you want to start thinking like a theologian.
Studies have shown that even professed Christians are woefully ignorant about basic beliefs of the faith they claim to follow. J.T. English describes his first theology class in which the teacher explained the simple meaning of the word theology — words (logus) about God (theos). We all have a theology, a way we understand and speak about God. The questions is — is our theology good or bad?
This book has two goals. The first is that each reader comes to understand that he or she, like everyone else, is a theologian. Accepting this will prepare you to accept your role in the Great Commission, the call to make disciples. The second goal is to help each of us to grow in the knowledge and love of God through the study of theology. Theology provides a way of organizing biblical ideas so they are easier to understood.
These are the questions addressed by theology and by the authors:
*Who is God? The Doctrine of the Trinity
*What is God like? The Attributes of God
*What is the Bible? The Doctrine of the Scripture
*Who are we? The Doctrine of Humanity
*What went wrong? The Doctrine of Sin
*What has God done? The Doctrines of Christology, Atonement and Justification
*To whom do we belong? The Doctrine of the Church
*How does the story end? The Doctrine of Last Things
I have read and studied in the woman ministry in my church some of the books of Jen Wilkin and all of them have been a blessing. To be honest, for many years I had my doubts about studying theology,
I always thought that somehow while people get more knowledge their faith and passion dicresses. But after reading this book my view changed. I really love how it leads you to keep growing in knowledge and understanding of the theology with the help of the Holy Spirit. Loving the one who inspired every word in the Bible.
You are a Theologian was a great read. This book will be great on anyone's shelf (but to read also). What a gift it is to have encouragement to study the Word of God and be a theologian.
*I received a digital ARC of You Are a Theologian from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my review.
This is such a helpful book! I am thankful for Jen and JT's wisdom. They make theology accessible. I can't wait to share this with our church friends.
You are a Theologian is a great introduction into theology! If you are just diving into theology this is a great book!
Your are a Theologian is broken down into eight short and concise chapters that primary topics such as Who is God? What is God like? What is the Bible? Who are we? They are all essential doctrines that most if not all Christians agree on. Wilkin and English explain each doctrine in approachable language and back up each doctrine with scripture verses.
Your are a Theologian is highly recommended for every Christian to reinforce their understanding and knowledge of God and doctrine. It is a great book to give to any new disciple and walk through the book together. The questions at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to discuss and digest what they have been learning through the chapter and apply it to their life. An excellent book to share and have in your library as reference and reminder of our basic tenets of faith.
Synopsis: “A book cannot make you a theologian because you already are a theologian…Welcome to the conversation. Welcome to the mission.” In You Are A Theologian, the authors set out to give you a baseline with where to start for Christian theology. They explore a wide variety of theology topics from the doctrine of God to the doctrine of end times and many other topics in between! This book won’t tell you all you need to know. Instead it sets out to give you a launching point for diving deeper into God’s Word and knowing what you believe, so that in turn, you can share the truth of the gospel with others.
Analysis: If you’re looking for a place to start in your faith, may I encourage you to start here? This short book is filled with truth based in God’s Word and helps you know what you believe and why you believe it. I loved the introductory stories in each chapter with the real life application of why theology matters. We often think of theology as overly intellectual, but it’s not supposed to be that way. Yes, knowing the Bible is extremely important, but we know the Bible to know God and love God. And that’s what this book is all about.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoy how this book takes things that we should know as Christians but that has somehow been seen as reserved for those in seminary or leadership and made it accessible to everyone. While at times it did still feel dense at times, I think this book did a great job of making these topics in theology appealing and easier to understand for anyone. I’m planning to use this next spring with my women’s Bible study and help push them a little out of their comfort zone with studying theology. I’m thankful a resource like this exists. I enjoyed this more than the similar book Every Woman a Theologian- this felt more accessible than that book but both are good.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I am a theologian! I loved this book by J.T. English and Jen Wilkin. I would not hesitate to recommend it to new and seasoned believers. It provides a thorough look at theology in an easy-to-understand way. Great, great book!
I am careful about the "Biblical" teachers that I follow as we are seeing many taking stances in beliefs not from the Bible. Jen Wilkin is one that I trust to recommend to others as an author who shares truth. She and J.T. English have given us a perfect guide for all Christians on theology
At the beginning of the book, they let readers know they believe everyone is a theologian. One does not need to go to seminary or be on the missionary field to be a student in God's Word. I love that approach to make everyone aware that it's a book for them. This resource teaches many topics of the Christian faith including who God is, how sin affects the world and us and the end times.
This is a book that I will recommend to new and seasoned Christians. It's truth written for the common person.
I received a complimentary copy thanks to NetGalley and B & H Books, but all opinions are my own.
You Are a Theologian by Jen Wilkin and J.T. English is a great book for all: believers and unbelievers, new Christians and those who have known Jesus for decades. This book is highly informational, discussing important doctrinal and theological questions like who is God, what is the Bible, who we are and what God has done. This book is easy to read and easy to understand. It isn't a deep dive type of book but explains the basics in a very good, understandable way.