A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Michael D. Mock
Have you ever thought of going a day without food? Probably not, unless you’re fasting. Have you ever thought about going a day without doctrine? Most likely, yes. The question may seem odd, but it’s odd only when we think that our lives could be okay without doctrine. Our bodies need physical food, and our souls need spiritual food. This spiritual food is called doctrine, the teaching of the Word of God. It is no wonder that Jesus, upon seeing a hungry crowd, taught them. As he gave them food for the stomach, he also provided food for their souls. There is a lot of doctrine in the Bible, and to provide theology in a distilled and systematic way is DeYoung’s aim, and he succeeded. A dream finally come true (1), DeYoung has written for us a systematic theology that is both manageable and readable.
Bite-Sized Substance
Theology can be daunting. Studying the things of God takes a lifetime and a mind devoted to depth, for our God is infinite. In a world of many tomes and multi-volume systematic theologies (some of which rank high in my recommendations), DeYoung offers sound theology in short sections. In less than 400 pages and over eight general categories, DeYoung delves daily in the doctrinal depths of our God. He follows a pattern typical of systematic theology: Prolegomena, Theology Proper, Anthropology, Covenant Theology, Christology (two parts), Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. Each category has several weeks under it that correspond to the number of weeks in a year. Within each week are five days, totaling 260 days of doctrine. Why not 365? Can we really say that this is “daily” doctrine? Kevin is mindful of his readership. By offering 260 days, doctrine five days a week, he is allowing for those days that the reader cannot devote to reading and reflecting. In this, DeYoung displays pastoral compassion.
Each entry is a page or page and a half, about 500 words. In his Introduction, DeYoung offers a “Choose Your Own Adventure” approach to reading the book (2). It can be read as a year-long devotional, as a reference tool, or straight through as a mini systematic theology. This multivalent approach allows for a wider readership. Personally, I read it straight through, and now I will use it as a reference.
The book is substantial (more on this below). He disabuses the skeptic of the thought that there’d be nothing of substance in 500 words per entry. Verbosity doesn’t always equal quality, as every college professor wisely reminds his students. DeYoung exemplifies the oft-uttered adage “substance in succinctness.” There is, therefore, something in here for everyone. For the novice, Kevin introduces important questions and provides easy-to-understand answers, while whetting the appetite for a larger doctrinal meal. For the experienced systematic theology consumer, DeYoung offers apt summaries of perhaps long-forgotten truths and even puts before the systematic sweet-tooth theologian some doctrinal desserts. Perichoresis, anyone? Republication? How about the Extra Calvinisticum? New Perspective on Paul? Supralapsarianism or Infralapsarianism? There are plenty of doctrinal delicacies to bite into. If these terms terrify you, fret not. DeYoung explains them in ways the reader can understand. This leads me to the next point. But before I move there, it should be pointed out that the book could benefit from a glossary of terms. Because there are many theological terms throughout the book, the only way to remember them would be to return to the day’s entry. If Crossway publishes a second edition, it will help its readers by adding a theological glossary. (Also, if you have an earlier printing, you may notice on page 257 that a “not” is missing, which affects the meaning of his words related to the Jews’ approach to the law, but the publisher has been notified and has made the correction.)
Balanced Presentation
DeYoung has a knack for explaining complex truths simply, though not simplistically. Essentially no doctrine is off the table. Some theological morsels are as plain and simple as a grilled cheese, whereas other doctrinal dishes are more like a duck confit with mango chutney. In either case, the chef has to put in the work, and Cook Kevin has proven his culinary credentials without the need of dumping the ingredients on the table.
DeYoung does not shy away from academic rigor or fine-tuned explanation of the finer points of theology. He leans heavily on Calvin and Turretin, for instance, but he presents the material in very readable portions. Kevin is personally quite the humorous human. And his personality comes through in this book, as it does in all of his books and messages. He blends academic rigor with readable humor. These nuggets fill the book. For instance, have you ever heard of Charles Hodge making a “cringeworthy” statement (12)? Cringey Charles? Is that what the theological teenagers are saying these days? Later he illustrates the transmission of sin with fantasy football (119), or explains covenant theology in terms of animal development (158). And who doesn’t appreciate a reference to the movie The Princess Bride when thinking about the doctrine of monergism (245)? Or, one of my personal favorites, Kevin, in talking about baptism in the Spirit, illustrates the truth with reference to a Krispy Kreme doughnut (305). Yes, please. Kevin has a way of making you smile as you study God’s Word.
The daily doctrines are like mini muffins. When you eat one, you want to eat another. I didn’t eat just one a day. For unlike mini muffins, these have a salutary effect on the soul and not a fattening effect on the stomach. You know what they say, “a doctrine a day keeps the devil away.” Well, not exactly. But it is true that as we daily feed ourselves with the truth of God, we’re brought closer to our God in knowledge, righteousness, holiness, and intimacy, and we grow farther apart from our sinful ways of thinking and acting. I didn’t always come to the same conclusions as Kevin, but I was always glad to eat at his table and enjoy his company. He explains, illustrates, and applies 260 doctrines like a Michelin Chef. Having read a lot of systematic theologies, this book is a wonderful addition to the collection of worthy reads, and depending on the time and appetite, this book may rank high among your regular meals. Eat up!
Michael D. Mock