The author has taught in various Christian Universities in the USA since 1959. In 1965 he himself entered into the things of the Spirit now known as ‘charismatic’ and from that time conceived the idea to write a theological work of systematic theology from a charismatic perspective. The first volume dealing with the Doctrine of God through to the exaltation of Christ was published in 1988 and then the following two volumes published in 1990 and 1992. This edition incorporating all three became available in 1996 and is an excellent resource for pastors, elders and is definitely accessible to those who are not tutored in theology. Thoughtful, thorough and prayerful study of this book over a year or two would do the charismatic churches a great deal of good and save them from the excesses to which they are all too prone. There is nothing out of the ordinary as far as the systematized approach to theology that the author takes, what is refreshing is that he is a man of the Spirit and this shows in his writing and obviously he covers ground in respect of the Holy Spirit and His gifts and workings from personal experience too. Theology demands intellectual discipline. It is the result of reflection in an orderly way on the things of God. Obviously this cannot be accomplished properly unless the author has a personal relationship with the Living God. There are different aspects of doctrine and the word systematic indicates that there is a coherent system in which these various doctrines interlock and interconnect and thereby make up a whole. Serious reading of theology will help free us from the piecemeal preaching and teaching so commonly heard in many of the charismatic churches and establish us in a solid and balanced framework of truth. This book will greatly assist in this. It is not a book that you can read through for it will demand maybe a few pages at a time, a steady movement through the sections and not a little perseverance too. Theology is concerned with the articulation of the contents of the Christian faith. This book does this in a Biblical way and takes note of historical developments in theological thought minimizing interaction with philosophical sources unlike some other systematic theologies available. What you must remember is that a book like this is an intellectual achievement by its author and if you go through it that will mean you have achieved something intellectually too but you must read it with a prayerful attitude and it will bring a deepening sense of reverence for God and purity of heart.
