Essentials of Christian Theology:
Foundations of the Christian Faith
by Nathan D. Holsteen, read by Michael J. Svigel
DETAILS:
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: November 18, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 304 pg.
Read Date: January 12-18, 2026
What’s Essentials of Christian Theology About?
About a decade ago, these editors edited a trilogy called Exploring Christian Theology. It seems to be written by Dallas Theological Seminary faculty (I didn’t spend a lot of time looking, so I’m not going to state it strongly).
Now, the editors have taken that set and compressed it into one volume, covering Scripture, The Trinity, Humanity and the Fall, Salvation, The Church, and Eschatology. The emphasis is on the areas of agreement throughout Evangelicalism (and beyond, when possible), and points to some areas of controversy.
Each chapter also contains the following elements:
- “In Short…” provides brief surveys of each doctrine with points of unity and diversity.
- “Passages to Ponder” explains key Scriptures related to each doctrine.
- “Realities to Remember” presents the foundational truths for each doctrine.
- “Errors to Avoid” exposes false teachings associated with the doctrine.
- “Lessons to Live” explores practical implications and applications for each doctrine.
- “Snapshot of History” summarizes the history and development of each doctrine.
So, what did I think about Essentials of Christian Theology?
So, I clicked the wrong button when picking some books for Baker’s Review Program, and didn’t intend to get this book. I didn’t have any active disinterest (or worse), I just didn’t expect this to be for me—I’ve read enough of Svigel online to know that our traditions are enough that I’d have plenty of quibbles (at best) with this. Also, the last thing I was in the mood for is another survey of the essentials of the Faith—I’ve just read too many in the last few years.
But this was in the box, so I gave it a shot. And…it wasn’t bad. It’s not the kind of thing I’m going to be handing out to anyone—but I’m not going to pan this. There’s a lot of good here—just not enough.
My biggest issue doesn’t actually come from the areas I disagree with—it’s just that it’s too shallow. It’s to be expected—it’s about one-third as long as the series it’s based on. So, right there, a lot is going to be missing. Also, and this reminds me of the Christian Essentials set I talked about a few years ago—it’s trying too hard to be something for everyone. It’s a noble ideal, but you can’t do justice to the swath of American Evangelicalism’s (sadly present) diversity in a few pages.
The editors clearly tried their best, but it’s too hard—you come out with something that’s just too shallow. I’d have preferred a stronger Dallas Theological Seminary perspective that I’d have stronger issues with than a watered-down take. I do have some questions about how they present some historical perspectives, and some theological points—but the text is vague enough that I can’t be bothered to talk about them.
Well, except for the Eschatology chapter—which is to be expected. But I went into it, expecting something a DTS-flavored eschatology. But I don’t think they did a good job of representing amillennialism or postmillennialism—and I’m not crazy about the limited perspective they have of Eschatology’s place in Christian Theology. But as far as the position they were most interested in advancing and describing? It was just bland and not particularly compelling. Like just about everything else.
I thought the sections on the Trinity were helpful, and I had no great exceptions to the rest of the book. I also didn’t feel challenged or pressed to look into anything more. I didn’t expect that, but I was hoping.
This is a perfectly fine book. But it could’ve been stronger if they’d narrowed the audience they hoped to reach. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from buying it or reading it—in fact, I know a few people who’d probably appreciate it. I just think you could do better. I imagine the Exploring Christian Theology trilogy that served as a basis for this book would be one place.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, opinions expressed are my own.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
My Favorite Theology/Christian Living Books of 2025
By HCNewton
On January 11, 2026
In News/Misc., Theology/Christian Living
It’s finally time to wrap these lists, with my favorites in Theology and Christian Living (and related things). There’s some overlap in some of these titles, which just shows what kinds of things I was thinking about this year, I guess. I didn’t read as many books along these lines as I expected to/usually do–mostly because the ones I did read took some work to get through (and I had too many “project reads”). But these would’ve floated to the top in any year.
As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.
(in alphabetical order by author)
by Michael P. V. Barrett
Barrett writes brief devotional meditations on some Old Testament passages (I’m not sure how brief because I read electronically, but they didn’t take terribly long to read). Which is good enough for a book–but Barrett writes with a depth that I don’t think I’ve come across in a devotional before. He gets to the heart and the nitty-gritty of the passages he looks at–and writes in a way that the reader will find application for their life, understanding of the passage, and a new/renewed reason to worship and serve the One who bought them.
The only thing that impressed me–almost every week–as much as the content was Barret’s ability to accomplish it so briefly.
by Mitchell L. Chase
My original post
I personally benefited from Chase’s definition of “wisdom” and how to find it in Scripture. I really appreciated his unwillingness to make Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and James the epicenter of his discussion, but to look for it throughout the Scriptures (see above). Tackling the topic of wisdom from a Redemptive Historical point of view rather than a Systematic perspective (which is what I’m used to, as I expect most are), really helped me to see the breadth of it—and even to help with my Systematic understanding of it (as it should).
All in all, this is a truly helpful and insightful read.
Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward
by Malcolm Foley
I’ve tried on at least four occasions to write a post about this book, and keep failing. I’m going to keep trying, but in the meantime, I’ll just say that this is one of the best books I read in 2025 regardless of genre/topic. Foley starts with Ida Wells’ point tying racism to money, and expands on that. He traces the connection between the love of money (which we know to be the root of all sorts of evil) and racism/racism-friendly policies and attitudes throughout U.S. History–particularly after the Civil War. And how the Church, to her shame, participates in those.
Then he points the way forward–using a variety of theological tools. Including the Westminster Larger Catechism’s teaching on the Eighth Commandment. It’s inspiring, it’s convicting, it’s full of hope.
by Carmen Joy Imes
My original post
Is this the most rigorous, robust work that I’ve ever read on The Church? No. Is this the most technical, theological work I’ve come across? No. Did this take a lot of effort to get through? No (and what a relief). Is this perhaps the most passionate work on the subject I’ve read? Yes. Is it perhaps the most persuasive about the need for individual believers (particularly in an individualist culture) to be involved with the Church? Also, yes.
It’s warm, it’s approachable, it’s learned in a non-off-putting way. Imes is a great guide through the topic and a fun companion through the stroll. She pointed out some things I hadn’t thought of before—and helped me grasp a couple of texts that I’ve struggled with for years.
by C. S. Lewis
There’s a lot of this book that I disagree with–but I appreciate the way that Lewis got to his conclusions. I also admit that Lewis might be closer to right than I am on those points. But the opening letter on prayer is one of the best things I’ve read on the topic, and while the rest of the book doesn’t reach those heights, I truly enjoyed and benefited from considering them. This is one of those books by him I hadn’t gotten around to reading in the past until my little Lewis-immersion project last year. It won’t be the last time.
by Zacharias Ursinus
As this is written by one of the chief authors of the Heidelberg Catechism, it’s impossible to get a more authoritative take on it. This is essentially the director’s cut of the catechism. Sure, we all know the answers, but how’d you get to that answer? Well, you think like so….
This is a treasure for anyone trying to understand and use the Heidelberg Catechism for personal use or for trying to raise the generation to follow.
by Drew Poplin
My original post
I hate the fact that books decrying the sin (or, in Poplin’s argument, heresy) of racism need to be written now. But the need for them is pretty clear to anyone in the American Church. This brief (perhaps too brief) book is a compelling read, calling racism what it is, an attack on God and His creation. Convicting, and hopefully convincing. It’s well worth the time to read.
by O. Palmer Robertson
Did this floor me as much as the first volume of this set (on the Gospels) did? Nope. But am I going to study Acts or Paul’s letters without consulting this in the future? Bigger nope. Robertson first traces the development of revelation and the Church’s understanding of it through Acts, then he spends the bulk of the book watching Paul’s themes develop and change over the course of his career–never contradictory, never inconsistent, but starting with certain emphases that develop into new ones given the events of his life and the needs of the Church throughout the First Century. It’s really a handy book to work through and to keep on hand for future use.
by Mikel Del Rosario
My original post
Del Rosario’s approach to the subject alone could put him on this list–let’s take an in-depth look at two passages and see what Jesus is claiming for himself in both. Let’s consider what the original audience heard–and seek to understand that by the way they reacted. Then let’s consider the implications of both. Del Rosario writes clearly and compellingly. The text—even when it gets technical—is straightforward and approachable by people who aren’t historical scholars.
Not only does reading this help buttress the confidence a reader has in the passage and Jesus’ claims in them, but Del Rosario gives his readers a model to follow when they come across similar passages.
by Cornelius Van Til
My original post
This is some pretty clear writing from a man widely considered not to be terribly clear all the time. Some of the commandments don’t get the same level of attention as others–and it makes sense given who Van Til is and his own driving focus.
It’s a very sound introduction, in line with the bulk of the Reformed stream of thought on the Law and its usage from the time of the Reformation forward. But a little more approachable given the length and the fact it was written in the 20th Century.