This is not to suggest that other texts are wrong, just that Boothe has offered us something clearer. Too many other books of theology will take a section like this and fill you with pages of the author’s contemplations and inferences and then tag on 25 Scripture references that justify their conclusions. One section on page 18 is called “He is true and faithful.” The entire section is quotation of Scripture after quotation of Scripture with only 1 paragraph of commentary to tie the pieces together. For example, in this book Boothe describes the character and nature of God. I do not want you to think that other theology works are not full of Scripture, but I will say that many of them do not let the Scripture do the talking.
One of the biggest draws for reading a work this summer like Plain Theology for Plain People is the saturation of Scripture. He also knew that the overwhelming majority of theology textbooks available would speak in the clouds where those on the ground could not grasp. He would later write, “I think I can say that and I really loved each other.” Boothe knew that his audience was vastly uneducated, comprised of sharecroppers, pastors, teachers, and community leaders. He was a critic of slavery but was not abused as many slaves were. Boothe was born in Alabama in 1845 as a slave. Charles Octavius Boothe was not an ivory tower seminary theologian. What if I were to tell you that you could take read a comprehensive and excellent theology book in less than 150 pages? That is why I put Plain Theology for Plain People as a strong book for your summer read.
These are both great books for any follower of Christ to read and digest as they grow in their understanding of God. A Theology for the Church became the standard at Southeastern and was a much more accessible book in reading and comprehending, but it is still a 992 page work. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel Akin edited a newer theology book that was geared for many churchgoers or pastors who had not been able to attend seminary. The standard text in many seminaries is Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, a massive book of over 1,200 pages. I get it…have you ever looked at a theology book? The two I mentioned from seminary would prove to the average reader as a daunting task. What better way to grow in Godliness than to dive into theology! I know, that is one of the words and subjects that many churchgoers will unfortunately shy away from. Last week I put out the challenge of learning to grow in Godliness. So, why add a theology book to the Summer reading list?
In fact, I had two different theology books at Southeastern that would have easily taken the whole summer to read and digest. I could easily submit that statement to some of my seminary professors who taught summer courses. I know that the first thing you wanted to do to spend time this summer was to pick up a theology book and read.
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