Christian Theology: An Introduction (ISBN 0631225277)

reads like a textbook, but a balanced perspective on Christian theology:
For introductory level theology courses, this is THE go-to book. The Oxonian does well in describing the development of theology, in giving criticisms, and counter-criticisms, and in bringing the reader to the contemporary debates that have arisen recently. My major complaint is that it is hard to stay with; the reading is laborious (if not boring), and has little value beyond an academic level. But alas! it is a textbook, not a popular read. If you are only going to read one book on Christian theology, this should be in the running.

as described fast shipping:
Book was described well came in better condition than description fash shipping no problemsThe Christian Theology Reader

Great content, mediocre writing:
This book is monumental in scope. I have never ran across anything quite like it. It basically covers the entire history of Christian thought. Everything is touched on, all the theological questions you could shake a stick at (and then some). Not all are dealt with intricately, but the author tells us (rightly) that this would be impossible. I want to be clear on this: this is the most balanced, objective, thorough treatment of Christian thought I have ever encountered. But... The writing is awful. Someone needs to come in with a scythe and mow down all the unnecessary sentences. The work is plagued by repetition and vague sentences. It should be 50 (maybe more) pages less, which would increase readers' attention while reading (I tend to zone off when I start reading a line I can finish myself). No doubt McGrath has a mass of knowledge, but please, someone edit this! But, if used more of a reference (which, perhaps, it is best used as - I am in the process of reading it straight through), these problems are diminished. I would definitely recommend this though. The negatives come no where close to the positives.

Christian Theology:
This is a well-written book. It follows Christian Theology from pre-Greek to modern times. It has all the early prophets and philosophers with excerpts and interesting commentary. It is a good read for any one interested in Theology.

A clear and intelligible introduction to theology:
This is a very clear and helpful introduction to theology for the beginner or the first year seminarian. I bought it because McGrath is an Evangelical Anglican, but was disappointed to find that he spends more time discussing Zwingli's understanding of the sacraments and the church than either Luther or Calvin. In other words there is little difference between McGrath and any other leading Evangelical theologian such as Millard Erickson or Wayne Grudem. Nevertheless this work is a great introduction replete with clear and precise definitions that other systematic works often assume the reader already knows and understands.