Basics of the Faith: An Evangelical Introduction to Christian Doctrine

This collection of essays, all of which appeared in Christianity Today between 1961 and 1962, provides a handy sourcebook for evangelical approaches to foundational Christian doctrines. In a helpful introduction, Kevin J. Vanhoozer, professor of theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, situates the essays as a “treasure trove of insights” gathered from an array of seminal evangelical voices, including Philip E. Hughes on inspiration, Anthony A. Hoekema on the nature of the divine, and Cornelius Van Til on original sin. With only white male authors included, the selections are a testament to the character of mid-20th-century U.S. evangelicalism. Addressing topics such as the holy trinity and “the person of Christ,” the authors remain grounded in their commitment to biblical proofs, if seemingly disconnected from some of the more pressing issues of modern theology. This highly specific focus is limiting, but it also helps to capture the essential emphases of evangelicalism in the U.S. during the 1960s. Readers interested in the underpinnings of contemporary evangelical belief and practice will want to take a look at this intriguing time capsule. (Dec.)