Book Review: Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung

Systematic Theology is a subject most Christians do not study because they think it is only for those in seminary. Sadly, there are some pastors that think it as well. There have been many great theological books over the centuries yet most of them are not read because of their length. A lot of them are not for just the layperson in the pew.

Kevin DeYoung has written a book designed for anyone to pick and read about theological subjects in a simple, devotional format titled, Daily Doctrine. The subtitle of the book says, "A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology." One site has it advertised as a 365-day devotional. One thing that must be pointed is this is not a 365-day devotional. It is a 52-week devotional but there are only five entries per week. 

This book brakes down into different theological subjects such as the doctrine of scripture, the works and being of God, the doctrine of man, Christology including His work and the salvation He offers, the doctrine of the church, and eschatology. DeYoung also covers Covenant Theology, which he does from a paedobaptist point of view, which he does briefly address Baptist Covenant Theology in one entry. 

Writing on the subject of Systematic Theology is not an easy take, but to do in a devotional format is quite another. The print for each entry does not take up a lot of pages so that the devotionals are not lengthy so those who are new to Systematic Theology can follow along easily. Granted I think DeYoung could have written more since he did not write 365 entries in what is supposed to be a year-long devotional book. 

As I mentioned earlier, this devotional is from a paedobaptist covenant theological perspective so those who attend a Baptist church and are new believers might be a little confused to when DeYoung discusses infant baptism rather than believer's baptism. There might be some who are not covenantal who might not agree with everything DeYoung has written but might be blessed by the book. 

One thing that might be confusing for former Roman Catholics is why is a Protestant Minister and writer using material from Thomas Aquinas a Roman Catholic theologian and has been called the Angelic Doctor by Rome. Granted some quote Aquinas to critique him, but DeYoung seems to affirm the writings he uses in the devotional. I know DeYoung is part of the Classical Theism movement also known as Scholasticism that seeks to retrieve Aquinas for the Protestant Church, which John Frame has said he those who are part of this movement head to Rome meaning they become Roman Catholic. 

This devotional would be a good introduction to Systematic Theology, but it was lacking in some areas that more could have been written. DeYoung did do a decent job taking Systematic Theology and make into a devotional.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.