AP

By James Jeffery

Author: Kevin DeYoung

Publisher: Crossway

Year: 2024

In today’s Christian landscape, many believers subscribe to the idea that “Jesus is my creed,” emphasising a personal relationship with Christ while downplaying the role of doctrine. While this focus on Jesus is commendable, it can unintentionally diminish the richness of Scripture and systematic theology, which deepen our understanding of who Christ is and how we are called to live for Him. As DeYoung puts it:

“In doing systematic theology, we are trying to answer the question, “What does the whole Bible say about this?” The “this” could be angels, sin, faith, works, law, grace, the death of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, or a hundred other things.” (p. 8)

Sadly, many consider systematic theology a field reserved for theological scholars and pastors, rather than a treasure trove for the everyday believer. In Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology, pastor and theologian Kevin DeYoung breaks down this pretence by guiding believers through the fundamentals of the Reformed faith in a 365-day devotional. He shows that while the words ‘Systematic Theology’ may be daunting for many Christians, this should not be the case.

DeYoung separates these central doctrines into nine divisions which progressively build upon one another. Believers are taken on a journey from the basics in Prolegomena (Preliminary considerations and doctrine of Scripture) through to Eschatology (Doctrine of the last things). At only 1.5 pages long, each devotional is short enough to read over breakfast, and yet profound enough to meditate on all day.

Throughout the devotional, DeYoung shows how the Reformed dogmas are grounded in Scripture, articulated in the confessions, and testified to by Christ’s church throughout the ages. This helps believers to recognise the abundance we have inherited through the labours and service of our forefathers. On this note, in the footnotes of each devotional, DeYoung makes reference to key theological treatises which will serve as a springboard for inquisitive minds to further investigate each subject matter. 

In addition to being a morning or evening devotional, Daily Doctrine can also be used as a reference tool to delve deeper into specific theological matters. For example, there are devotionals on contentious issues such as ‘Church and State,’ ‘The New Perspective on Paul,’ ‘Limited Atonement,’ and ‘Annihilationism.’ These are designed to equip believers with a robust theological framework through which to understand and answer objections to the Reformed faith.

Wherever you are in your walk with Christ — a new believer, a theological student, a busy parent, or in your later years of life, I am confident that you will be blessed and shaped by Daily Doctrine. It could even become one of your New Year’s resolutions to work through it — on your own or with a friend!