Grudem vs. Carson

D.A. is the man ! I"m sorry, but Grudem isn't in the same league as Carson.

 

I have read quite a bit of Carson and a wee bit of Grudem. I am not aware of any consequential differences between them. What factor(s) cause you to make this observation?

 

I wouldn't say they are worlds apart in scholarship. Both are very fine scholars. Carson has published more, but Grudem's Systematic Theology is one of the best available, and Grudem has published a fair amount.

But not everybody has the same gifting. Mark Dever also went to Cambridge as did a number of other people. Carson is uniquely gifted in many areas.

 

PL, have you studied under Carson?

 

No, I haven't studied under Carson. He is exceptionally gifted (which was one of my earlier points). Grudem is also exceptionally gifted, though in different ways.

But the OP seemed to be questioning how two men from the same school could be "worlds apart." My response is that they are not "worlds apart." They are both excellent scholars, though they have different giftings to be sure.

 

I used Chafer's sytematic theology when I was in seminary. Three volumes stacked under my computer monitor stand kept the screen at eye level for several years!

 

I totally agree. While I think Grudem has some shortcomings, his ST is a marvellous work if for no other reason his end-of-chapter references to other STs. For instance, if he's talking about ecclesiology, he'll give you page number for Chafer's discussion of that aspect of ecclesiology, or Dagg's, or Berkhof's...whomever.

Grudem is more of a theologian while Carson is an expositor-theologian. Some of Carson's commentaries are superb. His "Exegetical Fallacies" is a must-read.