The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New
The Ology
You and I teach our children theology every day. The real question is, what theology are we teaching them? Theology, the study of God, is the topic that will give your family the most significant return on investment. It is hands-down the most weighty yet most electrifying subject you will undertake.
The Ology has made this responsibility easy for parents to provide their children with sound Christian doctrine. This winsomely-illustrated book of systematic theology introduces your children to the truth about God, themselves, and the world around them.
Abstract theological concepts are made more accessible to children by using word pictures, everyday stories, and simple analogies. Discover how the Ten Commandments are like a single china plate and how a dam is an apt picture of God withholding His judgment.
The Ology is broken into 11 different sections, including:
- The Ology of God
- The Ology of People
- The Ology of Sin
- The Ology of Christ, and more.
Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, each of the 71 lessons is just a page or two long. The Ology is a book with a theologically sound foundation, one that is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture.
FeaturesDownload pdf sample here.
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 272
Author: Marty Machowski
Illustrated By: Andy McGuire
Publisher: New Growth Press
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 9781942572282
Faith-Based: Yes
"Few tasks are of greater importance than the discipling of children. Christian parents and Sunday school teachers, committed to biblical fidelity, cannot neglect the tremendous task of teaching children the great truths of Scripture. Marty Machowski’s The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New is a wonderful new book that will equip parents for the task of discipleship and also help children immerse themselves in the Christian worldview."
-R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"The Ology has quickly become my favorite introduction to Christianity for children. Machowski has brilliantly written this systematic theology as a story—the great Story. He writes with a profound simplicity that children will understand, yet with a depth and beauty that will move adults to worship. And he makes the gospel crystal clear. This book is a wonderful resource for family worship or children’s devotions."
-Jon Bloom, Chair & cofounder, Desiring God; author
"I love Marty Machowski’s books, and even better, so do my children. The Ology is another beautiful and creative book meant to expose children to the deepest and most important truths. I am reading it with my children, and would encourage you to do the same."
-Tim Challies, www.challies.com
"Every child—and every parent—is already a theologian. The question is what kind of theologian we will be. Will our children grow up learning sound doctrine, rightly dividing the word of truth? Or will they end up fashioning a god—and a theology—in their own image? There are many good theologians in the church today, and many teachers who love children. But few are a combination of both like Marty Machowski. I am delighted to commend this engaging resource to help all of us know and worship the God of the Bible!"
-Justin Taylor, Managing editor, ESV Study Bible; coauthor, The Final Days of Jesus
"I love good children’s books, and this one is truly beautiful, both in its words and pictures. Machowski meets children where they are and tells them the greatest story of all. The best part is, it’s true!"
-Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Appealing, truthful, and comprehensive, Marty Machowski has written The Ology as a systematic theology accessible to children. I can see parents reading this book while their children snuggle beside them or sit on their lap and listen. Little ones will enjoy looking at this beautifully illustrated volume as their parents read it to them. It’s also the kind of book you can read to your children again and again. When they are old enough, they’ll want to read it on their own. Can you ask for more in a Christian book for children?"
-Don Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality, Associate Dean for the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"The Ology is a beautifully illustrated book. That in itself will hold the attention of children. But the words carefully unfold the teaching of Scripture in a way that doesn’t talk down to children but talks to them, lifting up their understanding of the triune God as Creator and Redeemer. Marty Machowski has given the church a valuable resource for parents and others wanting to disciple the young."
-Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., ThD, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
"This marvelous book works on every level: It is thoroughly biblical, doctrinally sound, gospel-centered, well written, and exquisitely illustrated. Though intended for children, The Ology will also be of immense help to their parents, relatives, and friends. I intend to buy this book for my grandchildren and read it together with them over and over and over again. I can’t give The Ology a higher endorsement than that! "
-Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; secretary of the Evangelical Theological Society; pastor and author
"This well-illustrated book clearly and logically introduces theology for children."
-Andy Naselli, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis
"I’m always on the lookout for resources that will serve my grandkids, and I’ve just found another one. Marty Machowski has done it again! The Ology takes huge truths about God, Scripture, and Christ and him crucified and makes them accessible and appealing to young minds. I’ll be passing this one out to all twelve of my grandkids."
-C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville
"The Ology is a great answer to the dilemma of how parents can introduce their children to biblical theology. We must go beyond Bible stories and ‘be nice’ morality. Memorizing a catechism seldom works in today’s world. Marty Machowski brings solid reformed theological truth into a most attractive and understandable format. Parents everywhere will rejoice to see their children ‘get it’ as they work through The Ology together."
-Gerry Breshears, PhD, Professor of Theology, Western Seminary, Portland
"Many parents struggle to teach their children systematic theology, or even lead family devotions. The Ologywill help you do both. Marty has made another significant contribution to biblically faithful, gospel-centered, creatively designed, accessible materials that help parents raise their kids not merely to know about God, but to have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ."
-Bob Kauflin, Director of Sovereign Grace Music
"Systematic theology can conjure up images of big, dusty books. Can it be engaging for kids? If you say no, The Ology will surprise you. Discover what election has to do with earthworm chunk ice cream . . . or eschatology with an ant flying a car. Marty Machowski is an artful storyteller. Andy McGuire’s illustrations are beautiful. Their children’s theology is both surprisingly winsome and biblically faithful. Thanks be to God!"
-Jared Kennedy, Pastor of Families at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY
"From the beginning God revealed himself to his people that they might know him, love him, and be his beloved children. Theology was for all of God’s people, not just seminary professors! The Ology takes us back to this earlier understanding, using story and art to make scriptural truth understandable and real to all of God’s children, regardless of age. I eagerly look forward to reading The Ology with my grandson!"
-R. J. Gore Jr., DMin, PhD, Professor of Systematic Theology and Acting Dean Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, SC
"Marty Machowski has provided parents with a valuable resource to raise up their children ‘in the discipline and instruction of the Lord’ (Eph. 6:4). The Ology is biblically saturated, theologically rich, clearly written, and helpfully illustrated. May the Spirit use this book to establish the next generation on the rock of God’s Word (Matt. 7:24–27) and produce disciples who follow Jesus for a lifetime!"
-Matthew S. Harmon, Professor of New Testament Studies, Grace Theological Seminary
"The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New is a special book. It provides a visual means for teaching a child the basic, biblical doctrines that we as believers love. With the need for greater biblical and theological literacy in the church today, I believe that The Ology can engage and teach both children and adults together. Children’s catechisms are a great tool for memorizing theological concepts but The Ology, with it beautiful and creative art work, as well as its vibrant storytelling style, provides a sound learning tool in book form that will stimulate listening, learning, questioning, and discovery. God’s truth will come alive to the families who use it. I highly recommend this solid work for use in teaching and training children in basic Christian doctrine. Children will enjoy learning theology from The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New!"
-Dr. Rod Culbertson, Jr., DMin, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
"The Ology turns the study of what Bible students recognize as ‘Systematic Theology’ into lessons blended into a story for kids 6–12 years of age. Covering all the major topics of the Bible in a comprehensive way, it draws kids in with vivid illustrations, both in words and pictures. I know this is going to be a big hit for parents who want a family worship tool, and for their children to grasp the key subjects the Bible raises. A perfect companion to Marty’s other books."
-Dennis Gundersen, Author, Grace & Truth Books
review by Flanders Family Homelife
”The Ology does a great job tacking the major tenets of the Christian faith in language simple enough for a child to understand. Yet neither the text nor the illustrations seem particularly juvenile, so the book is well-suited to a wide range of ages.”
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