Monday, April 22, 2019

Book Review: Reformed Systematic Theology Vol. 1 by Joel Beeke and Paul M. Smalley


In the world of Reformed Theology works on systematic theology abound. Many are simply outstanding and without equal. However, Joel Beeke and Paul M. Smalley have produced an outstanding work with Reformed Systematic Theology Vol. 1 which doesn’t fit the standard mold. Besides exploring deep theological doctrines, theology can and should speak to the heart.

"Today’s churches need theology that engages the head, heart, and hands. Too often, we have compartmentalized these aspects of life (as if we could cut ourselves into pieces). The result has been academics for the sake of academics, spiritual experience without roots deep in God’s Word, and superficial pragmatism that chases after the will-o’-the-wisp of short term results." (Pg. 18)

And this they have achieved. This was not written exclusively for the seminary student or scholar in mind, although both would benefit, but rather the common person who sits in the pew every week hungering for more. Our study of theology should never remain stagnate but should always produce doxology.

Academically this is a sound work. It delves deep into theological subjects without weighing the reader down with over-the-top language. "While we discuss very deep subjects, our treatment is not technical but accessible." Even a cursory reading will demonstrate this to the reader.

"Since we firmly believe that systematic theology must be grounded in Scripture, not only will you find thousands of proof texts here, but you often will find us exegeting, expounding, and applying key portions of Scripture that lie at the heart of each doctrine. For example, in chapter 51, we walk through Romans 9, showing what it teaches concerning the doctrines of election and reprobation. We trust that you will see by our example how important it is that systematic theology is grounded in exegetical and biblical theology." 

Additionally, and unlike other systematic works, study questions for the average Joe and also the advanced student are found at the end of each chapter. A psalm or hymn is also provided that can be sung in response to the lessons in learned in each chapter.

This is a vast work at 1000 pages plus, far too much to explore in this brief review, but perhaps a look at the contents will give you an idea of the depth of this work:

PART 1: PROLEGOMENA: INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY AND THE DOCTRINE OF REVELATION

Analytical Outline: Prolegomena

Section A: Introduction to Theology
1 What Is Theology? Part 1: An Academic Discipline
2 What Is Theology? Part 2: A Spiritual Discipline
3 Who Does Theology? Where? When?
4 Which Theology Do We Do? Part 1: Christian, Catholic, Evangelical
5 Which Theology Do We Do? Part 2: Reformed: Historical, Confessional, Theological, and Hermeneutical Perspectives
6 Which Theology Do We Do?

Part 3: Reformed: Polemical and Experiential Perspectives
7 Why Do We Do Theology?
8 How Do We Do Theology? Part 1: Spiritual Dynamics
9 How Do We Do Theology? Part 2: Academic Methods

Section B: The Doctrine of Revelation
10 Theological Fundamentals of Divine Revelation
11 General Revelation, Part 1: Biblical Teaching
12 General Revelation, Part 2: Philosophy and Science
13 General Revelation, Part 3: Natural Theology and Theistic Arguments
Excursus: Some Historical Perspective on Natural Theology and Theistic Proofs
14 Special Revelation: Biblical Teaching
15 Errors Regarding Special Revelation, Part 1: Romanism and Liberalism
16 Errors Regarding Special Revelation, Part 2: Liberalism’s Offspring
17 The Bible as the Word of God
18 The Properties of the Written Word, Part 1: Authority and Clarity
19 The Properties of the Written Word, Part 2: Necessity, Unity, and Efficacy
20 The Properties of the Written Word, Part 3: Inerrant Veracity
21 The Properties of the Written Word, Part 4: Objections to Inerrancy
22 The Properties of the Written Word, Part 5: Sufficiency 
23 The Cessation of Special Revelation, Part 1: Charismatic Continuationism
24 The Cessation of Special Revelation, Part 2: Prophecy Today
25 Applied Revelation for Practical Fruit

PART 2: THEOLOGY PROPER: THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Analytical Outline: Theology Proper

Section A: The Doctrine of God’s Triune Glory
26 Introduction: The True Knowledge of God
27 Introduction to God’s Nature and Attributes, Part 1: Biblical Teaching
28 Introduction to God’s Nature and Attributes, Part 2: Theological Issues
29 The Name of “the Lord” (YHWH)
30 The Holiness of the Lord
31 Gods That Are Not God
32 God’s Spirituality
33 God’s Simplicity: “The Lord Our God Is One Lord”
34 God’s Infinity, Part 1: Incomprehensibility, Aseity, and Immensity
35 God’s Infinity, Part 2: Eternity: Infinity with Respect to Time
Excursus: Problems of Time and Eternity
36 God’s Immutability, Part 1: Biblical Teaching
37 God’s Immutability, Part 2: Theological Issues
38 God’s Knowledge, Part 1: Omniscience and Wisdom
39 God’s Knowledge, Part 2: Foreknowledge
40 God’s Sovereignty: An Introduction to Omnipotence
41 God’s Moral Excellence, Part 1: Goodness and Love
42 God’s Moral Excellence, Part 2: Truth and Righteousness
43 God’s Moral Excellence, Part 3: Jealousy, Impassibility, and Joy
44 God’s Moral Excellence, Part 4: Wrath and Compassion
45 The Trinity, Part 1: Biblical Teaching
46 The Trinity, Part 2: Historical Development
47 The Trinity, Part 3: Theological and Practical Considerations

Section B: The Doctrine of God’s Sovereign Purpose

48 The Decree of God: General Considerations
49 Predestination, Part 1: Election and Reprobation
50 Predestination, Part 2: Historical Development through Reformed Orthodoxy
51 Predestination, Part 3: Questions and Uses
52 God’s Providence, Part 1: Biblical Teaching
53 God’s Providence, Part 2: Problems and Applications
Section C: The Doctrine of Angels and Demons
54 The Holy Angels of God
55 Satan and the Demons

Bibliography
General Index
Scripture Index

And, dear reader, remember this is only volume 1!

As children of God with the desire placed within us by the Spirit, we can never learn enough about our Lord.  We spend our lifetimes seeking Him out and enjoying Him. Reformed Systematic Theology Vol. 1 is a wonderful place to start.

Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

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