Review
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“Some people think Reformed theology is all about doctrine and
has little to do with doxology. Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley have
proved otherwise. Chapter after chapter of their Reformed
Systematic Theology not only takes readers into the depths of our
triune God, but also shows what these great truths have to do
with the Christian life. No contemporary systematic theology will
bring the reader to a greater understanding of how theology
blossoms into doxology than this one.”
―Matthew Barrett, Associate Professor of Christian Theology,
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Executive Editor, Credo
Magazine; editor, Reformation Theology
“This book splendidly avoids turning systematic theology into
something dry, dull, and merely theoretical. It declares without
hesitation that the essential prerequisites for doing theology
are repentance and regeneration. It is a delightful read because
real-life, Christ-focused application permeates its pages.”
―Jonathan F. Bayes, UK Director, Carey Outreach Ministries;
Pastor, Stanton Lees Chapel, Derbyshire, England; author,
Systematics for God’s Glory and The Weakness of the Law
“As is true of Beeke’s recently published work Reformed
Preaching, the publication of his Reformed Systematic Theology in
collaboration with his gifted assistant, Paul Smalley, is also
the ripe fruit of his lifelong engagement as a preacher and as a
teacher of preachers. This is not a systematic theology written
by an ivory-tower theologian, but rather by a seasoned preacher
for whom the doctrines he expounds have become, by the grace of
God, an experiential reality.”
―Bartel Elshout, Pastor, Heritage Reformed Congregation, Hull,
Iowa; translator, The Christian’s Reasonable Service and The
Christian’s Only Comfort in Life and Death
“Already the most prolific Reformed author of his generation,
Joel Beeke (helped by his theological Barnabas, Paul Smalley) now
harvests the fruit of a lifetime of study, reflection, teaching,
and writing in this impressive magnum opus. Throughout the
centuries, theologians have debated whether systematic theology
is an intellectual or practical discipline. Reformed Systematic
Theology rightly treats it as both, for the Great Theologian of
the church underlined that we cannot love the Lord our God with
our mind unless we also love him with heart, soul, and strength.
Thus, in these pages, doctrine leads to doxology and also to
further enquiry. Each locus is expounded biblically, is
understood ‘together with all the saints,’ and leads to practical
implications and applications, with psalms, hymns of praise, and
probing questions for further reflection. This is catechesis at
its best, in the great tradition of Augustine, Anselm, and
Calvin, where ‘faith seeks understanding’ and leads to worship
and obedience. Here is a major contribution to the education of
theological students, but also a work for preachers to have close
by as a constant go-to resource, and indeed for every Christian
family to own and frequently consult. While today it may seem
that ‘of the making of systematic theologies there is no end,’
Reformed Systematic Theology makes a distinctive, deeply
engaging, and welcome contribution and deserves a place of honor.
Many will be grateful to Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley for giving
this immensely valuable gift to the twenty-first-century church.”
―Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic
Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Teaching Fellow,
Ligonier Ministries
“Calm theological waters that have deep exegetical currents flow
wonderfully through this accessible and highly practical
systematic theology. Beeke and Smalley have written a work useful
to the church at large that teaches Christians what they should
believe and how they should love, but they have not sacrificed
academic rigor to achieve these goals.”
―J. V. Fesko, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology,
Westminster Seminary California
“Joel Beeke has continued his decades-long service to Christ and
his church by presenting us with his mature reflections on the
nature of systematic theology. This text is fully reliable, well
written, easily understood, and thoroughly researched. This first
volume of four will undoubtedly be a blessing to the church, and
I look forward to the following volumes!”
―Richard C. Gamble, Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed
Presbyterian Theological Seminary
“Joel Beeke is a rare gift to the church, a noted Christian
leader who combines the skills of a learned theologian, master
teacher, noted historian, and yet also a caring pastor. Joined by
Paul Smalley, this first volume of Reformed Systematic Theology
is a virtual gold mine of biblical doctrine that is
systematically arranged, carefully analyzed, historically
scrutinized, and pastorally applied. I am not aware of another
book quite like this invaluable work.”
―Steven J. Lawson, President, OnePassion Ministries; Professor of
Preaching, The Master’s Seminary; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier
Ministries
“This account of the doctrines of revelation and of God, built on
biblical exegesis, is rich in theological discussion and
practical implications. It is very accessible and will be of
interest to a wide readership. Beeke and Smalley are to be
congratulated, and I look forward to further volumes in the
future.”
―Robert Letham, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology,
Union School of Theology
“‘Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!’
This expression of praise from Paul’s great doxology is a fitting
response to reading this wonderful work of doctrine and devotion.
Though the Reformed faith is often caricatured as merely
intellectual, this work demonstrates that Reformed theology is
also profoundly experiential, as no chapter fails to move from
theology to doxology. This resource will instruct the mind and
inflame the heart.”
―John MacArthur, Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley,
California; Chancellor Emeritus, The Master’s University and
Seminary
“Although many excellent books on systematic theology have been
published in recent years, this new contribution by Joel Beeke
and Paul Smalley covers the range of biblical truth in a fresh
and unique way. While recognizing the importance of academic
scholarship, they insist that what the church needs more than
anything is ‘a theology that engages the head, heart, and hands.’
This new systematic theology will be welcomed and appreciated by
theologians and laypeople alike as a treasure trove of biblical
and Reformed doctrine.”
―Cornelis (Neil) Pronk, Emeritus Minister, Free Reformed Church,
Brantford, Ontario
“This comprehensively argued book faithfully exposes error and
guides the reader in the God- honoring path to right living and
eternal happiness. Few are the books in our day that fix our eye
firmly on God and his truth. But here is one book that does just
that. I commend it heartily as a God-honoring and life-changing
volume of real biblical theology.”
―Maurice Roberts, Former Editor, The Banner of Truth magazine;
author, The Thought of God and The Mysteries of God
“Here is truth presented to make you think, pray, and sing. This
is theology functioning as it ought to function―calling us to
worship. You will not need to agree with the authors at every
point to believe and to hope that this, and its sister volumes,
will serve Christ’s church well in our generation and for
generations to come.”
―Jeremy Walker, Pastor, Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley,
United Kingdom; author, Life in Christ; Anchored in Grace; and A
Face Like a Flint
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About the Author
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Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) has
written over one hundred books. He is president and professor of
systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed
Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Reformed
Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as the editor
of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, the editorial director of
Reformation Heritage Books, the president of Inheritance
Publishers, and vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation
Society.
President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics,
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; Pastor, Heritage Reformed
Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; author, Reformed Preaching
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