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Piety: The Heartbeat of Reformed Theology
When was the last time you thought about being pious? The word tends to make us think of having a "holier-than-thou" attitude. But this negative view strays far from piety s beginnings. Joel Beeke reclaims the Reformers' vision for an attractive piety rooted in the knowledge of God and our union with Christ. Focusing on both mind and soul, he offers practical ways to cultivate a vibrant piety, helping you grow in Christlikeness and in your reverence and love for God. Bring harmony between your doctrine and practice, and bring glory to God as he cultivates the fruit of the Spirit in your life
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2015
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66 people want to read
About the author
Joel R. Beeke
453 books360 followersDr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 12, 2024
Good introduction to reformed ethics. Leading a group of men at church through it.
May 19, 2015
”The fear of the Lord,” and its equivalent in the New Testament, eusebia, means “reverence for God” and godliness”. The Latin term for piety (pietas) indicates a childlike affection for God and His family.
We do not speak much of piety in our Christian lives and it may be due to a misunderstanding of what piety is and what it looks like. In this study you will find the importance of piety in the Reformed theology. You will also find various definitions of Pietism and practical applications to live out piety.
Piety is rooted in the knowledge of God and includes attitudes and actions that are directed to the adoration and service of God. (Kindle Location 25)
The genius of genuine Reformed piety is that it marries theology and piety so that head, heart, and hand motivate one another to live for God’s glory and our neighbor’s well-being.
With piety as our attitude, our sacraments and prayers go deeper in that there is less of me and more of Christ. I am sure you will find a new appreciation of piety as it will naturally increase your faith.
If you are a foot note buff, you will find plenty of more resources in the attitude of piety. I found this study helpful and thoughtful.
A Special Thank you to P & R Publishing and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
We do not speak much of piety in our Christian lives and it may be due to a misunderstanding of what piety is and what it looks like. In this study you will find the importance of piety in the Reformed theology. You will also find various definitions of Pietism and practical applications to live out piety.
Piety is rooted in the knowledge of God and includes attitudes and actions that are directed to the adoration and service of God. (Kindle Location 25)
The genius of genuine Reformed piety is that it marries theology and piety so that head, heart, and hand motivate one another to live for God’s glory and our neighbor’s well-being.
With piety as our attitude, our sacraments and prayers go deeper in that there is less of me and more of Christ. I am sure you will find a new appreciation of piety as it will naturally increase your faith.
If you are a foot note buff, you will find plenty of more resources in the attitude of piety. I found this study helpful and thoughtful.
A Special Thank you to P & R Publishing and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 2, 2021
Part 1 discussed the definition and history of pietism and it felt really over my head, like I needed more of a background into theology. I felt maybe it was directed toward a theology student as opposed to a laity. However I really enjoyed the second part of practical application, and it even pointed out what I thought piety was, it actually not what it is. I enjoyed this as a super quick easy read and introduction to reformed piety and its application in the Christian life.
October 15, 2016
“Praxis nulla absque scientia est”
“There is no practice without theory.”
Almost 400 year old quote (Hoornbeeck) but a helpful inclusion in a helpful little primer by Beeke on Piety.
“There is no practice without theory.”
Almost 400 year old quote (Hoornbeeck) but a helpful inclusion in a helpful little primer by Beeke on Piety.
March 12, 2017
Great, great, great practical book. I appreciated the emphasis on wedding theory and practice. Quick, easy, and simple. Read and understood within a couple hours.4
Four stars because some of the historical section about pietism/Pietism was dull and subverts the focus of the book.
Four stars because some of the historical section about pietism/Pietism was dull and subverts the focus of the book.
May 29, 2015
I have benefited greatly from the works of the author Joel Beeke who has been a great example of how one can be doctrinally strong, historically rooted while also embracing sound “experiential religion” with holy sanctification. That was what compelled me to read this booklet since I wanted to be edified by Beeke’s summary of what biblical piety is. I think he manages to do that in forty pages and surprisingly eighty two footnotes!
At the outset Beeke indicate his awareness that tday the term “piety” often has the connotation of a self-righteous “holier-than-thou” attitude. This however is not consistent with what the Bible teaches nor faithful to Reformed theology. Instead as Beeke tells us in the booklet “Reformed theologians viewed piety as the heartbeat of their theology of godly living” (Kindle Location 18). Beeke surveys the work of John Calvin, William Ames and Gisbertus Voetius as exemplars of the Reformed faith who also advocated a form of pietism. Reformed piety must not be confused with “Pietism” that is often associated with later German origins which stresses the importance of right action but has a low regard for doctrines and theology. Instead Beeke’s thesis is that the historical Reformed and Biblical understanding of piety is one in which sound theology is the source for Christian living. For instance, we live as our supreme goal for the glory of God and this also mean our piety ought to be for the glory of God.
I don’t want to give the whole book away but I also want to add that Beeke end with some practical pointers and biblical instruction to develop true piety. I think this booklet is helpful and the cost of it is reasonable.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by P&R Publishing and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
At the outset Beeke indicate his awareness that tday the term “piety” often has the connotation of a self-righteous “holier-than-thou” attitude. This however is not consistent with what the Bible teaches nor faithful to Reformed theology. Instead as Beeke tells us in the booklet “Reformed theologians viewed piety as the heartbeat of their theology of godly living” (Kindle Location 18). Beeke surveys the work of John Calvin, William Ames and Gisbertus Voetius as exemplars of the Reformed faith who also advocated a form of pietism. Reformed piety must not be confused with “Pietism” that is often associated with later German origins which stresses the importance of right action but has a low regard for doctrines and theology. Instead Beeke’s thesis is that the historical Reformed and Biblical understanding of piety is one in which sound theology is the source for Christian living. For instance, we live as our supreme goal for the glory of God and this also mean our piety ought to be for the glory of God.
I don’t want to give the whole book away but I also want to add that Beeke end with some practical pointers and biblical instruction to develop true piety. I think this booklet is helpful and the cost of it is reasonable.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by P&R Publishing and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
March 21, 2016
This is a great little book about godly Christian living, drawing from the writings of the Puritans and others. The little bit of history in the middle section is quite interesting, but the books greatest strength is the practical section at the end, about cultivating true piety. Greatly refreshing and challenging.
January 20, 2016
Delving into the many facets of this curious word and finding ways to apply it, Pastor Beeke puts a new perspective on what society would call a dilapidated philosophical arrogance, and reminding the reader what a beautiful thing it is to be seeking the Lord.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews