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Reformed Systematic Theology #1
Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 1, Vol. 1: Revelation and God
The aim of systematic theology is to engage not only the head, but also the heart and hands. Only recently has the church compartmentalized these aspects of life—separating the academic discipline of theology from the spiritual disciplines of faith and obedience. This new multi-volume work brings together rigorous historical and theological scholarship with spiritual disciplines and practicality—characterized by a simple, accessible, comprehensive, Reformed, and experiential approach. In this volume, Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley explore the first 2 central themes of theology: revelation and God.
1813 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2019
233 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Joel R. Beeke
454 books362 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 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 20, 2019
I am an 11th-grade Sunday School teacher and our curriculum includes The Doctrines of Grace. I have read numerous volumes on systematic theology in support for my role as a teacher. I have read countless books and articles on Calvinism and TULIP for our class. When I saw Reformed Systematic Theology was available to review, I hoped it would be helpful in my teaching endeavors.
Theological Distinctives
This systematic theology is thoroughly Reformed. What I mean is that it is a systematic theology that seeks to strengthen a Christian reformed according to the Word of God (p. 114). It is fitting to have a Reformed Systematic Theology, since “the heart of Reformed theology is the knowledge of the triune God” (p. 110). This Reformed theology is introduced in historical, confessional, theological, hermeneutical, polemical, and experiential perspectives.
Biblical words and phrases are defined and exposited using Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. While quoting passages of Scripture, there is also extensive use of quotes from the saints throughout history. Reformed theologians from Luther to Calvin to Sproul are quoted. The book references and interacts with The Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Five Points.
Academic Characteristics
The approach, however, is not cold. It is written in a tone characteristic of a down-to-earth professor and a loving pastor. We come at theology with different perspectives, and it is highlighted in the way the book relates to ordinary people, preachers, and pastors all on a pilgrimage experiencing persecution during these last days. The text often calls us to action as well as worship. There are 55 chapters but each is considerably short for a systematic theology. They read like devotional entries and are similarly refreshing to the soul.
Most books on systematic theology end each chapter with a hymn and questions for discussion, and this work is no exception. However, this volume offers a section on questions for deeper reflection which I found to be academically invigorating and devotionally thought-provoking. The answers to these questions cannot be found in the book itself. The questions often challenge and raise objections to what was written in the chapter. The reader must wrestle with the words and use critical-thinking when seeking to apply what he has learned.
To Be Continued
This is the first part in a four-volume epic. Volume 1 regards theology/revelation (prolegomena) and God (theology proper). Volume 2 regards man (anthropology) and Christ (Christology). Volume 3 regards the Holy Spirit (pneumatology) and salvation (soteriology). Volume 4 regards the church (ecclesiology) and the last things (eschatology). These works strive to mold you into a serious student of God’s Word and a practicing theologian.
This book has been helpful in more ways than I have hoped for. Not only does it help me in my doctrinal knowledge as a teacher, but it helps me in my devotional life as a Christian. It is a resource I plan to come back to again whether or not I am teaching in a classroom setting. And I anticipate the coming volumes to complete this ambitious set that is anchored in the Reformed tradition.
Crossway has provided me with a complimentary copy of Reformed Systematic Theology through their Blog Review Program.
Theological Distinctives
This systematic theology is thoroughly Reformed. What I mean is that it is a systematic theology that seeks to strengthen a Christian reformed according to the Word of God (p. 114). It is fitting to have a Reformed Systematic Theology, since “the heart of Reformed theology is the knowledge of the triune God” (p. 110). This Reformed theology is introduced in historical, confessional, theological, hermeneutical, polemical, and experiential perspectives.
Biblical words and phrases are defined and exposited using Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. While quoting passages of Scripture, there is also extensive use of quotes from the saints throughout history. Reformed theologians from Luther to Calvin to Sproul are quoted. The book references and interacts with The Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Five Points.
Academic Characteristics
The approach, however, is not cold. It is written in a tone characteristic of a down-to-earth professor and a loving pastor. We come at theology with different perspectives, and it is highlighted in the way the book relates to ordinary people, preachers, and pastors all on a pilgrimage experiencing persecution during these last days. The text often calls us to action as well as worship. There are 55 chapters but each is considerably short for a systematic theology. They read like devotional entries and are similarly refreshing to the soul.
Most books on systematic theology end each chapter with a hymn and questions for discussion, and this work is no exception. However, this volume offers a section on questions for deeper reflection which I found to be academically invigorating and devotionally thought-provoking. The answers to these questions cannot be found in the book itself. The questions often challenge and raise objections to what was written in the chapter. The reader must wrestle with the words and use critical-thinking when seeking to apply what he has learned.
To Be Continued
This is the first part in a four-volume epic. Volume 1 regards theology/revelation (prolegomena) and God (theology proper). Volume 2 regards man (anthropology) and Christ (Christology). Volume 3 regards the Holy Spirit (pneumatology) and salvation (soteriology). Volume 4 regards the church (ecclesiology) and the last things (eschatology). These works strive to mold you into a serious student of God’s Word and a practicing theologian.
This book has been helpful in more ways than I have hoped for. Not only does it help me in my doctrinal knowledge as a teacher, but it helps me in my devotional life as a Christian. It is a resource I plan to come back to again whether or not I am teaching in a classroom setting. And I anticipate the coming volumes to complete this ambitious set that is anchored in the Reformed tradition.
Crossway has provided me with a complimentary copy of Reformed Systematic Theology through their Blog Review Program.
March 23, 2019
Review coming soon!
December 29, 2025
This is not a book to be rushed, and in God’s providence it became for us a companion over years of reading, suffering, prayer, and brotherhood. Working through it slowly with my dear brother Josiah, amid hardship and trial; impressed on us that this is theology meant not for display but for endurance. Beeke writes with reverence and pastoral care, grounding every doctrine in Scripture, shaped by the Reformed confessions and the warm piety of the Puritans. Read this way, the book did more than teach us about God; it helped bind us together under His truth. A great work and a faithful tool in the hands of a faithful God.
June 17, 2024
Beeke and Smalley have written a masterpiece in this first volume of a 4 volume set. Not only do the authors have a long history of teaching this material in the seminary and churches, but their experience with living out these truths is evident within the pages of this book. The major strengths of this work over other systematic theologies (other than it's girth!) are that common objections are answers to each doctrine and real life application is given. I would highly recommend this work for every Christian.
September 22, 2019
Talvez a melhor Sistemática que li na vida. Espetacular!
December 6, 2023
This is a very approachable, readable systematic theology. Its readability does not compromise how thoroughly and adequately it covers Bibliology, Theology Proper and Angelology.
April 1, 2019
Do We Need *Another* Reformed Systematic Theology?
I’ve always enjoyed reading various Systematic Theologies (STs). Whether in the Reformed tradition (e.g. Berkhof or Bavinck) or in the evangelical tradition (e.g. Grudem or Bird), I like to see how various theologians summarize the Bible’s various doctrines.
I recently took time to read various parts of Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley’s new Reformed Systematic Theology (volume one). To be sure, it is solid, biblical, and well-written in a clear manner. It is a bit wordy in places, however; this is not a concise or short ST written for average laypeople. Reformed Systematic Theology is structured and edited to be exactly like Grudem’s systematics: a point by point outline followed by a hymn/psalm and some questions for reflection (as a side, I admit I never read the questions!).
Reformed Systematic Theology is built upon solid theologians in the past, from Augustine to Luther to Calvin to Ames to Owen to Boston to Bavinck. It’s Reformed and confessional, not calvinistic and baptistic like various evangelical STs. There are also points of application after different doctrines. For example, one section says that since God has spoken, we must hear him, obey him, teach others about him, and glorify him. To be honest, sometimes the application seemed a little dry and tacked on in my opinion: “Because of this truth, you must do this or be like that.”
One reason I’m not overly excited about this ST is that it’s not really a needed contribution in the area of Reformed systematics. There are so many Reformed STs: Berkhof, Bavinck, Vos, Hodge, Turretin, Van Mastricht, Heppe, Brakel, Watson, Shedd, Boston, and newer ones like Horton, Frame, Boice, Reymond, Kelly, and so on. Beeke and Smalley’s contribution overlaps with those by around 85%. Granted, Beeke and Smalley do interact with some issues of the day (like Pentecostalism and open theism), but the substance of the theology is nearly the same as the prior Reformed systematics before. Again, this is a solid ST, but as I was reading parts of it I thought: I’ve read this material before. In fact, several times I found myself skimming for this reason.
It’s also worth mentioning that Reformed Systematic Theology has little to no interaction with Biblical Theology (BT) and it doesn’t have a BT or redemptive-historical perspective. I always like it when newer STs overlap and interact with BT (e.g. like Horton). One other thing: I was surprised that the KJV was used as the primary Bible translation in this book. To me, it doesn’t make sense to use an archaic Bible translation in a modern ST.
Anyway, again, much of the content of Reformed Systematic Theology is five bright stars. It’s solid and in the line of other solid Reformed STs. But many other STs on my shelves contain the same information so I don’t necessarily need this one. In my opinion, it doesn’t fill a gap in the area of systematic theologies. However, if you are in need of a new, longer, and more detailed Reformed ST, this is one to check out for sure.
I’ve always enjoyed reading various Systematic Theologies (STs). Whether in the Reformed tradition (e.g. Berkhof or Bavinck) or in the evangelical tradition (e.g. Grudem or Bird), I like to see how various theologians summarize the Bible’s various doctrines.
I recently took time to read various parts of Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley’s new Reformed Systematic Theology (volume one). To be sure, it is solid, biblical, and well-written in a clear manner. It is a bit wordy in places, however; this is not a concise or short ST written for average laypeople. Reformed Systematic Theology is structured and edited to be exactly like Grudem’s systematics: a point by point outline followed by a hymn/psalm and some questions for reflection (as a side, I admit I never read the questions!).
Reformed Systematic Theology is built upon solid theologians in the past, from Augustine to Luther to Calvin to Ames to Owen to Boston to Bavinck. It’s Reformed and confessional, not calvinistic and baptistic like various evangelical STs. There are also points of application after different doctrines. For example, one section says that since God has spoken, we must hear him, obey him, teach others about him, and glorify him. To be honest, sometimes the application seemed a little dry and tacked on in my opinion: “Because of this truth, you must do this or be like that.”
One reason I’m not overly excited about this ST is that it’s not really a needed contribution in the area of Reformed systematics. There are so many Reformed STs: Berkhof, Bavinck, Vos, Hodge, Turretin, Van Mastricht, Heppe, Brakel, Watson, Shedd, Boston, and newer ones like Horton, Frame, Boice, Reymond, Kelly, and so on. Beeke and Smalley’s contribution overlaps with those by around 85%. Granted, Beeke and Smalley do interact with some issues of the day (like Pentecostalism and open theism), but the substance of the theology is nearly the same as the prior Reformed systematics before. Again, this is a solid ST, but as I was reading parts of it I thought: I’ve read this material before. In fact, several times I found myself skimming for this reason.
It’s also worth mentioning that Reformed Systematic Theology has little to no interaction with Biblical Theology (BT) and it doesn’t have a BT or redemptive-historical perspective. I always like it when newer STs overlap and interact with BT (e.g. like Horton). One other thing: I was surprised that the KJV was used as the primary Bible translation in this book. To me, it doesn’t make sense to use an archaic Bible translation in a modern ST.
Anyway, again, much of the content of Reformed Systematic Theology is five bright stars. It’s solid and in the line of other solid Reformed STs. But many other STs on my shelves contain the same information so I don’t necessarily need this one. In my opinion, it doesn’t fill a gap in the area of systematic theologies. However, if you are in need of a new, longer, and more detailed Reformed ST, this is one to check out for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2021
Excellent. The only problem I had with the volume was its treatment of cessationism and continuationism. Not because I agree or disagree with the author’s own position, but because I think a more thorough treatment of the issues was needed.
December 29, 2025
Joel Beeke does a fantastic job of presenting biblical doctrine in a logical, practical, and accessible way. He regularly draws from Christians, Puritans, and theologians both old and new. What truly sets Beeke’s systematic theology apart is the inclusion of application and doxology in every chapter. Beeke makes his purpose clear: “Our studies should regularly move us to praise the Lord, and our highest aim in teaching and writing should be to lead others to worship the one true God.” This systematic theology is a beautiful blend of biblical truth and Spirit-filled worship. And as our Lord commanded, those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
I recommend taking your time when reading through this volume. It is best enjoyed alongside friends or family. I personally benefited greatly from the years spent going through this with my friend Micah. Discuss the chapters. Praise the Lord throughout. Sing the hymns. Seek knowledge not for the sake of knowing, but for the sake of faithfully worshiping and serving the God who loves you and gave Himself for you. As Beeke writes, “This, then, is a true theologian: the one who uses all his studies to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
I recommend taking your time when reading through this volume. It is best enjoyed alongside friends or family. I personally benefited greatly from the years spent going through this with my friend Micah. Discuss the chapters. Praise the Lord throughout. Sing the hymns. Seek knowledge not for the sake of knowing, but for the sake of faithfully worshiping and serving the God who loves you and gave Himself for you. As Beeke writes, “This, then, is a true theologian: the one who uses all his studies to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
June 8, 2022
At this point, I've read enough systematic theology books that they begin to feel like review. But one of the things I really appreciated about this book is how applicational it was for a systematic theology work. Most of the chapters ended with a lengthy application section, and that's something that's often missing from other systematic theology works I've read. So while this is certainly a longer work if you go through all three volumes, it's one of the better ones I've read (though I think I prefer Beeke's Puritan Theology to this one).
Rating: 4.0 Stars (Very Good).
Rating: 4.0 Stars (Very Good).
December 12, 2022
Warmly pastoral and comprehensive in scope, volume 1 of Beeke and Smalley’s Reformed Systematic Theology, Revelation and God is well worth your time. The authors rely on numerous sources and the book is a fantastic summary of Reformed theology. If you are a “person in the pew” like me, you will appreciate the applications towards the end of each chapter and the Bible index at the back for questions about particular chapters. It is also valuable as a jumping off point to deeper study into the works the authors draw from. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy. Best place to get it is Reformation Heritage Books at https://www.heritagebooks.org/
September 10, 2024
Our Men's group used this book as the basis of our regular study. Over two years going chapter-by-chapter. The depth and breadth of the content and our discussions was significant for me.
One of Beeke's main points is that theology must lead to doxology. That is, our understanding of God must lead to a worship of God. This is reinforced throughout by the fact that each chapter closes with a hymn, which relates to the topic of the chapter and offers praise and worship to God.
One of Beeke's main points is that theology must lead to doxology. That is, our understanding of God must lead to a worship of God. This is reinforced throughout by the fact that each chapter closes with a hymn, which relates to the topic of the chapter and offers praise and worship to God.
December 18, 2024
Lengthy, but accessible, detailed, historically informed, and Biblically based systematic theology. I look forward to, Lord-willing, eventually reading the other volumes in the series.
August 1, 2019
‘Reformed Systematic Theology’ is the latest volume put out by Joel Beeke, Paul M. Smalley and published by Crossway. This is the first in a projected 4-volume work, aiming to cover the broad category of Systematic Theology. This particular volume looks at the themes of Revelation and God (or Theology Proper).
It has been said that the church needs good theology that engages the head, heart, and hands. In this volume, Beeke and Smalley say that they are aiming to do that as they ‘seek to strengthen a Christian reformed according to the Word of God’ (p. 114)
From that description, you may feel that this is a cold academic volume, but I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible it is. Yes, there are the parts of a Systematic Theology you’d expect, like the exact theological terms and foreign words, but at the same time, it is highly readable. I believe this flows from the combination of the academic professor and loving pastor that put this book together.
For those wondering, the book is structured like Wayne Grudem’s, with each chapter ending with a hymn and discussion questions. The discussion questions in this volume are particularly thought-provoking. I would consider using it in a men’s Bible study at some point.
I recently taught a series at my church on the incommunicable attributes of God and found this a great resource to dip into. If you have not got a decent systematic theology in your bookshelf yet, or still have space on your Systematic shelf, I would recommend picking this volume (and those forthcoming) up.
It has been said that the church needs good theology that engages the head, heart, and hands. In this volume, Beeke and Smalley say that they are aiming to do that as they ‘seek to strengthen a Christian reformed according to the Word of God’ (p. 114)
From that description, you may feel that this is a cold academic volume, but I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible it is. Yes, there are the parts of a Systematic Theology you’d expect, like the exact theological terms and foreign words, but at the same time, it is highly readable. I believe this flows from the combination of the academic professor and loving pastor that put this book together.
For those wondering, the book is structured like Wayne Grudem’s, with each chapter ending with a hymn and discussion questions. The discussion questions in this volume are particularly thought-provoking. I would consider using it in a men’s Bible study at some point.
I recently taught a series at my church on the incommunicable attributes of God and found this a great resource to dip into. If you have not got a decent systematic theology in your bookshelf yet, or still have space on your Systematic shelf, I would recommend picking this volume (and those forthcoming) up.
May 29, 2022
Finally I have finished Beeke’s first gigantic volume on his systematic theology in 5 months and I am about to jump to the second volume right away.
I want to encourage people not to be discouraged by its size, it is intimidating yet it is very rich, deep, and edifying.
“Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33
There is a hymnal song that you can sing at the end of every chapter as well as meditating/reflecting questions that are great for group/individual discussions.
I read it by myself and oh how I wish that I have reading groups to climb this mountain together. So my advice for you is to read this together with other people.
And also before the hymn, there is a section to help us on how to apply the doctrine that we have learnt so we can also have orthodoxy in our doctrine, orthopathy that is being ignited by the beauty of Christ and Spirit empowering orthopraxy in our daily life.
I love that Beeke and Smalley approached almost every topic not only philosophically and historically but also elenctically (if such word exists).
I want to encourage people not to be discouraged by its size, it is intimidating yet it is very rich, deep, and edifying.
“Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33
There is a hymnal song that you can sing at the end of every chapter as well as meditating/reflecting questions that are great for group/individual discussions.
I read it by myself and oh how I wish that I have reading groups to climb this mountain together. So my advice for you is to read this together with other people.
And also before the hymn, there is a section to help us on how to apply the doctrine that we have learnt so we can also have orthodoxy in our doctrine, orthopathy that is being ignited by the beauty of Christ and Spirit empowering orthopraxy in our daily life.
I love that Beeke and Smalley approached almost every topic not only philosophically and historically but also elenctically (if such word exists).
December 27, 2022
Here’s what I did — committed to 2-3 pages a day through 2022, and was able to finish this 1200-page beast in one year. Looking back, I can only say it was a blessed and edifying experience, to not only learn and be refreshed in my understanding of the nature of theology, the doctrine of revelation, the inerrancy of Scripture, the attributes of God, the Trinity, predestination, and angels/demons, but to also be encouraged to respond to all of these glorious truths in worship and obedience. This is a systematic theology, yes, but it’s very heartfelt and worshipful, and fortified by an abundance of Scripture and quotes from the great saints of the past. Can’t wait to read volume 2 in 2023.
March 5, 2026
This first volume of Beeke and Smalley’s Reformed Systematic Theology has been such a blessing to read! I loved how each chapter was broken up and easy to follow along. You can just see the amount of years and time it took to put this together; there is no shortage of sources used to break down reformed perspectives on a certain doctrine and then counter arguments from those who oppose, and then how Reformers respond to those arguments. This book really strengthened my faith and through that it stretched my understanding of who I am and more importantly my understanding of who God is. I was weekly refreshed when I opened this book. At times I was actually really challenged by this book and dug into other sources and read articles to help my understanding. I would 100% recommend this book. I can’t wait to read volume 2!
This volume was broken up by first defining theology, then how as Christians we are supposed to study theology and the humble attitude we should take when studying theology.
Next revelation was discussed from general revelation to special revelation. Then the Bible and properties of the Bible.
About halfway through Beeke and Smalley introduce the reader to Theology Proper or the study of God. This includes the attributes of God. Something that stuck with me here is how God’s attributes are also fully God. So God’s love is fully God. God’s immutability is fully God etc. This is due to God’s divine simplicity.
Next the Trinity was defended and this really challenged my brain and helped me to grow in my understanding of the Trinity. I will never be able to fully comprehend the Trinity on this side of heaven but this book helped me get a clearer understanding of it.
Then God’s decree, predestination, and providence was written towards the end of the book and I struggled here if I’m being honest. I do lean Calvinist in my understanding of God’s decree, predestination, and providence but over the years I have leaned further from traditional Calvinism. This is a section I may have to reread a couple times but I did appreciate the clear explanation and biblical defense of God’s sovereignty. I still would support Beeke and Smalley’s defense.
Lastly the book ends on angels, demons, and Satan.
Overall this first volume gives a clear reformed understanding of theology, the Bible, and God. I would strongly suggest anyone who is reformed to read this book so that they have a clear understanding of what they believe and anyone else who wanted to better understand reformed theology. I highly encourage the reading and studying of this book; I hope you are as blessed and encouraged by it that I was!
This volume was broken up by first defining theology, then how as Christians we are supposed to study theology and the humble attitude we should take when studying theology.
Next revelation was discussed from general revelation to special revelation. Then the Bible and properties of the Bible.
About halfway through Beeke and Smalley introduce the reader to Theology Proper or the study of God. This includes the attributes of God. Something that stuck with me here is how God’s attributes are also fully God. So God’s love is fully God. God’s immutability is fully God etc. This is due to God’s divine simplicity.
Next the Trinity was defended and this really challenged my brain and helped me to grow in my understanding of the Trinity. I will never be able to fully comprehend the Trinity on this side of heaven but this book helped me get a clearer understanding of it.
Then God’s decree, predestination, and providence was written towards the end of the book and I struggled here if I’m being honest. I do lean Calvinist in my understanding of God’s decree, predestination, and providence but over the years I have leaned further from traditional Calvinism. This is a section I may have to reread a couple times but I did appreciate the clear explanation and biblical defense of God’s sovereignty. I still would support Beeke and Smalley’s defense.
Lastly the book ends on angels, demons, and Satan.
Overall this first volume gives a clear reformed understanding of theology, the Bible, and God. I would strongly suggest anyone who is reformed to read this book so that they have a clear understanding of what they believe and anyone else who wanted to better understand reformed theology. I highly encourage the reading and studying of this book; I hope you are as blessed and encouraged by it that I was!
May 10, 2025
My first reaction to this volume is simply, “Praise God!” What a gift to the church Beeke and Smalley have given us in this first volume of their systematic theology.
This volume is rich and deep in expounding the doctrine of revelation and Holy Scripture and the doctrine of God from a Reformed dogmatic and biblical-exegetical perspective. While it does not water down or skimp on doctrine and technicality, it is very accessible and easy to read (truly a skill in and of itself to communicate complex truths so clearly and simply!).
The thing I loved most about this systematic is that it made me love the Triune God and His Word more. It is written with such a devotional and doxological tone and focus, constantly taking the doctrines to their intended end — worship and delight in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Who has spoken to us through His Word to bring us to Himself, for His glory and our good!
This volume is rich and deep in expounding the doctrine of revelation and Holy Scripture and the doctrine of God from a Reformed dogmatic and biblical-exegetical perspective. While it does not water down or skimp on doctrine and technicality, it is very accessible and easy to read (truly a skill in and of itself to communicate complex truths so clearly and simply!).
The thing I loved most about this systematic is that it made me love the Triune God and His Word more. It is written with such a devotional and doxological tone and focus, constantly taking the doctrines to their intended end — worship and delight in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Who has spoken to us through His Word to bring us to Himself, for His glory and our good!
July 1, 2021
This systematic is incredibly accessible and practical. Every chapter ends with a hymn or psalm, and questions for meditation. As doctrinal as it is devotional, this work is a must for every Christian layperson. Deep insights without unduly technical language will drive the believer to worship, and the truth which they learn will likewise deepen that worship.
June 4, 2024
THE FIRST VOLUME OF A VERY HELPFUL CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY
Author (as well as professor and pastor) Joel R. Beeke wrote in the Preface to this 2019 book, “This systematic theology explores the classic teachings of the Reformed Christian faith from a perspective that is biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical. Today’s churches need theology that engages the head, heart, and hands… While we discuss very deep subjects, our treatment is not technical but accessible… We also believe that historical theology … and experiential theology … are inseparable from systematic theology. Hence, after each major doctrine of Scripture is opened up exegetically and biblically, we also aim to open up each doctrine historically and then apply it experientially and practically.” (Pg. 17-19)
He outlines, “the central Reformation heritage may be identified by the five solas [i.e., ‘alone’ or ‘only’]… 1. Sola Scriptura… requires that tradition be tested and sifted by the written Word of God… 2. Sola Gratia (‘by grace alone’): God’s grace alone, not human goodness and effort, saves sinners… 3. Solus Christus (‘by Christ alone’): Christ alone, not the saints, the angels, the ministry and rites of the church, or our good works, acts as our Mediator, Redeemer, and Savior… 4. Sola Fide (‘by faith alone’): Faith alone… is the instrument by which the sinner is justified from the guilt of all sin and counted righteous by God… 5. Soli Deo Gloria (‘to God alone be the glory’): Glory is to be given to God alone for our creation and salvation.” (Pg. 94-97)
He clarifies, “Some theologians have stated that Reformed theology revolves around the doctrine of predestination. Though its view of predestination distinguishes Reformed theology from other… systems, predestination does not dominate its entire perspective… The marrow of Reformed theology is the sovereignty of God, not as an impersonal fatalism, but… the knowing, wise, and loving sovereignty our triune Savior.” (Pg. 109-110)
He explains, “Reformed theology also recognizes the biblical contrast between law and gospel… that reveals ‘two covenants,’ one of which puts sinners in bondage, and the other of which produces freedom by God’s spirit… this is not simply the contrast between the Old Testament and the New Testament, for law and gospel are present in both.” (Pg. 112)
He states, “God does not cause anyone to sin or to reject the gospel, but saving faith in Jesus Christ is God’s gift… In themselves, the elect are no better or deserving than others, but are saved entirely through Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit in calling them through the Word. God did no choose them because he foresaw faith, obedience, or anything good in them, but instead all such things arise from his decree of election.” (Pg. 118)
He asserts, “We must do theology as believers in the truth of the Bible. We must study, write, and teach ours of a solid conviction that God’s Word is truly perfect and perfectly true… We dare not do theology by subjecting Got to our finite and fallen minds; rather, we must subject ourselves to God’s Word.” (Pg. 151)
After quoting Romans 1:19-20, he says of General Revelation: “1. It reveals God to a limited degree… 2. It reveals God in an open and plain manner… 3. It reveals God according to his will… 4. It reveals the invisible God… 5. It reveals God’s divine nature… 6. It reveals God throughout history… 7. It reveals God through his created world.” (Pg. 196-199) But he cautions, “Through general revelation is impotent to save sinners, it does give them the knowledge that there is a God and they are alienated from him by their sins.” (Pg. 210) He later adds. “Christians may make rational arguments from creation to God… Christians may use arguments to show the foolishness of those who deny God.” (Pg. 239)
He strongly rejects religious pluralism: “religious pluralism assumes a posture of self-contradictory superiority over the world’s religions… [It] does not harmonize the various religions, but insults and denies them… [It] operates under the assumption that God does not communicate verbally… [But] our relationship with other religions can and should be characterized by both truth and love. Pluralism … irrationally discards the truth and loses its authority to call men to the way of peace.” (Pg. 302-304)
He acknowledges, “We are … not denying … that the manuscript copies of the Bible differ from one another at some points. The doctrine of inerrant veracity does not claim flawless transmission of the original manuscripts… through the centuries… but this does not affect the truthfulness of the original documents composed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit or our confidence in the text that we possess today.” (Pg. 373)
He also states, “Christians need not be intimidated by scholars and scientists … We should reject the myth of neutral objectivity… and subject all human tradition and philosophy to radical biblical critique. The bottom line is this: Who has higher authority, man or God? Is not God the best historian… the greatest scientist… and the never-lying witness who tells us accurately of these things?” (Pg. 386)
He suggests, “The four Gospels provide four perspectives on the works and words of our Lord Jesus, somewhat like the two perspectives of Samuel-Kings upon the Israelite monarchy… We need not be perplexed by differences in chronological order… Furthermore, the original manuscripts of the Bible did not use quotation marks… and there is no claim that they report the exact words of Christ… When faced with an apparent contradiction in historical detail, we should approach it with the presupposition of the Bible’s overall witness that it is God’s Word… it is possible that we are not able at this time to resolve the problem in a manner that satisfies our minds. This… should not surprise us, for there are … many areas of life that we do not fully understand.” (Pg. 388-389)
He observes, “some [Evangelicals] believe that God continues to empower his people with revelatory gifts such as prophecy… However, the Bible does not need to say something expressly in so many words in order to teach it… the basic premise of the doctrine that special revelation has ceased is that the apostolic age was unique, a time of transition as the old dispensation gave way to the new.” (Pg. 412, 421-422) Later, he adds, “When people ascribe that authority to mystical experiences, the results are damaging to their spiritual lives, sometimes tragically so… continuationism tends to put people in bondage to individual leaders.” (Pg. 449-450)
He argues, “Open theism is fraught with fallacies. It caricatures the orthodox view of god as a portrait of a cold tyrant, and then makes a false dichotomy between infinite sovereignty and infinite love… we should not interpret [Genesis 6:6-7] to mean that God’s plan changed because of unforeseen events, for that would contradict … God’s foreknowledge of events years and centuries before they happen...” (Pg. 708-709) Later, he adds, “this is the heart of the opposition to God’s foreknowledge: the theological presupposition that human responsibility trumps divine lordship over the future.” (Pg. 744)
He states, “Middle knowledge has a rational tendency to collapse into an uncertain foreknowledge… if God’s knowledge of future conditionals is somehow certain apart from divine foreordination, then middle knowledge posits an impersonal, fatalistic determinism… since the God of middle knowledge chooses which set of circumstances to actualize, he does choose … which human choices will take place, including evil choices that make life miserable and take some people to hell. This is an unhappy solution for those seeking to escape from perceived difficulties arising from God’s predestination. It is better to abandon the speculative doctrine of middle knowledge.” (Pg. 752-753)
He admits, “we acknowledge that suffering and injustice press hard against our faith that God is both good and sovereign. However, God’s Word teaches that nothing can some to pass unless it serves his purposes… For his enemies, he is the Lord of terrible justice. For those who hope in him, he remains the God of unfailing love and faithfulness, the portion of his people.” (Pg. 969-970)
He asserts, “The universal decree of God does not excuse human injustice or negligence… God has decreed all things, including our faithfulness, for his glory and the good of his people… God decreed our prayers, too. Therefore, God is able to answer our prayers as part of his wise, integrated plan for all things, not as a spasmodic response that requires him to alter his plan… God has revealed little of his decree to us because we should focus upon his promises and our duties, not the specifics of the future.” (Pg. 976-977) Later, he adds, ‘The Lord has decreed that some sinners will respond to the gospel with unbelief… We must believe in reprobation because God has revealed it. Those whom God has not elected are reserved for his righteous hatred against sinners.” (Pg. 994-995) He notes, “God’s predestination does not break the cause-and-effect relationship between human choices and human life, but establishes and directs all human causes toward God’s end… Divine election is not based on human efforts, but is executed through divinely empowered human efforts.” (Pg. 1010-1011)
He acknowledges, “God works by concurrence with the free choices of moral agents. Some might object that God cannot concur in the actions of sinner without being the coauthor of sin… we must admit that we cannot understand how the infinite God acts upon the wills of his creatures in a manner that sovereignly controls them and sustains them as real secondary causes of events. All that we can know… [is that] God never sins or causes sin, but he does withhold spiritual sight and discernment from people… God is working out his holy will through the sinful acts of man.” (Pg. 1072-1073)
He explains, “The problem of evil finds a satisfying (though not exhaustive) answer in the basic plot of the Bible: creation, fall, redemption, and completion… The doctrine of CREATION vindicates God because he made all things, and made them ‘very good’… The doctrine of THE FALL traces all our misery back to man’s disobedience against God, the sin of our first father Adam, plunging us all into a state of sin and misery… The doctrine of REDEMPTION highlights God’s goodness even more gloriously than creation… Lastly, God’s Word answers the problem of evil with the doctrine of COMPLETION, which promises that all who repent and believe in Christ will be raised up to share his glory…” (Pg. 1094-1096)
This is a marvelous, thorough, and clearly-written systematic theology; we will be awaiting eagerly for future volumes.
Author (as well as professor and pastor) Joel R. Beeke wrote in the Preface to this 2019 book, “This systematic theology explores the classic teachings of the Reformed Christian faith from a perspective that is biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical. Today’s churches need theology that engages the head, heart, and hands… While we discuss very deep subjects, our treatment is not technical but accessible… We also believe that historical theology … and experiential theology … are inseparable from systematic theology. Hence, after each major doctrine of Scripture is opened up exegetically and biblically, we also aim to open up each doctrine historically and then apply it experientially and practically.” (Pg. 17-19)
He outlines, “the central Reformation heritage may be identified by the five solas [i.e., ‘alone’ or ‘only’]… 1. Sola Scriptura… requires that tradition be tested and sifted by the written Word of God… 2. Sola Gratia (‘by grace alone’): God’s grace alone, not human goodness and effort, saves sinners… 3. Solus Christus (‘by Christ alone’): Christ alone, not the saints, the angels, the ministry and rites of the church, or our good works, acts as our Mediator, Redeemer, and Savior… 4. Sola Fide (‘by faith alone’): Faith alone… is the instrument by which the sinner is justified from the guilt of all sin and counted righteous by God… 5. Soli Deo Gloria (‘to God alone be the glory’): Glory is to be given to God alone for our creation and salvation.” (Pg. 94-97)
He clarifies, “Some theologians have stated that Reformed theology revolves around the doctrine of predestination. Though its view of predestination distinguishes Reformed theology from other… systems, predestination does not dominate its entire perspective… The marrow of Reformed theology is the sovereignty of God, not as an impersonal fatalism, but… the knowing, wise, and loving sovereignty our triune Savior.” (Pg. 109-110)
He explains, “Reformed theology also recognizes the biblical contrast between law and gospel… that reveals ‘two covenants,’ one of which puts sinners in bondage, and the other of which produces freedom by God’s spirit… this is not simply the contrast between the Old Testament and the New Testament, for law and gospel are present in both.” (Pg. 112)
He states, “God does not cause anyone to sin or to reject the gospel, but saving faith in Jesus Christ is God’s gift… In themselves, the elect are no better or deserving than others, but are saved entirely through Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit in calling them through the Word. God did no choose them because he foresaw faith, obedience, or anything good in them, but instead all such things arise from his decree of election.” (Pg. 118)
He asserts, “We must do theology as believers in the truth of the Bible. We must study, write, and teach ours of a solid conviction that God’s Word is truly perfect and perfectly true… We dare not do theology by subjecting Got to our finite and fallen minds; rather, we must subject ourselves to God’s Word.” (Pg. 151)
After quoting Romans 1:19-20, he says of General Revelation: “1. It reveals God to a limited degree… 2. It reveals God in an open and plain manner… 3. It reveals God according to his will… 4. It reveals the invisible God… 5. It reveals God’s divine nature… 6. It reveals God throughout history… 7. It reveals God through his created world.” (Pg. 196-199) But he cautions, “Through general revelation is impotent to save sinners, it does give them the knowledge that there is a God and they are alienated from him by their sins.” (Pg. 210) He later adds. “Christians may make rational arguments from creation to God… Christians may use arguments to show the foolishness of those who deny God.” (Pg. 239)
He strongly rejects religious pluralism: “religious pluralism assumes a posture of self-contradictory superiority over the world’s religions… [It] does not harmonize the various religions, but insults and denies them… [It] operates under the assumption that God does not communicate verbally… [But] our relationship with other religions can and should be characterized by both truth and love. Pluralism … irrationally discards the truth and loses its authority to call men to the way of peace.” (Pg. 302-304)
He acknowledges, “We are … not denying … that the manuscript copies of the Bible differ from one another at some points. The doctrine of inerrant veracity does not claim flawless transmission of the original manuscripts… through the centuries… but this does not affect the truthfulness of the original documents composed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit or our confidence in the text that we possess today.” (Pg. 373)
He also states, “Christians need not be intimidated by scholars and scientists … We should reject the myth of neutral objectivity… and subject all human tradition and philosophy to radical biblical critique. The bottom line is this: Who has higher authority, man or God? Is not God the best historian… the greatest scientist… and the never-lying witness who tells us accurately of these things?” (Pg. 386)
He suggests, “The four Gospels provide four perspectives on the works and words of our Lord Jesus, somewhat like the two perspectives of Samuel-Kings upon the Israelite monarchy… We need not be perplexed by differences in chronological order… Furthermore, the original manuscripts of the Bible did not use quotation marks… and there is no claim that they report the exact words of Christ… When faced with an apparent contradiction in historical detail, we should approach it with the presupposition of the Bible’s overall witness that it is God’s Word… it is possible that we are not able at this time to resolve the problem in a manner that satisfies our minds. This… should not surprise us, for there are … many areas of life that we do not fully understand.” (Pg. 388-389)
He observes, “some [Evangelicals] believe that God continues to empower his people with revelatory gifts such as prophecy… However, the Bible does not need to say something expressly in so many words in order to teach it… the basic premise of the doctrine that special revelation has ceased is that the apostolic age was unique, a time of transition as the old dispensation gave way to the new.” (Pg. 412, 421-422) Later, he adds, “When people ascribe that authority to mystical experiences, the results are damaging to their spiritual lives, sometimes tragically so… continuationism tends to put people in bondage to individual leaders.” (Pg. 449-450)
He argues, “Open theism is fraught with fallacies. It caricatures the orthodox view of god as a portrait of a cold tyrant, and then makes a false dichotomy between infinite sovereignty and infinite love… we should not interpret [Genesis 6:6-7] to mean that God’s plan changed because of unforeseen events, for that would contradict … God’s foreknowledge of events years and centuries before they happen...” (Pg. 708-709) Later, he adds, “this is the heart of the opposition to God’s foreknowledge: the theological presupposition that human responsibility trumps divine lordship over the future.” (Pg. 744)
He states, “Middle knowledge has a rational tendency to collapse into an uncertain foreknowledge… if God’s knowledge of future conditionals is somehow certain apart from divine foreordination, then middle knowledge posits an impersonal, fatalistic determinism… since the God of middle knowledge chooses which set of circumstances to actualize, he does choose … which human choices will take place, including evil choices that make life miserable and take some people to hell. This is an unhappy solution for those seeking to escape from perceived difficulties arising from God’s predestination. It is better to abandon the speculative doctrine of middle knowledge.” (Pg. 752-753)
He admits, “we acknowledge that suffering and injustice press hard against our faith that God is both good and sovereign. However, God’s Word teaches that nothing can some to pass unless it serves his purposes… For his enemies, he is the Lord of terrible justice. For those who hope in him, he remains the God of unfailing love and faithfulness, the portion of his people.” (Pg. 969-970)
He asserts, “The universal decree of God does not excuse human injustice or negligence… God has decreed all things, including our faithfulness, for his glory and the good of his people… God decreed our prayers, too. Therefore, God is able to answer our prayers as part of his wise, integrated plan for all things, not as a spasmodic response that requires him to alter his plan… God has revealed little of his decree to us because we should focus upon his promises and our duties, not the specifics of the future.” (Pg. 976-977) Later, he adds, ‘The Lord has decreed that some sinners will respond to the gospel with unbelief… We must believe in reprobation because God has revealed it. Those whom God has not elected are reserved for his righteous hatred against sinners.” (Pg. 994-995) He notes, “God’s predestination does not break the cause-and-effect relationship between human choices and human life, but establishes and directs all human causes toward God’s end… Divine election is not based on human efforts, but is executed through divinely empowered human efforts.” (Pg. 1010-1011)
He acknowledges, “God works by concurrence with the free choices of moral agents. Some might object that God cannot concur in the actions of sinner without being the coauthor of sin… we must admit that we cannot understand how the infinite God acts upon the wills of his creatures in a manner that sovereignly controls them and sustains them as real secondary causes of events. All that we can know… [is that] God never sins or causes sin, but he does withhold spiritual sight and discernment from people… God is working out his holy will through the sinful acts of man.” (Pg. 1072-1073)
He explains, “The problem of evil finds a satisfying (though not exhaustive) answer in the basic plot of the Bible: creation, fall, redemption, and completion… The doctrine of CREATION vindicates God because he made all things, and made them ‘very good’… The doctrine of THE FALL traces all our misery back to man’s disobedience against God, the sin of our first father Adam, plunging us all into a state of sin and misery… The doctrine of REDEMPTION highlights God’s goodness even more gloriously than creation… Lastly, God’s Word answers the problem of evil with the doctrine of COMPLETION, which promises that all who repent and believe in Christ will be raised up to share his glory…” (Pg. 1094-1096)
This is a marvelous, thorough, and clearly-written systematic theology; we will be awaiting eagerly for future volumes.
September 2, 2024
A must have reference for any serious Christian's library. You'll feel like you have a seminary education in theology I'm sure after reading all 4 volumes.
October 8, 2024
Wonderful book. Clear, solid, warm, and devotional. He frequently quotes from a wide array of Reformers and Puritans. I have been reading through this over the course of several months and am looking forward to the next volumes!
March 29, 2020
I was sitting in on a seminary class taught by Dr. Ligon Duncan at Reformed Theological Seminary when I heard him say something that has forever stuck with me. He said, “There is the God that is and the God that we want and the two are not the same.” He followed up with another, “There is the God that is and the God that we underline in the Bible and the two are not the same.” I knew right then and there where I would be going to seminary. I haven’t regretted that decision.
Recently I received a copy of the first of a four-volume work entitled: Reformed Systematic Theology: Revelation and God. This work digs into the first two of eight central themes of theology. It was written by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley. Beeke is the better known of the two. He is the president and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homilectics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Smalley is a teaching assistant to Dr. Beeke, a bivocational pastor at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and coauthor of several other works with Dr. Beeke.
This first volume is a massive 1312 pages and covers extensively the two themes. I found it easy to read and even devotional at times. It didn’t seem to be too rigorous and difficult to follow. At the end of each chapter was a song as well as questions for meditation or discussion. To give you an opportunity to go even further, they provide questions for deeper reflection.
Probably the one thing that I enjoyed the most were the quotes from different reformed figures throughout history. The quotes flowed with the topic at hand and brought even greater enjoyment to me as I read.
I look forward to the next three volumes being released by Crossway. I appreciate so much this effort and time it must have taken to have written this. I highly recommend it to you.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Recently I received a copy of the first of a four-volume work entitled: Reformed Systematic Theology: Revelation and God. This work digs into the first two of eight central themes of theology. It was written by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley. Beeke is the better known of the two. He is the president and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homilectics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Smalley is a teaching assistant to Dr. Beeke, a bivocational pastor at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and coauthor of several other works with Dr. Beeke.
This first volume is a massive 1312 pages and covers extensively the two themes. I found it easy to read and even devotional at times. It didn’t seem to be too rigorous and difficult to follow. At the end of each chapter was a song as well as questions for meditation or discussion. To give you an opportunity to go even further, they provide questions for deeper reflection.
Probably the one thing that I enjoyed the most were the quotes from different reformed figures throughout history. The quotes flowed with the topic at hand and brought even greater enjoyment to me as I read.
I look forward to the next three volumes being released by Crossway. I appreciate so much this effort and time it must have taken to have written this. I highly recommend it to you.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
December 6, 2020
Positively one of the best Systematic Theologies out there! It took me nearly a year to get through this first volume, and am already looking forward to Volume 2 which is sitting in my bookcase. Dr Beeke has given the church a great gift with this contribution. It is both scholarly and pastoral. It will be easily read and enjoyed by both the seminary and Sunday school students alike. This book would be a fantastic curriculum for a Bible study or home group. It is a bit expensive, but well worth the cost. You will not be disappointed. Within lies years of sound theological study and a wonderful companion to your Bible and faith. Get it!
March 10, 2021
This is a great work of systematic theology produced by Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley. Volume 1 is already large, but the complete work is 4 huge volumes. In this work we find the classic teaching of reform in a Biblical, Doctrinal, Experiential and Practical perspective. In the presentation to the work, in Volume 1, we even found a division between HEAD, HEART and HANDS to say what the book's purpose is. It is that idea of the need for good orthodoxy, correct thinking, orthopathy, correct feeling and orthopraxia, correct practice.
The idea of involving the man completely is interesting and I understand. My fear about this division is that things are separate from each other. But the book works well on these issues in order to bring them together;
With the purpose of application, the book always brings questions for reflection and practice at the end of each chapter.
This is volume 1. It deals with the Revelation of God and about God Himself.
Volume 2 speaks of man and Christ. Volume 3 talks about the Holy Spirit and Salvation. Volume 4 talks about the church and the last things.
It is not a technical book. Its objective is to be accessible and deep, as it is said, so that children can play in the shallows and elephants can dive.
It was released in Portuguese here in Brazil by the publisher "Cultura Cristã", and probably the other volumes will be too. Volume 2 has already been released in English.
And I need to say that this review is part of the Blog Review Programby Crossway and I received a free copy of this ebook.
The idea of involving the man completely is interesting and I understand. My fear about this division is that things are separate from each other. But the book works well on these issues in order to bring them together;
With the purpose of application, the book always brings questions for reflection and practice at the end of each chapter.
This is volume 1. It deals with the Revelation of God and about God Himself.
Volume 2 speaks of man and Christ. Volume 3 talks about the Holy Spirit and Salvation. Volume 4 talks about the church and the last things.
It is not a technical book. Its objective is to be accessible and deep, as it is said, so that children can play in the shallows and elephants can dive.
It was released in Portuguese here in Brazil by the publisher "Cultura Cristã", and probably the other volumes will be too. Volume 2 has already been released in English.
And I need to say that this review is part of the Blog Review Programby Crossway and I received a free copy of this ebook.
March 9, 2022
This book is a feast of warm-hearted and intelligent biblical, systematic, historical, and experiential theology. The book engages the whole person: mind, emotions, and will. It is unpretentious, straightforward, lucid , and joyful... a great pleasure to read and absorb, and the reading schedule that is included is a great idea and very helpful.
One comment on the book's constant citing of scholars from church history, especially Reformers and Puritans. Far from being superfluous, this feature demonstrates that the book is informed by deep engagement with a wide swath of important theologians. Its grounding in history shows that the authors aren't peddling hot ideas cooked up recently but are sagely promoting the Faith historically understood. The authors are about as apt to be bowled over by a theological fad as a mountain might be knocked over by a gust of wind.
I've been reading this for over a year and am getting ready for volume 2. Can't wait!
One comment on the book's constant citing of scholars from church history, especially Reformers and Puritans. Far from being superfluous, this feature demonstrates that the book is informed by deep engagement with a wide swath of important theologians. Its grounding in history shows that the authors aren't peddling hot ideas cooked up recently but are sagely promoting the Faith historically understood. The authors are about as apt to be bowled over by a theological fad as a mountain might be knocked over by a gust of wind.
I've been reading this for over a year and am getting ready for volume 2. Can't wait!
May 31, 2023
Took me 3 years to read through volume 1. This was a volume I had to continually pick up, read, and put back down for several reasons. One, it’s 1200 pages of theology. Two, it’s rich in application of theology. You cannot easily read this systematic and walk away with intellectual pride / puffed up in knowledge. The authors are continually applying the theology to you the reader. This is a systematic that engages the head and the heart. Be prepared to be challenged intellectually and spiritually. The authors draw heavily from the reformed tradition, they avoid speculation, and there is an obvious grounding of all the theology in the word of God. I pray that others find these volumes and come to love God more as a result.
September 12, 2025
The triune God is a god of truth and order (Ps 119:160, 1 Cor 14:33). Systematic Theology is the ordering of God’s revealed truth into logical groupings. In other words, systematizing. In Volume I of Reformed Systematic Theology, Beeke proves himself to be a master of this.
Beeke’s work is comprehensive without being overly long, technical without being unattainable or inaccessible, and devotional without being cheesy. Beeke, building of Scripture, defines doctrines and concepts, calls forth witnesses from the Reformed tradition, and applies Biblical teaching to the profound and mundane of life. In other words, this is a great book!
Beeke’s work is comprehensive without being overly long, technical without being unattainable or inaccessible, and devotional without being cheesy. Beeke, building of Scripture, defines doctrines and concepts, calls forth witnesses from the Reformed tradition, and applies Biblical teaching to the profound and mundane of life. In other words, this is a great book!
December 20, 2025
This is the best theology book I have ever read. Reading through the volume was encouraging to my faith, and a devotional experience with God. I rate it 5 stars because Beeke and Smalley not only articulate the doctrines of Revelation and God (Prolegomena, Bibliology, and Theology Proper) well, but provide many, many practical ways to practice the truths of these doctrines in one's every day life. —and the practical relevance aspect of the work is rare, IMHO. My goal is to read each of the four volumes from start to finish. Each volume comes with a reading guide, which, if followed, will take the reader through the volume in a year.
September 19, 2019
A Biblically-Grounded, Practically Insightful and Clear Synthesis of the Best Reformed Luminaries. See my full review here: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1SMKKH...
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