Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology HB

You Don’t Have to Be a Full-Time Theologian to Understand and Love Theology Theology is not just an academic subject. It’s a spiritual practice for every believer, even those who feel too busy for rigorous study or aren’t advanced readers. To make theology accessible to a wider audience, Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley have combined content from Reformed Systematic Theology into one abridged book. Richly biblical, faithfully doctrinal, warmly experiential, and consistently practical, Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology ministers to the whole person―head, heart, and hands. Featuring shorter chapters, less technical language, and chapter summaries, this guide includes material from all 4 volumes of Reformed Systematic Theology: Revelation and God (volume 1); Man and Christ (volume 2); Spirit and Salvation (volume 3); and Church and Last Things (volume 4). Drawing on the historical theology of the Reformed tradition, Essentials of Reformed Theology helps readers of various ages and educational levels grow in their understanding and application of the truth presented in God’s word. Abridged Version of Reformed Systematic Theology: Includes shorter chapters, light footnotes, chapter summaries that highlight key words, simplified language, a guide to theologians from history, a glossary of theological terms, and more Explores 8 Essential Spiritual Themes: Revelation, God, man, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, and last things Accessible: Ideal for a variety of ages and education levels, as well as for people with limited time to study Authors: Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) has written over one hundred books. He is chancellor and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan; the editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth; the board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books; the president of Inheritance Publishers; and the vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. Paul M. Smalley (DD, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary) is faculty research and teaching assistant to Joel Beeke at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He is also a part-time pastor at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and previously served for twelve years as a Baptist pastor in churches in the midwestern United States. Table of Contents Abbreviations Preface Part 1: The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God Section 1A: Questions about Theology Chapter 1: The What, Who, Where, and When of Theology Chapter 2: The Which, Why, and How of Theology Section 1B: God’s Revelation to Man Chapter 3: Introduction to God’s Revelation Chapter 4: General Revelation Chapter 5: Special Revelation Chapter 6: The Inspiration, Authority, and Clarity of the Bible Chapter 7: The Inerrancy and Sufficiency of the Bible Chapter 8: Applied Revelation for Practical Fruit Part 2: The Doctrine of God Section 2A: Who God Is Chapter 9: Introduction to the Doctrine of God Chapter 10: The Holy “I Am,” the Only God Chapter 11: God’s Spirituality and Simplicity Chapter 12: God’s Infinity, Incomprehensibility, Aseity, Immensity, and Eternity Chapter 13: God’s Immutability Chapter 14: God’s Knowledge Chapter 15: God’s Sovereignty Chapter 16: God’s Goodness and Love Chapter 17: God’s Truth and Righteousness Chapter 18: God’s Affection and Impassibility Chapter 19: The Trinity, Part 1: The Son and the Holy Spirit Chapter 20: The Trinity, Part 2: Three Persons and One God Section 2B: What God Does Chapter 21: God’s Eternal Decree Chapter 22: Election and Reprobation Chapter 23: Questions about Predestination Chapter 24: God’s Creation of the World Chapter 25: Questions about Creation Chapter 26: God’s Providence Chapter 27: Angels and Demons Part 3: The Doctrine of Man Section 3A: Man as Servant of God Chapter 28: God’s Creation of Man Chapter 29: The Image of God Chapter 30: Human Gender and Sexuality Chapter 31: The Human Body and Soul Chapter 32: God’s Covenant with Adam Section 3B: Man as Sinner before God Chapter 33: Sin and the Fall of Man Chapter 34: Original Sin and Total Depravity Chapter 35: Total Inability and Free Choice Chapter 36: Actual Sins and God’s Punishment of Sin Chapter 37: Sin, Suffering, and the Believer Part 4: The Doctrine of Christ Section 4A: The Covenant of Grace Chapter 38: Introduction to the Covenant of Grace Chapter 39: God’s Gospel and His Covenant with His Son Chapter 40: The Different Administrations of the Covenant of Grace Chapter 41: The One Covenant of Grace Section 4B: The Person and Work of Christ Chapter 42: Introduction to the Person and Work of Christ Chapter 43: Christ’s Incarnation, Part 1: The Bible’s Basic Teaching Chapter 44: Christ’s Incarnation, Part 2: History and Theology Chapter 45: Christ’s Threefold Office and Two States Chapter 46: Christ’s Revelation as Prophet Chapter 47: Christ’s Sacrifice as Priest, Part 1: Substitution and Satisfaction Chapter 48: Christ’s Sacrifice as Priest, Part 2: Obedience and Perfection Chapter 49: Christ’s Intercession as Priest Chapter 50: Christ’s Reign as King Chapter 51: The People of the Prophet, Priest, and King Part 5: The Doctrines of the Holy Spirit and Salvation Section 5A: The Spirit and the History of Salvation Chapter 52: The Spirit in Creation, Common Grace, and Israel Chapter 53: The Spirit of Christ and of Pentecost Chapter 54: The Gifts of the Spirit and Cessationism Section 5B: The Spirit and the Application of Salvation Chapter 55: Union with Christ and the Order of Salvation Chapter 56: The General Gospel Call Chapter 57: Preparation by Gracious, Resistible Conviction Chapter 58: Effectual Calling Chapter 59: Regeneration Chapter 60: Conversion: Repentance and Faith Chapter 61: Justification Chapter 62: Adoption Chapter 63: Sanctification Chapter 64: Preservation and Perseverance Section 5C: The Spirit and the Experience of Salvation Chapter 65: The Indwelling, Leading, and Filling of the Spirit Chapter 66: Assurance of Salvation and the Spirit’s Witness Chapter 67: The Marks of Grace in Christian Character Chapter 68: Introduction to Obedience to God’s Law Chapter 69: Obedience to the First Four of the Ten Commandments Chapter 70: Obedience to the Last Six of the Ten Commandments Chapter 71: Godly Fear, Prayer, and Hope Part 6: The Doctrine of the Church Section 6A: The Church’s Identity Chapter 72: Introduction to the Doctrine of the Church Chapter 73: Describing and Defining the Church Chapter 74: Christ’s Church, with Its Attributes and Marks Chapter 75: Membership in the Church Section 6B: The Church’s Authority and Work Chapter 76: Church Government Chapter 77: Elders and Ministers of the Word Chapter 78: Deacons, Women in Office, and Duties to Officers Chapter 79: Churches in Relation to Families and Civil Government Chapter 80: The Work of the Church Section 6C: The Church’s Means of Grace Chapter 81: The Means of Grace and the Ministry of the Word Chapter 82: Baptism, Part 1: Why and What Chapter 83: Baptism, Part 2: Who and How Chapter 84: The Lord’s Supper Chapter 85: Prayer, Praise, Fellowship, and Discipline Chapter 86: The Reformation of the Church Part 7: The Doctrine of the Last Things Section 7A: Introduction and Special Issues in the Last Things Chapter 87: Introduction to the Doctrine of the Last Things Chapter 88: The Error of Prosperity Theology Chapter 89: Death and the Afterlife Chapter 90: Signs, the Man of Sin, and the Book of Revelation Chapter 91: The Future of Israel and the Millennium Section 7B: The Glorious Hope of Christ Chapter 92: The Coming of Christ in Glory Chapter 93: The Resurrection of the Dead and the Day of Judgment Chapter 94: Eternal Punishment in Hell Chapter 95: Eternal Life with God Glossary of Theological Terms Select List of Theologians Guide to Further Reading in Reformed Systematic Theology General Index Scripture Index Endorsements “Every Christian should own a handbook of Christian doctrine. But not everyone is likely to begin with the four massive volumes of Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley’s Reformed Systematic Theology—despite all their value. Thankfully, we now have ‘Beeke and Smalley Junior’ in one volume at a simpler level. Still comprehensive and substantial, it is never ‘dumbed down.’ Wonderfully accessible and readable, it provides an ideal go-to volume for Christians of all ages and stages who want to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’ (2 Pet. 3:18).” Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries “I praise God that the same great biblical truths that are set forth in the exhaustive Reformed Systematic Theology are now made available to all in a more concise and accessible edition. It will be an incalculable blessing and benefit to the laity, our youth, and the global church. This is a remarkable achievement.” Paul Washer, Director, HeartCry Missionary Society “The mighty four volumes of Beeke and Smalley’s Reformed Systematic Theology, in their 5,200 pages, are an achievement that may never again be approached in the thoroughness, length, piety, doxology, accessibility, pithiness, sobriety, and trustworthiness of the creation. It is a deeply spiritual work—heavenly, profitable, and full of practical application. It is also a precious companion for every preacher, suitable for the man in his first pastorate and fresh for the retired preacher who still hungers and thirsts for wisdom and righteousness. Now the essentials have appeared—a synopsis, a compression of four volumes into a single book of 1,088 pages with summaries at the beginning of individual chapters, a focus on their highlights, and references to the enlargements of the themes in the more comprehensive four volumes for more needed study. This brilliant summary is where many will begin. It seems almost indispensable to have this single volume as a launching pad or as the handmaiden to the genius of the four giants of truth and godliness.” Geoffrey Thomas, Former Pastor, Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, Wales “This condensed version of Beeke and Smalley’s more compendious volumes is to be greatly welcomed. It is to be hoped that a new readership will be reached and stimulated to search further into the riches of Reformed theology.” Robert Letham, Senior Research Fellow, Union School of Theology