Reformed Systematic Theology: Volume 1: Revelation and God by Joel R Beeke and Paul Smalley

“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; President, 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

Part 1: Prolegomena: Introduction to Theology and the Doctrine of Revelation

Section A: Introduction to Theology

1. What Is Theology? Part 1: An Academic Discipline

2. What Is Theology? Part 2: A Spiritual Discipline

3. Who Does Theology? Where? When?

4. Which Theology Do We Do? Part 1: Christian, Catholic, Evangelical

5. Which Theology Do We Do? Part 2: Reformed

6. Which Theology Do We Do? Part 3: Polemical and Experiential

7. Why Do We Do Theology?

8. How Do We Do Theology? Part 1: Spiritual Dynamics

9. How Do We Do Theology? Part 2: Academic Methods

Section B: The Doctrine of Revelation

10. Theological Fundamentals of Divine Revelation

11. General Revelation, Part 1: Biblical Teaching

12. General Revelation, Part 2: Philosophy and Science

13. General Revelation, Part 3: Natural Theology and Theistic Arguments

Excursus: Some Historical Perspective on Natural Theology and Theistic Proofs

14. Special Revelation: Biblical Teaching

15. Errors Regarding Special Revelation, Part 1: Romanism and Liberalism

16. Errors Regarding Special Revelation, Part 2: Liberalism’s Offspring

17. The Bible as the Word of God

18. The Properties of the Written Word, Part 1: Authority and Clarity

19. The Properties of the Written Word, Part 2: Necessity, Unity, and Efficacy

20. The Properties of the Written Word, Part 3: Inerrant Veracity

21. The Properties of the Written Word, Part 4: Objections to Inerrancy

22. The Properties of the Written Word, Part 5: Sufficiency

23. The Cessation of Special Revelation, Part 1: Charismatic Continuationism

24. The Cessation of Special Revelation, Part 2: Prophecy Today

25. Applied Revelation for Practical Fruit

Part 2: Theology Proper: The Doctrine of God

Section A: The Doctrine of God’s Triune Glory

26. Introduction: The True Knowledge of God

27. Introduction to God’s Nature and Attributes, Part 1: Biblical Teaching

28. Introduction to God’s Nature and Attributes, Part 2: Theological Questions

29. The Name of “the Lord” (YHWH)

30. The Holiness of the Lord

31. Gods That Are Not God

32. God’s Spirituality

33. God’s Simplicity: “The Lord Our God Is One Lord”

34. God’s Infinity, Incomprehensibility, Aseity, and Immensity

35. God’s Eternity: Infinity with Respect to Time

Excursus: Problems of Time and Eternity

36. God’s Immutability, Part 1: Biblical Teaching

37. God’s Immutability, Part 2: Theological Questions

38. God’s Knowledge, Part 1: Omniscience and Wisdom

38. God’s Knowledge, Part 2: Foreknowledge

40. God’s Sovereignty: An Introduction to Omnipotence

41. God’s Moral Excellence, Part 1: Goodness and Love

42. God’s Moral Excellence, Part 2: Truth and Righteousness

43. God’s Moral Excellence, Part 3: Jealousy, Impassibility, and Joy

44. God’s Moral Excellence, Part 4: Wrath and Compassion

45. The Trinity, Part 1: Biblical Teaching

46. The Trinity, Part 2: Historical Development

47. The Trinity, Part 3: Theological and Practical Considerations

Section B: The Doctrine of God’s Sovereign Purpose

48. The Decree of God: General Considerations

49. Predestination, Part 1: Election and Reprobation

50. Predestination, Part 2: Historical Development through Reformed Orthodoxy

51. Predestination, Part 3: Questions and Uses

52. God’s Providence, Part 1: Biblical Teaching

53. God’s Providence, Part 2: Problems and Applications

Section C: The Doctrine of Angels and Demons

54. The Holy Angels of God

55. Satan and the Demons