Christian Focus Soteriology Collection (5 vols.)

by Stephe Clark; Matthew Evans; Robert Cara; J. V. Fesko; Alan Stibbs

Publishers:

Christian Focus; Mentor

, 2011–2017

Overview

The Christian Focusing Soteriology Collection is organized around the gospel of salvation. Grounded in the larger tradition of Christian Focus Publishing, these five volumes present the scholarly study of the message of God's word and Jesus’ redemption of humanity. Examining a set of important and valuable topics that range from the New Perspective on Paul to the relationship between the Trinity with Jesus' act of redemption on the cross, The Christian Focusing Soteriology Collection lays out accessible, but scholarly research to benefit students, pastors, and scholars.

Key Features

• Designed and written with the goal of point people toward Jesus and developing Christ-like maturity
• Lays out thoughtful Reformed studies on a variety of topics closely related to salvation
• Includes detailed scripture indexes

Product Details

• Title: Christian Focus Soteriology Collection (5 vols.)
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Volumes: 5
• Pages: 1,428
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Theology

Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul: Covenantal Nomism versus Reformed Covenantal Theology

• Author: Robert J. Cara
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 320

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The New Perspective on Paul claims that the Reformed understanding of justification is wrong - that it misunderstands Paul and the Judaism with which he engages. The New Perspective's revised understanding of Second Temple Judaism provides the foundation to a new perspective. This important book seeks to show that this foundation is fundamentally faulty and cannot bear the weight it needs to carry, thus undermining the entirety of the New Perspective on Paul itself.

Robert J. Cara's Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul is a fresh response to one of the most vigorous challenges to the Reformation's doctrine of justification in the last quarter century. Students and scholars alike will benefit from this fair-minded and firm engagement.

—Guy Prentiss Waters, James M. Baird, Jr. Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

Robert Cara is a specialist and adds fresh arguments against the NPP interpretation. And yet, he writes in a way that makes the issues accessible to pastors who need informed responses to this influential trend.

—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California, Escondido, California

Robert J. Cara is Chief Academic Officer and the Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina, where he joined as a professor in 1993. He is also an ordained minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Death in Adam, Life in Christ: The Doctrine of Imputation: The Doctrine of Imputation

• Author: J. V. Fesko
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 320

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The doctrine of imputation is the ground in which salvation is rooted. It is often seen as superfluous or splitting hairs, and yet, without it, redemption automatically becomes reliant on our own works and assurance of salvation is suddenly not so sure. J. V. Fesko works through this doctrine looking at its long history in the church, its exegetical foundation, and its dogmatic formulation. In exploring imputed guilt from the First Adam alongside the imputed righteousness from the Second, this volume offers a helpfully well-rounded explanation of the doctrine.

In classic Reformed fashion, and with grace and style, John Fesko brings confessional exposition, historical survey, and exegesis together in what is sure to become the standard Reformed work on Imputation for generations to come.

—Brian Vickers, Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Biblical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Conversations over imputation are rarely informed by the history of interpretation. Fesko introduces us to seminal figures in this development and no engagement with original sin or justification should overlook his careful spade work.

—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California, Escondido, California

J. V. Fesko is Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary in California.

His Blood Works: The Meaning of the Word 'blood' in Scripture

• Author: Alan Stibbs
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 64

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Did you know that the blood of Christ is mentioned more times in the New Testament than the cross or even the death of Christ? But what is the significance of this fact? What does it tell us about the sacrifice of Christ and how does this emphasis on his blood help us in understanding the finished work of Christ on the cross? Alan Stibbs dispels any misconceptions that people may have about Jesus’ blood and its work by examining the Old and New Testament. The author gives us the Biblical understanding of the meaning of the blood which equates to the purposeful and effective laying down of a life. We will find that indeed His Blood Works!

On the one hand, Stibbs’ essay is a theological jewel, with its close and lucid reading of biblical material. On the other hand, it is a pastoral masterpiece, because the reader loves Christ more at the end of it. I think that would greatly please Alan Stibbs, and it is why this ‘old’ essay is so worth reading.

—Michael Ovey, (1958-2017) Principal, Oak Hill Theological College, London

Alan Stibbs (1901-1971) was born into a Christian family and responded personally to the call of Christ in 1912. He began to give his first Bible exposition at 16 years old and was later called to the mission field. His preaching & teaching led him to the staff of Oakhill theological college and he became known as a Bible expositor and preacher in demand for evangelical conferences and conventions.

In Christ Alone: Perspectives on Union with Christ

• Author: Matthew Evans
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 288

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Union with Christ is the jewel in the crown of salvation. It has many and varied facets. Indeed, the reality denoted by the words ‘in Christ’ is unfathomable. But the importance of this great truth is such that Christians need to seek to plumb its unsearchable depths. The present volume seeks to show how union with Christ is expounded by two New Testament writers, how it was understood by two great theologians, and how it relates to two key areas of biblical teaching, before a final chapter plots the scriptural development and structure of this great truth and its practical relevance for us today. Contributors include: Stephen Clark, Cornelis Bennema, Tim Ward, Robert Letham, John Fesko, David McKay and Paul Wells.

Our Reformation and Puritan forefathers understood that salvation by Christ involves union with Christ: an on-going, vital, loving relationship, begun in time, lasting through eternity. This important fact, so neglected today, was the theme of the Affinity Theological Study Conference held in Nottingham in 2015, and six out of the seven chapters of this book are lectures given at that Conference. A final chapter, summarizing the whole, has been added by Editor Stephen Clark. This is a useful book, offering many gens for those willing to work a little for them.

—British Church Newspaper

Matthew Evans is the assistant to the director at Affinity, a partnership bringing together churches from across the UK

The Trinity and the Covenant of Redemption

• Author: J. V. Fesko
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 436

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

When Christians reflect on the gospel, their attention is rightly drawn to the cross and empty tomb. But is this it? Or is there much more to the story? In a ground-breaking work, J.V. Fesko reminds us that the great news of this gospel message is rooted in eternity, whereby a covenant was made between the persons of the Trinity in order to redeem sinners like you and me. J. V. Fesko, in the first of a three part series on covenant theology featuring Redemption, Grace and Works, aims to retrieve and recover classic Reformed covenant theology for the church.

Though it has sometimes been a forgotten doctrine of the Reformed faith, Fesko breaks the silence, retrieving the covenant of redemption afresh for a new generation.

—Matthew Barrett, Associate Professor of Christian Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri

Some books today exegete the shining truths of the Holy Scriptures, others mine the treasures of Reformed orthodoxy, and yet others interact with influential theologians of the modern era. This book is one of the few that does all three and does them well.

—Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

J. V. Fesko is Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary in California.