Systematic Theology

by Robert Letham

Publisher:

Crossway

, 2019

Overview

This comprehensive systematic theology by a respected theologian covers the whole field of Reformed Christian doctrine from biblical, historical, and theological angles. It seeks to provide a clear and concise articulation of the Reformed faith rooted in the historic creeds while addressing current issues such as feminism, charismatic gifts, sexual ethics, environmentalism, other religions, the nature of truth, and civil liberties. Intended to be used as a textbook, this single-volume systematic theology is well-suited for our world today, interacting not only with the biblical text but also with the history of Christian doctrine, current cultural challenges to the Bible’s teaching, and the daily experiences of regular Christians.

Key Features

• Explores the field of Reformed Christian doctrine
• Provides biblical, historical, and theological insights
• Interacts with the biblical text and the history of Christian doctrine, current cultural challenges to the Bible’s teaching, and the daily experiences of regular Christians

Contents

• Part 1: The Triune God
• Part 2: The Word of God
• Part 3: The Works of God
• Part 4: The Image of God
• Part 5: The Covenant of God
• Part 6: Christ, the Son of God
• Part 7: The Spirit of God and the People of God
• Part 8: The Ultimate Purposes of God

Top Highlights

“On the other hand, Fairbairn argues against the view that Chalcedon was a negative statement and presses the point that the Definition of Chalcedon has on eight occasions the phrase ‘the same one’ or ‘one and the same,’ stressing that the personal identity of Jesus Christ is the eternal Son.” (Page 499)

“Its message concentrates on God’s glory and our salvation, faith, and life. Scripture is sufficient for this purpose.^{62” (Page 201)}

“The latter no more detracts from his full deity than does his post-resurrection exaltation diminish his full humanity” (Page 113)

“This is where the common misunderstanding of the post-Reformation slogan sola Scriptura can be confusing. When the slogan was devised, it was never intended to exclude the tradition of the church. Instead, it asserted that the Bible is the supreme authority. Adherence to the idea that the Bible is the only source to be followed was the mistake of the anti-Nicenes in the fourth century, the Socinians of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the nineteenth century, and many other sects and heretics. Effectively, it says that my understanding of the Bible is superior to the accumulated wisdom of every generation of Christians that has ever lived. Enough said.” (Page 34)

“Moreover, as Toon comments, the name ‘the Father’ is not merely a simile (as if God is simply like a father) or even a metaphor (an unusual use of language drawing attention to aspects of God’s nature in surprising and odd terms), but it is a definite personal name. In contrast, maternal language for God is a simile in the Old Testament but never a metaphor,³¹ and is completely absent in the New Testament. Father is the proper name for God and does not merely describe what he is like.” (Page 76)

Praise for the Print Edition

In this impressive systematic theology, Robert Letham sets before us the ripe fruit of a long career of devoted scholarship. He does so with clarity, confidence, and thoughtful judgment. The result is an elixir drawn from Scripture into which he has carefully stirred ingredients from Patristic orthodoxy, medieval theology, and Reformation and post-Reformation confessionalism. These are judiciously mixed by a theologian conscious that he is writing for the twenty-first century. Systematic Theology is Letham’s personal bequest to the church of Jesus Christ. A magnum opus indeed—which students, ministers, and scholars will find to be a real stimulation to their theological taste buds!

—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries

Robert Letham writes systematic theology as it should be written. His work is marked by a careful dialogue between the Bible and the great creedal and confessional traditions of the church, always aided and abetted by a panoply of great theologians from the past and the present. This work is marked by clarity of thought and ecumenicity of spirit. Here we have the full fruits of a lifetime of thinking theologically.

—Carl R. Trueman, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College

Robert Letham has blessed us with a systematic theology that is sure to stimulate reflection, discussion, and deeper understanding of both the Holy Scriptures and the church’s interpretations of them to formulate its theology over the last two millennia. One does not need to agree with every detail of Letham’s magnum opus to realize that here is a treasure house of Christian wisdom on the whole counsel of God that will inform your mind and move your heart and affections to serve your Savior and Lord more single-mindedly and zealously than ever before.

—Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; Pastor, Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; author, Reformed Preaching

Product Details

• Title: Systematic Theology
• Author: Robert Letham
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 1,072
• Christian Group: Reformed
• Resource Type: Systematic Theology
• Topic: Theology

About Robert Letham

Robert Letham, presbyterian pastor and theologian, teaches Systematic Theology at the Wales Evangelical School of Theology, formerly Evangelical Theological College of Wales. Previously he was Senior Minister of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church Wilmington Delaware for 17 years. He has taught at London Bible College (now London School of Theology), and most recently was Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia and Visiting Professor of Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Baltimore / Washington DC.