Puritan Reformed Theology: Historical, Experiential, and Practical Studies for the Whole of Life

752 pages

View excerpt here.

“Puritan Reformed Theology is a title with a subtle double entendre. It certainly delivers what it promises—theology in the Reformed tradition mediated especially through the life and writings of the Puritans. But it also celebrates the quarter centenary of the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by presenting in one volume the wonderful series of essays its founding president, Dr. Joel R. Beeke, has contributed to the seminary journal. 

In these pages Professor Beeke handles a wide variety of subjects and turns them, one by one, into theological and pastoral gold. The range is extraordinary and yet focused on the main things. The ease of readability pleases the ordinary reader and yet there are footnotes in scholar-satisfying abundance. The sheer size of the book may seem intimidating, yet like a great cathedral it can be appreciated one stone at a time. Here then is a thesaurus of theological and spiritual riches, a veritable Aladdin’s cave of intellectual and spiritual pleasures. I feel sure that readers will find themselves frequently returning to Puritan Reformed Theology to find in it both theological treasure and spiritual pleasure.”

— Sinclair B. Ferguson, chancellor’s professor of systematic theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; teaching fellow, Ligonier Ministries

“Puritan Reformed Theology is a treasure trove of articles and sermons that reflect godly piety and biblical orthodoxy. Dr. Beeke has once again served us with a valuable work which I gladly recommend.”

— John MacArthur, senior pastor-teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California

“First, congratulations to Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary on the happy occasion of your twenty-fifth anniversary, and to Dr. Joel Beeke on his completion of a quarter century of teaching there. The Lord is good, and He has shown His goodness in raising up and sustaining a school that is faithful to the Scriptures and Reformed theology. I’m grateful to God for you. Second, thank you to Dr. Beeke for this book, Puritan Reformed Theology: Historical, Experiential, and Practical Studies for the Whole of Life. Here is material for those in ministry or preparing for it (especially pastors, professors, missionaries, seminarians, and elders), as we aspire to better serve our flocks. And here is material for all Christians to feed and reflect on as we seek to grow in knowledge, grace, and wisdom. There is plenty here to engage the mind and warm the heart. It’s classic Joel: truth for devotion. Enjoy, learn, and grow.”

— Ligon Duncan, chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Dr. Beeke is one of the world’s foremost scholars on Puritanism, and in this volume we have a marvelous collection of chapters covering historical, theological, and practical subjects of substance. I can think of no one I would rather learn from about these matters than Dr. Beeke. This collection contains the highest level of pastoral wisdom and doctrinal reflection through the lens of one of the best theologians and pastors I have ever known.”

— Derek W. H. Thomas, senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina; chancellor’s professor, Reformed Theological Seminary; teaching fellow, Ligonier Ministries

“As I look at the title and author of this book, Puritan Reformed Theology by Joel Beeke, each of these words—Puritan, Reformed, Theology, and Joel Beeke—fit together perfectly. Like links forged together on a chain, none can be separated from the others. So it is that Joel Beeke has become virtually synonymous with puritan reformed theology. This collection of articles written by Dr. Beeke and compiled into this one volume, is certain to be a storehouse of theological wealth for all who read it.”

— Steven J. Lawson, President, OnePassion Ministries, Dallas, Texas

“It is all here: Puritan, and therefore magnificently Christ-centered. Reformed, and therefore established on the foundations of the Reformation. Theological, and therefore unashamedly confessional. Historical, therefore rehearsing relevantly timeless truths and freshly exposing old errors. Experiential, therefore conveying pathos, warmth, and conviction. Practical, therefore applicatory on almost every page. And finally, massively comprehensive, and therefore suitable for relaxing reading and mind-stretching awe.”

— Geoffrey Thomas, emeritus pastor, Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, Wales

Table of Contents:

BIBLICAL STUDIES

1. The Age of the Spirit and Revival

2. Trust in the Incarnate Word

3. Our Glorious Adoption: Trinitarian-Based and Transformed Relationships

4. Paul and James: Are We Justified by Faith or by Faith and Works?

5. Gethsemane’s King-Lamb: A Sermon on John 18:7–8, 12–13a

6. The Man of Sin: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

7. Delighting in God: A Guide to Sabbath-Keeping

SYSTEMATIC AND HISTORICAL THEOLOGY

8. God-Centered Theology in the Ministry of the Word

9. Calvin on Sovereignty, Providence, and Predestination

10. Reading the Puritans

11. Godefridus Udemans: Life, Influence, and Writings

12. John Bunyan on Justification

13. Reformed Orthodoxy in North America

14. The Perspicuity of Scripture

15. Laurence Chaderton: His Life and Ecclesiology

16. Natural Theology: Some Historical Perspective

EXPERIENTIAL THEOLOGY

17. Calvin as an Experiential Preacher

18. The Puritans on Conscience and Casuistry

19. Assurance of Salvation: The Insights of Anthony Burgess

20. Wilhelmus à Brakel’s Biblical Ethics of Spirituality

21. Images of Union and Communion with Christ

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY

22. Puritans on the Family: Recent Publications

23. Consider Christ in Affliction: An Open Letter to True Believers

24. Learning from the Puritans on Being Salt and Light

25. Puritans on Marital Love

PASTORAL THEOLOGY AND MISSIONS

26. God-Centered Adult Education

27. Plain Preaching Demonstrating the Spirit and His Power

28. How to Evaluate Your Sermons

29. Practical Application in Preaching

30. Authentic Ministry: Servanthood, Tears, and Temptations

31. Children in the Church

32. The Minister’s Helpmeet

33. Unprofessional Puritans and Professional Pastors: What the Puritans Would Say to Modern Pastors

34. Catechism Preaching

35. A Life in the Word

36. Why You and Your Family Should Go to Church: Biblical Answers to “Churchless Christianity”

CONTEMPORARY AND CULTURAL ISSUES

37. Interview with Joel Beeke about Reformed Churches and Seminaries

38. Handling Error in the Church: Martin Downes Interviewing Joel R. Beeke

39. Practical Lessons for Today from the Life of Idelette Calvin

40. Rediscovering the Laity: The Reformation in the Pew and in the Classroom

41. In Commemoration of the Heidelberg Catechism’s 450th Anniversary: The Catechism as a Confession of Faith

42. How to Battle Hostility and Secularism

43. Busy but Fruitful: How to Manage Time

44. Nurturing Intimate Communication with Your Spouse