Reformed Systematic Theology

The essentials version of Joel Beeke’s magnum opus four volume Systematic Theology is a gem! Although I have the four volumes (I admit I have only read the first volume completely and I got halfway through the second volume), I decided to put the four volumes on hold until I read this one volume summary.

Telling the Bible’s story of God and the world can take up a lot of space. Explaining what this story means by arranging its parts into logical segments by systematising and condensing Scripture’s message is no easy task. Any writer who seeks to write a systematic theology knows that the size of the task can get rapidly out of hand. Beeke and Smalley’s massive four-volume Reformed Systematic Theology is indeed a remarkable achievement, interweaving biblical, historical, and practical theology into accessible volumes for the average reader to read. However, though these volumes are accessible, the chapters are long, making this single-volume condensed version a welcome companion to the original set. In this work, the authors impressively abridge their larger project into ninety-five chapters in seven parts and it’s not just a ChatGPT summary of the four volumes. They carefully crafted each chapter to reflect the core of each doctrine.

I believe every Christian should have a copy of this condensed version because it is simple enough for the layman to read and yet an experienced theologian will find it rewarding. Go get yourself a copy and perhaps even buy your friend a copy for his birthday.

Here is a place where you can purchase a copy in Australia: https://reformers.com.au/products/9781433590917-essentials-of-reformed-systematic-theology-joel-r-beeke-paul-m-smalley

Worshiptainment

Matthew Everhard, a Presbyterian minister from the US, has written a compelling and hard hitting book called “Worshiptainment: The Modern Church’s Golden Calf”. The basic premise of the book is that the evangelical movement has been for far too long all about entertaining crowds with ridiculous theatrics in order to seduce audiences to attend services. He contends that we need to go back to the ancient practice and forms of worship of the Reformers. His case is compelling and I almost agree with everything he says, except for a few American idiosyncracies. Coming from Australia where the majority of even Presbyterian churches are on the seeker sensitive spectrum, I am convinced that the historical worship tradition of the Reformers is the cure to the cheap and shallow worship of many evangelical churches today. Bring back the Hymnals, bring back Liturgy - at least a decent call to worship, (that’s not much to ask for) and bring back the prominence of the Sacraments.

The book is also peppered with ridiculous accounts of the lengths that some evangelical churches have gone to in order to attract crowds, I had a chuckle or two while reading it. I highly recommend this book to all who are tired of the shallowness of the evangelical movement. Go read and buy your friend a copy!