Rating: Summary: Perhaps the best commentary to hit market in 21st century Review: First published in 1998, Robert Reymond's systematic theology is a masterpiece. I give it a 4.5/5.0. It is a remarkable affirmation of the truths of the Reformed Faith and Covenant Theology. Reymond's reasoning is sharp, his reading of the Scriptures is exegetical, and his logic is sound. The systematic theology is fairly well-organized. His discussion of soteriology is enlightening and engaging. This book is very Christ-centered and makes a powerful case for Covenant Theology as being the most reliable hermenutical framework. I'm a Congregational Christian while Reymond is Presbyterian, so our ecclesiology (doctrine of the church) is somewhat different. Despite the fact that he characterizes the Congregational polity as "anarchy," his reasoning for supporting the Presbyterian polity and its concomitant Presbyterian ecclesiology is fairly sound and cogent. He affirms classic Reformed Eschatology (the doctrine of last things), though his discussion of eschatology was somewhat dimunitive.
Rating: Summary: Not every one loves Reymond Review: Having read the longer reviews on this site, I have to agree that there are some serious flaws in this book concerning Dr. Reymond's rejection of Nicene trinitarianism. However, those who can recognize these errors can benefit greatly from this volume. For instance, his presentation of presuppositional apologetics is one of the clearest in print. Part three--"Our 'So Great Salvation'" is worth the price of the book, especially the section on the unity of the covenant of grace. And his defense of Calvinism, particularly limited atonement, is without peer. While I can't recommend this book without reservation, I can tell you that if you read it with discernment, you won't be sorry you bought it.
Rating: Summary: sloppy work Review: I comment only on this book's account of Catholic doctrine. Its adequacy as a presentation of Protestant theology I leave to Protestants to discuss. I will give one example of the book's sloppiness. (I do not say mendacity, because I presume the author means well.) The author says that, since Vatican II, Rome has effectively redefined membership in the Catholic Church to include not only those contained within her visible structure, but also Protestants, eastern Orthodox, Jews, Muslims, and people who sincerely seek God, so that all these are saved. This is simply not the case. I ask myself: if this man misunderstands the texts of Vatican II so woefully, how can he be trusted to interpret Scripture correctly? Perhaps this book is a useful text of Protestantism. But, please, if you want to understand Catholicism, you had better turn to someone who understands it himself.
Rating: Summary: Req'd reading for all Presby office holders!!! Review: I don't think there is a more readable,up to date, honest,Reformed, Systematic Theology (ST) out there.ST's must be updated with every generation due to the polemic nature of so much of what they deal with. They must engage the false doctrines of the day, and the weaknesses in the church. I love to read the old stuff, and I've probably learned more from the puritans than any other generation of theologians, but we must be willing to update our ST's and other theologically important books. Reymond has put together something that is not a retread, is profound, but written very plainly (at least as plainly as the subject matter allows). Reymond also draws from some of my favorites like Vos, and the ST by J. Oliver Buswell. He also interacts with the Westminster standards thoughout the book. Everyone that I have recommended it to, and has got it, has thanked me. RG
Rating: Summary: Req'd reading for all Presby office holders!!! Review: I don't think there is a more readable,up to date, honest,Reformed, Systematic Theology (ST) out there. ST's must be updated with every generation due to the polemic nature of so much of what they deal with. They must engage the false doctrines of the day, and the weaknesses in the church. I love to read the old stuff, and I've probably learned more from the puritans than any other generation of theologians, but we must be willing to update our ST's and other theologically important books. Reymond has put together something that is not a retread, is profound, but written very plainly (at least as plainly as the subject matter allows). Reymond also draws from some of my favorites like Vos, and the ST by J. Oliver Buswell. He also interacts with the Westminster standards thoughout the book. Everyone that I have recommended it to, and has got it, has thanked me. RG
Rating: Summary: A must-have resource Review: I find myself using Dr. Reymond's book probably more than any other theological text (other than the Bible) that I own. The writing is more clear than many more "popular-level" books on the subject, and he does a wonderful job of laying out a Calvinistic, presbyterian, covenant, supralapsarian theology of Scripture. You may not agree with all of his conclusions (the supralapsarian view being, in particular, a distinct minority view even among the Reformed), but there is no disputing the fact that he gives extensive support and exegesis for every single meticulous argument in his book. Particularly valuable is the section dealing with each (and I mean EVERY one) of the Scriptures that supposedly point to a universal atonement, and his passionate defense of particular redemption. Also, the book contains a strong critique of dispensational theology along with a solid argument for the covenant view. Again, you may disagree with the conclusions, but he presents strong arguments. All in all, I have not seen a better recent work on Reformed systematic theology anywhere, and I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially to someone who is just beginning an investigation into Reformed theology. You'll want the classics as well, but this book is destined to become one, and is essential for dealing with the current theological issues facing the Reformed Christian.
Rating: Summary: A sad day for Reformed theology Review: I have to say that I was excited when I first heard that Dr. Reymond was producing this new systematic theology text. Since Louis Berkhof, there have been very few systematic theology texts written from a consistently Reformed viewpoint (Morton Smith's 2 vol. set is in print but difficult to obtain). It was with great anticipation, then, that I began reading Reymond's textbook. Having read some of his past work, I knew the book would be thoroughly exegetical and strongly Reformed. My enthusiasm for the book was dampened almost immediately when, in the introduction, I read Dr. Reymond calling for Reformed Christians to abandon Nicene trinitarianism in favor of what he thinks is "Reformed" trinitarianism. Immediately, I skipped ahead and read the relevant chapters on "The Trinity and the Creeds." Whatever valuable contributions Reymond makes in other areas of the book (and there are some) are fatally compromised by his abandonment of orthodox Christian trinitarianism in this section of the book. Not only does he reject orthodox Christian trinitarianism, he does so on shoddy scholarly grounds. First he claims that Nicene trinitarianism is inherently subordinationist, yet even a cursory examination of the relevant primary sources will show this to be patently false. He shows a horrible grasp of what the Nicene fathers actually taught. (This may be due in part to the fact that there is little evidence he read any primary sources from the early church on the subject of the Trinity). Secondly, he claims Calvin for his position when this can also easily be proven to be false. His only support for his claim that Calvin shares his rejection of orthodox trinitarianism is a citation from one paragraph out of a 95 page essay written by B.B. Warfield entitled "Calvin and the Trinity." The problem is that Reymond not only misreads Calvin, he badly misreads Warfield on Calvin. One has only to read Warfield's entire paper, and he will see immediately that Warfield - not once - but numerous times demonstrates Calvin's strong adherence to Nicene trinitarianism. By taking one paragrpah from Warfield out of its context, Reymond has not only badly slandered Calvin, he has badly slandered Warfield. Neither of these Reformed giants would have advocated adopting Reymond's trinitarian heresy. I would strongly recommend that any student of theology who is interested in this volume find a copy of the Fall 2000 issue of the Westminster Theological Journal and carefully read the book review of Reymond's text found therein. In calling Reformed believers to abandon Nicene trinitarianism, Robert Reymond is doing the same thing as the Arians of the fourth century and the Jehovah's Witnesses of today do - he is advocating the abandonment of the Chriatian faith. He is not advocating abandoning the same parts of Nicene trinitarianism as the Arians did, but that does not make his abandonment of other vital parts of this essential doctrine any less serious. I find it very sad and disturbing that so many people here have given this book such glowing reviews. It indicates a terrible ignorance of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity on the part of those who have recommended it. The same people who would notice the slightest deviation from the traditional Calvinist doctrine of election do not even seem to notice a major deviation from a doctrine that is far more fundamental to the Christian faith.
Rating: Summary: Make room next to Grudem Review: I simply write in response to our negatively voiced reviewers. It is certainly no surprise that the Eastern Orthodox Church would not embrace Reymond's theology since it does not hold that the teaching of the seven early counsel are of equal authority to the Scriptures. This Systematic Theology is well worth your time and money.
Rating: Summary: Excellent! Review: If you are looking for a well defended Reformed Theology, look no further
Rating: Summary: A Pretribulationist Dispensationalist Review: In my personal experience, the only thing that prevents me from rating the book a 4 instead of a 5, is my doctrinal discrepancies with it. I recommend this book VERY highly to all who hold to covenant theology or a Reformed view of Eschatology. In my humble opinion, Reymond's areas of incredible skill are in teaching about covenants and ESPECIALLY in teaching about all aspects of the cross and the "Death of death in the death of Christ." I personally loved his writings about soteriology and highly favored his informative commentaries on Arminianism and the hypostatic union. They were extremely helpful, since I am a beginner to all this stuff. His chapter entitled "The Unity of the Covenant of Grace" had arguments that could fall either way, and had little in relation to the topic. Rebuttal of the chapter was not as difficult as it would have been if I were say, antitrinitarian or Arminian. Despite this weak link, the book retains impressive apologetic information. My thoughts while staying up reading this book, balancing with my grades right before I graduated high school, in the section on Bibliology were "AAUUGGHH! Coffee! More Coffee!" During the first four (and fifth) chapter of the book, it was entirely exhaustive. THIS IS NOT A FLAW in the writing, but rather in my attention span! I appreciate the extensive coverage spent in disarming higher criticism and teaching about Biblical authority. I recommend this book to all Christians. Dr. Reymond's writing style is poetic and he makes his message entirely lucid. For all Christians just beginning to get a grasp on doctrine, this will be a start for everything you need to know.
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