Month: March 2021

Systematic Theology (2nd Ed.) by Wayne Grudem

/ jimmyreagan / 1 Comment

This release is exciting! It’s fantastic to see this widely used systematic theology get a fresh updating to extend its life and reach even further. As someone who has used the earlier edition extensively, I am happy to report that this gets helpful revision and new paragraphs without sacrificing what we loved in the older one. It does not appear to me, either, that he has changed his opinion on many matters. He just states even better what he has been saying well in this book for 25 years.

Because there have been few changes in conclusion, or even in design, it is likely that whatever shortcomings you found in the earlier edition will continue to be found in this new release. For example, I always thought his discussions about the doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit could have been fuller and more prominent among the other doctrines. Don’t misunderstand me; these discussions were still good. I’m just talking about their prominence among systematic theology at large.

It is obvious that systematic theologies get graded more on the reader’s agreement than its quality of work, and so if you follow Grudem’s theology this is easily going to be your favorite one. I suggest it ought to be one of your choices no matter your theological predilections. In fact, I think the best way to use systematic theologies is to have at least three or four of varying perspectives for you to wrestle through. If you take that approach, as I always have, this simply must be one of your choices. I know it’s always been that way for me. If I’m going to study a doctrine, Grudem is going to be one of those first three people I read before I branch out. This revision only makes that more happily the case for me. I don’t always agree with him, but I always appreciate what he has to say.

This is a phenomenal, well thought out, and well communicated volume that could not fail to enrich any Bible student who used it. I know the word “indispensable” can be overused and cliché in a book review, but this is that place where it must be said.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Hebrews (TNTC) by David Peterson

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The TNTC continues its series revision with this new release on Hebrews by highly-respected scholar David Peterson. That Peterson mentions his respect and friendship with Peter O’Brien only raises expectations for me. As it turns out, this commentary is a success delivering high quality within the parameters of this series. There are more detailed commentaries that you will need, but this is the perfect volume to be your choice from a mid-range commentary series.

The 55 pages of introduction to Hebrews is quite well done. Though this series calls for more brevity, this introduction packs quite a punch. Everything covered ranges from either solid to excellent. By far, my favorite part was looking at the details of Hebrews to arrive at a theme. Though the author concluded with a less narrow explanation than most, he was outstanding in marshaling a host of pertinent information for us to consider. You can really do some digging in what Hebrews is about in this section.

The commentary proper is judicious and shows the work of a mature scholar. I don’t always follow him in his conclusions, but I can always follow his train of thought which is essential in good commentary writing. Perhaps he could’ve done more on the warning passages, or maybe my problem is just that I didn’t always agree with what he was saying. You can decide for yourself.

In these days of the spiking number of commentaries available with a corresponding spiraling of price, this series and this specific commentary is a truly good choice. I warmly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.