Always Reforming: Explorations in Systematic Theology

by Robert L. Reymond, Richard C. Gamble, Stephen Williams, et al.

Book Overview

The Reformed churches of the sixteenth century affirmed the need to be semper reformanda--always reforming. But in the ensuing centuries, some have taken this conviction as a mandate to abandon the departure from received orthodoxy, while others have progressed toward a rigid confessionalism that cements the Reformation itself as a final codification of truth. Between these extremes is the ongoing need of the church to be always reforming--subjecting...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 083082829X
• ISBN13: 9780830828296
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 365 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The Blessedness Of Theological Deliberations

I recommend it in all confidence. Flawless theology. The authors, wise theologians in the Reformed tradition, have surely touched on an epistemological truth: they should always seek to uphold the normative nature of truth, yet as theologians, they need to be able to explore and develop Reformed assertions within parameters respectful of their commitment to Reformational principles. To this end, these seminary theologians are continuing the effective pastoring of ordained graduates by giving sagacious theological 'new wine skins', which suggests a heartwarming herald of the full scope of their abilities and calling. Their corporate intent is accurately summed up by Derek Thomas: 'Understanding of truth develops, but not to the point where the Church declares apostolic truth a falsehood.' p 338 Chapter 2, Observations On The Future Of System by Stephen Williams: 'But the development of analytical philosophy in the English-speaking world, including its use in Reformed circles, has resulted in the heightened SUBJECTION OF THEOLOGICAL TRUTH to technical, logical treatment. Theologically, there is a very severely limited gain to this. More, it is foolish to make anything religiously significant hang on the precision of analytic reasoning at this level, for one false step in logic ruins everything and it is only the arrogant or the ignorant who will be confident that such a step is being avoided.' p 48 'Where we are trying to interrelate particular truths systematically, Scripture relates them severally and particularly to life...Obedient response to the Word of God is not contingent on systematic explication.' pp. 49-50 Chapter 3, Classical Christology's Future by Robert L Reymond: 'Christological orthodoxy, represented by the Definition of Chalcedon, maintains that in the Incarnation the Son of God, the Second Person of the Godhead, already a self-conscious, self-determining person within the Godhead, took into union with Himself not a human person but only a human nature...as a person the Son of God gave personal identity to the human nature He had assumed without losing or compromising His divine nature. Never for a moment did Jesus exist for a moment apart from the union of natures in the one divine Person.' p 104 TRUE! 'Another type of kenosis is a more serious deviation from classical Christology, because it pertains to Christ's divine nature, asserting that God the Son 'emptied', that is, divested, Himself of one or more of His divine attributes...or the use of these attributes when He assumed human flesh...and it has been perpetuated with variations to this day. But in my 'A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith', I demonstrate exegetically that there is no basis in Philippians 2:6-7 for thinking that in the act of Incarnation, Christ 'emptied' Himself of anything. The 'emptying' referred to there refers, NOT to His Incarnation, but to His 'pouring Himself out' in death in His role as our heavenly High Priest (Isa 53:12).' p 107