Systematic Theology, vol. 4: The Church and the Last Things

by Norman R. Gulley

Publisher:

Andrews University Press

, 2016

ISBN: 9781940980072

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Overview

Who are we and where are we going?

What is a Christian Church? How will the church survive? How will Jesus return? How will the Cosmic Conflict end? These questions and more are ardently probed in light of scriptural revelation in this fourth and final volume of Norman Gulley’s Systematic Theology. Here he culminates this work of a lifetime by examining the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology within the theological framework of the cosmic controversy between Christ and Satan.

This volume examines controversial questions about God’s church: Who is its Head? Who is its Vicar? How does it receive God’s grace? Who has ultimate authority? Gulley both examines and critiques some of the traditional answers by his interpretive framework of Scripture enunciated in his system. The Reformation is not finished, and there is thus a need for increasing clarity.

The Bible refers to a coming tribulation, and this work examines how it can be understood and survived. The books of Daniel and Revelation play a pivotal role here, as Gulley surveys and critically examines various approaches to prophetic eschatology that have been held throughout Christian history—preterism, futurism, historicism, and idealism—including their related views regarding the return of Christ. He builds his eschatological outlook on a historicist approach, with biblical prophecy fulfilled throughout Christian history, as well as in the present and the future. The foundational principle employed is that which Gulley began in his Prolegomena—sola scriptura. This final volume of the immense and wide-ranging Systematic Theology thus culminates where the first began with the primacy of Scripture in the cosmic conflict worldview. And it fittingly climaxes with the final resolution of that conflict—the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment.

Explores four different views of the church, concentrating on their foundational nature
Surveys the various eschatological views
Examines the differences within the context of the cosmic controversy of Satan against Christ

Section Introduction: The Church

Daniel and Revelation: Contribution to Ecclesiology and Eschatology
Doctrine of Ecclesiology: Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox
Apostolic Church: Nature and Mission
Apostolic Church: Holy Spirit as Vicar of God
Roman Church: Further Background
Roman Church: Apostolic Succession
Roman Church and Paganism
Roman Church: Replacement Theology
Roman Church: Replacement Theology, Sabbath Debate 1
Roman Church: Replacement Theology, Sabbath Debate 2
Roman Church: Replacement Theology and the Rise of Sunday
Reformation Unfinished: What Is Missing?
Reformation Unfinished: Church Ordinances
Reformation Unfinished: Church and State
Finishing the Reformation: Toward a Theology of the Remnant

Section Introduction: The Last Things

Eschatology: Importance of Sola Scriptura
Eschatology: Apostolic Teaching 1
Eschatology: Apostolic Teaching 2
Eschatology: Apostolic Teaching 3
Eschatology: Global Gathering
Eschatology: Global Test, Left-Behind, and Armageddon
Eschatology: Second Advent
Eschatology: Millennium
Eschatology: New Earth

Top Highlights

“Many contemporary Christian leaders are working to build the kingdom of God on earth, contrary to Scripture” (Page 485)

“Israel misunderstood God’s righteousness. Israel misunderstood ‘covenant righteousness” (Page 315)

“The Roman Church received a deadly wound when Pope Pius VI was taken prisoner” (Page 521)

“Why would believers criticize Peter if he was like a pope to them” (Page 175)

“Note the term ‘evening and mornings’ (ereb boquer; Dan. 8:14). Is this temple language? It is used relative to tending the lamps (mē‘ereb ‘ad-bōqer; Exod. 27:20–21), but never of the daily sacrifices. As William H. Shea points out, the sacrifices are always spoken of as ‘morning and evening.’²¹ For example, ‘morning and evening burnt offerings’ (labōqer welā‘āreb; 1 Chron. 16:40). So the division of the 2,300 ‘evening and mornings’ into 1,150 literal sacrifices is not supported by the term, which stands only for a full day, and never for the sacrifice sequence. These are some of the reasons why the Danielic little horn cannot be the second century b.c. Antiochus IV Epiphanes.” (Pages 716–717)

I am honored to endorse this final volume of Norman Gulley’s Systematic Theology. As in his earlier three volumes, this work on the doctrines of the church and final events reveals Dr. Gulley’s carefulness of research and clarity of thought. Though I differ with him in a number of places in the volume, I never felt that he simply created theological straw men or ignored positions other than his own.

—H. Wayne House, Past President, Evangelical Theological Society

With the completion of the fourth volume of his massive systematic theology project, Norman Gulley has solidified his place as the premier Adventist theologian of our day. Like the previous volumes, this work reflects the many commendable characteristics we have come to expect from Professor Gulley. This volume, which clearly and thoroughly articulates the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology from an intentional Adventist perspective, is thoughtful in its approach, balanced in its engagement with others, wide-ranging in its research and interaction, and clearly presented. One need not agree with all aspects of Gulley’s approach to appreciate, admire, and learn from his careful, competent, and capable work as a theologian.

—David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University

Monumental is the word that comes to mind when viewing Norman Gulley’s four-volume Systematic Theology, the first such work by an Adventist scholar. This final volume’s treatment of the doctrines of the church and final events is both perceptive and thorough. We are indebted to Dr. Gulley for a book that puts the biblical and historical pieces together to form a vivid mosaic of these two closely related topics. Gulley’s massive contribution will form a starting place for research and discussion for years to come.

—George R. Knight, Professor Emeritus of Church History, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University

Title: Systematic Theology: The Church and The Last Things
Author: Norman R. Gulley
Publisher: Andrews University Press
Print Publication Date: 2016
Logos Release Date: 2019
Pages: 868
Era: era:contemporary
Language: English
Resources: 1
Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
Subjects: Church › History of doctrines; Church › Biblical teaching; Bible. O.T. Daniel › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Second Advent › History of doctrines; Second Advent › Biblical teaching; Bible. N.T. Revelation › Criticism, interpretation, etc
ISBNs: 9781940980072, 9781883925376, 9781883925710, 1940980070, 1883925371, 1883925711
Resource ID: LLS:SYTMTCTHEOGULLEY04
Resource Type: Systematic Theology
Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:16:31Z

Norman R. Gulley (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland) is research professor of systematic theology at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee. He has worked in the Far East and in the United States during a long career of pastoring, teaching, academic administration, professional society involvement, writing, and extensive worldwide travel as a visiting lecturer. He has authored several books including Is the Majority Moral?, Christ Our Substitute, and Christ Is Coming! as well as more than 150 professional papers and popular articles on a wide range of issues in theology and practical religion. He is an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society and is a past president of the Adventist Theological Society.