Crossway Theology Collection 2 (9 vols.)

by David K. Clark; John S. Feinberg; Carl R. Trueman; Rob Lister

and

5 more

Publisher:

Crossway

, 2003–2014

Overview

This collection of theological explorations will assist modern Christians in navigating common questions about the role of theology in daily life. With general studies on theology proper and focused examinations of important topics such as the nature of the church, the return of Christ, and the problem of evil, this collection is designed to equip and edify. Filled with writing from notable Evangelical authors, readers will be challenged to put into practice their beliefs in a deeper way. Students of church history and of theology will benefit from the study of how modern theology came to be.

Key Features

• Contains both an eschatological and historical view of theology
• Highly practical writing on the identity of the church
• Addresses implications of Christian theology for modern life

Product Details

• Title: Crossway Theology Collection (9 vols.)
• Publisher: Crossway
• Volumes: 9
• Pages: 3,424
• Resource Type: Monographs
• Topic: Theology

To Know and Love God: Method for Theology

• Author: David K. Clark
• Editor: John S. Feinberg
• Series: Foundations of Evangelical Theology
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 464

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All Christians have the responsibility to serve God by discerning what is true about the crucial issues of life. Simply put, our task is to learn more about God. Our privilege is to love God passionately with our minds. Clearly then, spiritual life must contain theology. Knowing and loving God are both necessary.

David Clark explains how evangelical systematic theology is structured and how this discipline assists believers in understanding God more fully and worshipping him more completely. He argues that evangelical systematic theology is rooted in the Bible and focused on Christ. Good theology provides vision, fosters wisdom, and nurtures covenantal relationship with God. Good theology, he explains, leads to knowing and loving God.

David K. Clark is professor of theology at Bethel Seminary and lead pastor of Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, Minnesota. He has written numerous journal articles, essays, and books, including Dialogical Apologetics and When Someone You Love Is Dying.

Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church

• Author: Gregg R. Allison
• Editor: John S. Feinberg
• Series: Foundations of Evangelical Theology
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 496

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What is a church? This can be a difficult question to answer and Christians have offered a variety of perspectives. Gregg Allison explores and synthesizes all that Scripture affirms about the new covenant people of God, capturing a full picture of the biblical church. He covers the topics of the church’s identity and characteristics; its growth through purity, unity, and discipline; its offices and leadership structures; its ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and its ministries. Here is a rich approach to ecclesiology consisting of sustained doctrinal reflection and wise, practical application.

I believe that the doctrine of the church will be the most urgent locus of theological reflection over the next generation. In Sojourners and Strangers, Gregg Allison clears the ground by presenting a thoroughly biblical ecclesiology, at once comprehensive in scope and sensitive to nuance. A welcome addition to an important series.

—Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School

The doctrine of the church is one that continues to divide Christians, and especially Protestants, from one another. Dr. Gregg Allison has grasped this thorny nettle and produced a book that presents both the basic principles that unite us and the controversies that continue to produce different ecclesial formations. He maintains his own conservative, Reformed Baptist convictions while being fair to those who hold other views, making his book a valuable contribution to our understanding of this vitally important subject.

—Gerald Bray, Research professor of divinity, history, and doctrine, Beeson Divinity School

I am a full-time pastor, and therefore I must be a full-time theologian. As a pastor, my highest calling is to honor Jesus by shepherding his flock. As a theologian, my highest calling is to laud Jesus publically as the hope of the world. Quite frankly, I need help as I deal with real life difficulties that I could not fictionally create. Dr. Allison’s work in Sojourners and Strangers is the most helpful, theologically driven manual for leading in the church. If you buy it, you’ll wear it out.

—Tyler Jones, lead pastor, Vintage Church, Raleigh, NC

Gregg R. Allison is professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is secretary of the Evangelical Theological Society, a book review editor for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, an elder at Sojourn Community Church, and a theological strategist for Sojourn Network. Allison has taught at several colleges and seminaries, including Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and is the author of numerous books, including Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church, and Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment.

God Is Impassible and Impassioned: Toward a Theology of Divine Emotion

• Authors: Rob Lister, Bruce Ware
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 336

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Modern theologians have focused on the doctrine of divine impassibility, exploring the significance of God’s emotional experience and most especially the question of divine suffering. Professor Rob Lister speaks into the issue, outlining the history of the doctrine in the views of influential figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther, while carefully examining modernity’s growing rejection of impassibility and the subsequent evangelical response. With an eye toward holistic synthesis, this book proposes a theological model based upon fresh insights into the historical, biblical, and theological dimensions of this important doctrine.

Though a young and upcoming evangelical scholar, Rob Lister has made a very significant contribution to one of the most difficult theological doctrines, the impassibility of God. By combining historical theology, interaction with contemporary nonevangelical theories, a retroductive theological method, circumspect metaphysical reflection on divine revelation, biblical theology, and systematic theology (especially theology proper and christology), Lister offers a convincing case that God is both impassible and impassioned. This book sets the standard on this topic and is a model of evangelical scholarship at its finest!

—Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Although the concept of divine passibilism, appropriate in some ways for a deeply sentimentalized culture, is all the rage in modern theology, for most of the history of the church, God was viewed as being impassible. Why was this so, and how did the Bible shape this perspective of God? And can we construct a model in this regard that does justice to what the Scriptures and church history say about God, and that also engages with modern sensibilities? This study by Rob Lister is extremely helpful in answering these questions: it is preeminently scriptural, takes the Rezeptionsgeschichte of this doctrine very seriously, and satisfactorily answers current concerns.

—Michael A.G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Rob Lister boldly goes where few evangelicals have gone before in this very helpful study of how best to make sense of what Scripture says about God’s emotions. Lister does away with caricatures of the Patristic tradition as having sold out to Greek philosophy, surveys contemporary evangelical positions on divine impassibility, and provides a constructive hermeneutical method and theological model for doing justice both to the impassibilist tradition and to biblical language about divine emotions. As G. K. Chesterton observes, ‘an inch is everything when you’re balancing,’ and to Lister’s credit he completes his routine without falling off the balance beam that is systematic theology.

—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Rob Lister is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at the Talbot School of Theology. His primary research interests include theology proper, christology, and sanctification—all of which are fused together at the hub of his book on divine impassibility. He and his wife, LuWinn, have four children.

The Many Faces of Evil: Theological Systems and the Problems of Evil

• Author: John S. Feinberg
• Edition: Revised and expanded
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 544

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In this examination of the questions posed by the problem of evil, John Feinberg addresses the intellectual and theological framework of theodicy. Beginning with a discussion of the logical problem of evil, he interacts with leading thinkers who have previously written on these themes.

Feinberg’s classic treatment of the problem of evil has been a standard treatment of this philosophical issue for some time. Coming from the Augustinian/Reformed tradition, it is a vigorous defense of both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. This new edition makes an already great book even better, as Feinberg has been able to incorporate new material in his debates and conversation with people like Rowe and Plantinga. This is surely one of the most important books ever written on the problem of evil. Those who ignore it will find their own understanding of the issue impoverished, especially in light of the current discussion.

—Chad Owen Brand, associate professor of Christian theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Many Faces of Evil presents an excellent overview and response to the logical, evidential, and existential aspects of the problem. Those who expect insightful, decisive analyses from John Feinberg will not be disappointed. Crossway Books is also to be commended for its ongoing tradition of strong scholarly publications. This is a ‘must read’ text.

—Gary R. Habermas, distinguished research professor and chair, Philosophy Department, Liberty University

In this updated edition, Feinberg continues to press home the message that there are many versions of the problem of evil and that, in fact, there are many successful solutions to these versions as well. Feinberg gives a thorough presentation of the alternatives as well as of his own position. A valuable resource!

—Winfried Corduan, professor of philosophy and religion, Taylor University

John S. Feinberg is department chair and professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of Ethics for a Brave New World (with Paul D. Feinberg) and is general editor of Crossway’s Foundations of Evangelical Theology series.

The Theology of B.B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary

• Author: Fred G. Zaspel
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 624

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Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (1851–1921) was undoubtedly one of the greatest Reformed theologians in the history of America. As professor of didactic and polemic theology at Princeton University, he wrote extensively in defense of fundamental Christian doctrines. While his writing touched on the full spectrum of theological topics, it was spread over hundreds of periodicals, books, and pamphlets, and a significant portion has never been published in an accessible form. Warfield stands as a dominant figure on the theological landscape, but few have a comprehensive grasp of his theology, largely because of the difficulty of tracing his ideas through numerous sources.

Fred G. Zaspel has spent many years studying Warfield’s published and unpublished writing, and presents here a concise and coherent systematic theology per B.B. Warfield. For the first time ever, readers can, in one volume, access the content of this great theologian’s academic, sermonic, and devotional works. Scholars, pastors, and students will profit from the unique combination of comprehensive detail and devotional warmth in this systematic theology.

Serious Christians who have dipped into Warfield find his writings to be a wholly admirable mix of rigorous exegesis, mature theological synthesis, and frank devotion to Christ. Much of his work is known only to specialists, not least because when Warfield first published it, it was scattered over many journals and books. Indeed, a fair bit of it was never published. Zaspel’s Warfield remedies the problem admirably: one hopes and prays that it will entice a new generation of readers to delve deeply into Warfield’s contributions.

—D.A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

B.B. Warfield’s distinguished achievements as a systematic theologian have been obscured by the episodic, ad hoc publication of his major theological statements. But even if Warfield did not think it necessary that he write a single, connected systematic theology, it is nonetheless most welcome that Fred Zaspel has done the job for him! The result is a very useful compendium that gives both admirers and detractors of Warfield a full and coherent account of his theology. All who are in the least interested in Warfield or who care at all about vigorous Calvinist theology will find this a most valuable book.

—Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame

B.B. Warfield does not need an introduction for evangelical Christians. He is well known as a major conservative theologian at the close of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. His scholarship in biblical, historical, and doctrinal fields was often without a match. As a Professor in Didactic and Polemic Theology in Princeton Theological Seminary, he was content to use the three volumes of Charles Hodge’s Systematic Theology as the textbook and to pour out the fruits of his labor in a flow of searching articles in a number of theological reviews. Many of these have been republished in book form, but they have not been systematically arranged in one text. That is what Dr. Zaspel has done in culling from the great mass of Warfield’s writings his actual statements in the order they could have followed had Warfield written a one-volume Reformed theology. In this form Warfield may enjoy a renewed effectiveness for our age. With great enthusiasm I highly recommend this volume and hope it will receive a wide reception.

—Roger Nicole, cofounder, ETS

Fred G. Zaspel is a pastor at Reformed Baptist Church in Franconia, Pennsylvania, and adjunct professor of systematic theology at Calvary Baptist Seminary in Landsdale, Pennsylvania. He is co-author of New Covenant Theology and has published numerous booklets, articles, and book reviews.

Kingdom, Come!

• Author: Philip Graham Ryken
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 144

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In what do individuals place their greatest hope? Is it a job? Money? Family? What will happen if they are laid off, the money runs out, or if loved ones pass away? In Kingdom, Come!, Philip Ryken encourages readers to focus on one dependable fact: Jesus is coming soon!

This volume is full of personal stories and insightful meditations on Scripture, and will help readers to persevere through hard times by looking to the glorious future that awaits all who trust in Christ and long for his kingdom.

I absolutely love this book! It is clear, compelling, and concise. You can’t fully understand what Jesus came to do, or what he wants you to do, without understanding the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, much of what is written on this subject does little to clear up the confusion. I have over a hundred books on the Kingdom of God in my library, but this is the only one I’d recommend to everyone.

—Rick Warren, #1 New York Times best-selling author, The Purpose Driven Life; Pastor, Saddleback Church

Jesus’s return is imminent, even if it may not be immediate. In Kingdom, Come! Philip Ryken reminds us that the best is yet to come for those who love Jesus. While this world may be filled with confusion and woe, the kingdom that awaits us is beyond comprehension because we will finally be with God. In this powerfully encouraging book, Ryken encourages us to pray, ‘Come Lord Jesus’ and he is so right!

—Janet Parshall, host and executive producer, In the Market with Janet Parshall

Phil Ryken knows Scripture, knows college students, and knows the time in which we live. Kingdom, Come! reminds not only college students, but the rest of us, that we live in the tension between the ‘here and now’ and the ‘yet to come’ as we strive to serve Christ the King!

—James Barnes, president, Bethel University

Philip Graham Ryken is the eighth president of Wheaton College. Formerly, he served as senior minister of Philadelphia’s historic Tenth Presbyterian Church. He has written or edited more than 40 books, including the popular title Loving the Way Jesus Loves, and has lectured and preached at universities and seminaries worldwide.

The Creedal Imperative

• Author: Carl R. Trueman
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 208

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What if “No creed but the Bible” is unbiblical? The role of confessions and creeds is the subject of debate within evangelicalism today as many resonate with the call to return to Christianity’s ancient roots. Advocating for a balanced perspective, Carl Trueman offers an analysis of why creeds and confessions are necessary, how they have developed over time, and how they can function in the church of today and tomorrow.

If the title of this book sounds boring to you, then it probably means you need it! Doctrinal aversion, radical individualism, unexamined subjectivism—these are only a few of the problems afflicting the evangelical church. In The Creedal Imperative, Carl Trueman wisely applies his vast historical knowledge to offer a remedy for such deficiencies. This book is especially important for so many believers whose Christian life, like mine, grew out of the soil of vibrant experience with insufficient doctrinal moorings. And beyond merely correcting errors, the lessons here have great potential for protecting the church, reinvigorating our cherished beliefs, and fostering greater unity in our worship. I’m grateful for Carl, and I’m grateful he wrote this book.

—C.J. Mahaney, senior pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville, Kentucky

It is commonplace among many church leaders to dispute the need for confessions of faith on the grounds of the supreme authority of the Bible. In this timely book, Trueman demonstrates effectively how such claims are untenable. We all have creeds—the Bible itself requires them—but some are unwritten, not open to public accountability, and the consequences can be damaging. Trueman’s case deserves the widest possible hearing.

—Robert Letham, director of research and senior lecturer in systematic and historical theology, Wales Evangelical School of Theology

Herein is a truly inspiring vision, that churches be freed from the vapid, the fickle, and the dysfunctional by a deeper enjoyment of the faith we have received. Trueman has shown that use of the creeds is both necessary and beautifully enriching. Informative and compelling, this book has what it takes to do great good.

—Michael Reeves, Director of Union and Senior Lecturer, Wales Evangelical School of Theology; author, Delighting in the Trinity, The Unquenchable Flame, and Rejoicing in Christ

Carl R. Trueman is the Paul Woolley Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary and pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Ambler, Pennsylvania. He was editor of Themelios for nine years, has authored or edited more than a dozen books, and has contributed to multiple publications including the Dictionary of Historical Theology and The Cambridge Companion to Reformation Theology.

The Second Coming: Signs of Christ’s Return and the End of the Age

• Author: John MacArthur
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 240

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Jesus Christ was very clear: One day He will return-and none of us knows when. Vocal fanatics claim to know the details of the second coming, causing many Christians to all but ignore the good news that Jesus is coming again. Yet God’s own Word commands us to know the signs of the times, to remain watchful, and to be ready whenever Christ comes.

MacArthur’s book is a straightforward, in-depth exploration of the key biblical texts regarding the second coming— most notably, Christ’s longest and most important eschatological message, the Olivet Discourse. As readers study what the Bible says about these matters, hearts will stir in an earnest longing for Christ’s return, as well as a certainty about how to live expectantly until He comes again.

John MacArthur has served as the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. He is known for his verse-by-verse expository preaching, and his pulpit ministry has extended around the world via his daily radio program, Grace to You. He has also written or edited nearly four hundred books and study guides. MacArthur serves as the president of The Master’s College and Seminary, a four-year liberal arts Christian college. He and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four grown children.

Chance and the Sovereignty of God: A God-Centered Approach to Probability and Random Events

• Author: Vern S. Poythress
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2014
• Pages: 368

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What if all events—big and small, good and bad—are governed by more than just blind chance? What if they are governed by God?

In this theologically informed and philosophically nuanced introduction to the study of probability and chance, Vern Poythress argues that all events—including the seemingly random or accidental—fall under God’s watchful gaze as part of his eternal plan. Comprehensive in its scope, this book lays the theistic foundation for our scientific assumptions about the world while addressing personal questions about the meaning and significance of everyday events.

Learned and astute, this book on chance and probability demonstrates an absolute reliance on the authority of God’s Word. This is the only way that nothing can be left to chance.

—Douglas Wilson, Senior Fellow of Theology, New St. Andrews College; Pastor, Christ Church, Moscow, ID

The prolific Dr. Poythress has gifted us with a unique and uniquely needed work that is both mathematically adept and theologically deep. I know of no other work that so thoroughly addresses the modern sense of chance in a deeply Reformed and philosophically oriented way.

—Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy and director of the Apologetics and Ethics Master’s Degree, Denver Seminary

Is this the go-to book for a biblical theological perspective on chance, coincidence, randomness, risk, probability, prediction, and gambling? You bet it is! Dr. Poythress has hit another one out of the park. This book will transform the way you think about everything from quantum physics and weather forecasts to life insurance and card games.

—James N. Anderson, associate professor of theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, N.C.

Vern S. Poythress is professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he has taught for nearly four decades. In addition to earning six academic degrees, including a PhD from Harvard University and a ThD from the University of Stellenbosch. He is the author of numerous books and articles on a variety of topics, including biblical interpretation, language, and science.