Dr. Robert L. Reymond has done what many have thought was impossible. He has developed a new Reformed systematic theology of the Christian faith that can and does rival Louis Berkhof's classic Systematic Theology in terms of depth and breadth of information, and in terms of its strong reliance on the Bible and the foundations of the Reformed faith. Reymond also set out to supplement Berkhof's monumental accomplishment with information from further sources, and to create a new, viable textbook for teaching Reformed systematic theology. By all accounts, Reymond has succeeded.
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith is a passionate, well-written defense of the historical faith of the Reformed church, as well as a cogent and easily understood look at the issues that shaped and are shaping Christianity. And while Reymond is strongly Reformed, he is not afraid to go against traditional Reformed teaching where he feels it contradicts what the Bible clearly says. The Bible is, and always should be, the final authority on all theological matters, according to Reymond, and we must be willing to let it transform us instead of conforming it to our theology or philosophy.
Reymond examines all the major theological issues. The first part of his theology looks at the authority and inspiration of the Bible. Part two looks at the attributes of God and God's relationship with humanity. Part three focuses on God's eternal plan of salvation and how it has been accomplished. The fourth part covers the founding, development, growth and spread of the church and its government. The fifth, and last, part is, appropriately, about the last things (eschatology). Reymond also includes several appendices dealing with: modern Christologies, the New Testament Antilegomena, the historicity of the conversion of Paul, Anselm's satisfaction view of the atonement, the five points of Calvinism, whom does the man in Romans 7:14-25 represent, and a selected general theological bibliography. Indexes are referenced by Old and New Testament, people, and subjects.
Overall, Reymond's A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith is a powerful and dynamic systematic theology, relying first and foremost on the Bible to answer all questions, and then looking to the foundations and tradition of the Reformed faith. Destined to become the de facto textbook to teach Reformed systematic theology, this book is a valuable asset to any library, particularly a Reformed library.
