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In July (2007) I announced the appearance of a new systematic
theology edited by Daniel L. Akin (President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC) and published by B&H Academic. Well, about a week ago I received a review copy from the publisher. (Thank you!!!)Reviewing a book like this could take on a number of different forms, and I will be posting a review on SharperIron, in time. For now, I would like to work my way through this 979 page work and discuss it's various sections individually.
Its Various Parts...
Daniel Akin, the editor, introduces the purpose, methods and unique features of this systematic theology in a brief Preface. The body of this work is comprised of eight sections covering eight theological loci. And, worth reading first, is a Conclusion written by R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
The Purpose...
Each contributor to this volume has a passion for a revival of theological knowledge and understanding in the church, that the church as a whole would regain a love for the great doctrinal truth of God's infallible and inerrant Word. (p. vii)The Method...
Each chapter is organized around four main questions, the order of which is significant: (1) What does the Bible say? (2) What has the church believed? (3) How does it all fit together? and (4) What is the significance of the doctrine for the church today? (p. vii)
Whereas most systematic theologies are the output of an individual theologian, this volume combines the expertise of fourteen theologians. Each contributors has written in an area of his own expertise. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.
In his Preface, Dr Akin admits that this is "a unique approach to a systematic theology text" (p. viii) but they all are committed to the same essentials. "Each participant in this project," Akin writes, " is a confessional theologian, and churchman. They are evangelical and baptistic in their commitments, and they believe, as I do, that the task of theology must be recovered in the church if it is to have vitality and health in the twenty-first century" (p. viii).
Contents...
SECTION 1 THE DOCTRINE OF REVELATION
Chapter 1 | Prolegomena: Introduction to the Task of Theology by Gregory Alan Thornbury
Chapter 2 | Natural Revelation by Russell D. Moore
Chapter 3 | Special Revelation by David S. Dockery and David P. Nelson
SECTION 2 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Chapter 4 | The Nature of God: Being, Attributes, and Acts by Timothy George
Chapter 5 | The Work of God: Creation and Providence by David P. Nelson
Chapter 6 | The Agents of God: Angels by Peter R. Schemm, Jr.
SECTION 3 THE DOCTRINE OF HUMANITY
Chapter 7 | Human Nature by John S. Hammett
Chapter 8 | Human Sinfulness by R. Stanton Norman
SECTION 4 THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
Chapter 9 | The Person of Christ by Daniel L. Akin
Chapter 10 | The Work of Christ by Paige Patterson
SECTION 5 THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Chapter 11 | The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit by Malcolm B. Yarnell III
SECTION 6 THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
Chapter 12 | The Work of God: Salvation by Kenneth Keathley
SECTION 7 THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
Chapter 13 | The Church by Mark E. Dever
SECTION 8 THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAST THINGS
Chapter 14 | Personal and Cosmic Eschatology by Russell D. Moore
CONCLUSION
The Pastor as Theologian by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
I hope that you will follow along as I work through A Theology for the Church chapter-by-chapter. I'd be glad for you insight and comments as we compare this work with other classic and standard systematic theologies.
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