Douglas Kelly's Systematic Theology, volume 1: Now Available

I heard about Dr Kelly's work on this multi-volume Systematic a number of years and have been awaiting its availability ever since. It is on my shopping list (and birthday wish list), for sure!

Here are some details:

Publisher's Description: "I have written this first volume, thinking of my heritage as both Reformed and Catholic; gladly appropriating crucial insights of the whole people of God over the last two thousand years - Eastern Orthodox, Western Catholic, and Reformation Protestant - as they sought to live out the foundational truths of the inspired Word of God." - From the Author

640 Pages
Published November 2008

About the Author: Douglas F. Kelly is the Richard Jordan Professor of Theology at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a well-known author and has had his books translated into other languages.

Endorsements:

"If this first installment is any indication, Douglas Kelly's three-volume Systematic Theology is sure to set a new standard. Harvesting decades of steady scholarship and equally steady engagement in all facets of the church's life and ministry, Kelly displays the richness of the Christian Faith, particularly in its Reformed expression. Christians of all traditions will benefit greatly from the catholic breadth, appropriate but not bewildering depth, and exegetical insight of this remarkable work."
Michael Scott Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California

"Douglas F. Kelly is one of the English-speaking world's leading Reformed theologians. Here we begin to enjoy the fruits of his labors. What a feast it is. Few Protestant theologians in our day know the terrain of the doctrine of the Trinity, and the Person of Christ, as well as Professor Kelly . . . He is at his best when opening up to us the unrealized importance and glory of these foundational truths about our Savior God. For those who yearn for an orthodox Reformed catholicity, Kelly shows the way forward."
- Ligon Duncan, First Pres. Church, Jackson, Miss. President, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.

"Professor Douglas Kelly's eagerly awaited Systematic Theology exceeds all expectation. This first volume is a comprehensive introduction to discussion of God's self-disclosure, Triune being, transcendent majesty, and covenant relationships.
- Iain D. Campbell, Back Free Church of Scotland, Isle of Lewis

Purchase at: WTS | Amazon | CBD | Mongergism

Note: CBD does not currently show a listing for this volume. Hoping that they will in the near future, I have added a link above. The other three booksellers are very competitive on the price. Just remember to consider the cost of shipping when you make your decision.

Douglas Kelly's Systematic Theology, volume 1: Now Available

The Beginning of Sorrows: Joseph and Mary

A few days ago I offered a quotation from Whyte's sermon "That Holy Thing," in Jesus Christ Our Lord: His Walk, Conversation and Character (1953). Today, I would like to offer a few quotes from his sermon "Joseph and Mary," in Bible Characters: Joseph and Mary to James, The Lord's Brother (4th ed.; London: Oliphant Anderson and Ferrier, nd).

Mary

On a thousand sacred canvases throughout Christendom we are shown the angel of the annunciation presenting Mary with a branch of lily as an emblem of her beauty and as a seal of her purity. But why has no spiritual artist stained the whiteness of the lily with the red blood of a broken heart? For no sooner had the transfiguring light of the angel's presence faded from her sight than a deep and awful darkness began to fall upon Joseph's espoused wife. Surely if ever a suffering soul had to seek all its righteousness and all its strength in God alone, it was the soul of the Virgin Mary in those terrible days that followed the annunciation. Blessed among women as all the time she was; unblemished in soul and in body like the paschal lamb as she was; like the paschal lamb also she was set apart to be a divine sacrifice, and to have a sword thrust through her heart. Mary must have passed through many dark and dreadful days when all she had given her to lean upon would seem like a broken reed. Hail, though that art highly favoured of the Lord, the angel said to her. But all that would seem but so many mocking works to her as she saw nothing before her but an open shame, and, it might well be, an outcast's death. ... Great is the mystery of godliness: God manifest in the flesh. A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (pp. 1-2)

Joseph

Joseph's part in all this is told us by Saint Matthew alone. Alone as we read that Evangelist's particular account of that time, we see how sharp that sword was which pierced Joseph's soul also. His heart was broken with this terrible trial, but there was only one course left open to him. Conclude the marriage he could not, but neither could he consent to make Mary a public example, and there was only left to him the sad step of revoking the contract and putting her away privately. Joseph's heart must have been torn in tow. For Mary had been the woman of all women to him. She had been in his eyes the lily among thorns. And now to have to treat her like a poisonous weed--the thought of it drove him mad. Oh, why is it that whosoever comes at all near Jesus Christ has always to drink such a cup of sorrow? Truly they who are brother or sister or mother to Him must take up their cross daily. These are they who go up through great tribulation. (pp. 2-3)

This chapter is included in the recent edition published by Christian Focus Publications: Alexander Whyte, Bible Characters: People from the New Testament (CFP, 2003) [CFP | Amazon | CBD]

The Beginning of Sorrows: Joseph and Mary

God's 'Amen'-Ambassadors (Douglas Kelly)

[T]hose who are 'Amen-ed' by God must re-echo that 'Amen' to other people. One of the reasons God leaves you in the world and does not take you to be with himself the minute you get saved, is that you may live and function as his 'Amen' to the general public, to your little circle, to wherever he puts you. God sends you out to be his 'Amen' to needy, unworthy, seeking souls. Just think of a congregation full of people receiving the 'Amen' of the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ and going out with that fragrance upon them. They can be God's 'Amen' in the shop, the university, the store, on the bus, with the children they meet and wherever they are. That is one of the major modes of the church going forward in the most natural way.

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), p. 37 (emphasis mine).
[CFP | CBD | CVBBS]

2 Corinthians 2:5-8

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

God's 'Amen'-Ambassadors (Douglas Kelly)

Trust God Who Raises the Dead (Douglas Kelly)

When the heat comes on and when the pressure is such that we cannot handle it, we do not generally feel religious or see that the Lord Jesus is working. It might even seem as if God is doing so much for our enemies. But it is just at those times when we do not feel it or see it, that God is doing tremendous things. A power is stealing through that is far greater than all the forces of death and destruction, and that is able to revive the situation in this culture as it has in other past cultures: namely the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), p. 30 (emphasis mine).
[CFP | CBD | CVBBS]

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Trust God Who Raises the Dead (Douglas Kelly)

The Value of Pain and Suffering (Douglas Kelly)

Let us be clear that we do not pay for our sins. The blood of Jesus Christ on the cross is the propitiation for our sins - not for ours only but for the whole world. The sins of all God's people of all ages are paid for in the blood of Christ. Yet in another sense a costly stand which hurts you and your family (such as maintaining the truth in a relativistic culture fiercely intolerant of truth-claims) can have a redemptive value because the cross you are experiencing becomes a doorway to let through the Lord's resurrection power into other lives. Paul seems to be speaking of this when he says in Colossians 1:24, 'I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.' Sometimes when you are feeling the nails, that may be the only way that others can see the glory.

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), p. 26 (emphasis mine.
[CFP | CBD | CVBBS]

The Value of Pain and Suffering (Douglas Kelly)

An Idol Ridden Culture (Douglas Kelly)

The Bible, history and contemporary life all illustrate that spiritual idolatry and intellectual treason inevitably lead to widespread sexual degeneracy. What is the reason for the sexual emphasis of our culture? The relationship between idolatry and adultery is complicated, but the basic connection is clear. Intellectual rejection of God and sexual immorality are very closely intertwined...

The question is this: do people commit wholesale adultery because they have grown cold on God, like a marriage going sour...or do they reject God...precisely in order to commit adultery and other forms of sexual licence [sic]? Which is first? Thomas Aquinas may have been pointing in the right direction when he said in the thirteenth century: 'Unchastity's first-born daughter is blindness of spirit.'

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), pp. 14-15.
[CFP | CBD | CVBBS]

Hosea 8:4

They made kings, but not through me.
They set up princes, but I knew it not.
With their silver and gold they made idols
for their own destruction.

An Idol Ridden Culture (Douglas Kelly)

Significant Biographies of R. M. M'Cheyne

Tim Leaman has been kind enough to share a number of Selected (and often annotated) Bibliographies with us and I would like to share another one with you. The following is a list Tim has compiled of one my favorite figures from church history–Robert Murray M'Cheyne.

Bonar, Andrew A. Memoirs and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray M'Cheyne. (Dundee: William Middleton, 1845), 606 pp.

This is a classic biography of a godly pastor written by his close friend. In some ways this can never be bettered due to the familiarity of the writer to his subject. The blood earnest zeal and holy life of this young preacher are an inspiration to any man of God. Every pastor should read this biography as least once.

Howat, Irene. Robert Murray McCheyne: Life Is An Adventure. (Geanies House: Christian Focus Publications, 2004), 144 pp.

This is written for ages 9-14.

Lamb, William. M'Cheyne from the Pew. (Belfast: Ambassador Production Ltd., 1893, reprinted 1987). 157 pp.

This small book is the recollections of an elder who served under M'Cheyne. It provides a candid view of this legendary pastor. This is nothing like a complete biography but interesting to any M'Cheyne enthusiast.

Robertson, David A. Awakening: A Biography of the Life and Ministry of Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Paternoster: Authentic Books, 2004), 201 pp.

Smellie, Alexander. R.M. M'Cheyne: A Burning Light. (Geanies House, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1995), 250 pp.

This Scottish author is famous for his Men of the Covenant. He writes a fine life of M'Cheyne. However, it is not as helpful as Bonar or Van Valen's works. This volume includes extracts from the diary of Jessie Thain and Alexander Cumming's record of the revival.

Smith, J. C. Robert Murray M'Cheyne: A Good Minister of Jesus Christ. (Belfast: Ambassador Productions Ltd., 1910, reprinted 1998).

This is a poorly written biography. The author has just gleaned much from Bonar's great work. Its chief value seems to be the quotations the author has collected from noteworthy preachers about M'Cheyne. This book will still be a blessing to many because of the impression left by M'Cheyne.

Van Valen, L. J. Constrained By His Love: A New Biography on Robert Murray M'Cheyne. (Geanies House, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2002), 491 pp.

This is the finest historical biography of M'Cheyne. The author has researched his subject very thoroughly. He provides many details not found in the older biographies. This volume abounds with letters, sketches, and pictures related to M'Cheyne's brief life. The author presents a well rounded factual portrait of this servant of God. The historical context provided by Van Valen makes M'Cheyne come alive Must reading for anyone who has been touched by this preachers life.

* There are numerous other sketches in separate works that summarize his life and ministry.
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Find books about Robert Murray M'Cheyne at...

Christian Book Distributors

Westminster Bookstore

Cumberland Valley Bible Book Store

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See also...
The Published Writings of G. Campbell Morgan

Robert Murray M'Cheyne & James Hudson Taylor

Significant Biographies of R. M. M'Cheyne