Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Systematic Theology

Definite Atonement in Biblical, Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective

by

For the last several years, I’ve been corresponding with my friends David and Jonny Gibson about a 700-page book they’ve been editing on definite atonement.

David-Gibson Jonathan-Gibson

During this time, Mark Snoeberger and I have been editing a much smaller debate-book titled Perspectives on the Extent of the Atonement: Three Views, with essays and responses by Grant R. Osborne, John S. Hammett, and Carl R. Trueman (B&H, forthcoming).

from-heaven-he-came

So I’ve been eagerly anticipating this book for several years:

David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson, eds. From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Biblical, Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. 703 pp.

It doesn’t disappoint my high expectations. It’s amazing. It’s definitely the most thorough and compelling book describing and defending definite atonement. And best of all, it not only refutes other views and presents strong arguments for definite atonement; it addresses the issue with the right tone. It leads the reader to worship the triune God!

[Read more…] about Definite Atonement in Biblical, Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective

Four Views on the Historical Adam

by

adamThis debate-book releases on December 10:

Matthew Barrett and Ardel B. Caneday, eds. Four Views on the Historical Adam. Counterpoints. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013. 288 pp.

I read an uncorrected proof of the book, so I won’t quote from it. But I’m happy to relay that it’s stimulating (as Counterpoints volumes usually are).

The book has three sections: [Read more…] about Four Views on the Historical Adam

John Frame’s Systematic Theology

by

titleIn 2006 John Frame’s short systematic theology released.

On November 1 (seven years later), his massive systematic theology will release:

John M. Frame. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2013. 1,280 pages.

I recently read it, and I’m already planning to use it for some theology classes I’m scheduled to teach in 2014.

It’s typical John Frame: clear, unassuming, logical, and filled with threes. (If John Frame were a basketball player, he would shoot only 3s.) [Read more…] about John Frame’s Systematic Theology

Don Carson on the Providence of God

by

tinkerD. A. Carson, “Foreword,” in Melvin Tinker, Intended for Good: The Providence of God (Nottingham, England: IVP, 2012), 9–10:

Fewer than two hundred years ago, a student writing an advanced paper in most history departments in British or American universities might well include some reflections on what his or her historical treatment implied about divine providence. Today it is unthinkable to include such reflection. At a more mundane level, reflections on divine providence continue to surface in trivial conversations. Not long ago I was flying home after speaking at a conference somewhere, and it appeared that our plane was going be delayed by an hour or two because of bad weather, or perhaps forced to land at another airport. Suddenly the pilot announced that there was a small break in the weather, and we were heading straight in with minimal delay. The passenger in the next seat smiled and muttered, ‘Someone up there loves me: I’ll make my connecting flight.’ I confess I smiled back and asked him, ‘If you missed your flight, would that constitute evidence that he doesn’t love you?’ [Read more…] about Don Carson on the Providence of God

How a Recent Thesis Defines the Glory of God

by

Philippe Paul-Luc Viguier, “A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God” (MDiv thesis, The Master’s Seminary, 2012 [advised by Michael J. Vlach]), 34–36, 80 (format and numbering added):

A study of key terms concerning the glory of God reveals many common threads which help us define the concept more precisely.

  1. First, the glory of God is similar to the power of a king. [Read more…] about How a Recent Thesis Defines the Glory of God

Should Churches Require All Members to Affirm Pretrib and Premil Views?

by

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: I tried to unpack this in a radio interview on 7/14/2009: Are Millennial Views Essential? I had recently highlighted (1) Tom Schreiner’s move from an amillennial to a premillennial position and (2) Mark Dever’s argument that it’s a sin to sever cooperation with other believers over certain types of eschatological issues.

Even longer answer: Peter Hubbard, teaching pastor of North Hills Community Church in Taylors, South Carolina, wisely walked his church through this issue in September 2009. [Read more…] about Should Churches Require All Members to Affirm Pretrib and Premil Views?