Vern S. Poythress (MLitt, University of Cambridge; PhD, Harvard University; DTh, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa) is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is the author of nine P&R titles.

 

1. Understanding Dispensationalists

144 pages | Direct Price: $8.99 $7.00 | Paperback

Summary—Vern Poythress believes that dialogue is possible between dispensationalists and covenant theologians. This second edition adds a postscript in which Poythress responds to feedback from dispensational readers.

2. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses

440 pages | Direct Price: $22.99 $17.00 | Paperback

Summary—Poythress demonstrates how the sacrifices, traditions, and penalties of the Law of Moses graphically foreshadow the work of Christ and his relationship with his people.

3. God-Centered Biblical Interpretation

248 pages | Direct Price: $17.99 $13.50 | Paperback

Summary—Theologically and pastorally profound, this study of biblical hermeneutics builds on Trinitarian presuppositions, while exposing the idols that lead interpretation astray. Poythress emphasizes the interpreter’s spiritual qualifications along with linguistic principles.

  

4. The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation

216 pages | Direct Price: $14.99 $11.50 | Paperback

Summary—Noted New Testament scholar Poythress provides an understandable and practical look into Revelation in this insightful commentary. Poythress focuses on Revelation’s core message and ensures that its details do not cloud the big picture. He shows Revelation to be a “picture book, not a puzzle book,” relevant and applicable to the daily lives of Christians.

5. Symphonic Theology: The Validity of Multiple Perspectives in Theology

128 pages | Direct Price $14.99 $11.50 | Paperback

Summary—The truth of God is rich and multifaceted. Though a coherent body of revelation, the Bible comes to us through a variety of inspired authors, metaphors, and themes, highlighting the many facets of God’s truth. Likewise, our theological formulations capture manifold emphases—distinct “perspectives” on the whole—which collectively enable us to gain a fuller understanding of the truth. Poythress explains, “We use what we have gained from one perspective to reinforce, correct, or improve what we understood through another. I call this procedure ‘symphonic theology’ because it is analogous to a blending of various musical instruments to express the variation of a symphonic theme.”

6. Philosophy, Science, and the Sovereignty of God

264 pages | Direct Price $16.99 $13.00 | Paperback

Summary—“Because of sin, people still have trouble understanding the Bible and seeing the implications of the Bible for science,” Poythress writes. “This book is intended to jar them into a better understanding and to provide some tools for seeing how to begin reforming science.”

  

7. What Are Spiritual Gifts?

40 pages | Direct Price: $4.99 $4.00 | BookletBasics of the Faith series | SAMPLE CHAPTER

Summary—God gives believers spiritual gifts to serve others in the church and world. Which gifts apply to us, and how should they be used?

8. Christian Interpretations of Genesis 1

32 pages | Direct Price: $4.99 $4.00 | BookletChristian Answers to Hard Questions series | SAMPLE CHAPTER

Summary—Several interpretations of Genesis and scientific evidence endeavor to demonstrate harmony: among them young-earth creationism, mature creation, the day-age theory, the analogical-day theory, and the framework hypothesis. Vern Poythress explores which is best.

9. Did Adam Exist?

40 pages | Direct Price: $4.99 $4.00 | Booklet | Christian Answers to Hard Questions series | SAMPLE CHAPTER

Summary—Can we still believe in a historical Adam? Vern Poythress offers a theologically and scientifically informed evaluation of the claims that genetic analyses show Adam could not have existed.