Christ and Covenant Theology: Essays on Election, Republication, and the Covenants by Cornelis P. Venema

504 pages | Direct Price: $24.99 $18.50 | Paperback | Kindle | ePub/iTunes | SAMPLE CHAPTERAUTHOR VIDEO

ABOUT

“In the biblical drama of the living God’s works in creation and redemption,” writes Cornelis Venema, “no theme is more lustrous than that of God’s gracious intention to enjoy communion with humans who bear his image and whose lives have been broken through sin.”

This collection of Venema’s essays summarizes and defends a broad consensus view of the doctrine of the covenants in the history of Reformed theology and clarifies several areas of dispute.

Venema argues that (1) the distinction between a pre-fall covenant of works and a post-fall covenant of grace is an integral feature of a biblical and confessionally Reformed understanding of the history of redemption; (2) the distinction between a pre-fall covenant of works and a post-fall covenant of grace is necessary to preserve the sheer graciousness of God’s redemption in Jesus Christ; and (3) the doctrines of covenant and election are corollary doctrines, not opposed to each other, but mutually defining.

ENDORSEMENTS

“No one today is better qualified to address the perennially important issues of covenant theology than Cornel Venema. In this volume he considers some of these issues in the context of current discussions and debates, doing so in a particularly instructive and helpful manner.”

—Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Cornelis Venema sheds much-needed light on issues ranging from the doctrine of republication to the Federal Vision theology. Regardless of whether one agrees with all of Venema’s specific conclusions, his arguments cannot be ignored. A must-read.”

—Keith Mathison, Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformation Bible College

“Cornel Venema . . . is an expert to whom I have often looked for analysis and assessment of important issues relating
 to classic covenant theology. . . . Venema is superb in his synopsis of and engagement with these kinds of issues.”

—Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary

“We have come to expect great things from Dr. Venema’s writings and this volume does not disappoint. Treatments of three major issues currently troubling Reformed churches are done with masterful analysis. Quite frankly, these pages are necessary reading from one finest theologians of our time.”

—Derek W. H. Thomas, Chancellor’s Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cornelis P. Venema (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is president of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, where he is also professor of doctrinal studies.



It Has Not Yet Appeared What We Shall Be: A Reconsideration of the Imago Dei in Light of Those with Severe Cognitive Disabilities by George C. Hammond

336 pages | List Price: $49.99 | Paperback | SAMPLE CHAPTER | Series: Reformed Academic Dissertations

ABOUT

The doctrine of the imago Dei has been criticized for technically excluding people who suffer from severe cognitive disabilities. With such people in mind, Hammond reexamines the doctrine and sets forth a more accurate and inclusive understanding. This work concludes with implications and practical applications to help seminary professors, pastors, and church members include, embrace, and welcome people with severe intellectual disabilities and their families.

ENDORSEMENTS

“A gift born out of much affliction of soul and mind. . . . In an age when the secular discussion of ‘personhood’ runs parallel to the theological discussion of imago Dei, Dr. Hammond gives us a careful, clear, and theologically detailed treatment of this vital doctrine for our day.”

—Michael S. Beates, Dean of Students, The Geneva School, Winter Park, Florida; Author, Disability & the Gospel: How God Uses Our Brokenness to Display His Grace

“This book is a gem, for it defends the traditional view of who we are in the face of the relevant theological and scientific issues. . . . It is unique, powerful, biblically sound, and practical. I am not aware of anything quite like it.”

—William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

“A powerful study of the image of God and also of the practical impact that our beliefs hold for our treatment of those who are mentally broken. This carefully researched and well-written book will move, disturb, challenge, and bless readers.”

—Chad Vandixhoorn, Chancellor’s Professor of Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

Also commended by:

  • Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Emeritus Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
  • Peter Y. Lee, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, DC
  • Bryan Estelle, Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Seminary California

ABOUT THE SERIES

P&R’s Reformed Academic Dissertation (RAD) series consists of top-tier dissertations (Ph.D., Th.D., D.Min., and Th.M.) that advance biblical and theological scholarship by making distinctive contributions in the areas of theology, ethics, biblical studies, apologetics, and counseling. Dissertations in the RAD series are carefully selected, on the basis of strong recommendations by the authors’ supervisors and examiners and by our internal readers, to be part of our collection. Each selected dissertation provides clear, fresh, and engaging insights about significant theological issues.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George C. Hammond (M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Leesburg, Virginia, and a teaching fellow of the C. S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program.



Revelation by Richard D. Phillips

784 pages | List Price: $39.99 | Hardcover | SAMPLE CHAPTERReformed Expository Commentary series

ABOUT

The book of Revelation is a riveting read—but a persistent question Christians have is, “What does it mean?”

Pastor-theologian Richard Phillips provides a thorough and penetrating study of each chapter while highlighting the theme of the sovereign rule of Christ over history for the salvation of his church.

The apostle John wrote his book with the intention of being understood by real people. Carefully noting how the book’s symbolism works, Phillips paints the pictures of Revelation and explains its meaning to readers today. Along the way, readers will see the glory of Christ as the exalted Priest and King for his people, observe the vision of present and future history laid out in Revelation, and discover the powerful pattern of faith by which we may join Christians of all ages in victory.

Study Guide to the Book of Revelation

ENDORSEMENTS

“This book matches, or even supersedes, Richard Phillips’s other fine volumes in this reputable series. The author opens up Revelation in a manner that informs the Bible student, equips the preacher, comforts the suffering believer, and ignites the worshiper for the praise of Christ. Highly recommended!”

—Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids

“Richard Phillips does not flinch at the daunting texts and famed cruxes 
of the Apocalypse. Moreover, as a result of this resolute commitment, Dr. Phillips has given us a full, exegetically rich, pastorally sensitive exposition of Revelation. Revelation is sure to grace and elevate thousands of pulpits and Bible studies across the world!”

—R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton

“Richard Phillips, in the providence of God, has provided an excellent asset for any and all who embrace the promised blessing to all who read, hear, and keep ‘the words of the prophecy of this book.’ The book of Revelation is undoubtedly a challenge to understand, so this excellent systematic preaching commentary will be of inestimable value to the sacred task.”

—Harry L. Reeder III, Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham

“Dr. Phillips requires no recommendations, given the number of volumes he has written in this series and the consistently high standard of exposition he has attained. . . . Phillips excels in providing not just background and insight, but relevance and real excitement regarding how the book of Revelation might apply today. Managing to avoid silly and crass interpretations, Phillips provides the reader with a tour de force in hermeneutical methodology. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”

—Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

ABOUT THE SERIES

REC_series_small

All the books in the Reformed Expository Commentary series are accessible to both pastors and lay readers. Each volume in the series provides exposition that gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillips, Rick photo hi resRichard D. Phillips (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and coeditor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.