ISBN: 9780802811431 — Worldcat; Google Books
Publisher: Eerdmans (1955)
Genre: Systematic theology
Reading Level: college
Worthy read? Yes
Price: $9.10 @ WTS Books

What is this book about?

This book is about the atonement (6, 9) as it is viewed objective and subjectively, that is, the atonement seen both from the perspective of historia salutis (i.e. Christ’s once-for-all accomplishment of redemption) and ordo salutis (Christ’s application of redemption to his church). On the former, professor Murray treats the necessity, nature, perfection, and extent of the atonement; on the latter, he explains effectual calling, regeneration, conversion (faith and repentance), justification, adoption, sanctification, union with Christ, and glorification. Therefore, professor Murray treats succinctly the various topics that you may find in a larger dogmatics or systematic theology textbooks under the sections on the work of Christ and/or soteriology.

This little book’s great importance lies in how it introduces the reader to the big picture of Christ’s mediatorial work. Without understanding that Christ first accomplishes salvation for us and then dispenses his benefits to us (i.e. objective accomplishment, then subjective application; historia salutis, then ordo salutis) Christians are led into all manners of Pelagian heresies (i.e. most of what passes for American “Christianity” these days); for, without Christ’s full, objective mediatorial work, we are left in a sea of subjectivity, without a perfect law-keeper, without a perfect satisfaction, without an advocate before the Father, without a great High Priest in the heavenlies praying for us and ministering his Gospel benefits to us. In a word, then, this book is about the big picture of how the Gospel works: Christ accomplishes salvation for us; then, Christ applies salvation to us.

What is the book’s context?

John Murray (1898-1975) was a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and a professor of systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. This book is primarily didactic, rather than polemic. Professor Murray sets forth his arguments plainly from Holy Scripture. The few polemical elements that enter into Murray’s purview are aimed at 20th century liberalism (31) and mysticism (77, 168). All in all the reader can expect a straightforward, humble explanation of the atonement from a Reformed perspective.

What is unique about the book’s content?

Readers will appreciate Murray’s keen ability to succinctly define theological terms, such as: propitiate (30), sin (32), faith (107), justification (119), et. al. Thus, Murray leads you along and teaches you along the way, rather than speaking over your head.

Also, Professor Murray is an organized and systematic thinker. His arguments proceed in outlined form and follow logical sequences. You may disagree at points with Murray’s argument; but, you will probably never complain of Murray being unclear or disorganized.

Furthermore, Reformed readers will appreciate Murray’s confessional sensibility and creativity. The Westminster Confession and Catechisms are always humming implicitly just below the surface, popping up explicitly at times in Murray’s thoughts.

Criticisms

The one aspect of Murray’s presentation I found odd is the chapter on “union with Christ” (ch. 9). I don’t mean odd in the sense of wrong, quite the contrary–This chapter was perhaps my favorite of the whole book! However, it seems odd in the sense of out of place in Murray’s line of thinking.

In Murray’s argument, the eternal aspect of redemption precedes and grounds the entire accomplishment and application of redemption (163-164). In other words, union with Christ “is in itself a very broad and embracive subject” which “when viewed, according to the teaching of Scripture, in its broader aspects it underlies every step of the application of redemption” (161). If the eternal grounds the temporal at “every step,” then it would seem more appropriate to move the chapter on union with Christ to the beginning of the book, allowing the eternal plan to ground both the accomplishment and the application of redemption. Such a re-arrangement of chapters would allow God’s glory to come into its own as, to use the Reformed dogmatics terms, the pactum salutis would precede and ground both the historia and ordo salutis (or, to use trinitarian concepts, the opera Dei ad intra precede and ground the ad extra).

Murray’s own comments at the start of ch. 9 indicate that he himself was not comfortable with how he arranged the placement of ch. 9. However, my contention is that the principles Murray was driving at when discussing the eternal union with Christ ought to be strengthened so as to come into their rightful place in relating the heavenly realm to the earthly, giving full priority and preeminence to the former. Such an effort to ground redemption fully in God’s eternal glory may require a new title as well: Redemption Planned; Redemption Accomplished; Redemption Applied.

I delivered another version of this sermon on our last Sunday at my home church, Reformation OPC in Oviedo, FL on 28 June 2009:

(Download MP3, OGG, or FLAC audio files.)

I delivered this sermon at Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine, FL, on 14 June 2009:

(Download MP3)

My sermon from last night on 1 Timothy 2:1-7 has been posted on the church web site….

Book

ISBN: 0801021480 (Google Books)
Publisher: Baker (1997; reprint 2000)
Genre: Historical theology
Reading Level: high school to college
Worthy read? Yes
Price: $28.80 @ WTS Books

Brief

These essays present historical overviews of the main streams and major thinkers of Reformed theology in America. Thus, to the student of American Reformed theology, this book is a great “reader’s guide”–if you  start here before jumping straight into Hodge, Warfield, Van Til, Dabney, Thornwell, et. al., then you will have the distinct advantage of reading these American Reformed theologians within their respective social and philosophical contexts.

I delivered the following sermon in the evening worship service at Providence OPC on 3 May 2009.

Scripture Reading

• Psalm 42-43

Sermon

(Download audio file; multiple formats available.)

I delivered the following sermon in the morning worship service at Providence OPC on 3 May 2009.

Scripture Reading

• Isaiah 56:6-8
• 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Sermon

(Download audio file; multiple formats available.)

Speaking of great trinitarian reads, if you are in the Orlando area don’t miss this RTS Orlando bookstore sale on Swain and Köstenberger’s Father, Son and Spirit: The Trinity in John’s Gospel.

Sale Details on Father, Son and Spirit

Price: $14.30 (35% off)
Time: Thru May 1
Location: RTS Orlando Bookstore

If you are interested in doctrine of the Holy Trinity, listen to this great Reformed Forum interview with Dr. Douglas Kelly on his new book: The God Who Is: The Holy Trinity.

Rev. Danny Olinger, editor of Geerhardus Vos Anthology: Biblical and Theological Insights Alphabetically Arranged, gives an intriguing and useful introduction to Geerhardus Vos’ life and teaching ministry (HT: DD). Among the many interesting aspects of Vos’ life, Olinger shows how Vos’ teaching at Princeton influenced many of the founders of Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, such as Cornelius Van Til, Ned Stonehouse, and Machen.

As a complement to Olinger’s interview, listeners interested in Vos will also enjoy George Harinck’s lecture comparing the lives of Geerhardus Vos and Herman Bavinck (from the 2008 Herman Bavinck conference). Bavinck’s dogmatics had a profound influence upon Vos’ biblical theology, and vice versa.

Related Vos Books