REVIEW: Reformed Systematic Theology by Joel R. Beeke & Paul M. Smalley

[@BrianRich1689]

I had this set on our boat home. It sunk while we were sleeping on it last Friday morning. Entire library gone. Everything, gone. But me, my wife and our 8 year old daughter and dog made it out alive thank the Lord! I only got 50 or so pages into the first book before boat home went under. Now it's sold out. Beeke is excellent. As a Baptist id recommend this book to pretty much everyone. Thank God for the Presbyterians.

[@MysTarey]

I’m so sad for your loss and praise the Lord for your lives saved! I pray the Lord blesses you and shows His glory through this most difficult time ❤

[@BrianRich1689]

@@MysTarey Thank you! God bless you.

[@PaDutchRunner]

Oh my goodness!! Praise God you and the family are ok!

[@karenwilliams4152]

Bless you! I’m so glad you are all safe!

[@aaroncolosi5548]

Praying for you and your family that you will be able to replace what was lost, and as others have said thanks be to God that you and your family are all ok. May God be glorified in all things.

[@saintonfire77]

Beeke is selling this set for $120.00 at his bookstore Reformation Heritage Books Grand Rapids MI.

[@PaulOutsidetheWalls]

In other words, if you’re a conservative in a reformed denomination in 2024, this is a dream come true.

[@classicchristianliterature]

Absolutely

[@MrAndyhdz]

​@christsavesreadromans1096 feel closer to God now?

[@matthewmp111]

@christsavesreadromans1096 why do you say this?

[@toolegittoquit_001]

@christsavesreadromans1096The RCC is apostate Sorry for your loss 😢

[@matthewmp111]

@christsavesreadromans1096 that's the craziest thing I've ever heard. If you're trolling, good one! If not, read your scriptures and find the true God of the bible.

[@unexpectedTrajectory]

Reformed Baptist here, deeply appreciative of Beeke's and Smalley's work here. Thanks for the review and promotion. This Systematic is a tremendous combination of accessibility, depth, history, and piety. Lovely.

[@classicchristianliterature]

I’ve been buying these as soon as they were released, volume by volume. Made it through volume 1, about half way through volume 2, haven’t touched volume 3 much, and a read about 100 pages of volume 4. This is a systematic I can recommend to others without hesitation.

[@muskyoxes]

This makes me wonder, even about systematic theologies in general - are they intended to be read in order (where later stuff is built off the earlier stuff), or are readers encouraged to skip to the topics they want?

[@classicchristianliterature]

@@muskyoxes great question. I think it will vary by theologian. Some will write in such a way that you cannot read from a certain section without the background from another, prior section. This is the exception I believe. The Beeke volumes are so well footnoted that if there is something you may need to go back and read they indicate that below the text (e.g. see covenant of works in volume 2 pages X-Z). Also will vary based on your familiarity with systematic theology in general. Someone who’s read a lot of systematics, and theological works in general, will be able to skip around with ease.

[@cww3birdman]

Thank you for your review and input. I love this set, I have not yet had the opportunity to work through volume four. As a reformed Baptist (yes I know some of you might say that statement is an oxymoron) who pastors a confessional church which holds to the 1689, I like this systematic because, to my knowledge, it is the first of its kind. Namely, that a reformed Baptist and a reformed Presbyterian come together and put together a solid systematic.

[@petrapublications]

Great review, Dr. Everhard! Very helpful. This set has been on my list for a while now, and now I’m inspired to finally order them!

[@LucasFilipes]

Excellent video as always! Here in Brazil for now we only have the first two volumes. I really like Joel R. Beeke's books and I'm impressed with the quantity and speed at which his materials come out. Recently he was here in Brazil for a conference, unfortunately I couldn't participate.

[@Jesusismyonething]

Thank you for the very practical info on layout and estimated font size. The older I get, the more crucial that information becomes…

[@HelloFromSaints]

Thank you Pastor Matt! I've been shopping for a systematic theology textbook. Thank you for this review. I think I will start with Frame's for now. Maybe I'll get this one in the future.

[@traviswilson36]

This man is greedy. If you want him to respond you have to donate at least $200

[@elizabethhofmann1984]

I have been considering buying this set and was so happy to see your review. Thank you for a very clear and concise review.

[@caven930]

Just ordered the set, so excited to learn 😁

[@magpiefiber]

Thank you Pastor Matt! I had hoped that you would review these. Just ordered volume 1.

[@victoryak86]

Just bought this along with Calvin’s Institutes ($16!). Can’t wait for these treasures!

[@Traditiononamission]

We got this set as each book came out! Absolutely excellent, approachable and comprehensive treatment of reformed theology! I have read, collectively, 500 or so pages of it. There is no shortage of citations collected in my wide margin Bible from this set!

[@Adam-ue2ig]

I am reading the 3rd volume Spirit and Salvation...so far it is well written and thorough (a bit expensive for me to purchase the entire set at once so I bought the volume most interesting to me).

[@KellerMcBride]

I purchased Volume 1 and 3 when they were ~$25 from logos (digital version). Hoping 2 and 4 will also come down in price at some point from their ~$50 list price. I suppose most people enjoy the look/feel/smell of a print book as do I, but having the book indexed with instant reference pop-ups for all the verses cited and the ability to take it with me anywhere and increase the font size as needed and auto generate a reading plan, etc. is a real plus for the digital version.

[@pinkdiscomosh2766]

I haven’t had the chance to pick up the set yet, but I plan to. Thank you for the great review, brother.

[@DavidRamirez-ww5kv]

Thank you Matt for your review. I am always interested in what new theology books may offer. For now, I will be focusing on the single volumes. Blessings in Christ.

[@Amilton5Solas]

It's a good systematic to start with, it covers all the doctrines of the faith in an easy way to understand.

[@wilfredomendez3450]

Excellent presentation and thanks for sharing.👍

[@Cameronian01]

Pator Matt, please do a video on Inclusive vs Exclusive Psalmody!

[@davidverhines856]

Hello. David Verhines, author of Super Thunderbird. I spent quite a bit of time in PA over the last many years. I feel like I know it about as well as the Midwest. So, you look like you may be helpful from my personal database now. This is rather long, but I'm hopeful of your input. I saw this Reformed set come out. You gave a great review. I hope to look at this set in the future. I might start first with this and may stay mostly here in my "gift of overview" when I compile my big theological set from the concepts that I sketched out in Super Thunderbird. I have some over-the-top speculative analysis in my book. I did settle on Wayne Grudem as my top one-volume systematic. I'm only a partial Calvinist in the Renewal tradition. I greatly support all denominations, especially one as ultra-biblical and in-depth as the one that contains your grasp of Presbyterianism. I took some grand tangents in my book not becoming anyone but myself for now. The whole concept is kicked off by what I saw in eastern PA ("Maxatawny" like) as opposed to the western PA ("Punxsutawney" like) which should be somewhat near you. But if I'm believed, this will make PA dozens of times more famous than groundhogs. I got into a Christian Political Theology in the book, and I noticed that you have some posts on politics. There are 135 million book titles around the globe, so all of our budgets generally are spent on the main ones with little time for an independent press. I can see most of your responses beginning to be developed, but if you can digest Reformed Systematic Theology I think that you might be able to earmark some of my tangents in your brain. If you would like a free copy, just note this and send me your email address. superthunderbird.

[@richard-fy2mu]

Although I am 1689 Confessional the amount of reading I was able to access this is a very useful set. There are significant disputes between London Bapt. Conf and WSC but on some key points this would be a very good set to have.

[@mikevangoch]

Got this a while back before Vol4 came out. Great review, Matt

[@davidanfinrud3438]

I have 2 of the four volumes. Been picking them up on Sale in LOGOS. They are good books

[@craig3540]

Excellent review, Matthew. I totally agree with your review. I have had the three-volume set for a year or so, and just recently (March of 2024) received the fourth volume. It is definitely my go-to Systematic Theology. It is easy to understand and follow and I appreciate the experiential tone of the set as well. Though, like most systematics, used as a resource, it is readable and devotional enough to actually read daily. Either chapter by chapter or section by section within a chapter. I would also recommend Beeke's "Puritan Reformed Theology" as well for some of these same reasons. Thank you again for the review!

[@shawngillogly6873]

Thank you for the review. This does look like the perfect set for a Reformed Pastor.

[@Captain-rg8mv]

This resource has been invaluable for me thus far during my studies at seminary. I also recommend Berkhof’s Systematic Theology and Biblical Doctrine by Mayhue and MacArthur.

[@israelrivera3009]

Regarding MacArthur, would you recommend me buying his whole NT Commentary Set ?

[@ricardomontoya9480]

Excelente reseña, clara y temática. Despertó en mi el interés por adquirirla, en especial porque es teología bíblica y conservadora, ya que en el mercado abundan libros de teología modernista. La obra también me interesó ya que explicó de la redacción que usa el autor, esto es, de la división de los párrafos en secciones y subsecciones, lo cual facilita la lectura. Asimismo de los índices que contiene y de la abundantes citas bíblicas Gracias por la exposición y bendiciones. PD: Se que existe traducción de la obra al español, pero me interesó la edición inglesa, por ser la original y para practicar el inglés, ya que lo entiendo al oírlo y al leerlo, pero me falta la escritura

[@israelrivera3009]

Al igual mi lengua natal es el español, pero creo firmememente que no hay nada como leer las cosas en su idioma original, por lo que si lectura de este nivel la puedes leer en ingles sin problema, creo entonces eso sera la mejor opcion.

[@ricardomontoya9480]

@@israelrivera3009 creo q si entendería la obra, ya que tengo en mi haber distintas Biblias de estudio en inglés, así la “CSB Study Bible”, “the NIV Cultural background study bible”, “The Baker ilustrated bible, Background commentary” entre otros. Por supuesto entiendo que un tratado de teología es de otro nivel, pero en su momento leí de Bertrand Russell “History of Western Philosophy” y lo entendí Gracias por animarme, solo espero juntar el dinero para comprarla, yo creo un mes más o menos, Saludos y bendiciones

[@barkley7783]

My copy just arrived today.

[@ZacharyTLawson]

Candidly, the chapter on science issues in creation was pretty lackluster. Gijsbert van den Brink's monograph "Reformed Theology and Evolutionary Theory" is still one of the best treatments I've read.

[@Yesica1993]

Please report the scammers in this Comments section! It makes me sick that they come even to Christian channels.

[@ltwing2]

I'm not sure I understand Amazon pricing structure on this. The 4 volume set is $209 but you can buy all for volumns individually for $187. I think I'll start with Vol 1. Thank you for this review.

[@Post_Tenebras_Lux_1647]

Go to reformation heritage books. I believe you could get all 4 volumes for like $120.

[@ltwing2]

@@Post_Tenebras_Lux_1647 Thank you. I ordered vol 1 from Amazon yesterday but Heritage has it and a couple other volumes on sale. I didn't think of Heritage but had checked Westminster Books but they were out of stock. At this point I'll hold off ordering any more.

[@The12thSeahorse]

I wonder how long it would take to read through all four volumes.

[@blackukulele]

William Cunningham said something like this in 1843 "A certain class of theological commentators feels free to denounce systematic theology. They do not like ‘systems’. This dislike of systematic theology and of systems comes from ignorance and misconception or unreasonable prejudice, and perhaps from even worse motives. Many systems of theology - until the rise in Europe of unbelieving neology [religious rationalism] in the middle of last century - were orthodox or Calvinistic in origin. These systems gave, in the main, a sound and correct summary of the leading truths contained in the word of God. This was no accident. The Calvinistic scheme is the most systematic of all, possessing the beautiful consistency and harmony of truth. Its systematic consistency points to its soundness. A dislike of systematic theology, and a disposition to denounce systems and system-makers, may indicate little more than a dislike of Calvinism and the systematic works in which Calvinism is made known."

[@djlclopez128]

Thank you very much for your very in depth reviews. I am still trying to understand the first volume of Calvin's Institutes. Maybe this will be easier to understand!

[@doctor1alex]

You might want to consider Calvin's 1541 edition of the Institutes which is more readable.

[@djlclopez128]

@@doctor1alex Thank you I appreciate it!

[@mikelilley]

One issue not addressed in the video is... If somebody on a limited budget wanted to start out with a single volume, which one would be recommended. Thanks Pastor Matt!

[@doctor1alex]

There's no single volume equivalent at this point. But I'd probably recommend Berkhof or Bavinck's "Wonderful works of God". Berkhof second hand will be the most affordable, but is not the most exciting read. Nevertheless it gives a solid grounding for understanding. There are also some modern single volume systematic theologies which are well reviewed, like Michael Horton and Robert Letham. The video also mentions John Frame.

[@Cameronian01]

John Brown of Haddington’s Systematic

[@RevanJJ]

@MatthewEverhard I was hoping I could talk to you or message. I’m so into reading every Bible and every theology I can, but I’m lost. I have no Church and cannot find one that believes strictly from the Bible near me. Plus other issues. If you have the time, Pastor, I’d appreciate it.

[@edrash1]

You should get the Synopsis of a Purer Theology

[@TradForChrist]

Hello, Pastor Matthew! Since the start of this summer season, I have been able to read more. I was curious if you could recommend any desktop accessories you use during your reading session. I’m looking into buying something to help raise my book so I don’t have to cramp my neck every time I read, and I was wondering if there is anything else I am missing.

[@RobbieCupples]

Great review! But quick question -- What do those numbers that have an "n" in them mean? 🙂

[@DavidLloydDSL]

A great review although I wonder how you ever get the time to be a full time pastor, family man, KZbinr, and review such hefty tomes!

[@kevindjohnson]

Compare/contrast to Bavinck's RD?

[@ZachFish-]

That’s what I was wondering

[@johnking9161]

In my opinion if you are going to start out with a good Systematic theology I would go with Beeke. I have only read one Systematic theology before which was Zacharius Ursinus’ commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism. I sold my Bavinck RD set because it was not an easy read for me. I am currently reading Beeke and I am loving it. It might just be personal preference. I have also heard that Bavinck will talk about a subject and make a good case for it in about 20 pages and reject it. In my opinion Beeke is a better choice for a Newer Reformed Theologian and Bavinck RD is better for an intense long time Reformed christian who has read and enjoys Systematic Theology.

[@ZachFish-]

@@johnking9161 That’s exactly what I’ve heard. I’ve listened to Beeke’s Puritan lectures and have enjoyed them a lot. Him and Smalley seem like a great pair. I’ll probably end up getting reformed dogmatics eventually, as I already have Stephen Wellum’s new systematic, and have been listening to Frames, planning on Calvin’s next, so I’d like something pretty thorough that digs into other views, along with deep reformed theology.

[@justinj_00]

Disappointing to hear the greek and Hebrew are transliterated. Overally looks very promising, as a Baptist I love the idea of a Presbyterian and a Reformed Baptist working together to piece together a solid systematic

[@mikequist1]

Sounds great, but is it readable? I have a book on Puritan theology by Beeke, but it is so ‘technical’ that I gave up on it after 50 pages. If I’m going to spend $150+ for a set, it better be something I can understand. I know Pastor Matt speaks to this issue, but I’d like to hear from some other readers as well.

[@israelrivera3009]

At 19:00 he gave an "A Plus" for Readability.

[@thomasc9036]

Do we really need more "Reformed Systematic Theology" books? There are so many already.

[@doctor1alex]

I think the answer is generally no, we don't need more and more reformed theology books, especially systematic. But firstly there are so many exciting subjects in theology that are still being mined from the Scriptures, refined and consolidated. Secondly, this set does offer something new. It gives a solidly historical, confessional, in depth treatment of systematic theology which is in modern language written for everyone and is highly devotional and practical. The closest work to this is probably Wilhelmus a Brakel (incidentally Beeke's favourite work), which was written centuries ago.

[@voyager7]

That's some Martin Chemnitz' size books! 🙂

[@HKcym]

Just got my 1-4 vols. For $150 bargain

[@KatWilton]

All four for $150? Wow, that sounds like a *screaming* deal! What a blessing!

[@ReformedBaptist.1689]

You said it's Amillennial, but which Amillennial perspective does it have. As there are 3 perspectives of Amillennialism (full-Preterist, partial-Preterist, and non-preterist).

[@israelrivera3009]

Also interested in this possible answer, I think im a Partial-Preterist myself at this moment in my life. 🙂

[@justinj_00]

Full preterism is heresy, so probably not that one

[@zgennaro]

If it’s anything like his reformation heritage study bible it will be 1st rate

[@starliteinn5397]

You can improve your handwriting if you practice at it.

[@Joe86465]

Sigh, shame this uses KJV. It's got a nice poetic feel but I just can't see me spending time to learn old English to read the Bible when we have good modern translations like ESV.

[@MonerBilly]

It doesn't use old English. It's fully understandable in this work. If you can understand the rest of the text in relation to dogma and theology in the first book, you can understand the kjv used in it.

[@walkerjohnson9355]

Presbyterian here, I’m a little disappointed with this set since it seems to have a very “new Calvinism” flavor. Like Charles hodge is a Zwinglian and it seems to equate particular Baptist to reformed Christianity. It also seems to ignore other historical reformed traditions like Scots confession, Genova catechism, and neo orthodoxy. I could be wrong here but that it what it seems.

[@CorlosMazda]

My issue is Beeke is a Dutch reformed guy and technically a Puritan expert. So Im confused by all the Thomism right off the bat in the first book. I don't buy natural theology in the sense Thomas Aquinas subscribed to. It's not reformed.

[@sachaw.4236]

The ESV is an "excellent version?" It's ~95% the liberal RSV version. Beeke's Systematic Theology on the other hand is EXCELLENT.

[@justinj_00]

But the 5% they changed was the 5% that made it liberal in the first place, so I don't see your problem here

[@PennySmart]

I don't understand how you can be both confessional and paedobaptist.

[@AnthonyFerrara-sv1xm]

All the Reformed confessions are paedobaptist, except the 1689 London Baptist Confession.

[@toolegittoquit_001]

This has been discussed for centuries 😏

[@justinj_00]

London Baptist Confession 1689

[@stephenbailey9969]

Systems can be a trap. They encourage us to think we know something which should best be left to divine mystery. They encourage egotism and schism and detract from the unity of love. "...knowledge puffs up, while love builds up."

[@christianuniversalist]

If one is a Reformed believer this is excellent work. Highly recommended for all Reformers/Calvinists. However, if one is a Christian then I do not recommend. It’s garbage theology at its finest and it’s certainly **NOT** Orthodox.

[@e.t.h.559]

then, why did you take the time to even watch this video? 🤦‍♂️ why would you spend your time absorbing garbage, or is that your thing, are you the trashcan?

[@jessethomas3979]

From your name, amazing you call reformed theology garbage for being unorthodox while universalism is so much more unorthodox it actually crosses into heresy...

[@toolegittoquit_001]

You can only believe in Jesus and his finished work on the cross OR that everyone is saved. You cannot be both. 🤨

[@toolegittoquit_001]

Man, Hart is trip 😜

[@traviswilson36]

Money hungry spent so much time promoting yourself!

[@israelrivera3009]

Now you feel closer to God with your nonsense Rant ????