The Theology of B. B. Warfield

For months I’ve eagerly awaited the release of Fred G. Zaspel’s book The Theology of B. B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary (Crossway, Sept. 30, 2010). Over the past two weeks I have been reading a copy of the book and it reminds me how thankful I am for able theologians who can break down the writings of a theological giant. Zaspel is doing this for me with Warfield. Not only is the systematic approach very thoughtful and very well executed, Zaspel also scatters within his summary many rich (and often devotional) quotes from Warfield’s works. Here’s just one example (page 300; from Warfield’s works, 2:434–435):

Christianity did not come into the world to proclaim a new morality and, sweeping away all the supernatural props by which men were wont to support their trembling, guilt-stricken souls, to throw them back on their own strong right arms to conquer a standing before God for themselves. It came to proclaim the real sacrifice for sin which God had provided in order to supersede all the poor fumbling efforts which men had made and were making to provide a sacrifice for sin for themselves; and, planting men’s feet on this, to bid them go forward. It was in this sign that Christianity conquered, and it is in this sign alone that it continues to conquer. We may think what we will of such a religion. What cannot be denied is that Christianity is such a religion.

Beautiful.

5 thoughts on “The Theology of B. B. Warfield

  1. A few years ago I had bought Warfield’s complete works but was always a little daunted by the girth of the 10 volume set, so I haven’t gotten into them as much as I would like to admit – I’m still mainly mining through the Puritans.
    Recently, a new friend gave me a copy of “Faith & Life” which is a selection of Warfield’s lectures, and I have enjoyed it quite a bit, much more manageable being a paperback book! This looks like a great resource as well! It is also for this reason I ordered Owen’s “Biblical Theology” in hopes of getting a more concise version of the 23 volume set.
    Thanks for the heads up!

  2. Thank, Tony, for the information. I purchased B.B.Warfield collection a while ago in Logos, but haven’t benefitted from them yet.

    I really needed a book like this to guide me through the volumes. Thank you very much.

  3. Thank you for sharing this quote! I love his defense of the Christianity! I’ve really been troubled lately at many believer’s angst at the Church, so easily forgetting the love Jesus has for the bride He purchased.

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