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Collected Writings of John Murray
Collected Writings of John Murray (4 Volume Set) 1st edition by John Murray (1982) Hardcover
Volume 4, Studies in Theology, is the concluding volume in theCollected Writings of John Murray.Like the preceding volumes it presents a selection of the finest work, produced mainly during his long and distinguished ministry as Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Volume 4 includes articles dealing with several areas of doctrine which lay close to Murray's heart. Among them is the hitherto unpublished work, 'Jesus, the Son of God', which is possibly thr last piece of theological writing. Its chief characteristic - as with all of Murray's writings - lies in the way in which the text of Scripture suffuses everything he says. This concern to be thoroughly biblical applied also to his doctrine of Scripture, to Christology, and to his understanding of the proclamation of the gospel and the Christian ethic. Outstanding articles in each of these areas may be found in these pages.
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First published February 1, 1983
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About the author
John Murray
33 books72 followersJohn Murray was a Scottish-born Calvinist theologian who taught at Princeton Seminary and then left to help found Westminster Theological Seminary, where he taught for many years.
Murray was born in the croft of Badbea, near Bonar Bridge, in Sutherland county, Scotland. Following service in the British Army in the First World War (during which he lost an eye, serving in the famous Black Watch regiment) he studied at the University of Glasgow. Following his acceptance as a theological student of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland he pursued further studies at Princeton Theological Seminary under J. Gresham Machen and Geerhardus Vos, but broke with the Free Presbyterian Church in 1930 over that Church's treatment of the Chesley, Ontario congregation. He taught at Princeton for a year and then lectured in systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary to generations of students from 1930 to 1966, and was an early trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust. Besides the material in the four-volume Collected Writings, his primary published works are a commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (previously included in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series but now superseded by Douglas J. Moo's commentary), Redemption Accomplished and Applied, Principles of Conduct, The Imputation of Adam's Sin, Baptism, and Divorce.
Murray preached at Chesley and Lochalsh from time to time until his retirement from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1968. He married Valerie Knowlton 7 December 1967 and retired to Scotland where he was connected with the Free Church of Scotland. Writing after a communion season at Lochalsh, Murray said, “I think I feel most at home here and at Chesley of all the places I visit.” There had been some consideration that upon leaving the seminary, Murray might take a pastorate in the newly formed Presbyterian Reformed Church, but the infirmity of his aged sisters at the home place necessitated his return to Ross-shire, Scotland.
Murray was born in the croft of Badbea, near Bonar Bridge, in Sutherland county, Scotland. Following service in the British Army in the First World War (during which he lost an eye, serving in the famous Black Watch regiment) he studied at the University of Glasgow. Following his acceptance as a theological student of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland he pursued further studies at Princeton Theological Seminary under J. Gresham Machen and Geerhardus Vos, but broke with the Free Presbyterian Church in 1930 over that Church's treatment of the Chesley, Ontario congregation. He taught at Princeton for a year and then lectured in systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary to generations of students from 1930 to 1966, and was an early trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust. Besides the material in the four-volume Collected Writings, his primary published works are a commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (previously included in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series but now superseded by Douglas J. Moo's commentary), Redemption Accomplished and Applied, Principles of Conduct, The Imputation of Adam's Sin, Baptism, and Divorce.
Murray preached at Chesley and Lochalsh from time to time until his retirement from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1968. He married Valerie Knowlton 7 December 1967 and retired to Scotland where he was connected with the Free Church of Scotland. Writing after a communion season at Lochalsh, Murray said, “I think I feel most at home here and at Chesley of all the places I visit.” There had been some consideration that upon leaving the seminary, Murray might take a pastorate in the newly formed Presbyterian Reformed Church, but the infirmity of his aged sisters at the home place necessitated his return to Ross-shire, Scotland.
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July 21, 2020Precise biblical exegesis + powerful statements of Reformed doctrine = a valuable set for pastors/students.
John Murray (1898-1975) was a leading Scottish-born Reformed theologian of the 20th century. He began his teaching career at Princeton in 1929, but left in 1930 to serve as professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary. Teaching alongside legends like Machen, Warfield, and Van Til, he wrote prolifically. A large portion of his corpus is preserved in the four-volume Collected Writings of John Murray.
The blessing of encountering John Murray’s thought begins with its presentation. Nobody packs books like Banner. Four attractive, cloth-bound, jacketed volumes fit comfortably in the hand, despite being roughly ½” taller than Banner’s various Puritan sets (Flavel, Owen, etc.) Sewn bindings and quality craftsmanship ensure that the physical books will provide many happy years of use.
The content itself matches the quality of the set. While Murray was unique in some of his views – his reformulations of the covenant of works (I.231-36; IV.216-40) and sanctification (II.47-59), his reluctance to affirm a formal pactum salutis while asserting an ‘inter-trinitarian counsel of salvation,’ (IV.234-40; I.73), and his questions about the distinction between the visible and invisible church (I.231-36) come immediately to mind – these volumes show him to be a Reformed thinker marked by exegetical precision, theological depth, and pastoral earnestness. Indeed, the 1966 General Assembly commended his “exactness in the study of Holy Scripture, and…deep reverence for its doctrine.”
I recommend beginning reading his writings in volume III, which provides a fascinating account of his life. Though given to a life of biblical and theological scholarship, his biography shows Murray a faithful churchman who loved the gospel.
In volume I, ‘The Claims of Truth,’ we meet Murray the teacher; the book consists primarily of brief essays and addresses to various Christian organizations. Of particular interest were his remarks on the Fourth Commandment and treatment of John 3:16.
Volume II, ‘Systematic Theology,’ introduces Murray the dogmatician, and is as close as he came to producing a formal systematic theology. Chapters helpfully and clearly engage the doctrines of man, salvation, grace, sanctification, ecclesiology, and last things. Even where one differs, his clear, compelling logic is appreciated.
Volume III, ‘Life; Sermons; Reviews,’ allows us to glimpse Murray the man and preacher. His fascinating biography, along with nineteen sermon manuscripts, eight Communion addresses, and twenty-eight book reviews comprise this book. Sermons on prayer (#2) and Scripture (#17) were uniquely edifying. The forty-nine book reviews found in volumes III and IV showcase bold biblical conviction and an impressive breadth of theological engagement.
In volume IV, ‘Studies in Theology,’ we encounter Murray the exegete and scholar. The chapters here, many of which originally appeared in theological journals, provide valuable biblical, historical, and doctrinal instruction.
Murray waited until later in life to write much, because he ‘did not want to withdraw what [he] wrote!’ (III.100). The fruit of that patience marks these works aimed at developing ‘intelligent piety.’ The reader who takes these volumes under careful study will be better equipped to progress toward such a goal, in knowledge of the exalted Christ whom John Murray loved.
*Disclosure: I received these books at no charge in exchange for an unbiased review. (This review originally appeared at banneroftruth.org)
John Murray (1898-1975) was a leading Scottish-born Reformed theologian of the 20th century. He began his teaching career at Princeton in 1929, but left in 1930 to serve as professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary. Teaching alongside legends like Machen, Warfield, and Van Til, he wrote prolifically. A large portion of his corpus is preserved in the four-volume Collected Writings of John Murray.
The blessing of encountering John Murray’s thought begins with its presentation. Nobody packs books like Banner. Four attractive, cloth-bound, jacketed volumes fit comfortably in the hand, despite being roughly ½” taller than Banner’s various Puritan sets (Flavel, Owen, etc.) Sewn bindings and quality craftsmanship ensure that the physical books will provide many happy years of use.
The content itself matches the quality of the set. While Murray was unique in some of his views – his reformulations of the covenant of works (I.231-36; IV.216-40) and sanctification (II.47-59), his reluctance to affirm a formal pactum salutis while asserting an ‘inter-trinitarian counsel of salvation,’ (IV.234-40; I.73), and his questions about the distinction between the visible and invisible church (I.231-36) come immediately to mind – these volumes show him to be a Reformed thinker marked by exegetical precision, theological depth, and pastoral earnestness. Indeed, the 1966 General Assembly commended his “exactness in the study of Holy Scripture, and…deep reverence for its doctrine.”
I recommend beginning reading his writings in volume III, which provides a fascinating account of his life. Though given to a life of biblical and theological scholarship, his biography shows Murray a faithful churchman who loved the gospel.
In volume I, ‘The Claims of Truth,’ we meet Murray the teacher; the book consists primarily of brief essays and addresses to various Christian organizations. Of particular interest were his remarks on the Fourth Commandment and treatment of John 3:16.
Volume II, ‘Systematic Theology,’ introduces Murray the dogmatician, and is as close as he came to producing a formal systematic theology. Chapters helpfully and clearly engage the doctrines of man, salvation, grace, sanctification, ecclesiology, and last things. Even where one differs, his clear, compelling logic is appreciated.
Volume III, ‘Life; Sermons; Reviews,’ allows us to glimpse Murray the man and preacher. His fascinating biography, along with nineteen sermon manuscripts, eight Communion addresses, and twenty-eight book reviews comprise this book. Sermons on prayer (#2) and Scripture (#17) were uniquely edifying. The forty-nine book reviews found in volumes III and IV showcase bold biblical conviction and an impressive breadth of theological engagement.
In volume IV, ‘Studies in Theology,’ we encounter Murray the exegete and scholar. The chapters here, many of which originally appeared in theological journals, provide valuable biblical, historical, and doctrinal instruction.
Murray waited until later in life to write much, because he ‘did not want to withdraw what [he] wrote!’ (III.100). The fruit of that patience marks these works aimed at developing ‘intelligent piety.’ The reader who takes these volumes under careful study will be better equipped to progress toward such a goal, in knowledge of the exalted Christ whom John Murray loved.
*Disclosure: I received these books at no charge in exchange for an unbiased review. (This review originally appeared at banneroftruth.org)
January 17, 2020
Great devotional read. You will cry.
February 6, 2020
Currently working through the sermons, but have the collected set and am excited to continue on reading.
July 16, 2016
I only have volume 1 and 3 of this collection, but these short theological essays by the late Professor have blessed my soul. The biography by Iain Murray in volume 3 is insightful and reveals a model for Christian leaders and scholars. As always, Banner books are materially beautiful and are constructed to be durable.
July 24, 2011
Keep a set in your library if you value clear thinking on Biblical matters from a Reformed theological perspective.
September 15, 2012
Really a must-have for Reformed theology students. Sublime succinct presbyterian writing style. A forerunner for modern reformed perspective and yet so much better than most today.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews