Generously Reformed: Theology Rooted Deep and Reaching Wide

by J. Todd Billings, Suzanne McDonald, Alberto La Rosa Rojas

Generously Reformed offers a fresh, centrist vision of the Reformed tradition--moving beyond slogans and caricatures to reveal a theology that is historically grounded, globally engaged, and full of hope. Like a tree with deep roots and wide branches, Reformed theology is portrayed as both firmly anchored in Scripture and the catholic tradition while dynamically reaching out in witness, service, and friendship.

Ideal for church leaders, students, and those curious about the Reformed tradition, this volume corrects distortions, explores the tradition's breadth, and invites readers into a posture of joyful discipleship. Rather than offering defensive debates, Generously Reformed fosters a theological journey centered on the Triune God's redemptive story, equipping readers to inhabit the Reformed tradition with clarity and grace.

Readers will find a generous and substantial vision of a tradition deeply rooted in God's word and work, shaped by ancient wisdom, and alive with hope for today.

Genres: Christian

216 pages, Paperback

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

J. Todd Billings is the Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan (Th.D. Harvard). His first book, Calvin, Participation, and the Gift, won a 2009 Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and his third book, Union with Christ, won a 2012 Christianity Today Book Award. His book Rejoicing in Lament (2015) offers a theological reflection on providence and lament in light of his 2012 cancer diagnosis. His later work, The End of the Christian Life, explores how authentic discipleship involves embracing our mortal limits. He is also co-author of Generously Reformed: Theology Rooted Deep and Reaching Wide (2026).

He is married to Rachel M. Billings, an Old Testament scholar (Ph.D., Harvard). They have a lively household with two children and a very opinionated cat.

Reviews

[Billy Hinshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unless you’re a Reformed Christian, everything you probably think you know about Reformed theology is either misconstrued, inaccurate, or absolutely wrong. That’s what I learned as I read this book. Once again, I found myself convicted my assumptions about a religious tradition that originated in persons, cultures and communities rather than what the tradition actually confesses. Worth a read.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baptist outside appreciator

I'm a Baptist (ABC-USA), and an outside appreciator.
This book is an accessible introduction for an audience familiar with the basics. If you've read, say, Justo Gonzalez's introduction to Christian History (or are familiar with the basic names and movements of the Protestant Reformation), you will follow this book very easily.

I appreciated the irenic argument. And for the most part, I think the authors defended infant baptism while generally understanding the historic and biblical arguments against it. I was not ultimately persuaded, but I did appreciate the chapter.

The best part of the book was explaining the Reformed tradition's emphasis on election and Providence. The chapter responding to David Bentley Hart was especially good. Your head may spin with talk of primary and secondary causes, if you're not accustomed to those concepts.

But as someone familiar with Jonathan Edwards, it was fascinating to see how he, and those influenced by him, we're and are different from both Calvin, Dort, and other Reformed thinkers on the topic of the nature of God's decree and whether "things could have been otherwise" when it comes to human action and evil.

I read this book in part because I had read other works by the authors. I found the read engaging and worth my time. If you're interested in Reformed theology beyond the megachurch pastors or more shallow online takes, this book is for you.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a book talk by the authors. As an elder in the Presbyterian Church, I was familiar with many of the concepts in this book but I realized that if someone asked me to define reformed theology, I would have a hard time doing so.

I feel better equipped after this book, but it also had its flaws.

The book did a good job of covering many of the basics -- infant baptism, communion, social mission versus conversion, even the end times.

It shared two problems I have seen in other books. Because it was a multi-author book where different authors took different chapters, the quality of the writing varied significantly depending on who the author was. I have also felt for many years that religion books tend to be overwritten and that was the case here as well. The chapter on social mission, for example, kept repeating the same ideas and could easily have been half the length. I think that was true of other chapters as well

Nevertheless, the scholarship is impressive and I particularly liked the portion that dealt with the dual grace of justification (Christ's saving action on the cross) and sanctification (the work of the Holy Spirit in directing our lives to more and more closely follow God's way).

If you come from another faith tradition or have no religious background, I think this is not a bad introduction, although it is obviously written more for insiders than outsiders.

A mixed review, to be sure.

[Joan Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors of Generously Reformed have produced a volume that not only explores the roots of Reformed theology, but also shows how there is a lot of misunderstanding about what being Reformed means. Most of the time, our thinking is too narrow, or we have bought into catch phrases that cannot do justice to the breadth and depth of Reformed theology. Their emphasis is always on the triune God and His work in the unfolding of the Covenant of Grace, from Genesis to Revelation.

Though I have been of the Reformed persuasion for many years, and have read a small library of books on the subject, this one is particularly refreshing. It relies on the works of a plethora of Reformed authors and theologians to give a well-rounded overview without leaning too heavily on any one person. In other words, though the writings of John Calvin are helpful, Calvinism ≠ Reformed theology. This book doesn't just propose an adherence to Reformed theology in the abstract. It shows how rightly understanding doctrine should overflow into the generous way we treat others and seek to reach the lost.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.