What do you think?
Rate this book
Teologia Puritana
Uma teologia sistemática puritana que tem por objetivo ampliar o conhecimento na mente e a santidade no coração.
Esta inovadora obra trata dos ensinos dos puritanos sobre 6 grandes áreas da teologia, cobrindo 50 subseções doutrinárias. A obra examina com profundidade os ensinos dos puritanos sobre interpretação bíblica, Deus, predestinação, providência, anjos, pecado, as alianças, o evangelho, Cristo, a preparação para a conversão, regeneração, o ato de vir a Cristo, justificação, adoção, governo eclesiástico, o Shabbath, pregação, batismo, céu, inferno e muitos outros assuntos. Os últimos oito capítulos examinam a “teologia na prática” segundo os puritanos. Alguns capítulos se concentram na obra de um teólogo puritano e tratam de um assunto específico. Outros capítulos fazem um apanhado de vários autores sobre determinado tema.
Esta inovadora obra trata dos ensinos dos puritanos sobre 6 grandes áreas da teologia, cobrindo 50 subseções doutrinárias. A obra examina com profundidade os ensinos dos puritanos sobre interpretação bíblica, Deus, predestinação, providência, anjos, pecado, as alianças, o evangelho, Cristo, a preparação para a conversão, regeneração, o ato de vir a Cristo, justificação, adoção, governo eclesiástico, o Shabbath, pregação, batismo, céu, inferno e muitos outros assuntos. Os últimos oito capítulos examinam a “teologia na prática” segundo os puritanos. Alguns capítulos se concentram na obra de um teólogo puritano e tratam de um assunto específico. Outros capítulos fazem um apanhado de vários autores sobre determinado tema.
1504 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
360 people are currently reading
1598 people want to read
About the author
Joel R. Beeke
447 books350 followersDr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 20, 2025
Beeke and Jones outdid themselves with this publication. Here are a few praiseworthy features: one, the chapters are diverse enough to keep you engaged through the large tome; two, the authors leave you with many original sources that will pique your interests; and three, the authors apply everything to the soul.
This book is great for simply reading through, but it is even better as a standalone resource for preaching and teaching.
This book is great for simply reading through, but it is even better as a standalone resource for preaching and teaching.
February 2, 2017
Excellent! This is a great introduction to Puritan theology and is loaded with referenced works to keep one busy for a long time. I love the experimental and devotional applications of each doctrine throughout the whole book as well as the scholastic precision, all of which seems to be missing in many modern works. My favorite chapters were,
Stephen Charnock on the Attributes of God
The Minority Report: John Owen on Sinai
The Puritans on Understanding and Using God's Promises
Puritan Preparatory Grace
John Owen on the Christian Sabbath and Worship
Puritan Theology Shaped by a Pilgrim Mentality
The Puritans on Walking Godly in the Home
The Puritan Practice of Meditation
The chapters on Eschatology were disappointing, however. They made it seem as though Puritan Historic Postmillennialism was influenced by the time in which they lived rather than based on their exegesis of Scripture. There was no discussion on their arguments and exegesis for the Papacy as the Antichrist, the future conversion of the Jews, or the duty of civil magistrates to protect and promote the visible Church, for example, all of which were common Puritan eschatological beliefs.
The Eschatology section was the only inadequate section, however, and I was greatly edified by the book!
Stephen Charnock on the Attributes of God
The Minority Report: John Owen on Sinai
The Puritans on Understanding and Using God's Promises
Puritan Preparatory Grace
John Owen on the Christian Sabbath and Worship
Puritan Theology Shaped by a Pilgrim Mentality
The Puritans on Walking Godly in the Home
The Puritan Practice of Meditation
The chapters on Eschatology were disappointing, however. They made it seem as though Puritan Historic Postmillennialism was influenced by the time in which they lived rather than based on their exegesis of Scripture. There was no discussion on their arguments and exegesis for the Papacy as the Antichrist, the future conversion of the Jews, or the duty of civil magistrates to protect and promote the visible Church, for example, all of which were common Puritan eschatological beliefs.
The Eschatology section was the only inadequate section, however, and I was greatly edified by the book!
December 18, 2025
My systematic theology read for 2025!
Very historically informative and heavily applicational. The Puritans were no strangers to experiential theology, meaning theology that engages the head, the heart, and the hands. This systematic theology based off of the work of the Puritans by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones plays into that very well.
Essentially, it’s a systematic theology of Puritan works using the classic categories of doctrine. On that front it’s very informative from a historical standpoint!
Four stars would be due to the nature of many chapters being repetitive in their assertions, as well as some chapters that theologically I would have certain disagreements on it. Believe it or not, not all Puritans were theologically sound, and worth imitating🤷🏼♂️ (shocking, I know, but someone like Richard Baxter comes to mind)
Unfortunately, there were chapters where it seemed as though the authors gave more wholesale endorsements to the Puritans as a general category instead of as critically as I would’ve liked for certain Puritans.
But overall, this was a really engaging and informative systematic to read through and I’m glad that I did it!
Very historically informative and heavily applicational. The Puritans were no strangers to experiential theology, meaning theology that engages the head, the heart, and the hands. This systematic theology based off of the work of the Puritans by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones plays into that very well.
Essentially, it’s a systematic theology of Puritan works using the classic categories of doctrine. On that front it’s very informative from a historical standpoint!
Four stars would be due to the nature of many chapters being repetitive in their assertions, as well as some chapters that theologically I would have certain disagreements on it. Believe it or not, not all Puritans were theologically sound, and worth imitating🤷🏼♂️ (shocking, I know, but someone like Richard Baxter comes to mind)
Unfortunately, there were chapters where it seemed as though the authors gave more wholesale endorsements to the Puritans as a general category instead of as critically as I would’ve liked for certain Puritans.
But overall, this was a really engaging and informative systematic to read through and I’m glad that I did it!
August 7, 2017
This is one of those “game-changer” books. Beeke provides decades of pastoral reflection from the Puritans (and admittedly, there is a lot of repetition) while Jones brings clear Christological reflection from giants like Thomas Goodwin and John Owen. The book is structured around the standard loci. While we perhaps would like more from some chapters, the overwhelming amount of primary sources, and the clear mastery of secondary literature, allows us to continue the research if necessary.
My review will reflect my biases and what I like to study. That can’t be helped, otherwise an exegetical review of this book would take ten pages. This book is a Christological masterpiece. I learned more from the chapters on Christology than I did in my week-long seminary class on Christology. I agree with Carl Trueman, this book is both doctrinal and devotional.
Christological Supralapsarianism
In regard to the end, Goodwin viewed mankind as unfallen in His election of human beings, but fallen in His decrees as the means to that end” (155).
“Means” -- what Christ, as redeemer of God’s elect, performed for his people. It has reference to Christ’s redemptive work, which presupposes a fall.
Key point: “whether God’s decree regarding both the end and the means was pitched ‘either wholly upon man considered in the mass of creability [potential human beings] afore the Fall, or wholly upon the mass of mankind considered and viewed first as fallen into sin” (Jones, quoting Goodwin 156).
The decree to elect falls under a twofold consideration: a) regarding the end, the fall was not a necessity...but an impediment; b) the decree to elect may be understood also with respect to man fallen, which God foresaw, as the means.
Election has reference to the end. Here God decrees to give men eternal life without consideration of the fall. But when we look at predestination, we view man as fallen. Predestination involves the means to the end.
Covenants
While some have noted concern on the section of the Covenant of Works, the section on the Covenant of Redemption is fantastic. Differences between Covenant of Grace and Covenant of Redemption
(1) CoR sprang from grace in both parties (Father and Christ), whereas the CoG sprang from grace only from the Father.
(2) Though both are everlasting, only the CoR is eternal.
(3) The parties in the CoR are equal; the parties in CoG (and CoW) are not.
(4) The parties differ in both covenants.
(5) There is no mediator in the CoR
(6) The promises of the New Covenant (such as a new heart and forgiveness of sins) cannot be applied to Christ.
(7) Christ was not threatened in the CoR, whereas those in the CoG are (Heb. 2.3; 1 Cor. 16.22).
(8) The conditions in each covenant differ.
(9) The CoR did not require man’s consent.
Taken from Patrick Gillespie, Ark of the Covenant Opened, 113-117, quoted in Beeke and Jones, 254.
Owen on Justification and Union
For Puritans like Owen and Goodwin, there is a Three fold union
Immanent: being elected in union with Christ from all eternity
Transient: union with Christ in time past; to wit, his mediatorial death and resurrection
Applicatory: experience of union in the present time.
Christ “apprehends” and gives his Spirit to the believer.
Owen: Christ is the first and principal grace in respect of causality and efficacy” (20:150). Union is the cause of the other graces. It is the ground of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers. Such is the logical priority of union regarding justification. The act whereby Christ unites himself to the elect is the same act whereby he regenerates them (3:464).
Witsius: the elect are united to Christ when his Spirit takes a hold of them and infuses a new principal of life. Yet, there is a mutual union whereby the soul draws near to Christ by faith only. From this follows the other benefits of the covenant of grace.
Charnock: justification gives us a right; regeneration gives us a fitness (3:90).
Conclusion
This review did not cover all, or even much of the book. Indeed, it could not. But not only does it encourage you to read the Puritans, it points one to a number of crucial studies on the Puritans.
My review will reflect my biases and what I like to study. That can’t be helped, otherwise an exegetical review of this book would take ten pages. This book is a Christological masterpiece. I learned more from the chapters on Christology than I did in my week-long seminary class on Christology. I agree with Carl Trueman, this book is both doctrinal and devotional.
Christological Supralapsarianism
In regard to the end, Goodwin viewed mankind as unfallen in His election of human beings, but fallen in His decrees as the means to that end” (155).
“Means” -- what Christ, as redeemer of God’s elect, performed for his people. It has reference to Christ’s redemptive work, which presupposes a fall.
Key point: “whether God’s decree regarding both the end and the means was pitched ‘either wholly upon man considered in the mass of creability [potential human beings] afore the Fall, or wholly upon the mass of mankind considered and viewed first as fallen into sin” (Jones, quoting Goodwin 156).
The decree to elect falls under a twofold consideration: a) regarding the end, the fall was not a necessity...but an impediment; b) the decree to elect may be understood also with respect to man fallen, which God foresaw, as the means.
Election has reference to the end. Here God decrees to give men eternal life without consideration of the fall. But when we look at predestination, we view man as fallen. Predestination involves the means to the end.
Covenants
While some have noted concern on the section of the Covenant of Works, the section on the Covenant of Redemption is fantastic. Differences between Covenant of Grace and Covenant of Redemption
(1) CoR sprang from grace in both parties (Father and Christ), whereas the CoG sprang from grace only from the Father.
(2) Though both are everlasting, only the CoR is eternal.
(3) The parties in the CoR are equal; the parties in CoG (and CoW) are not.
(4) The parties differ in both covenants.
(5) There is no mediator in the CoR
(6) The promises of the New Covenant (such as a new heart and forgiveness of sins) cannot be applied to Christ.
(7) Christ was not threatened in the CoR, whereas those in the CoG are (Heb. 2.3; 1 Cor. 16.22).
(8) The conditions in each covenant differ.
(9) The CoR did not require man’s consent.
Taken from Patrick Gillespie, Ark of the Covenant Opened, 113-117, quoted in Beeke and Jones, 254.
Owen on Justification and Union
For Puritans like Owen and Goodwin, there is a Three fold union
Immanent: being elected in union with Christ from all eternity
Transient: union with Christ in time past; to wit, his mediatorial death and resurrection
Applicatory: experience of union in the present time.
Christ “apprehends” and gives his Spirit to the believer.
Owen: Christ is the first and principal grace in respect of causality and efficacy” (20:150). Union is the cause of the other graces. It is the ground of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers. Such is the logical priority of union regarding justification. The act whereby Christ unites himself to the elect is the same act whereby he regenerates them (3:464).
Witsius: the elect are united to Christ when his Spirit takes a hold of them and infuses a new principal of life. Yet, there is a mutual union whereby the soul draws near to Christ by faith only. From this follows the other benefits of the covenant of grace.
Charnock: justification gives us a right; regeneration gives us a fitness (3:90).
Conclusion
This review did not cover all, or even much of the book. Indeed, it could not. But not only does it encourage you to read the Puritans, it points one to a number of crucial studies on the Puritans.
February 20, 2013
This is an excellent taste of Puritan theology. Written by a well respected scholar and theologian, it really is a systematic theology of seventeenth century British Reformed thought. A massive amount of research must have gone into this body of divinity gleaned from the works of the most voluminous class of pastor-preacher-theologians the world has ever known. Each loci covered gives you compacted and well selected comment from major and some lesser known Puritan divines. Some of the chapters are full blown discussions of doctrinal themes with comment from the authors who wrote major treatises on the subject. Dr. Beeke and Rev. Jones have put many a lover of the Puritans in their debt. This work is destined to be a classic and should be found on the desk of every minister who aspires to be a learned and godly divine. This work, to borrow from that greatest of American Calvinist theologians Dr. Benjamin B. Warfield shows "The Indispensableness of Systematic Theology to the Preacher".
November 30, 2022
What did the Puritans believe about the Bible, God, and life? In A Puritan Theology, Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones present Puritan doctrine and teachings in a systematic theology.
At the Top of My Favorite Systematic Theologies
A masterwork and unparalleled resource, this is an incredible accomplishment and landmark work. It has quickly jumped to the top of my list on favorite systematic theologies.
The range of theology as well as the Puritans and works featured is staggering. 60 chapters cover prolegomena, theology proper, anthropology and covenant theology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and theology in practice. At just over 1000 pages, this is a behemoth of a book.
Adoption and Preaching
My favorite was Chapter 34: The Puritans on Adoption. While not often mentioned in other works, Beeke and Jones show that the Puritan emphasis on adoption was indeed significant. While adoption is into God’s family, it actually impacts the entire life of the believer. John Cotton, expounding 1 John 3, taught that adoption affects our relationship to God, our relationship to the world, our relationship to the future, our relationship to ourselves, and our relationship to the Church as the family of God. It makes sense that Cotton would see these relationships, as the Puritans showed true spirituality while living between two worlds.
Two chapters are dedicated to Puritan Preaching, but I found the additional chapter on John Bunyan’s preaching to the heart to be most moving. Beeke and Jones examine Bunyan as a preacher, claiming that “oratory skill or passion did not make Bunyan such a powerful preacher,” but “by his own admission he preached what he felt.” They go on to explain three particulars of Bunyan’s preaching: it was participatory, pleading, and Christ exalting. I was captivated and encouraged, inspired with a new preaching hero.
Hear and Learn from Puritan Saints
My copy of this book was sent as a special Puritan Bundle set together with Meet the Puritans, Ore From the Puritans’ Mine, and a Free Study Guide. If you love the Puritans, you’ll want to get the full 3-piece set.
The book ends with practical lessons from Puritan theology today. Beeke and Jones call us to focus on Christ, maintain biblical balance, persevere in catechizing, pray without ceasing, handle trial Christianly, rebuke pride, and rely on the Spirit. They conclude that we should emulate Puritan spirituality, and I am eager to learn more these past saints. What a privilege it is to hear and learn from them today!
I received a media copy of A Puritan Theology and this is my honest review.
At the Top of My Favorite Systematic Theologies
A masterwork and unparalleled resource, this is an incredible accomplishment and landmark work. It has quickly jumped to the top of my list on favorite systematic theologies.
The range of theology as well as the Puritans and works featured is staggering. 60 chapters cover prolegomena, theology proper, anthropology and covenant theology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and theology in practice. At just over 1000 pages, this is a behemoth of a book.
Adoption and Preaching
My favorite was Chapter 34: The Puritans on Adoption. While not often mentioned in other works, Beeke and Jones show that the Puritan emphasis on adoption was indeed significant. While adoption is into God’s family, it actually impacts the entire life of the believer. John Cotton, expounding 1 John 3, taught that adoption affects our relationship to God, our relationship to the world, our relationship to the future, our relationship to ourselves, and our relationship to the Church as the family of God. It makes sense that Cotton would see these relationships, as the Puritans showed true spirituality while living between two worlds.
Two chapters are dedicated to Puritan Preaching, but I found the additional chapter on John Bunyan’s preaching to the heart to be most moving. Beeke and Jones examine Bunyan as a preacher, claiming that “oratory skill or passion did not make Bunyan such a powerful preacher,” but “by his own admission he preached what he felt.” They go on to explain three particulars of Bunyan’s preaching: it was participatory, pleading, and Christ exalting. I was captivated and encouraged, inspired with a new preaching hero.
Hear and Learn from Puritan Saints
My copy of this book was sent as a special Puritan Bundle set together with Meet the Puritans, Ore From the Puritans’ Mine, and a Free Study Guide. If you love the Puritans, you’ll want to get the full 3-piece set.
The book ends with practical lessons from Puritan theology today. Beeke and Jones call us to focus on Christ, maintain biblical balance, persevere in catechizing, pray without ceasing, handle trial Christianly, rebuke pride, and rely on the Spirit. They conclude that we should emulate Puritan spirituality, and I am eager to learn more these past saints. What a privilege it is to hear and learn from them today!
I received a media copy of A Puritan Theology and this is my honest review.
December 28, 2015
A really great book that changed my perceptions of the group known as the Puritans. Some very helpful modern applications made too, particularly in the final chapters; worth ploughing through to the end. if I could recover a small portion of the piety and zeal and discipline some of these giants of the faith had, my life would be transformed.
Want to read
January 8, 2020Chapters 7 (Perkins by Beeke) and 9 (Goodwin by Jones) were helpful in my dissertation chapter on supralapsarianism and the felix culpa. Ch. 48 is about optimism in the American colonists' eschatology.
May 2, 2020
Fantastic! I am so glad I plodded through it. I'll definitely be coming back to it many times in the future for reference.
December 22, 2025
A great read for those who love the Puritans and want to dive deeper into their world. I will say, however, this book is not for the faint of heart. It’s a big book. Looking back I’d say it’s better to just read the Puritan’s themselves but this will be a helpful resource for those who want it all in one place.
February 7, 2023
Unsurprisingly, easy to read. Beeke and Jones did a tremendous job not only highlighting the theology and the principles of the Puritans in their practical application of Scripture, but also gave the so-what for the modern minister. This will be a reference book I’d look to keep coming back to.
November 23, 2018
This is fantastic. It's not the most comprehensive. Nor is it the most accessible. But it bursting with fervent piety and Biblical truth
December 25, 2021
My big book for the year. Took awhile but totally worth it!
December 20, 2025
Outstanding. Kia Ora Matua Beeke and Matua Jones.
December 31, 2015
In this 1,000 page work, authors Joel Beeke and Mark Jones survey a Puritan take on each area of classic systematic theology. They do an excellent job of conveying the Puritan piety, Christ-centered-ness, and concern for the conscience and eternal destiny of sinners.
Weaknesses:
Sometimes an even survey of theology was sacrificed for examining the particular views of a certain person. Perhaps this isn't bad. It must have been a challenge to select what to feature, out of the vast literature the Puritans produced.
Puritans suffered a bit from theological myopia and introspection. Although they could list 60 uses (applications) of a biblical text in a sermon, the emphasis was usually the same. (1) Your guilt and danger of hell, (2) the atonement of Christ for you, and (3) your obligation to repent, put to death the sin remaining in you, and use the means of grace (Word, sacrament, prayer, worship) to help clear your guilty conscience. Perhaps they tended to focus more on 1 and 3. The authors don't give much criticism to this. Instead of pointing out that they were more focused on the subjective sinner's experience in his conscience than on the objective work of Christ, they would say the Puritans struck a good balance between the objective and subjective. I'm not so sure. Raising the question for the reader's consideration would have been good, instead of just defending and commending the Puritans.
I'd recommend this to anyone with a basic knowledge of theology looking to go a little deeper, and at the same time be challenged in your piety and sanctification.
Weaknesses:
Sometimes an even survey of theology was sacrificed for examining the particular views of a certain person. Perhaps this isn't bad. It must have been a challenge to select what to feature, out of the vast literature the Puritans produced.
Puritans suffered a bit from theological myopia and introspection. Although they could list 60 uses (applications) of a biblical text in a sermon, the emphasis was usually the same. (1) Your guilt and danger of hell, (2) the atonement of Christ for you, and (3) your obligation to repent, put to death the sin remaining in you, and use the means of grace (Word, sacrament, prayer, worship) to help clear your guilty conscience. Perhaps they tended to focus more on 1 and 3. The authors don't give much criticism to this. Instead of pointing out that they were more focused on the subjective sinner's experience in his conscience than on the objective work of Christ, they would say the Puritans struck a good balance between the objective and subjective. I'm not so sure. Raising the question for the reader's consideration would have been good, instead of just defending and commending the Puritans.
I'd recommend this to anyone with a basic knowledge of theology looking to go a little deeper, and at the same time be challenged in your piety and sanctification.
April 23, 2013
Would like to give this 4.5 stars, but GoodReads isn't so precise. :-)
This book is one of its kind and should be on any pastor-theologian's shelf who has any interest in the Reformed tradition. For me, the the value of this book was threefold. First, I was introduced to persons and their ideas that I was woefully ignorant of in the past. Second, I got a taste of some of the debates of 17th century theology. Finally, this book is littered with quotes, many of which have devotional value. I jotted down more than a few Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, and Samuel Rutherford quotes.
However, beware of a couple of shortcomings in this book. First, this book isn't as technical as other works dealing with Puritan theology. That is fine as far as the purpose of the book goes, though. Second, Beeke and Jones come across too often as cheerleaders for the Puritans where some substantive critique would be welcomed. They give the Puritans the benefit of the doubt when compared to contemporary scholars who might wish to balance the Puritans on a point. (William Evans, J.I. Packer, and RJ Gore are simply dismissed without much warrant.)
Also, I was thoroughly disappointed in the chapter on Sabbath and Worship. Such an important chapter deserved more precision and fleshing out of positions. It was 'safe' at best.
Still, this is a fine piece of historical-systematic theology on the Puritans. High recommendation.
This book is one of its kind and should be on any pastor-theologian's shelf who has any interest in the Reformed tradition. For me, the the value of this book was threefold. First, I was introduced to persons and their ideas that I was woefully ignorant of in the past. Second, I got a taste of some of the debates of 17th century theology. Finally, this book is littered with quotes, many of which have devotional value. I jotted down more than a few Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, and Samuel Rutherford quotes.
However, beware of a couple of shortcomings in this book. First, this book isn't as technical as other works dealing with Puritan theology. That is fine as far as the purpose of the book goes, though. Second, Beeke and Jones come across too often as cheerleaders for the Puritans where some substantive critique would be welcomed. They give the Puritans the benefit of the doubt when compared to contemporary scholars who might wish to balance the Puritans on a point. (William Evans, J.I. Packer, and RJ Gore are simply dismissed without much warrant.)
Also, I was thoroughly disappointed in the chapter on Sabbath and Worship. Such an important chapter deserved more precision and fleshing out of positions. It was 'safe' at best.
Still, this is a fine piece of historical-systematic theology on the Puritans. High recommendation.
April 3, 2018
I finally did it! :)
This really was a decent book. I was a little disappointed at first because I went into it thinking that this was to be a systematic theology with the doctrinal treatment selected from the writings of various Puritans. Instead it ended up being much more academic, with what were essentially well-documented journal articles treating a particular Puritan's view on a specific subject (or perhaps the majority view pulling from multiple Puritans). This was much less devotional than I imagined but is still a wealth of information and will be a great reference in the future.
I really appreciated how the book wound up with a more devotional tone, pleading with the reader to apply and search and be diligent to read Scripture and engage in personal piety. All in all, this was some excellent, if more academically-minded, material. Very thankful for this.
This really was a decent book. I was a little disappointed at first because I went into it thinking that this was to be a systematic theology with the doctrinal treatment selected from the writings of various Puritans. Instead it ended up being much more academic, with what were essentially well-documented journal articles treating a particular Puritan's view on a specific subject (or perhaps the majority view pulling from multiple Puritans). This was much less devotional than I imagined but is still a wealth of information and will be a great reference in the future.
I really appreciated how the book wound up with a more devotional tone, pleading with the reader to apply and search and be diligent to read Scripture and engage in personal piety. All in all, this was some excellent, if more academically-minded, material. Very thankful for this.
December 9, 2014
This was a highly valuable read. It took me over a year—it is not light reading by any stretch—and some of the discussion was a bit too technical for a reader with no formal theological training, but I was frequently challenged and encouraged by the deep truths and godly practices espoused by the Puritans. I have read a fair amount of Puritan writing; this overview spurs me to read more and to explore some of the many Puritan writers whom I have not yet read. Highly recommended as an in-depth examination of the theology and piety of the English Puritans.
January 2, 2015
What a magnificent book! Beeke and Jones distilled a vast amount of Puritan reading into a book that is readable, edifying, and enlightening. Even when disagreeing with the Puritans' perspectives (as a Baptist dispensationalist, I often did), I was motivated to have a God-centered and Scripture-saturated theology.
The size of the book might be off-putting to some, but I found that 10-15 pages a day allowed me to enjoy the richness of the material without being overwhelmed by it.
The size of the book might be off-putting to some, but I found that 10-15 pages a day allowed me to enjoy the richness of the material without being overwhelmed by it.
December 23, 2013
As scholarship goes, this is a monumental volume. Overall very helpful.
September 12, 2013
One of the most volumous and rich periods of Christian tradition and writing is that of the sixteenth and seventeenth century Puritans. The number of works and pages they produced is staggering and is only outdone by their passion for Christ and their commitment to the Scripture about which they wrote. They produced many classics that Christians have read for centuries since. They have been the victim of misunderstanding by many but for those who have taken the time to read them they have been changed forever.
In line with a long string of contemporary reprints and books on the Puritans comes a staggering volume which sets a new standard for Puritan studies. Coauthors Joel Beeke and Mark Jones have written A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life which sets out to provide a systematic theology on the theology of Continental reformed theologians of the sixteenth an seventeenth century. Weighing nearly 5 pounds and measuring 2” x 7.5” x 10.2”, this book moves beyond an introduction to the field of Puritan theology and provides a rich and vast well to draw from in ones quest for gaining a better grasp of the Puritans. The Works Referenced section is 45 pages long which includes both the primary and secondary sources cited throughout.
Overview
Due to the size and content of the book a review is necessarily general in scope. So, what can be said and what kind of book is this? In answering the second question first, this book is a systematic theology of Puritan thought. There are eight sections to the book which cover the ten traditional headings of theology from prolegomena to eschatology. The first section deals with prolegomena and includes a chapter on the famous The Marrow of Theology by William Ames. Angels and demons are taken up in the second section on theology proper along with the doctrine of God. Stephen Charnock’s work Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God begins this section. Woven together with anthropology is the Puritans understanding of covenant theology in the third section with a summary of covenant conditions in chapter nineteen. The fourth section deals with Christology with a very applicable chapter on how the Puritans understood the promises of God. The fifth section addresses soteriology with chapters on the Holy Spirit, benefits of salvation such as justification and adoption and perseverance. Ecclesiology is covered in the sixth section. Along with the standard discussions of church polity and sacraments are two chapters on the Puritans theology of preaching. Eschatology is dealt with in the seventh section. Finally, various aspects of the Christian life are covered in the eighth section. This fits well with the subtitle of the book Doctrine for Life. More on that later.
Distinguishing Features
There is a lot that can be said about this book. First, the authors clearly qualified to write this book. Beeke and Jones are recognized Puritan specialists and they have an unparalleled command of the primary source material as well as familiarity with other second hand works like their own. As the president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Beeke has authored and coauthored many books dealing with the Puritans. Jones himself is a Puritan scholar and has published several books relate to Puritanism of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Ten years in the making, this book is a testament to the authors love and familiarity to Puritan theology. I suspect there will be many more books from these two as a result of their long and intense research and study. Additionally, Beeke and Jones are honest enough to recognize that the Puritans were not always correct in everything they taught nor did they always use the best language or terminology to describe their theology. For instance, in chapter 28 on preparatory grace, the writers express concern over the use of the term “qualification” and “qualified sinner” when it comes to the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life before making a profession of faith in Christ (455).
Second, concerning the content of the book, it becomes immediately clear that the Puritans were concerned with two things. First, they were committed exegetes of Scripture and held it in highest regard. In similar fashion to reading the early church fathers, reading the Puritans is like reading Scripture itself. They were devoted to the word of God because from it we receive our saving knowledge of Christ and how it informs the way we live our lives for Christ. They show a command of the languages, systematic and biblical theology. Second, the Puritans were rightly obsessed with Christ himself. As is similar to the work of Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, the Puritans related and saw everything concerning Scripture and the Christian life in light of Christ. They were highly Christocentric in every sense of the word.
Third, as the subtitle states, this book reflects the often missed theme that runs throughout the Puritans works – doctrine is for life. While the final section is on theology in practice, it becomes quickly apparent to the reader that the Puritans connected all of their theology to life. Unfortunately, too many people see the Puritans writing as stuffy, dense and wordy. Surely their writing style certainly has a character of its own but I fear our inability at times to benefit from their works has more to do with us than with them. Whether it is regarding the promises of God to the believer or the nature of God himself, the Puritans sought to bring all of these truths to bear on the life of the believer.
Conclusion
Though an admittedly large and intimidating book, A Puritan Theology is a must read for any Puritan lover. Those wanting to gain a better grasp of the primary sources from experts should start here. Those interested in systematic theology will benefit immensely from this work as it is one itself. Because the Puritans were so devoted to Christ and the application of theology for life, this book almost serves as a walk-through devotional of the Puritans. Plenty of Scripture and application abound. The book is worth its weight in gold and will serve Christians for generations to come.
In line with a long string of contemporary reprints and books on the Puritans comes a staggering volume which sets a new standard for Puritan studies. Coauthors Joel Beeke and Mark Jones have written A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life which sets out to provide a systematic theology on the theology of Continental reformed theologians of the sixteenth an seventeenth century. Weighing nearly 5 pounds and measuring 2” x 7.5” x 10.2”, this book moves beyond an introduction to the field of Puritan theology and provides a rich and vast well to draw from in ones quest for gaining a better grasp of the Puritans. The Works Referenced section is 45 pages long which includes both the primary and secondary sources cited throughout.
Overview
Due to the size and content of the book a review is necessarily general in scope. So, what can be said and what kind of book is this? In answering the second question first, this book is a systematic theology of Puritan thought. There are eight sections to the book which cover the ten traditional headings of theology from prolegomena to eschatology. The first section deals with prolegomena and includes a chapter on the famous The Marrow of Theology by William Ames. Angels and demons are taken up in the second section on theology proper along with the doctrine of God. Stephen Charnock’s work Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God begins this section. Woven together with anthropology is the Puritans understanding of covenant theology in the third section with a summary of covenant conditions in chapter nineteen. The fourth section deals with Christology with a very applicable chapter on how the Puritans understood the promises of God. The fifth section addresses soteriology with chapters on the Holy Spirit, benefits of salvation such as justification and adoption and perseverance. Ecclesiology is covered in the sixth section. Along with the standard discussions of church polity and sacraments are two chapters on the Puritans theology of preaching. Eschatology is dealt with in the seventh section. Finally, various aspects of the Christian life are covered in the eighth section. This fits well with the subtitle of the book Doctrine for Life. More on that later.
Distinguishing Features
There is a lot that can be said about this book. First, the authors clearly qualified to write this book. Beeke and Jones are recognized Puritan specialists and they have an unparalleled command of the primary source material as well as familiarity with other second hand works like their own. As the president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Beeke has authored and coauthored many books dealing with the Puritans. Jones himself is a Puritan scholar and has published several books relate to Puritanism of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Ten years in the making, this book is a testament to the authors love and familiarity to Puritan theology. I suspect there will be many more books from these two as a result of their long and intense research and study. Additionally, Beeke and Jones are honest enough to recognize that the Puritans were not always correct in everything they taught nor did they always use the best language or terminology to describe their theology. For instance, in chapter 28 on preparatory grace, the writers express concern over the use of the term “qualification” and “qualified sinner” when it comes to the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life before making a profession of faith in Christ (455).
Second, concerning the content of the book, it becomes immediately clear that the Puritans were concerned with two things. First, they were committed exegetes of Scripture and held it in highest regard. In similar fashion to reading the early church fathers, reading the Puritans is like reading Scripture itself. They were devoted to the word of God because from it we receive our saving knowledge of Christ and how it informs the way we live our lives for Christ. They show a command of the languages, systematic and biblical theology. Second, the Puritans were rightly obsessed with Christ himself. As is similar to the work of Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, the Puritans related and saw everything concerning Scripture and the Christian life in light of Christ. They were highly Christocentric in every sense of the word.
Third, as the subtitle states, this book reflects the often missed theme that runs throughout the Puritans works – doctrine is for life. While the final section is on theology in practice, it becomes quickly apparent to the reader that the Puritans connected all of their theology to life. Unfortunately, too many people see the Puritans writing as stuffy, dense and wordy. Surely their writing style certainly has a character of its own but I fear our inability at times to benefit from their works has more to do with us than with them. Whether it is regarding the promises of God to the believer or the nature of God himself, the Puritans sought to bring all of these truths to bear on the life of the believer.
Conclusion
Though an admittedly large and intimidating book, A Puritan Theology is a must read for any Puritan lover. Those wanting to gain a better grasp of the primary sources from experts should start here. Those interested in systematic theology will benefit immensely from this work as it is one itself. Because the Puritans were so devoted to Christ and the application of theology for life, this book almost serves as a walk-through devotional of the Puritans. Plenty of Scripture and application abound. The book is worth its weight in gold and will serve Christians for generations to come.
February 29, 2020
The chapters are divided into sixty chapters and structured roughly along the lines of a systematic theology textbook in the Reformed tradition. Many of the chapters deal with classical theological loci such as the Trinity, providence, Christology, church government. Most of these heroes were five-point Calvinists who baptized infants and did not believe the gift of prophecy continued beyond the apostolic era. Some will be frustrated (John Piper) that some individuals are not included, notably Edwards. Book is about Puritan spirituality not only Theology. Book includes John Owen, Thomas Goodwin, and John Bunyan loom especially large, followed close behind by William Perkins, Richard Sibbes, Thomas Manton, and Stephen Charnock.
Puritans were cessationists and did not believe that the gift of prophecy continued beyond the apostolic era but still gave us great spirituality and concern regarding holiness.I recomend this book because you will learn much about Puritan thought and spirituality that will help you in your Christian life.
Puritans were cessationists and did not believe that the gift of prophecy continued beyond the apostolic era but still gave us great spirituality and concern regarding holiness.I recomend this book because you will learn much about Puritan thought and spirituality that will help you in your Christian life.
December 27, 2022
A large book about what the puritans believed and how they lived there faith.
Goes through many doctrines
Doctrine of scripture, offices of Christ, trinity , doctrine of man etc
Big on covenant theology
3 covenants: covenant of redemption, works and grace
Basically spoke about diffrent puritans like John, Richard Baxter, William Perkins, William Ames, Thomas Godwin and looked at there writing on theology
Puritans- how to live for God in all of life. Church, family, community and Nation
Last chapter on theological application was a banger
Meditation, family devotions, prayer
Good book, very long, some bits reparative and could skip, especially when analysing debate on baptism
Goes through many doctrines
Doctrine of scripture, offices of Christ, trinity , doctrine of man etc
Big on covenant theology
3 covenants: covenant of redemption, works and grace
Basically spoke about diffrent puritans like John, Richard Baxter, William Perkins, William Ames, Thomas Godwin and looked at there writing on theology
Puritans- how to live for God in all of life. Church, family, community and Nation
Last chapter on theological application was a banger
Meditation, family devotions, prayer
Good book, very long, some bits reparative and could skip, especially when analysing debate on baptism
December 22, 2025
This is a great read for those who want to learn from those who trust and glean from Puritan pastors and theologians as valuable for Christian thought, life, and practice. Joel Beeke and Mark Jones combine to put together 60 chapters summarizing the most representative Puritan thought across eight theological categories: prolegomena, theology proper, anthropology and covenant theology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and theology in practice. The ecclesiological section may have been my favorite as the Puritans helpfully call us to look to heaven for future-hope that issues in present-day joyful service.
August 23, 2024
What a joy it has been to sit with such great men of God and steep in their Spirit filled lives. These men carry the aroma of Christ so heavely that even reading about them hundreds of years later is almost overwhelming. The final section of the book that focused on practical theology was especially excellent, and I hope that one day I can live a life a tenth as godly as some of these men. Nothing is more convicting than reading about a puritan's study, prayer, and sleeping habits. Great, great book.
December 30, 2022
This is a fantastic must read work for Christians, and certainly for pastors. I cannot recommend it any higher. Get it, read it, and think about what is written. The Chapel Library has a reading guide titled, "Read A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life in a Year," that will help you eat this elephant. Cherish every bite.
July 7, 2023
I won't criticize the theology of the Puritans here and only comment on the positives of this volume. While I don't agree with the theology of this volume it succeeds in what it sets out to do. It aims to summarize and consolidate the thinking of the Puritans on the major issues and categories of Systematic Theology. As such, it's a useful guide for anyone who wants to understand and get a diversity of thought within the spectrum of Puritan Theology.
April 29, 2019
A wonderful reference work that will serve as the perfect "hub" for your explorations into the intimidating gargantua that is puritan literature, and an edifying read in its own right. Joel Beeke and Mark Jones have done the Church of God a mighty service in this work.
May 2, 2022
Some chapters are dry. Some of the theological arguments are so precise they are hard to follow. However, the book over all is pastoral, encouraging and challenging. The authors quote the Puritans extensively and recommend different works. The effort to read it is richly repaid.
February 23, 2018
This is simply the best puritan sistematic theology ever made before. Joel Beeke will help you to understand how the puritans think about god and how was they worshiped god.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews