Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 2: Faith in the Triune God

by Petrus Van Mastricht, Todd Rester (Translator), Joel R. Beeke (Editor)

Genres: Theology, Reference

660 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Derrick Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Reading Bavinck taught me how to think. Reading van Mastricht taught me how to exult in these doctrines. This volume is truly incredible. With his practical section at the end of each chapter, this seems to be the perfect systematic for pastors to take up and read. The devotional payoff is so rich. Highly recommend.

[Hannah V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best books I have ever read. Mastricht’s clarity in communication is outstanding. Whether or not one agrees with him, one knows what he is saying; save those times when his brilliance far surpasses the capacity of the reader.
Theoretical-practical is truly a fitting name for these volumes. Mastricht possesses the outlandish ability to ground lofty concepts in practical love, worship, and good deeds. He closes every chapter with a “Practical Part” which never fails to swell my heart with love for our Triune God.
Every objection to the biblical faith he refutes in watertight fashion. He is able to break down the opposing argument step by step and demonstrate from the Holy Writ why it cannot be so. Though his language may not be easy for all modern readers, I would nonetheless encourage all to take up and read. It is well worth the struggle

[Andy Dollahite · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I truly love Mastricht's scaffolding for each section: exegetical, dogmatic, elenctic, practical. His starting point is scripture. His first topic is saving faith, connecting the need for internal ilumination before one could hope to know God. He's scholarly and pastoral. The dogmatic and elenctic sections are truly deep and probing. But in comparison to Turretin they aren't as robust or detailed. He engages the Cartesians and their "gangrenous" ideas regularly. Probably the best reason to visit Mastricht's work is his doxological crescendo in each chapter. He waxes poetic on voluminous practical applications of what many folks will frequently dismiss as too esoteric (divine attributes and doctrine of God).

[Reid Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful text for me to think through teaching our Practical Theology course. Following Turretin's view that Theology is both Theoretical and Practical, he moves from exegesis to dogmatics to "practical parts" on each major heading in the Doctrine of God. Especially interesting to see the verses he uses for each doctrine.

[Zachary Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. For pure readability, I think Bavinck is more enjoyable, but Mastricht is incredible, and I really enjoy his four-part framework to theology (exegetical, dogmatic, elenctic, practical). Certainly, you will enjoy Mastricht more if you have a familiarity with the scholastic method and some basic understanding of Aristotelean metaphysical terminology, but he is still broadly accessible, even if dense at times.

[Nicholas Silveus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Reformed systematic theology I’ve encountered. Mastricht’s integrated style makes it so you get the best of exegetical, dogmatic, elenctic, and practical theology that the post-Reformation period had to offer (in my limited experience). If you have some experience with modern systematics and haven’t read anything from the post-Reformation period, this is a good place to start.

[Michael Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

van Mastricht gets the gold stars. His method is devotional (exegesis, dogmatics, testimonies, elenctic, and practical).

[Hope Roskos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book but also I think 3/4ths went straight over my head

[Jonah Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Saving faith is nothing other than the act of the whole rational soul by which it receives God as the highest end and Christ as the one and only Mediator, for this purpose, that we may be united with him, and being thus united obtain communion with all his benefits.”

[Jacob London · Rating 5 out of 5]

Likely one of the best treatments of the attributes of God now in the English language.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been (very slowly) working through Mastricht's TPT English translation from Reformation Heritage Books. As advertised, it is one of the best books of divinity that has ever been published. In this volume Mastricht discusses faith and the doctrine of God using his fourfold method (exegetical, dogmatic, elenctical, and practical). Virtually every component part is touched upon with Scripture and application.

To sit with Mastricht has helped me to see the ways in which theology leads to living unto God, as well as a model for Scriptural exegesis from this early modern master. We all owe a massive debt of gratitude to RHB for making this translation in English for the first time.

[J Landon Light · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely incredible study of the doctrine of God. Mastricht examines the attributes of God in an interesting order, following the scheme of quid (what is God?), then quantus (the dimensions of God- infinite, eternal, etc.), then qualis (the qualities of God- goodness, etc.). He ends with a survey of the doctrine of the Trinity and an examination of each Person in turn. The doctrine presented here is solidly biblical, classical theism, engaging and refuting opposing schools, and always saturated with practical and devotional takeaways. Highly recommended.

[Jake Brinkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Petrus van Mastricht diligently requires effort, but it well worth one's while. His method of teaching theology, using a 4-fold breakdown (Exegetical, Dogmatic, Elenctic, Practical) of each doctrine is helpful in making sense of the text and keeping things organized in your head. Written in the late 17th century, van Mastricht's thought is less influenced by modern philosophy and theological trends, leaving us to understand theology as it was in the late Protestant scholastic tradition. I recommend this text for those wishing to take a deeper dive into Reformed systematics.

[Connor Longaphie · Rating 1 out of 5]

bloated aristolean breakdowns of topics coupled with a lack of substance in their actual handing leads to a matter-of fact style theology that functions as a numbered list of unexplained and minimally substantiated statements

what he says, within his tradition at least, is quite fine. but the way he says it and the way he explains it do not make him one I would jump towards recommending to anyone. even within an aristolean scholastic model within this tradition, I would jump for turretin instead (who i also do not favour, for similar reasons)

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding volume in the retranslated Van Mastricht series. I've been slowly working my way through the first two volumes for nearly six months, and the more time I spend with Van Mastricht the more I appreciate his method and his conclusions.

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a master class work of systematic theology.

[Andrew Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter on faith is worth the price of the volume all by itself. The rest is just a wonderful bonus.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥

[Andy Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous book/set! Well worth the time & effort to work through them.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ST.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume does an excellent job of thoroughly investigating the attributes of God. For each attribute van Mastricht investigates what the Scripture says (the exegetical part), what that means for our belief systems (the dogmatic part), arguments against a reformed stance as well as a reformed refutation of those arguments (the elenctic part), and how to apply that particular dogma to our own lives (the practical part).

I would say the text is around an intermediate reading level; so if you're not used to reading theological or academic works, some parts may be difficult, particularly some exegetical sections that heavily rely on the original Hebrew and Greek. Nonetheless, the volume is well worth working through, or using as a reference when understanding of certain topics is needed.

I will certainly be looking to obtain volume one soon, and in all likelihood will continue to purchase later volumes as they are published in English over the next few years. I suspect these volumes will become my go to source for understanding doctrine and systematic theology.