Systematic Theology, Volume Two: Soteriology Ecclesiology Eschatology

by Morton H. Smith

Dr. Smith's Systematic Theology is the culmination of several decades of teaching and demonstrates his familiarity with several streams of Reformed theology represented by such theologians as John Calvin, James Henley Thornwell, Charles Hodge, B.B. Warfield, Herman Bavinck, John Murray, and Cornelius Van Til. It was his delight to expose his students to the breadth of the Reformed tradition, while celebrating its essential unity, its thorough grounding in Scripture, and its consistent focus on piety.

430 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Morton H. Smith (1923-2017; ThD, Free University of Amsterdam) was founding professor of Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), founder of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary(GPTS), and the first Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid twentieth century Reformed ST covering all the major loci of theology. I appreciate Dr. Smith’s broad exposure within the Reformed tradition, though sometimes his sources struck me as eclectic. Considering the whole, there is some unevenness in treatment. I do not think that Dr. Smith accomplished his purpose of producing a resource for the Christian home. I likewise do not think that this work is particularly academic in nature, though this clearly demonstrates Smith’s personal ability as a fine scholar. I would recommend this over some of the more innovative options available today (e.g., Frame, Horton), but I prefer other standard texts (e.g., Berkhof, Calvin, Bavinck, Dabney, Beeke/Smalley, Letham).

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modest but clear conservative Reformed work based on lecture notes.
Strong points: 1) skillful use of biblical languages in exegesis; 2) combination of Dutch, Scottish, and Southern Reformed thinkers.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful, occasionally excellent, plenty of exegesis. One of my first reference points to touch down on the standard array of issues addressed in an ST. Probably the best ST I've come across so far.

[G Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, solid, Southern Presbyterian text. Smith is the legitimate heir to the Southern Presbyterians (Dabney, Thornwell, Girardeau, Palmer and the likes). I personally would take this text any day over Berkhof. I wish that this text was published by a more reputable publisher in that it would afford it the opportunity for wider circulation and in turn a wider readership, but in the end, it is indeed too Thornwellian. Dr. Smith is a man whom I have met on several occasion and had conversation with in which he and I "vehemently" disagreed, but he has always been a gentleman, kind and gentle. I wish that some of his colleagues and his theological heirs (at GPTS) had the grace and character that he himself models so clearly.