Diving in the deep

The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott R. Swain: The Bible provides the perfect example of how to praise the triune God, says Swain. Far from containing “a latent or undeveloped biblical Trinitarianism,” the Scriptures show that each person of the Trinity is “the one God in all his fullness.” “The divine being, the divine mind, the divine will, and the divine power … are one and indivisible.” Yet “because God is three, all of God’s actions with respect to creatures” proceed “from the Father through the Son in the Spirit.” Chapters on each person, and on the shape and end of God’s triune work, round out the volume’s 130 pages. God’s goal is Himself: To Him are all things. But we are the beneficiaries of His work, and that, says Swain, teaches us to praise our triune God.

Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption by L. Michael Morales: Morales’ Exodus Old and New appears in a series titled Essential Studies in Biblical Theology. Many “essential” books aren’t, but this one’s insights actually might be. Morales offers a high-level overview of Exodus and gives attention to literary detail. The theme of Exodus is the knowledge of God, worked out in the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, the covenant laws, and the construction of the Tabernacle, where God can live among Israel and make Himself known. But Morales doesn’t stop there. He goes on to comprehensively tie Exodus back to Genesis and forward to the Gospels, especially Jesus’ resurrection “exodus” (Luke 9:31). This is Biblical theology at its finest. Most commentators can explain a verse, but Morales can and does explain a whole book.

Systematic Theology by Robert Letham: Letham’s theology is emphatically part of an ongoing conversation. It’s targeted to those who have read some other one-volume systematic theologies, know the issues, and are interested in further discussion. That discussion makes no attempt to cover everything, primarily skipping right to the trouble spots and points of historical interest. Letham is a seasoned pastor, teacher of theology, and author of books on the Trinity, the Westminster Assembly, and the Eastern church. Given that background, he highlights the joys of reading and understanding Scripture, and he’s fascinated with Rome’s and Orthodoxy’s alternative understandings. But he always returns to the historic Reformed view, with charity, humor, and a profound delight in the beauty of God, the profundity of the Word, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice and Tremble by Michael Reeves: Both sinful fear and right fear produce, says Reeves, the psycho-physical state “of being staggeringly discomposed.” This is good, because the fear of God is “a startlingly physical, overpowering reaction” not merely to God’s grandeur as Creator but especially to His goodness as Redeemer in Christ. Though he quotes many Biblical passages, and much from Calvin, Luther, and the Puritans, Reeves’ primary text comes from Jeremiah 33:9: “They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide.” This fear is not a being afraid; it is a being overwhelmed, “a way of speaking about the sheer intensity of the saints’ happiness in God.” Christians gain this fear of God by contemplating the crucifixion, Reeves notes, adding that pastors need to model this joyous fear.