Digital Logos Edition
Douglas F. Kelly returns to the writings of saints and scholars to exemplify the beauty and the wonder of Christ, the Son of God, in this highly-anticipated second volume of systematic theology. Kelly delves through a treasure trove of Patristics, Scholastics, Reformers, Puritans, and Moderns to recover an Augustinian reverence for the beauty of Christ, to illustrate that the Father and the Spirit are most fully revealed through Him, and to make clear that His coming is the restoration of the universe.
“‘No sooner do I conceive of the one than I am illumined by the splendour of the three; no sooner do I distinguish them than I am carried back to the one. When I think of any one of the three, I think of Him as the whole, and my eyes are filled, and the greater part of what I am thinking escapes me.’” (Page 15)
“householder bringing forth out of his treasure ‘things that are new and old’ (Matt. 13:52” (Page 14)
“that we might be the righteousness of God in him,’” (Page 187)
As a longstanding beneficiary of Professor Kelly’s writings, I have been eagerly waiting for the second volume of his systematic theology. It does not disappoint. This is Professor Kelly at the height of his powers and Reformed theology at its classical best, involving a constructive dialogue between exegesis, historical theology and the contemporary world. Kelly’s knowledge of theology is breathtaking; his willingness to interact in a critically appreciative manner with everyone from Athanasius to T. F. Torrance and beyond is a joy to witness; and the manner in which he grounds his thinking in the life and witness of the church—the church through all the ages—is a model to which others should aspire.
—Carl R. Trueman, Professor in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College, Pennsylvania
The eagerly awaited second volume of Douglas Kelly’s Systematic Theology does not disappoint. Reading this book is stimulating theologically and enriching spiritually. Preachers, teachers, and students alike-besides the proverbial intelligent layperson-cannot fail to benefit from it. This multi-volume project continues to be a fine achievement.
—The Gospel Coalition
Among the several systematic theologies that have recently been released, Doug Kelly’s three-volume work deserves special attention. It is comprehensive in its coverage of the doctrinal issues, and it combines exegesis with careful analysis of the historical and present-day theological literature. Volume Two, The Beauty of Christ: a Trinitarian Vision, is now available, and its approach to Christology is striking indeed. Quite remarkably, and delightfully, it organizes the biblical teaching under the category of “beauty”—the beauty of three divine persons united to one another in love. Here, Kelly reminds us of Jonathan Edwards, Augustine, and many other great writers of the church who have not only taught us accurately, but have motivated us to love the Lord who has so loved us.
—John M. Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida
Douglas F. Kelly is the Professor of Theology Emeritus at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina.