A PURITAN THEOLOGY

Doctrine for Life

JOEL R. BEEKE

AND

MARK JONES

REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS

Grand Rapids, Michigan

A Puritan Theology

Copyright © 2012 by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Direct your requests to the publisher at the following addresses:

Published by

Reformation Heritage Books

2965 Leonard St. NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

e-mail: orders@heritagebooks.org

website: www.heritagebooks.org

Parts of chapters 3 and 14 have been drawn from The Devoted Life: An Invitation to the Puritan Classics edited by Kelly M. Kapic and Randall C. Gleason. Copyright(c) 2004 by Kelly M. Kapic and Randall C. Gleason. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515. www.ivpress.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Beeke, Joel R., 1952–

A Puritan theology: doctrine for life / Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60178-166-6 (alk. paper)

1. Puritans—Doctrines. I. Jones, Mark, 1980– II. Title.

BX9323.B445 2012

230’.59—dc23

2012034125

To

David P. Murray

spiritual brother, caring friend, loyal colleague,

Christ-exalting preacher, and gifted teacher;

and

the theological students

to whom I have been privileged to teach Puritan theology at

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Reformed Theological Seminary

Westminster Seminary California

Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia)

Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

and

seminaries in a few dozen foreign countries around the globe.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:20–21).

—JRB

To

Barb

wife, friend, soccer star, and mother of our beloved children;

and

Robert J. McKelvey, James F. Wright, Mark A. Herzer,

John L. Ronning, and Patrick Stevenson,

who have taught me “doctrine for life.”

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever (Revelation 5:13).

—MJ

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Prolegomena

1. The Puritans on Natural and Supernatural Theology

2. Puritan Hermeneutics and Exegesis

3. The Learned Doctor William Ames and The Marrow of Theology

Theology Proper

4. Stephen Charnock on the Attributes of God

5. The Puritans on the Trinity

6. John Owen on Communion with the Triune God

7. William Perkins on Predestination

8. Thomas Goodwin and Johannes Maccovius on Justification from Eternity

9. Thomas Goodwin’s Christological Supralapsarianism

10. The Puritans on Providence

11. The Puritans on Angels

12. The Puritans on Demons

Anthropology and Covenant Theology

13. The Puritans on the Sinfulness of Sin

14. The Puritans on ...