B.B. Warfield is well-known as one of America’s leading theologians, perhaps second only to Jonathan Edwards. But until now the character of his own Christian experience and his understanding of the Christian life have remained unexplored. Fred Zaspel unpacks these for us here, and what we find is that Warfield’s profound theological mind is matched only by his passionate heart for Christ. From Warfield we learn truly what it is to live in light of the gospel.
Warfield on the Christian Life
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“If the only thing Fred Zaspel had accomplished in these pages were to point us to B. B. Warfield’s masterpiece sermons in his too-little-known Faith and Life, he would have done the church yeoman service. But he has done much, much more! In Warfield on the Christian Life we are given the privilege of sitting at the feet of a Christ-centered, Bible-saturated, gospel-loving theologian of the first rank and learning how to say, ‘To me to live is Christ.’ A very welcome addition to what promises to be a valuable series.”
—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina
“We are already indebted to Fred Zaspel for his work The Theology of B. B. Warfield—a book that has introduced a new generation to the voluminous writings of a Princeton scholar who was both New Testament interpreter and systematic theologian. Warfield’s style feels a tad impenetrable to many contemporary readers, but through Zaspel, Warfield, though dead, still speaks. But can any devotional and practical guidance come out of old Princeton? Zaspel’s latest contribution, Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel, does not simply answer with a resounding affirmative, but again faithfully unpacks Warfield and shows him to be a theologian of head and heart. Above all, Warfield is an integrated thinker, so he is ideally equipped to show how that which is central to the Bible, the gospel of God, rightly shapes the Christian’s entire life. And Zaspel makes this accessible.”
—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
“B. B. Warfield was one of the great thinkers in the history of the church, and his writings are a gold mine of biblical truth. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of his writings makes them largely inaccessible to today’s busy reader. But now, Fred Zaspel has done us a great service by distilling—into one volume—the essence of Warfield’s writings on the Christian life. This book should prove to be a valuable asset to all Christians serious about growing in Christ.”
—Jerry Bridges, author, The Pursuit of Holiness
“B. B. Warfield looms large in the Protestant imagination as a theologian, one of the giants in the land. What is less well known are the details and dynamics of his own approach to the Christian life. Fred Zaspel has already written a substantial volume on Warfield as theologian; now he opens up for us the world of Warfield’s practical Christianity. Once again, fans of the great Princetonian are in for a treat, and are deeply and delightfully in debt to Dr. Zaspel.”
—Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary
“Following the publication of Warfield on the Christian Life, it will be impossible to continue to claim that Princeton theology was ‘all head but no heart,’ or that Warfield himself was little more than an Enlightenment rationalist.”
—Paul Helm, Teaching Fellow, Regent College; author, The Secret Providence of God
“B. B. Warfield is among the greatest theologians America has ever produced, and Fred Zaspel is among his greatest living interpreters. Comprehensive, insightful, and remarkably compelling, Zaspel’s Warfield on the Christian Life is a masterful presentation of an understanding of the Christian life that values Christian experience and at the same time is ‘deeply and thoroughly theological.’ While Zaspel’s Warfield is a theological giant who enjoys the well-earned reputation as ‘a theological army of one,’ he is also ‘a theologian of the heart’ who recognizes that believers ‘live unto Christ . . . not out of a vacuum but out of a mind and heart captivated and inflamed by an understanding of God’s . . . saving activity in Christ.’ This book is an important sequel to Zaspel’s systematic summary of Warfield’s theology, for it explains how Warfield could insist that truth ‘fuels Christian living from beginning to end’ without falling prey to a kind of Enlightenment rationalism. Enthusiastically recommended.”
—Paul K. Helseth, Associate Professor of Christian Thought, Northwestern College; author, Right Reason and the Princeton Mind: An Unorthodox Proposal
“As Fred Zaspel shows, the Princetonians—and Warfield in particular—were very far from arid scholastics. The Princeton theology was wedded to a Princeton piety that was warm, spiritual, and gospel centered. Warfield’s spirituality in particular grew from a profound encounter with Christ that was both personal and theological. Thank you, Dr. Zaspel, for showing us Warfield the christologian and man of God.”
—Kevin T. Bauder, Research Professor, Central Baptist Seminary of Minneapolis
“‘For Warfield the Christian life is but the outworking of the gospel.’ Thank you, Fred Zaspel for bringing back to us the rich, contagious life and work of Benjamin Warfield. It satisfies the thirst this generation has for an authentic Christianity that flows from the deep well of a strong and informed theology.”
—Matthew R. Olson, President, Northland International University
“Scripture and history show that spirituality rests wholly on a foundation of revealed truth, cordially received and loved. The best theologians have always been the most profound, trustworthy promoters of vital piety and transformation of life. We look to Augustine, Anselm, Calvin, Bunyan, Edwards, and a host of Puritan pastor-theologians as determinative of the truth of this observation. Now we must include B. B. Warfield in that imposing list of those who make clear the path, not only to live by the Spirit, but to walk by the Spirit. Fred Zaspel has condensed the marvelous insight contained in The Theology of B. B. Warfield and served it up as foundational to a robust practice of piety analyzed in this present work. Zaspel has laid out both the doctrinal and exegetical expertise of Warfield in showing how seriously he pursued true worship as the summum bonum of life. From divine revelation to the imitation of the Christ and the consummation of Christian hope, the Christian finds substantive truth on his side and is assured by that truth that God himself is near, to protect, direct, and finally perfect all the sheep for whom Christ died.”
—Tom J. Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, By His Grace and for His Glory
“I will reread, assign to my students, and give away Fred Zaspel’s book Warfield on the Christian Life, not because it is an excellent commentary on Warfield—though it is—and not because it is highly readable—though it is—but primarily because I am a better Christian for having read it. I was mentally and spiritually invigorated, and you will be as well.”
—Joseph A. Pipa Jr., President, Greenvillle Presbyterian Theological Seminary
About the Author
FRED G. ZASPEL (PhD, Free University of Amsterdam) is the pastor at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, Pennsylvania, and adjunct professor of systematic theology at Calvary Baptist Seminary in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He is the author of The Theology of B. B. Warfield and coauthor of New Covenant Theology.
STEPHEN J. NICHOLS (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a professor at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School and has written several books, including Pages from Church History.
JUSTIN TAYLOR is an associate publisher at Crossway, the editor of numerous books, and blogs at "Between Two Worlds."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By The Lorax
Format:Paperback
"Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel" by Fred G. Zaspel is an informative and helpful book for those seeking to integrate what the Bible says into their everyday lives. The subject of this particular work is the writings of B. B. Warfield, a 19th century professor at Princeton University who was known as one of America's premier theologians. His many writings, especially The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible put him on the theological map and continue to set the standard for robust, Biblical belief even in our day.
The book itself is fairly brief (231 pages) and is divided up into a number of topics which build upon one another to form a comprehensive theology of the Christian life. I greatly appreciated Zaspel's introductory biography which gives a feel for a man who is not simply some ivory tower intellectual, but is also a real man who has real desires for everyday people to understand God's Word. As well, Warfield's absolute love and devotion to his perpetually ill wife was both moving and instructive for a man who is well known for his productivity. "It was reported by those who knew him that `he has had only two interests in life - his work, and Mrs. Warfield'" (p.29). What a wonderful summary of a faithful man.
I was especially taken by the various quotations of Warfield that appear as vignettes throughout the book - while his longer quotations are imminently helpful, little one or two sentence quotations appear often and let us delve into the depth of wisdom that Warfield possessed. Such thoughts as "Gentlemen, I like the supernatural!" (p.19) and "We cannot do without the Scriptures; having them we need no other guide. We need this light to light our pathway; having it we may well dispense with any other" (p.43) provide insight not just into the man himself - though they do this; not just into Warfield's views on theology - but also they point us towards robust, Biblical thinking which is the greatest value of this book.
One of the more helpful topics that is broached in the book is the meaning of Christianity itself, which Zaspel notes that Warfield characterizes as a "sinner's religion" (p.51). What a great comfort this is - that our faith and religion are not meant for the perfect, for those who have their lives all put together, but instead our faith is rooted in Jesus Christ who knows full well our infirmities and yet still died to save all who believe!
Regarding our standing before God, Zaspel shows us via Warfield's thoughts in chapter 5 that the Gospel "is not good advice, but good news" (p.63). This leads into a helpful discussion on our salvation by grace alone and the resulting implications of God as not only King, but also righteous Judge. Later in the chapter Zaspel reprints Warfield's thoughts on salvation in that "the whole of salvation, `in each of its steps and stages, runs back to God as its author and furtherer'" (p.66).
I found Warfield's definition of repentance to be a breath a fresh air in our society which shuns any sort of personal responsibility for the wrongs that we commit and thus any need to change our course of life: "repentance is turning `from all wrong to all good, in which the trend of our life is altered, in which in a word, we turn our backs on Satan and all the works of the flesh, and our face to God and his service. The repentance of the New Testament is a total change of mind and heart, not only from some sins but from sin itself.'" (p.76).
Too, Warfield's comments on God's sovereignty and providence are hopeful: "The world may be black to us; there may no longer be hope in man; anguish and trouble may be our daily portion; but there is this light that shines through all the darkness: `We cannot be robbed of God's providence'" (p.140).
I found the most helpful parts of the book to reside near the end. On the religious life, Warfield has the following to say: "sometimes we hear it said that ten minutes on your knees will give you a truer, deeper, more operative knowledge of God than ten hours over your books. `What!' is the appropriate response...why should you turn from God when your turn to your books, or feel that you must turn from your books in order to turn to God?" and again: "Do we wish to grow in grace? It is the knowledge of God's truth that sanctifies the heart...There is no way so potent for awakening a craving for personal holiness or for arousing a love of souls in our hearts, as to fill the mind with a knowledge of God's love to man as revealed in his Holy Book" (p.163-164).
If there are any downfalls in this book then they are certainly minor in comparison to bringing Warfield's solidly Biblical thoughts to a larger audience. As with Zaspel's previous work, I found myself wishing for more quotes from Warfield himself and less of Zaspel's commentary on Warfield. But the more that I think of it, I'm not sure this is a fair charge to make so much as an unavoidable shortfall to be aware of. Zaspel is summarizing a massive amount of literature into a single, reasonably accessible work and to do this he must restate some of Warfield's thought in other words. This comment, though, should be taken in a helpful light: let this summary of Warfield drive us to the works of the man himself. And let us not end there, but let the words of Warfield drive us to the Scriptures themselves and to the God who is revealed in them!
Quibbles aside, I found this book to be a helpful one for those who wish to taste of the deep well of B. B. Warfield. Far be it for any to describe Warfield himself as a dry and dusty theologian after reading through and hearing his heart on the Christian life. Take up and read and you will find that the effort is well worth it to replenish your mind and to enable you to give God-honoring service with your life.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I wish to note that the publisher of this book, Crossway, provided it to me at no cost as a review sample. That said, my review is in no way influenced or controlled by them and thus I write my review of this book with honesty and integrity.)
The book itself is fairly brief (231 pages) and is divided up into a number of topics which build upon one another to form a comprehensive theology of the Christian life. I greatly appreciated Zaspel's introductory biography which gives a feel for a man who is not simply some ivory tower intellectual, but is also a real man who has real desires for everyday people to understand God's Word. As well, Warfield's absolute love and devotion to his perpetually ill wife was both moving and instructive for a man who is well known for his productivity. "It was reported by those who knew him that `he has had only two interests in life - his work, and Mrs. Warfield'" (p.29). What a wonderful summary of a faithful man.
I was especially taken by the various quotations of Warfield that appear as vignettes throughout the book - while his longer quotations are imminently helpful, little one or two sentence quotations appear often and let us delve into the depth of wisdom that Warfield possessed. Such thoughts as "Gentlemen, I like the supernatural!" (p.19) and "We cannot do without the Scriptures; having them we need no other guide. We need this light to light our pathway; having it we may well dispense with any other" (p.43) provide insight not just into the man himself - though they do this; not just into Warfield's views on theology - but also they point us towards robust, Biblical thinking which is the greatest value of this book.
One of the more helpful topics that is broached in the book is the meaning of Christianity itself, which Zaspel notes that Warfield characterizes as a "sinner's religion" (p.51). What a great comfort this is - that our faith and religion are not meant for the perfect, for those who have their lives all put together, but instead our faith is rooted in Jesus Christ who knows full well our infirmities and yet still died to save all who believe!
Regarding our standing before God, Zaspel shows us via Warfield's thoughts in chapter 5 that the Gospel "is not good advice, but good news" (p.63). This leads into a helpful discussion on our salvation by grace alone and the resulting implications of God as not only King, but also righteous Judge. Later in the chapter Zaspel reprints Warfield's thoughts on salvation in that "the whole of salvation, `in each of its steps and stages, runs back to God as its author and furtherer'" (p.66).
I found Warfield's definition of repentance to be a breath a fresh air in our society which shuns any sort of personal responsibility for the wrongs that we commit and thus any need to change our course of life: "repentance is turning `from all wrong to all good, in which the trend of our life is altered, in which in a word, we turn our backs on Satan and all the works of the flesh, and our face to God and his service. The repentance of the New Testament is a total change of mind and heart, not only from some sins but from sin itself.'" (p.76).
Too, Warfield's comments on God's sovereignty and providence are hopeful: "The world may be black to us; there may no longer be hope in man; anguish and trouble may be our daily portion; but there is this light that shines through all the darkness: `We cannot be robbed of God's providence'" (p.140).
I found the most helpful parts of the book to reside near the end. On the religious life, Warfield has the following to say: "sometimes we hear it said that ten minutes on your knees will give you a truer, deeper, more operative knowledge of God than ten hours over your books. `What!' is the appropriate response...why should you turn from God when your turn to your books, or feel that you must turn from your books in order to turn to God?" and again: "Do we wish to grow in grace? It is the knowledge of God's truth that sanctifies the heart...There is no way so potent for awakening a craving for personal holiness or for arousing a love of souls in our hearts, as to fill the mind with a knowledge of God's love to man as revealed in his Holy Book" (p.163-164).
If there are any downfalls in this book then they are certainly minor in comparison to bringing Warfield's solidly Biblical thoughts to a larger audience. As with Zaspel's previous work, I found myself wishing for more quotes from Warfield himself and less of Zaspel's commentary on Warfield. But the more that I think of it, I'm not sure this is a fair charge to make so much as an unavoidable shortfall to be aware of. Zaspel is summarizing a massive amount of literature into a single, reasonably accessible work and to do this he must restate some of Warfield's thought in other words. This comment, though, should be taken in a helpful light: let this summary of Warfield drive us to the works of the man himself. And let us not end there, but let the words of Warfield drive us to the Scriptures themselves and to the God who is revealed in them!
Quibbles aside, I found this book to be a helpful one for those who wish to taste of the deep well of B. B. Warfield. Far be it for any to describe Warfield himself as a dry and dusty theologian after reading through and hearing his heart on the Christian life. Take up and read and you will find that the effort is well worth it to replenish your mind and to enable you to give God-honoring service with your life.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I wish to note that the publisher of this book, Crossway, provided it to me at no cost as a review sample. That said, my review is in no way influenced or controlled by them and thus I write my review of this book with honesty and integrity.)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield was a professor of Theology at Princeton Seminary from 1887 to 1921. He is rightly considered one of the greatest if not the greatest American born theologians America ever produced. B.B. Warfield's ministry continues to influence evangelicals today through the work he did across a variety of theological topics, but in particular his well-known work on the doctrine of Scripture and the person and work of Christ. B.B. Warfield is considered the last of the great Princeton theologians and the Lion of Princeton Seminary.
In the past two years Dr. Zaspel has written The Theology of B.B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary and now Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel (Theologians on the Christian Life). Warfield on the Christian Life takes some of the material from Dr. Zaspel's previous work and places it within this book, but what's different about Warfield on the Christian Life is that its sole focus is on the Gospel while The Theology of B.B. Warfield seeks to examine the totality Warfield's theology.
One of the greatest needs for Christians today to understand is how their faith is not new but tied to other Christians who lived in real history. Modern Christians often only read contemporary authors which means they don't understand how Christians from the past have thought about the Christian life and doctrine from a time different than their own. While today's Christian has access to dozens of resources what they lack is an understanding of church history. Understanding church history is very important for contemporary Christians because the same theological and doctrinal battles continue to repeat themselves throughout the history of the Church. Contemporary Christians must understanding church history in order to contend, defend and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Understanding church history is especially important for discipleship as it helps Christians to understand their place within the redemptive history of God's people.
In this new series of books titled Theologians on the Christian Life series editors Stephen J. Nichols and Justin Taylor seek to fill a need for contemporary Christians by helping them to "Explore the many rooms in the mansion of church history" (11). This series promises to "Explore many different places, times, models, approaches and emphasizes" (11). This series, "Aims to help us in the present to listen to the past in order to live the Christian life" (11).
In this first volume of this series, Dr. Zaspel in Warfield on the Christian Life examines the background and thought of B.B. Warfield, then turns to examine his beliefs about Scripture, redemption, conversion, the Holy Spirit, sanctification, and living in response to the Gospel.
In the past five years or more there has been scores of books written on what the Gospel is, and how Christians are to live out the Christian life but what is missing in the current Gospel-centered movement is an understanding of what the Church has taught on the Gospel in the last two thousand years. Dr. Zaspel's newest book examining the thinking of B.B. Warfield will help those involved in the current Gospel-centered movement to understand what one of the best theologians in Church history thought about the Gospel. While some may disagree with B.B. Warfield on various points, I believe all evangelicals will find as I have that B.B. Warfield is a trusted theologian for a reason as his mind and heart were thoroughly saturated in the Word of God and enflamed by the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I whole-heartedly recommend you get a copy of Warfield on the Christian Life and look for other books in this series as they are published by Crossway in order to understand the places and times different from our own along with the different models, approaches and emphases taken by well-known Christians throughout the history of the Church.
Title: Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel (Theologians on the Christian Life)
Author: Fred G. Zaspel
Publisher: Crossway (2012)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Crossway review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
In the past two years Dr. Zaspel has written The Theology of B.B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary and now Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel (Theologians on the Christian Life). Warfield on the Christian Life takes some of the material from Dr. Zaspel's previous work and places it within this book, but what's different about Warfield on the Christian Life is that its sole focus is on the Gospel while The Theology of B.B. Warfield seeks to examine the totality Warfield's theology.
One of the greatest needs for Christians today to understand is how their faith is not new but tied to other Christians who lived in real history. Modern Christians often only read contemporary authors which means they don't understand how Christians from the past have thought about the Christian life and doctrine from a time different than their own. While today's Christian has access to dozens of resources what they lack is an understanding of church history. Understanding church history is very important for contemporary Christians because the same theological and doctrinal battles continue to repeat themselves throughout the history of the Church. Contemporary Christians must understanding church history in order to contend, defend and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Understanding church history is especially important for discipleship as it helps Christians to understand their place within the redemptive history of God's people.
In this new series of books titled Theologians on the Christian Life series editors Stephen J. Nichols and Justin Taylor seek to fill a need for contemporary Christians by helping them to "Explore the many rooms in the mansion of church history" (11). This series promises to "Explore many different places, times, models, approaches and emphasizes" (11). This series, "Aims to help us in the present to listen to the past in order to live the Christian life" (11).
In this first volume of this series, Dr. Zaspel in Warfield on the Christian Life examines the background and thought of B.B. Warfield, then turns to examine his beliefs about Scripture, redemption, conversion, the Holy Spirit, sanctification, and living in response to the Gospel.
In the past five years or more there has been scores of books written on what the Gospel is, and how Christians are to live out the Christian life but what is missing in the current Gospel-centered movement is an understanding of what the Church has taught on the Gospel in the last two thousand years. Dr. Zaspel's newest book examining the thinking of B.B. Warfield will help those involved in the current Gospel-centered movement to understand what one of the best theologians in Church history thought about the Gospel. While some may disagree with B.B. Warfield on various points, I believe all evangelicals will find as I have that B.B. Warfield is a trusted theologian for a reason as his mind and heart were thoroughly saturated in the Word of God and enflamed by the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I whole-heartedly recommend you get a copy of Warfield on the Christian Life and look for other books in this series as they are published by Crossway in order to understand the places and times different from our own along with the different models, approaches and emphases taken by well-known Christians throughout the history of the Church.
Title: Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel (Theologians on the Christian Life)
Author: Fred G. Zaspel
Publisher: Crossway (2012)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Crossway review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By ta ethica
Format:Paperback
Zaspel, Fred G., 'Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel'. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012, 240 pp, pb.*
One of the most exciting movements in recent times has been a resurgence and renewed interest in the Old Princeton and her theologians such as Hodge and Warfield--whether it be the new biographies on Charles Hodge (here and here), a systematic summary of Warfield's theology (here), or a much needed correction to the erroneous epistemological views imputed to the Princetonians (here). Zaspel, who is already considered a noted expert on Warfield and author of a large book summarizing Warfield's theology, has written a little gem with his latest book (which as he mentions in the introduction, it is really a distillation of his much larger work on Warfield's theology).
Part 1 focuses on Warfield's background and life, with chapter 1 giving a brief summary of his life and chapter 2 focusing on Warfield's effort and desire to ensure that theology and practical piety are always closely wedded with one another.
Parts 2 and 3 read like a brief and breezy systematic theology where Zaspel covers loci such as Scripture, redemption, justification, sanctification, conversion, pneumatology, adoption, and providence, all which are found in Warfield's writings.
After focusing on various doctrines, part 4 focuses on the Christian's response to the Gospel. Here is where the book especially shines and where the title 'Living in Light of the Gospel 'is wonderfully explained. Zaspel covers pertinent topics such as Christlikeness, cultivating practical piety, prayer, the pursuit of holiness, and the future hope of glory, all of which are a response to what God has done for us.
I would highly recommend this book to those who are looking for a brief introduction to Warfield's thought. The book reads breezily (I read it in one sitting) and enjoyably. For those looking for a much more in depth study of Warfield's theology, I would point them to Zaspel's much longer work summarizing Warfield's theology.
4 out of 5 stars
*Review copy graciously provided by Crossway
One of the most exciting movements in recent times has been a resurgence and renewed interest in the Old Princeton and her theologians such as Hodge and Warfield--whether it be the new biographies on Charles Hodge (here and here), a systematic summary of Warfield's theology (here), or a much needed correction to the erroneous epistemological views imputed to the Princetonians (here). Zaspel, who is already considered a noted expert on Warfield and author of a large book summarizing Warfield's theology, has written a little gem with his latest book (which as he mentions in the introduction, it is really a distillation of his much larger work on Warfield's theology).
Part 1 focuses on Warfield's background and life, with chapter 1 giving a brief summary of his life and chapter 2 focusing on Warfield's effort and desire to ensure that theology and practical piety are always closely wedded with one another.
Parts 2 and 3 read like a brief and breezy systematic theology where Zaspel covers loci such as Scripture, redemption, justification, sanctification, conversion, pneumatology, adoption, and providence, all which are found in Warfield's writings.
After focusing on various doctrines, part 4 focuses on the Christian's response to the Gospel. Here is where the book especially shines and where the title 'Living in Light of the Gospel 'is wonderfully explained. Zaspel covers pertinent topics such as Christlikeness, cultivating practical piety, prayer, the pursuit of holiness, and the future hope of glory, all of which are a response to what God has done for us.
I would highly recommend this book to those who are looking for a brief introduction to Warfield's thought. The book reads breezily (I read it in one sitting) and enjoyably. For those looking for a much more in depth study of Warfield's theology, I would point them to Zaspel's much longer work summarizing Warfield's theology.
4 out of 5 stars
*Review copy graciously provided by Crossway
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An intimate view into Warfield's heart
For those unfamiliar with Warfield, Fred Zaspel has written a very readable introduction to the theology of Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (1851-1921). Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alex Leung
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great combination
Zaspel completed a short summary of Warfield's life that didn't drag you down into the ins and outs, but gave you a clear and concise, personal look into the professor and writer's... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Kimberly D. Davidson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Super Natural Cessationist
I'm no expert on B.B. Warfield. As a student in (un)seminary I read some Warfield-his treatment on inspiration, providence and the nature of theology. Read more
Published 13 months ago by James R. V. Matichuk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read!!!!!
Theologians on the Christian Life
First of all, if all of the books in this series are as good as Warfield on the Christian Life we have a lot to look forward to. Read more
First of all, if all of the books in this series are as good as Warfield on the Christian Life we have a lot to look forward to. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mathew Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars
Calvinistic Scholarship and Piety Personified
Years ago I taught at a church retreat on the life of Benjamin B. Warfield. At that time, I had to search around quite a bit to find the details of his life and the emphases of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ben House
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great accounting of the life and teaching of B.B. Warfield
As part of the "Theologians on the Christian Life" series, Fred Zaspel gives us a wonderful gift with his book on B.B. Warfield. Read more
Published 13 months ago by William D. Curnutt
