Although the Reformation took place in the sixteenth century, this was the beginning of something and not the end. The Reformed churches affirmed the need to be semper reformanda (Latin for "the Church must always be reformed")
Unfortunately, this commitment to continuing reformation has not been faithfully and consistently maintained over the centuries. At one end of the theological spectrum, some have invoked semper reformanda in order to justify abandoning the core of Reformation theology and departing from received orthodoxy. At the other end, some have forgotten about semper reformanda in their progress towards a rigid confessionalism, giving the impression that the final codification of truth has already taken place, and that there is no further need for reformation.
Between these two extremes, there is a vital task to be performed by the church in every generation: to subject its beliefs and practices to renewed scrutiny in the light of Scripture. In doing so, the church must re-state biblical truth in ways that faithfully communicate the gospel, advance the mission of the church, and address the issues which men, women and children face as they seek to follow Christ and witness to him.
This volume is an exercise in semper reformanda. Each contributor was asked to take a different theme, doctrine or subject area within the discipline of systematic theology, and to assess the current state of scholarship in that area, before indicating areas where further work, development, re-statement or clarification are required. Overall, this stimulating collection is intended to make a positive contribution to evangelical scholarship, by helping to identify problems, dangers and exciting new possibilities, and to set an agenda for future theological reflection.
Table of Contents:
1. The Trinity: Where Do We Go from Here? - Gerald Bray
2. Observations on the Future of System - Stephen Williams
3. Classical Christology's Future in Systematic Theology - Robert L. Reymond
4. On the Very Idea of a Theological System: An Essay in Aid of Triangulating Scripture, Church and World
5. The Atonement as Penal Substitution - A. T. B. McGowan
6. The Relationship between Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology - Richard C. Gamble
7. Old Covenant, New Covenant - Henri Blocher
8. Union with Christ: Some Biblical and Theological Reflections - Richard B. Gaffin, Jr
9. Justification: The Ecumenical, Biblical and Theological Dimensions of Different Debates
10. The Doctrine of the Church in the Twenty-First Century - Derek W. H. Thomas
The Rev Professor Andrew McGowan is minister of Inverness East Church of Scotland, professor of theology in the University of the Highlands and Islands, and honorary professor in Reformed doctrine at the University of Aberdeen. He was the principal of Highland Theological College from 1994 to 2009. Professor McGowan chairs the Theological Commission of the World Reformed Fellowship, he is president of the Scottish Evangelical Theology Society, and he is chairman of Rutherford House. Professor McGowan's most recent books are Always Reforming: Explorations in Systematic Theology, editor; The Divine Spiration of Scripture: Challenging Evangelical Perspectives; and The Person and Work of Christ: Understanding Jesus. Andrew is married to June and has three sons.
