Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 08:24 (Aug 2004)
Article: Robert Reymond’s Systematic Theology: A Dispensational Appraisal
Author: Paul Martin Henebury

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CTJ 8:24 (August 2004) p. 245

Robert Reymond’s Systematic Theology:
A Dispensational Appraisal

Paul Martin Henebury

Graduate Studies
Tyndale Theological Seminary

A Review of Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Second Edition - Revised and Updated, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002), 1210 + xxxvi pages, hardback, $44.99

Whether one is a friend or not of the brand of Reformed Presbyterian theology treated in Dr. Robert L. Reymond’s New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, the success of the work, with its full-orbed exposition of Westminster theology, is worthy of notice. In addition, its vigorous anti-dispensationalist stance draws our attention to it. The work is now in its second revised edition, the author having time to address issues raised by some of the rather varied reviews of the first. Because the Conservative Theological Society adheres to classical dispensationalism as a form of theology distinct from Reformed (Covenant) theology, this review will reflect that perspective.

General Remarks

In his “Introduction,” Reymond does a good job of orienting his reader to the lineaments of a systematics along his chosen lines. He does not draw it out, but says as much as he needs to say, and then the reader is at Chapter One. In the “Introduction” one is given a taste of things to come, not only as far as Reymond’s foundational principles are concerned, but also of his elegant style. The author has written his theology with the intelligent and mature believer in mind. He does not adopt the highbrow language of some of his predecessors in the Reformed camp, but neither does he dumb-down his language to cater for those who insist on having everything

CTJ 8:24 (August 2004) p. 246

said to them at 8^th Grade level. For this he is to be commended. There are many things that must be said with a certain amount of precision, and which may make demands upon the reader. Christianity is for the mind. It is for heart and soul too, but it always challenges the way we think. Therefore, a true systematic theology will have in mind primarily those who require the meat of the Word and not milk. We have here an exegetical theology, so throughout, the writer assumes that the person who would pick up his tome to read it will be serious about the subject. He writes with the sort of solid gravity reminiscent of the Westminster Seminary theologians of yesteryear. It is God’s Truth, first and foremost, that we are studying. This makes the volume an attractive resort from much of the literature of theology that has been produced since the 1970’s.

Reymond divides his book into five parts: Part One concerns...

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