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Dissertation
The Family Tree of Reformed Biblical Theology: Geerhardus Vos and John Owen - Their Methods of and Contributions to the Articulation of Redemptive History
Recommendations:
If a good doctoral dissertation fills a critically important gap or corrects a widely held error or changes the academic picture so that future students of an issue have a new and more accurate perspective on an important subject, Richard Barcellos' The Family Tree of Reformed Biblical Theology is a great dissertation for it does all of these, while encouraging greater confidence in the biblical character of the confessional standards of the Reformed Churches and stimulating further investigation and creative exposition of the sacred Scripture as the progressive self-revelation of our redeeming God.
First of all, Barcellos demonstrates a greatly underappreciated feature of the theology of John Owen (and other theologians of the era known misleadingly as the period of Protestant Scholasticism): that not only was his covenant or federal theology biblical (as opposed to a construct of Aristotelian logic), but that this biblical theology thoroughly incorporated the knowledge that God's revelation had been progressively given (as opposed to coming from a flat Bible). Secondly, he demonstrates that this hermeneutical development is also a natural progression and not a departure from the earlier biblical and Christocentric hermeneutic of Calvin. Third, he brings to the fore an important conviction of the great redemptive-historical theologian, Geerhardus Vos; namely, that his redemptive-historical, even eschatological, biblical theology supported the same confessional orthodoxy. Forth, all of these things are so thoroughly supported and interestingly presented that even those who already agree with him will find it a pleasurable and profitable read. Finally, -- By demonstrating the unity which is intrinsically there, Barcellos' book should promote a greater unity among Reformed biblical and systematic theologians, and, so doing, should bless the Church of Christ by encouraging a greater knowledge and deeper love for the Word of God. Here is a book no seminary library should be without and which no department of biblical studies, or historical theology can responsibly ignore. Whether one's great interest is in serious bible study, the history of hermeneutics, or Reformed theology or whether one has a preference for systematic theology or the redemptive-historical approach to biblical interpretation, Richard Barcellos' excellent treatment of the hermeneutics of two of history's greatest biblical scholars should be on your required reading shelf.
Richard W. Daniels
Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary
Author of The Christology of John Owen
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Geerhardus Vos has observed that Reformed theology “has from the beginning shown itself possessed of a true historic sense in the apprehension of the progressive character of the deliverance of truth. Its doctrine of the covenants on its historical side represents the first attempt at constructing a history of revelation and may be justly considered the precursor of what is at present called biblical theology.” This is a clear indication of the substantive continuity and harmony he saw between his own biblical-theological work and earlier Reformed theology. In his view the orthodox Reformed confessions with the theological framework they entail, far from being hostile, are quite hospitable toward, in fact anticipate, giving greater, more methodologically self-conscious attention, as he did, to the redemptive-historical substance of Scripture.
Richard Barcellos, in a thoroughly researched, persuasively argued and clearly written manner, shows the soundness of Vos’s self-perception. By means of a large-scale comparison of his work with that of the towering instance of 17th century Reformed orthodoxy, John Owen, Barcellos brings to light undeniable lines of affinity and the deeply rooted compatibility there is between the two. If Vos may be said to be the father of a Reformed biblical theology, then, in the author’s words, Owen is “a grandfather (among many others) of a Reformed biblical theology.” Those interested in Reformed theology, in particular issues of theological method, are indebted to Barcellos for this most welcome and helpful study.
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.
Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus
Westminster Theological Seminary
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No serious contemporary student of Reformed theology can afford to workwithout benefit of the contributions of Geerhardus Vos. Likewise, no seriouscontemporary student of Reformed theology should attempt to work withoutreference to the insights of John Owen. They are among the giants of thetradition. Vos is well-known for his emphasis on eschatology; Owen for hisChrist-centered perspectives. One might suspect that they have much incommon--not just in terms of a general commitment to Reformed thinking, butspecifically in their historically sensitive treatments of Scripture. Inthis book, Richard Barcellos demonstrates that Vos and Owen ought to be readin concert, Owen setting out a foundation and Vos providing thesuperstructure of the building. John Owen's Biblical Theology is in manyways a precursor to Vos's book of the same title. Dr. Barcellos ablyexplains the significant commonalities shared by them, and in doing soevidences the depth and importance of such a well-formed historical approachto Scripture and theology. This book is of great importance.
James M. Renihan, Ph.D.
Dean, Professor of Historical Theology
Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies
Papers
- John Owen and New Covenant Theology: Owen on the Old and New Covenants and the Functions of the Decalogue in Redemptive History in Historical and Contemporary Perspective (PDF)
- The Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament | Part 1 (PDF)
- The Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament | Part 2 (PDF)
- An Exegetical Appraisal of Colossians 2:11-12 (PDF)
Related Articles
How does the law of God apply to Christians? asked Professor Richard Barcellos of the Midwest Center for Theological Studies, Owensboro, Kentucky. The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) was at the heart of the Christian ethic under the New Covenant, he told a crowded Twelfth Salisbury Conference at Emmanuel Church Salisbury, chaired by the Rev Malcolm Watts on 4 October. Read More....
Geoff Thomas reports on the 12th Salisbury Conference: On Saturday 4th October the twelfth Salisbury Conference took place at Emmanuel Church. Over 150 people attended to hear Richard Barcellos of the Midwest Center for Theological Studies in Owensboro, Kentucky. Dr Barcellos’ first study was on John Calvin and the Decalogue. Why should this Genevan Reformer be studied? He had a great impact on his own generation, and on the next hundred years, but he lacks an impact on the church today. Read More....
Sermons
Preached at Emmanuel Church
Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Click HERE to Listen