Here’s the good news: Michael Horton’s long-awaited systematic theology has now been published. Here’s the bad news (well, at one level): Zondervan is already sold out of it and the book is heading back to the printers.
WTS Books is out of stock, but if you order it from them by January 27, you’ll get a special 45% discount. But the book may not come until late February.
Amazon doesn’t release their books until the official publication date (January 24), so it’s hard to know if they have sold out of their initial order.
[Update: Of course one can’t run out of the eBook version—although Zondervan seems to have price the eBook as the same price as the hardcover!]
I have a copy of the book, and from what I’ve been able to sample thus far, I think it will clearly be the best contemporary systematic theology from a Presbyterian-Reformed perspective.
You can read some sample pages here.
Here’s a description:
The Christian Faith is written for a growing cast of pilgrims making their way together and will be especially welcomed by professors, pastors, students, and armchair theologians. Its features include: (1) a brief synopsis of biblical passages that inform a particular doctrine; (2) surveys of past and current theologies with contemporary emphasis on exegetical, philosophical, practical, and theological questions; (3) substantial interaction with various Christian movements within the Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, as well as the hermeneutical issues raised by postmodernity; and (4) charts, sidebars, questions for discussion, and an extensive bibliography, divided into different entry levels and topics.
Here are a few of the endorsements:
“Horton’s Christian Faith has the great merit of never letting the reader forget that doctrine is for disciples who want to walk the way of Jesus Christ. Horton knows that the best systematic theology is a practical theology—one that helps us understand the ways of God, makes sense of life, and gives direction for God-glorifying living. He also knows that the best systematic theologies draw on biblical and historical theology. May many readers therefore take up this book, read, and walk!”
– Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College and Graduate School
“Michael Horton’s awareness of modern theological and philosophical currents combines with his articulate commitment to historical orthodoxy to make this book one of the most significant voices to be heard in framing a systematic theology for this generation of the Reformed movement.”
– Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary
“A crisp, clear, and forceful new theology that is at once biblical and reverent, historical and contemporary, learned but accessible. What a great gift this is to the church!”
– David F. Wells, Distinguished Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
“The Christian Faith is impressively deep, immensely practical, and infinitely hopeful for us pilgrims on the Way. Michael Horton will sculpt your appreciation for theology and enhance your love for Christ crucified. Anyone wanting to impact this world effectively—pastors, missionaries, evangelists, church planters, lay leaders, and all other wayfarers—must read this book.”
– Pastor Fikret Böcek, The Protestant Church of Smyrna, Izmir-Turkey
“There has been a renaissance of theological writing in our day, but no one writes as carefully, cogently, and thoughtfully in the grand tradition of Protestant systematic theology as does Michael Horton. This work is a powerful reminder that theology ought to grow first from the soil of the biblical text; then, in conversation with the church across the ages, it ought to clarify conceptually the great truths of the gospel. Theology, as Horton has written it here in The Christian Faith, must always be cognizant of the challenges of the contemporary world, but it must finally belong to the church, which gives it voice in the first place. There is no one better at this task in our day than Michael Horton.”
– Richard Lints, Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
“Dr. Horton has produced a remarkable work. His approach to systematic theology is fresh and critically needed in our time. Every pilgrim will profit from this work.”
– R. C. Sproul, Chairman and President, Ligonier Ministries
