Theoretical-Practical Theology: Volume 4

Petrus van Mastricht’s Theoretical-Practical Theology presents one of the most comprehensive methods of treating Christian doctrine. In it, Mastricht treats every theological topic according to a four-part approach: exegetical, dogmatic, elenctic, and practical. As a body of divinity, it combines a rigorous, scholastic treatment of doctrine with the pastoral aim of preparing people to live for God through Christ. Students and pastors will find it a valuable model for moving from the text of Scripture to doctrinal formulation that will edify the people of God.

Volume 4, Redemption in Christ, examines God’s great work of obtaining redemption in the Mediator, Jesus Christ. Mastricht sets the stage with a discussion about the covenant of grace as God’s eternal purpose of restoration and restitution for the elect of fallen humanity. From that vantage point, he uses the remainder of the volume to address the glorious procurer of this covenantal grace. Mastricht walks us through the dignity, names, person, offices, states, and redemptive accomplishment of Jesus Christ. This volume helps us learn the significance of the One who secured so great a redemption for the people of God.

Contents

Part 1 Continued: Prolegomena and Faith

Book 5: Redemption in Christ

1. The Covenant of Grace
2. The Mediator of the Covenant of Grace
3. The Names of the Mediator
4. The Person of the Mediator
5. The Threefold Office of the Mediator
6. The Mediator as a Prophet
7. The Mediator as a High Priest
8. The Mediator as a King
9. The Humiliation of the Mediator
10. The Incarnation of the Mediator
11. The Life of the Mediator
12. The Death of the Mediator
13. The Descent of the Mediator
14. The Exaltation of the Mediator
15. The Resurrection of the Mediator
16. The Ascension of the Mediator
17. The Session of the Mediator at the Right Hand of God
18. The Mediator’s Redemption Itself

Scripture Index

Subject Index

Endorsements

“The ongoing translation of Petrus van Mastricht’s Theoretical-Practical Theology is a gift to the church. Mastricht’s work dispels the widely held belief that Reformed scholasticism is a soul-deadening exercise. His practical applications of every doctrine should be a model for contemporary theologians. In volume 4, Mastricht moves to the topic of the person and work of the Mediator Jesus Christ. The bulk of this volume is a gold mine.The translators, editors, and publisher are to be thanked for providing such a rich resource to the church.”

 —Keith Mathison, professor of systematic theology, Reformation Bible College

“As to the books you speak of: Mastricht is sometimes in one volume, a very large thick quarto, sometimes in two quarto volumes. I believe it could not be had new under 8 or 10 pounds. Turretin is in three volumes in quarto, and would probably be about the same price. They are both excellent. Turretin is on polemical divinity, on the 5 points & all other controversial points, & is much larger in these than Mastricht, & is better for one that desires only to be thoroughly versed in controversies. But take Mastricht for divinity in general, doctrine, practice & controversy, or as an universal system of divinity; & it is much better than Turretin or any other book in the world, excepting the Bible, in my opinion.” —Jonathan Edwards to Joseph Bellamy, January 15, 1747

“Any serious student of Reformed theology needs to sit at the feet of Petrus van Mastricht. The challenge has been that to do so you needed to know Latin or Dutch. Thanks to the herculean efforts of the folks at the Dutch Reformed Translation Society and Reformation Heritage Books, English readers can now learn the art of ‘living for God through Christ.’”

—Stephen J. Nichols, president of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries 

About the Author and Editors

Petrus van Mastricht (1630–1706) was a Dutch theologian who studied at Utrecht under Gisbertus Voetius and Johannes Hoornbeeck. He pastored churches in the Netherlands and taught at the universities of Duisburg and Utrecht. His Theoretical-Practical Theology was praised by many as one of the great works of systematic theology and is noted for treating Christian doctrine comprehensively from its exegetical foundations to its practical use for one’s soul.

Todd M. Rester is an associate professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michael T. Spangler is a Presbyterian minister in North Carolina.