Murray's Redemption Accomplished and Applied is a classic in the field of Reformed biblical and systematic theology. Carefully exegetical and thoroughly Reformed, Murray offers insightful reflection on Christ's atonement and its application to the church. The book consists of two basic sections: "Redemption Accomplished" and "Redemption Applied." In the first section Murray deals with the necessity, nature, perfection, and extent of the atonement. In the second section Murray treats the application of redemption under headings such as effectual calling, regeneration, faith and repentance, justification, and union with Christ. The bulk of the book is given over to the application of redemption where Murray notes, following John Calvin, that union with Christ is really the central soteric blessing and as such underlies every redemptive blessing in the covenant of grace. Murray's treatment of redemption helps to highlight the differences between a Reformed understanding of the application of redemption and that of other traditions. Another helpful aspect of his work is the relationship displayed between exegesis and systematic theology. Murray refuses to reduce systematic theology to historical theology; instead, systematic theology must be regulated by careful, redemptive, historical exegesis. This is an extremely competent work.
- Jeff Waddington - Westminster Bookstore Staff