Word and Spirit: Selected Writings in Biblical and Systematic Theology

“To open the pages of Word and Spirit is to find oneself in a treasure trove of biblical and theological riches that will delight scholars, pastors, and all serious students of the New Testament. Our gratitude is due to Professors Garner and Waters for so fittingly doing with the scattered jewels of Dick Gaffin’s essays what he once similarly did for Geerhardus Vos—and, surely, with the same confidence that they will be of lasting benefit to the church. Here is a virtual symphony of exegesis, biblical theology and systematic reflection of the finest kind, all expressed with a melody line of deep commitment to Christ. In his own ministry as a doctor of the church Dr. Gaffin has laid bare the deep foundations of the gospel in a way that enhances appreciation of its unsearchable riches and shapes the way in which it is preached and applied. Here then are shorter writings calculated to bring long-term benefits both for our personal understanding of Scripture and for the preaching of the gospel. It surely belongs to the ‘must have’ category of books in a minister’s library.”

“After decades as both a New Testament scholar and systematic theologian, Richard Gaffin, Jr. has not only mediated but enriched the tradition of Vos, Murray, and Ridderbos. I’m among the many beneficiaries of these labors and finally we have Gaffin’s most seminal insights gathered into one place. I heartily encourage readers to digest these amazing explorations. As his life exhibits, these writings come from the life of the church back to the life of the church—not in an ivory tower of speculation.”

“I am delighted to have these shorter writings of Richard Gaffin collected in one volume. To my mind, the eight chapters in Part One on the relationship of biblical and systematic theology are worth the price of the book. Gaffin there shows himself to be the true heir of Geerhardus Vos, a trustworthy Timothy to Vos’s Paul. These essays reveal both Vos and Gaffin to be ahead of their time in showing how biblical theology’s attention to redemptive-history provides a framework that coordinates the work of exegetes and theologians. These essays speak prophetically to our present situation in which biblical studies and systematics have come apart, often with disastrous results. I love Gaffin’s image of the systematic theologian as ‘custodial interpreter of Scripture.’ These shorter writings are a gift to the church “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).’”

“It is a gift to the people of God to have Dr. Gaffin’s shorter writings made available to a larger circle of readers, collected under one cover. Gaffin can be relied on to be penetrating, insightful, edifying, and biblically based.”

“I once found myself reading one of Gaffin’s shorter articles while simultaneously listening to him lecture on the same subject. It struck me how often a simple cross-reference in the article would receive extended exegetical analysis in the lecture. This is characteristic of Gaffin’s work: his subject is the grand history of God’s salvation, but his method is rigorous exegetical analysis. Thus, in a few short pages, Gaffin will show his readers the cosmic scope of God’s redemption while simultaneously guiding them ever deeper into his word.”

“David Garner and Guy Waters have blessed the church immensely. By collating the best of Dr. Gaffin’s writings into a single volume, they have presented us with nothing short of solid gold. What we have here is a treasure trove of biblical theology at its finest, rooted deeply in the Reformed tradition and intentionally aimed at the glory of God in Christ. This volume is sure to be a source of edification for many years to come.”

“Professor Richard Gaffin’s works have made a significant contribution to our understanding of God’s word and our respect for its authority. I am delighted to see that this volume brings together such collection of riches. I am sure that the essays will be read with great profit.”

“The clarity and precision of Dick Gaffin’s writings have been appreciated and valued by pastors and scholars across the globe for many years. In a theolog- ically confused and fragmented world, this resource offers important biblical and theological insights that will be welcomed by a global audience, and es- pecially by those who are committed to ‘rightly handling the Word of truth.’”

“I am thrilled to witness the publication of The Selected Shorter Writings of Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. The occasion deservedly calls for appreciation and cel- ebration among all the Reformed community but particularly so for those who have been “Gaffinized” including myself. His passionate voice on “redemptive-historical,” “Christ-centered,” “eschatological,” “biblical-theological-systematic theology” resonates throughout this book. I highly recommend future generations of theological study to explore his teachings on Scripture and Reformed theology.”

“The genius of a theological education is not just learning answers to various individual questions but learning how to think theologically about anything and everything by having your perspective on the most fundamental topics refined and refashioned according to God’s Word. This is exactly what Dick Gaffin’s teaching and writing did for me and for many others over the course of his influential career. In fact, several of the articles in this book were such game-changers for me while I was in seminary that I still assign them to my own students today. Take up, read, and be re-formed!”