Systematic Theology, Volume One: From Canon to Concept Volume 1

By Dr. Stephen J. Wellum and Stephen J. Wellum

Stephen Wellum's Systematic Theology, vol. 1 is a Trinitarian, reformational, and baptistic systematic theology committed to serious evangelical engagement with the Scriptures. Building on decades of research, Wellum formulates doctrine exegetically, covenantally, and canonically for a new generation of students, pastors, church leaders, and seasoned theologians as well.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1433676443
• ISBN13: 9781433676444
• Release Date: February 2024
• Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
• Length: 1008 Pages
• Weight: 4.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.0" x 7.9" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Essential Systematic Theology Reading

In my theological journey from years of training in dispensational theology, to intense study of covenant theology, and finally committing to progressive covenantalism, Stephen Wellum and his writings have been instrumental in my finding a final theological resting place. It is difficult to decide exactly what superlatives to use in describing Wellum’s Systematic Theology volume 1. My first read through this work has already triggered streams of theological thought that I have no doubt will prove to be valuable. It is a long-awaited work by those following his thinking and I will be waiting expectantly for the second volume of the 2-volume set. Wellum’s system is clearly Reformed and covenantal. A brief scan of the resources he uses in the footnotes reveals a host of Reformed theologians both early and current – Bavink, Turretin, Vos, Horton, Vanhoozer, etc. But he does not subscribe to the covenant theology system and explains why he does not. Neither does he advocate dispensational theology. Rather, Wellum presents a theological system as a via media between dispensationalism and covenant theology. He aptly defines theology as faith seeking understanding in order to think God's thoughts after him, and as an objective discipline dependent on the Bible. Theology is not a set of ideas based upon multiple worldviews. It is based on the Bible as the standard authority for understanding what God wants us to know about himself. In this volume Wellum discusses prolegomena, bibliology, and theology proper, but with an interesting turn he includes bibliology as part of theology proper. His rationale for that approach is that the written revelation is the result of God’s self-revelatory speech-act, so should be included under discussion of God himself. The second volume will include the other systematic loci of anthropology, hamartiology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. I will leave detailed descriptions of this work to other reviewers, but I have two simple and obvious observations that most impressed me: 1.) Wellum’s presentation of prolegomena is lengthy, over 150 pages, but it includes essential discussions not found in many other systematic theologies. Wellum astutely explains why study of an evangelical systematic theology is an essential requirement for the current church. 2.) He provides careful guidance to the reader with logic flow in the text of the topics covered. Rather than force the reader to determine the three or four or five points in the discussion of each topic, Wellum consistently signifies each main point of his logic with italicized ordinals. I sincerely appreciated this very helpful structure as I worked through the complex philosophical and theological topics in each of the systematic loci. He also provides non-italicized ordinals for subsets of each main point where warranted. Wellum’s presentation is always clear, precise, and understandable. While working through this volume will be a rewarding challenge to the untrained lay reader, Wellum writes in a style that is easy to read and understand along with his careful presentation of logic flow. The presentation of each of his main points usually follows the sequence with definition of terms, historical treatment, discussion of alternative views, explanation of his view of each topic, and scriptural support for his view. We are all blessed by Wellum’s years of theological experience, and the enormous effort spent to produce this volume. This work is truly a must read for those interested in theology, and especially those interested in comparing theological systems. Soli Deo gloria.