Theonomy: A Reformed Critique

"The focus of this collection of sixteen essays by the faculty members of Westminster Theological Seminary is the effect of Theonomy on churches and Christian people. Their desire is to offer a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310521718
• ISBN13: 9780310521716
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Academic Books/Zondervan Pub.
• Length: 413 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great Refutation of Theonomy

Contrary to the other reviewer, the various authors DID read Rushdoony, North, Bahnsen et al. I was at Westminster Seminary when this book was being written and had conversations with some profs as they were preparing their contributions. Theonomy is many things. Some people think it is simply taking God's word & law seriously. In that case, pretty much anyone can be called a Theonomist. On the other hand, others use the banner of "Theonomy" to promote all sorts of hyper conservative sectarian absurdities. By the way, Theonomists often claim C. VanTil as a "Theonomist". I was Dr VanTil's personal secretary later in life, and he several times asserted he was NOT a Theonomist. Although he did appreciate Greg Bahnson as one of his finer students. One can find quotations here & there about theonomy in VanTil's books, but remember these were all written long before there was this identifiable cluster of doctrines called "theonomy." He was using the term in a generic sense. Theonomists are dishonest when they claim VanTil as one of their own. There is one very weak chapter in this book. The other essays are well done. Quite frankly, this book is about all there is contra Theonomy because Theonomy is such a chameleon, changing its colors & positions regularly. About the only thing that Binds Theonomists together is an unhealthy focus upon the Law (often to neglect of Grace, but see John 1:17). As pointed out in this book, THE fundamental error of most Theonomy is that it reads the NT through the lens of the OT. On the other hand, historically the Church has read the OT in light of the NT. They start out backwards & end up getting too much wrong. This book is a calm, level headed refutation of excesses of much Theonomy. Christianity is all about Jesus, not the law!