Bruce A. Ware

Christology and Pneumatology have long been major preoccupations for theologians, and rightly so, but the work of God the Father has been surprisingly neglected. Through a biblical and exegetical study of the Father's person and work (Paterology), this book argues that, among the persons of the Trinity, the Father is the initiator of all divine activity. Furthermore, it is in the context of a loving eternal relationship with the Son and Spirit that the Father has planned and purposed all things, creating through the Son and by the Spirit, promising and accomplishing redemption through the sending of the Son and the Spirit, and perfecting salvation by bringing about a new heavens and new earth through his Son and Spirit. The only proper response is a Trinitarian-shaped life of worship that worships our Triune God. ""'Paterology' may be an unfamiliar term to many readers. Here it designates a study of God the Father, as distinct from the Son and the Spirit as Trinitarian persons. I like Rippee's approach very much, because he goes directly and deeply into the scriptures, which are certainly our only ultimate source for teaching about the Trinity. There are many books on the Trinity today. Some of them disturbingly dismiss the biblical representations as figurative while presenting as literal certain philosophical speculations. The fact that Rippee avoids this approach is a strong recommendation for his book. But a greater recommendation is the comfort one gains from Scripture's reassurance that our Heavenly Father is the one who initiates everything in Heaven and on Earth. --John M. Frame, Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida Ryan L. Rippee is a professor at The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary in Vallejo, CA

Christology and Pneumatology have long been major preoccupations for theologians, and rightly so, but the work of God the Father has been surprisingly neglected. Through a biblical and exegetical study of the Father's person and work (Paterology), this book argues that, among the persons of the Trinity, the Father is the initiator of all divine activity. Furthermore, it is in the context of a loving eternal relationship with the Son and Spirit that the Father has planned and purposed all things, creating through the Son and by the Spirit, promising and accomplishing redemption through the sending of the Son and the Spirit, and perfecting salvation by bringing about a new heavens and new earth through his Son and Spirit. The only proper response is a Trinitarian-shaped life of worship that worships our Triune God. ""'Paterology' may be an unfamiliar term to many readers. Here it designates a study of God the Father, as distinct from the Son and the Spirit as Trinitarian persons. I like Rippee's approach very much, because he goes directly and deeply into the scriptures, which are certainly our only ultimate source for teaching about the Trinity. There are many books on the Trinity today. Some of them disturbingly dismiss the biblical representations as figurative while presenting as literal certain philosophical speculations. The fact that Rippee avoids this approach is a strong recommendation for his book. But a greater recommendation is the comfort one gains from Scripture's reassurance that our Heavenly Father is the one who initiates everything in Heaven and on Earth. --John M. Frame, Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida Ryan L. Rippee is a professor at The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary in Vallejo, CA

Modern theologians have focused on the doctrine of divine impassibility, exploring the significance of God’s emotional experience and most especially the question of divine suffering. Professor Rob Lister speaks into the issue, outlining the history of the doctrine in the views of influential figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther, while carefully examining modernity’s growing rejection of impassibility and the subsequent evangelical response. With an eye toward holistic synthesis, this book proposes a theological model based upon fresh insights into the historical, biblical, and theological dimensions of this important doctrine.

What does it mean for Jesus to be HUMAN? Theologian Bruce Ware takes us back to the biblical text, where we meet a profoundly human Jesus who faced many of the same difficulties and limitations we experience today. Ware explores the significance of Christ’s humanity and helps us to learn, by the power of the Spirit, to follow in Jesus’s steps.

Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format. Sure, it's easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you're a theology professor. But what about the rest of us? With Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6-14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths. The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children's primary faith trainers-and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.

Though in all things God's Word is the final authority, our Christian tradition, as inherited from centuries of careful reflection and endeavoring to be true to the teaching of Scripture, can greatly enlighten us. Nowhere is this blend of respectful listening to the wisdom of the past and faithfulness to the Bible more necessary than in our contemporary reformulations of the doctrine of God's person. Bruce Ware believes that while tradition's emphasis on God's metaphysical perfection and His supremacy over the world is correct, we must refine our understanding of the way in which He relates to us. While retaining the deepest concerns of the historic tradition, Ware offers a more rational view of God's dealings with His children–a view that is reflected in Scripture's own testimony of Him. Ware then applies this concept of real divine exaltation and real divine-human relationship to the areas of our prayer life, confidence in God and His guidance of us.

Christians throughout history have been strengthened by their confidence that God knows everything about the future. However, open theism claims to offer a more biblical and a more practical alternative to traditional views of God s sovereignty and involvement in our lives. Bruce Ware carefully summarises and critiques this redefinition of the nature of God. He provides an excellent treatment of both classical and open theism, explores their implications and pinpoints the subtle ways in which open theism undermines our trust in God and lessens his glory.

Open theism boldly rewrites the nature of divine providence, God's sovereignty, and his involvement in our lives. This book summarizes and critiques this doctrine and the subtle but dangerous ways in which it steals glory from God.

The relationship between divine sovereignty and the human will is a topic of perennial theological dispute and one that is gaining increased attention among contemporary evangelicals. In Still Sovereign, thirteen scholars write to defend the classical view of God's sovereignty. According to the editors, "Ours is a culture in which the tendency is to exalt what is human and diminish what is divine. Even in evangelical circles, we find increasingly attractive a view of God in which God is one of us, as it were, a partner in the unfolding drama of life. . . . In contrast, the vision of God affirmed in these pages is of one who reigns supreme over all, whose purposes are accomplished without fail, and who directs the course of human affairs, including the central drama of saving a people for the honor of his name, all with perfect holiness and matchless grace." The fourteen chapters of Still Sovereign (originally part of the two-volume, The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will) are divided into three parts. Part 1 offers fresh exegesis of the biblical texts that bear most directly on the doctrines of election, foreknowledge, and perseverance of the saints. Part 2 explores theological and philosophical issues related to effectual calling, prevenient grace, assurance of salvation, and the nature of God's love. The final section applies the doctrines of election and divine sovereignty to Christian living, prayers, evangelism, and preaching.