{Book Review} Reformed Dogmatics: A System of Christian Theology (Single-Volume Edition)

In 2013, Lexham Press marvelously translated into English and published Geerhardus Vos’ Reformed Dogmatics (RD) in 5 volumes. Until then, Vos’ RD was only available in Dutch.  Now those 5 volumes are available in a single-volume edition!

This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through our links. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

Reformed Dogmatics: A System of Christian Theology (Single-Volume Edition) by Geerhardus Vos

Lexham Press, in 2020, has published Reformed Dogmatics: A System of Christian Theology (Single-Volume Edition). The translator and editor of this work is Richard B. Gaffin Jr. 

I want to approach this review from two aspects: (1) The content itself, and (2) The physical book itself along with a comparison of this with the 5-volume series. 

Content

First, the content. I am an avid reader of Reformed Theology, particularly Reformed Systematic Theology. I have been greatly impacted by the writings of Calvin, Bavinck, Turretin, a Brakel, Berkhof, van Mastricht, and more. It may even surprise some to know that Vos fits in with this group of theologians considering he is most often remembered as a biblical theologian, not a systematic theologian. This volume consists of Vos’ teaching from early on in his career, which makes it all the more staggering when you consider that this work represents his early theological thought. 

This book brings the following five volumes into a single edition:

1. Theology Proper
2. Anthropology
3. Christology
4. Soteriology
5. Ecclesiology, The Means of Grace, Eschatology

I have always enjoyed the catechetical (question and answer) style of theology. Others have utilized this approach (most notably Turretin), and I have personally enjoyed reading and learning from that format (I’m a Presbyterian, what do you expect!).

I find Vos to be incredibly readable and understandable (a huge shout out to the translator, Dr. Gaffin, for his part in this). I think that most people could pick up Vos and understand the deep things of theology that he is communicating in his writing.

Now, to be sure, he at times engages with the original languages of God’s Word (Hebrew and Greek) which may be a little intimidating to some readers. For pastors and theologians, this aspect will be quite enjoyable.

I also want to mention that Vos is very concise. For instance, question 30 in chapter five asks this: “Are the two concepts of election and predestination always so sharply differentiated? No, sometimes the former can be used for the latter; for example, in James 2:5, ‘Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?’”

Do you see how concise that answer is? Yet it is biblical, sensible, and theologically rigorous. Now, I’m not saying that Vos is always concise, but he often is. And where he speaks more at length, the reader is sure to find it to be a treat. 

Single Volume Edition vs. 5-Volume Series

Second, the book itself. This single edition is also a hardcover. However, this hardcover is absolutely stunning! Unlike the plain black hardcover of the 5-volume series, this single edition is a beautiful green color with gold lettering on both the front and the spine. This is the first time I have ever wanted to take off the dust-jacket to enjoy the hardcover! Don’t get me wrong though, I do love the dust-jacket. The same green color is also used on the dust-jacket for some lettering and on the bottom of the book where “Single-Volume Edition” is printed. 

One Criticism

Ok, so here is my one, and my one and only, criticism of this book: The paper is simply way too thin! It is nothing at all like the thick, off-white paper in the 5-volume series. This paper is much more like your typical Bible paper (I’m not sure of the GSM, but it’s super thin).

If you write any notes or underline or highlight, no matter what type of writing utensil you use, you can count on it bleeding through. I really wish they would have chosen a thicker paper than this. Now, to be fair, Lexham did shove nearly 1300 pages into one single volume, so I completely understand the impossibility of using the same nice paper from the 5-volume set in this single edition. This is a very small book, however, considering the fact that it’s 1300 pages. I would like to have seen Lexham use thicker paper, making the single volume much thicker than it actually is. If I were carrying this around everywhere, then perhaps I would be in love with the thinner paper for the sake of the smaller size of the book. But, this book stays on my desk, and it could definitely afford to be fatter!  

Ok, now that this is out of my system, I want to resume praising this volume. Even with the thinner paper, I really like the single edition. I plan on reading through Vos’ RD in their entirety in 2021, and I will most likely be using this single edition. I find it convenient to have his entire RD in one place. The only thing that could possibly change that is if the notetaking and underlining drives me crazy. 

If you are a Christian (especially of the Reformed variety), you absolutely must read Vos! You will grow in your understanding of God’s Word and the teaching of theology. And when you grow in those things, you will likewise grow in your affection for the Lord and your desire to worship Him in all of life. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Tolle lege, take up and read! 

Disclaimer: My thanks to Lexham Press for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.