Barrett’s Book Notes: Junius, Owen, Perkins, and the KJV
If you are a theologian (or historian), you know that this is a very exciting volume to now have at your fingertips. Franciscus Junius (1545–1602), who taught theology at the Casimirianum Neustadt, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Leiden, wrote this short volume as an introduction to the discipline of theology, unpacking the method, form, mode, and cause of theology (i.e., prolegomena) from a distinctively Reformed point of view. For example, Junius structures his book around topics like: Whether True Theology Exists, What Theology Is, How Many Parts Theology Contains, Archetypal Theology, What Ectypal Theology Is, The Theology of Union with Christ, etc.
RHB has added to the work a biographical introduction by Willen J. Van Aselt, as well as a foreword by Richard A. Muller. I hope RHB will publish more of Junius’ works moving forward. Here is Muller’s endorsement:
“The present volume is a significant effort on several counts. It presents an invaluable and highly influential work to contemporary students of Reformed thought. It offers the first English translation of Junius’s autobiography, a work published posthumously in the seventeenth–century edition of Junius’s complete works. It also offers,by way of the introduction, a perspective on the treatise and on Junius’s life and work in the context of the rise of Reformed scholasticism and orthodoxy.”
– Richard A. Muller, from the foreword
I appreciate it when publishers labor to make John Owen’s works accessible to a lay audience. I tend to reference Owen a lot not only in my academic conversations, but also in my pastoral ones, but it is hard to recommend to a lay person Owen’s full works as lay people typically find them overwhelming. So, little volumes like this are very helpful, serving as an appetizer before the feast. This is a book I can confidently give to someone in my church in order to ignite their interest in this very important Puritan.
This volume, and the ones to come, are long overdue! Edited and introduced by J. Stephen Yuille, volume 1 of the Works of William Perkins includes Digest or Harmony of the Old and New Testaments, Combat between Christ and the Devil: Matthew 4:1-11, and Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7. RHB projects 10 volumes total (Volume 6 will include his famous Golden Chain). Volume 2, which I imagine will release next, will consist of his Commentary on Galatians.
Westminster Bookstore is selling volume 1 of the new edition of The Works of William Perkins (Reformation Heritage Books) at a 44% discount! The sale is only for a limited time.
And here is a video describing these volumes:
The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2014.
Matthew Barrett (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University, as well as the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. Barrett is also Senior Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church. He is the author and editor of several books, including Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration. Two forthcoming books include, Owen on the Christian Life and God’s Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture. You can read about Barrett’s other publications at matthewmbarrett.com.