Paying Tribute to a Living Theologian: Robert Letham

The Reformed world is often known for it's appreciation of it's rich historical heritage but perhaps it is not so well known for it's commendation of living theologians. We thank God for the lives and works of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Owen, Archibald Alexander and many others like them. But who is firmly holding the reformed torch today? I would like to draw your attention to a contemporary living theologian, one whom I know personally.

Rev Dr Robert Letham is currently the Senior Tutor in Systematic and Historical Theology at the Wales Evangelical School of Theology (WEST) and his profile can be found at this link: http://www.west.org.uk/index.php/aboutus/faculty

A Presbyterian minister, Bob has served congregations in New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware, the latter for over 17 years. He has taught theology at London School of Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) and Reformed Theological Seminary (Washington DC/Baltimore). Married to Joan, an American, for 35 years, he has three grown children: two daughters (both married), a son and a grandson. Bob Letham has supervised me through a MTh and PhD since 2007 and therefore I have first-hand knowledge of the man I am commending. Putting this aside, in what way can his writings help the church in 2010/11?

I would like to briefly commend two of Bob's books:

The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship, Phillipsburg: P & R, 2007.

This is perhaps the finest book on the doctrine of the Trinity currently available from the reformed constitution of churches. It is an outstanding piece of scholarship, one that is historically rooted, yet connected to the doctrine of the church. In other words, this theology seeks to enrich real churches in the real world of the twenty-first century.

The Westminster Assembly: Reading It's Theology in Historical Context: Phillipsburg: P & R, 2009.

This work seeks to recover the historical context of the vital work of The Westminster Assembly. It is highly readable, informative, helpful and theological necessary.

Bob is a theologian, preacher and churchman. He has written a number of other books, which you can quickly source with a search on google or ABE books.