Retrieving Eternal Generation | Reformed Theological Seminary

Although the doctrine of eternal generation has been affirmed by theologians of nearly every ecclesiastical tradition since the fourth century, it has fallen on hard times among evangelical theologians since the nineteenth century. The doctrine has been a structural element in two larger doctrinal complexes: Christology and the Trinity. The neglect of the doctrine of eternal generation represents a great loss for constructive evangelical Trinitarian theology.

Retrieving the doctrine of eternal generation for contemporary evangelical theology calls for a multifaceted approach. Retrieving Eternal Generation addresses (1) the hermeneutical logic and biblical bases of the doctrine of eternal generation; (2) key historical figures and moments in the development of the doctrine of eternal generation; and (3) the broad dogmatic significance of the doctrine of eternal generation for theology. The book addresses both the common modern objections to the doctrine of eternal generation and presents the productive import of the doctrine for twenty-first century evangelical theology. Contributors include Michael Allen, Lewis Ayres, D. A. Carson, Oliver Crisp, and more.

Retrieving Eternal Generation is an encouraging display of how biblical studies,church history, and systematic theology can work together to the glory of God, recovering from the past and commending for today the confession of Jesus Christ as the ‘only begotten’ Son of the Father, Light from Light,very God from very God.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer
Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In contemporary Trinitarian theology, conservative Christians have all too often been moving in one of two directions: either inadvertently undermining the full divinity of the Son–thereby turning Christianity into a unitarianism–or inadvertently distinguishing the divine persons in ways that are logically tritheistic. In response, Swain and Sanders have put together an important and profound volume whose timing simply could not be better.

Matthew Levering
James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

Retrieving Eternal Generation is a vital gift to evangelical theology. The various authors provide stimulating biblical exegesis, hermeneutical breadth,historical expertise, and theological depth. Respectfully but courageously engaging the challengers of this classic doctrine, they transcend polemics to contribute fresh dogmatic insight. I will be referring to several of these essays again and again.

Daniel J. Treier
Knoedler Professor of Theology, Wheaton College Graduate School

The Christian teaching of the eternal generation of the Son has from the beginning engendered detailed scrutiny and fierce opposition, and again in the present, the doctrine is causing great controversy. By way of response,Swain and Sanders have gathered together for this volume a range of experts from the fields of biblical exegesis, church history, and systematic theology to consider this teaching in detail. The result is a powerful and dynamic defense of the doctrine, insisting vigorously upon its scriptural, traditional,and dogmatic importance. At a time of much doctrinal diversity and uncertainty,this book lucidly sets out a salutary and welcome account of this venerable teaching and of its central significance for faithful Christian belief.

Paul T. Nimmo
King’s Chair of Systematic Theology, University of Aberdeen

Retrieval is an important part of the task systematic theology faces today. In Retrieving Eternal Generation, Scott Swain and Fred Sanders, along with their fellow contributors, render a great service to the church and theology.In the midst of a fierce and sometimes confused debate over the doctrine of the Trinity, this excellent collection of essays provides a careful biblical,historical, and conceptual analysis that helps uncover the profound richness of the classic understanding of the Son’s eternal generation from the Father.Retrieving Eternal Generation brings together some of the best of biblical, patristic, and doctrinal theology in a convincing case for a doctrine that is unjustly accused of being overly metaphysical or Greek, among other deprecating terms. It shows that, to the contrary, this doctrine is vital for proper confession of the triune God.

Dolf te Velde
Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, Theological University Kampen

It is essential to our true understanding of the triune God that we be clear about the biblical and dogmatic basis for our confession. This book brings together an impressive array of world-class theologians whose Scholarship is matched by their godliness addressing one of the key components of that task; the basis of our knowledge of relations in God.

Dr. Liam Goligher
Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church

The creedal doctrine that the Son of God was ‘begotten of the Father before all worlds’ is a notion that is often misunderstood or else maligned by many contemporary theologians. In this context, Swain and Sanders have brought together an impressive collection of essays from across the theological disciplines in order to elucidate and defend this linchpin Trinitarian doctrine. The book’s coherence lies not only in the sum of its parts but also in the synthetic nature of its individual chapters. This is retrieval theology at its best–careful in its treatment of the historical sources and relevant inits theological import.

R. Lucas Stamps
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, Anderson University

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