Of excellent quality throughout, this volume traces out the theology that leads to the evangelization of the world: divine sovereignty and human responsibility, conversion, and the role of the church in missions. The biographical sketches enhance the volume. This is all rich material. Highlights for me are the practical section on evangelism from Richard Baxter's "A Christian Directory" and the perceptive analysis of Jonathan Edwards' book "A History of Redemption," which the author suggests is perhaps Edwards' best claim to originality in theology (p. 293). I commend this volume highly.
— Erroll Hulse, is the associate pastor of Leeds Reformed Baptist Church in Leeds, England, the author of many books and articles, and has been the longtime editor of Reformation Today magazine.
Sidney Rooy's dissertation provides a masterful examination of the Puritans' positive attitude toward missions and evangelism, showing their passionate desire to seek the salvation of the lost. Through the writings of five notable Puritans: Richard Sibbes, Richard Baxter, John Eliot, Cotton Mather, and Jonathan Edwards, Rooy explores Puritan missiology in its theological foundation, its development and establishment, and its progress. Detailed attention is given to issues still debated today, such as the nature of conversion, the relation of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the role of the church, and the worldwide establishment of the kingdom of God. Individuals and churches alike will be inspired by this historical and theological survey of magisterial Puritans.
— Dr. Joel Beeke, is the President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dr. Sidney Rooy received his doctorate in Church History and Missions from the Free University of Amsterdam. He served thirty-six years as missionary professor in Latin America, and is professor emeritus of ISEDET, the Higher Evangelical Institute of Theological Education in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has written extensively in Spanish on Reformation themes and on the history of the church in Latin America.
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