The particular book I’ve chosen to review is Michael Reeves’ Theologians You Should Know, which is presently being discussed by Pastor Pat in his Theology for Breakfast on Tuesday mornings.

Dr. Reeves has labored alongside men like Matthew Barrett and Carl Trueman, men who have blessed Christ’s body at OBC through their books and personal appearances as guest speakers.

You can now add Dr. Reeves to the list of men who have blessed OBC through his book. However, a degree of caution is warranted as Dr. Reeves makes statements about some of the theologians in his book, which could (and possibly should) cause your theological eyebrows to raise. But just like the theologians in his book, we should avoid taking an “all or nothing” approach.

Dr. Reeves’ scholastic effort is truly admirable. He presents an impressively condensed biography on each theologian.

More importantly, he covers doctrinally related element(s) associated with each theologian and the impact on the Church. 

From the Apostolic Fathers like Ignatious of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna to Luther, Calvin, and Owen, all the way into 21^st Century’s J.I. Packer, Dr. Reeves helps us catalog and calibrate our understanding of these heavyweights.

Theologians You Should Know provides an excellent resource for understanding and appreciating how the Lord has used imperfect men throughout the ages in the building up of His Church.     

One of the clear takeaways from the book is Reeve’s ability to enable the reader to recognize the progressive nature of Church doctrine. In the history of the Church, correct biblical doctrine is not exclusive to one particular person or century.

We can praise God for Martin Luther and his nailing of his Ninety-five Theses on the church door at Wittenberg. We can rejoice in the Lord for Calvin and his writing of the Institutes and be thankful for men like Jonathan Edwards and John Owen and their impact.

We can be equally thankful for men of old like Anselm, Augustine and Aquinas who help us in our doctrine of God.

All of these titans are covered by Dr. Reeves, including their flaws. He provides a depth of knowledge and insight but he’s careful not create a hagiography, the error of idolizing the subject matter of a biography.

Dr. Reeves knows we stand on the shoulders of those theologians who came before us; we don’t worship at their feet.