A Body of Divinity
Contained in Sermons Upon the Westminster Assembly's Catechism by Thomas Watson
| Weight | 0.38 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.5 × 13.6 × 1.8 cm |
| ISBN | 9780851513836 |
| format | Book |
| topic | Catechisms/Confessions, General Theology, God |
| Original Pub Date | 1692 |
| Binding | Paperback, Cloth-bound, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Paperback & eBook (ePub & Kindle), Cloth-bound & eBook (ePub & Kindle) |
| page-count | 316 |
| Banner Pub Date | Oct 1, 1958 |
| Paperback ISBN | 9780851513836 |
| Cloth-bound ISBN | 9780851511443 |
Book Description
One of the first books published by the Trust, this has been one of the best sellers and consistently the most useful and influential of our publications. There are several reasons for this:
- The subject of the book. It deals with the foremost doctrinal and experimental truths of the Christian Faith.
- The means of instruction used. It is based on the Westminster Assembly’s Shorter Catechism, in which the main principles of Christianity that lie scattered in the Scriptures are brought together and set forth in the form of question and answer. This Catechism is unsurpassed for its ‘terse exactitude of definition’ and ‘logical elaboration’ of the fundamentals.
- The style of the author. Watson conveys his thorough doctrinal and experimental knowledge of the truth in such an original, concise, pithy, pungent, racy, rich and illustrative style that he is rightly regarded as the most readable of the Puritans.
Table of Contents Expand ↓
| Page | ||
| MEMOIR | vii | |
| PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE | 1 | |
| 1 | INTRODUCTION | |
| 1. Man’s Chief End | 6 | |
| 2. The Scriptures | 26 | |
| 2 | GOD AND HIS CREATION | |
| 1. The Being Of God | 39 | |
| 2. The Knowledge Of God | 55 | |
| 3. The Eternity Of God | 60 | |
| 4. The Unchangeableness Of God | 66 | |
| 5. The Wisdom Of God | 71 | |
| 6. The Power Of God | 77 | |
| 7. The Holiness Of God | 82 | |
| 8. The Justice Of God | 87 | |
| 9. The Mercy Of God | 93 | |
| 10. The Truth Of God | 99 | |
| 11. The Unity Of God | 103 | |
| 12. The Trinity | 108 | |
| 13. The Creation | 113 | |
| 14. The Providence Of God | 119 | |
| 3 | THE FALL | |
| 1. The Covenant Of Works | 128 | |
| 2. Sin | 132 | |
| 3. Adam’s Sin | 137 | |
| 4. Original Sin | 142 | |
| 5. Man’s Misery By The Fall | 148 | |
| 4 | THE COVENANT OF GRACE AND ITS MEDIATOR | |
| 1. The Covenant Of Grace | 154 | |
| 2. Christ The Mediator Of The Covenant | 161 | |
| 3. Christ’s Prophetic Office | 166 | |
| 4. Christ’s Priestly Office | 172 | |
| 5. Christ’s Kingly Office | 186 | |
| 6. Christ’s Humiliation In His Incarnation | 192 | |
| 7. Christ’s Exaltation | 203 | |
| 8. Christ The Redeemer | 209 | |
| 5 | THE APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION | |
| 1. Faith | 215 | |
| 2. Effectual Calling | 220 | |
| 3. Justification | 226 | |
| 4. Adoption | 231 | |
| 5. Sanctification | 240 | |
| 6. Assurance | 250 | |
| 7. Peace | 261 | |
| 8. Joy | 267 | |
| 9. Growth In Grace | 273 | |
| 10. Perseverance | 279 | |
| 6 | DEATH AND THE LAST DAY | |
| 1. The Death Of The Righteous | 290 | |
| 2. A Believer’s Privilege At Death | 295 | |
| 3. The Resurrection | 305 |
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John H. Van Voorhis –
I have known of Watson’s “A Body of Divinity” for years, but I did not begin to read it until last year. I have it on my Kindle, thus making it easy for my octogenarian eyes to read, but it is important to own the book as well.
The book is an absolutely gem. To begin with, every Christian ought to know, if they do not now, that the Westminster Shorter Catechism is a marvelous summary of Christian doctrine. Knowing the Catechism gives the reader a solid foundation of Biblical, Reformed theology. But Watson has written, in a style easily understandable to those without formal theological training, to mine the gold that is contained in the Catechism. By that I mean that Watson’s book is highly experiential, a treasure of Reformed spirituality. I have worked my way through it by reading a portion each day for my devotional time It has been a tremendous blessing and encouragement to me. I highly commend it I would even compare its usefulness with Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.
Rev Dr Paul Blackham –
This is one of the first theological books I ever read as a boy – together with his volume on The Ten Commandments – so it always held a special place in my affections. I had read it twice in my youth and had dipped back in over the years, but recently got a new copy. Returning to this over the past weeks has been such a joy. Thomas Watson’s style is so easy to read – warm, practical and profound. Each day I have been including a few pages in my morning devotions and I’m urging friends to buy it and do the same! He gets to the real treasure of each doctrine and then explains why it matters so much. Glory to Jesus! Rev Dr Paul Blackham
Lex Loizides –
I have the joy of owning a Banner first edition of A Body of Divinity and have not subjected it to the numerous underlinings that characterise other engaging books that I have read. Watson has an almost Shakespearean precision of phrasing and a stunning array of incredibly appropriate illustrations. At least two things happen when you read him: you are intellectually sharpened and you are spiritually refreshed. Oh, and a third, you wish that some of his illustrations could still make sense to today’s congregation! A wonderful, wonderful book.
Dr. Jenson Lim –
This was my first Banner book that I bought in 2000 when I came to the Reformed faith. It was Dr. Peter Masters who recommended this book – it seems he has recommended this to those who grew up in the Met Tab. Despite its Elizabethan English, the way it covers the Westminster Shorter Catechism – with its depth, warmth, challenging yet devotional style of writing makes it worthwhile. Till today I still peruse it for sermon preparation, children’s talk, devotional reading, etc.
Judy Notestine –
I was late coming to faith, almost 20 years ago, at the age of 57. Although I have been growing and learning through excellent studies and sermons at my church, about a year ago, I developed an intense desire to know more about God. A speaker, in a Ligonier Conference I watched, recommended “A Body of Divinity” as a book that had a great impact on him.
I go to a women’s Bible study at another church. In the session I attend, we study the Word, itself. The other offerings use books by women authors whom I do not recommend and they typically study “women’s issues.” I have a strong opinion that what women need to study is not “women’s issues”, but rather, solid Bible studies and theology. “A Body of Divinity” was a wonderful find for me. Although first published in 1692, Thomas Watson is a writer for today, as well, with clear explanations of Biblical doctrine, using the structure of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. This is a must read, for sure.
Billy –
I have feasted on Watson’s Body of Body of Divinity over four times and still thirst for it! So deep a theological mine! I still refer to it and fetch 🔥 from it! I strongly recommend the book! Then proceed to Watson’s other racy works!
Billy –
I have read it through again and again!