This collection of addresses from the 2010 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology focuses on the ‘last days’—a period that began with the resurrection of Christ and will continue until His return. Specific emphasis is put on the Christian hope amidst this present age of evil. Featuring contributions from a wide range of authors, this book has some strong chapters and others that fall a bit short of the mark, but the overall effort is helpful.

Since these (millennial) views can cause so much heated debate, let me suggest that everyone who interacts with another’s view on this topic strive for balance. While there may be some significant issues at stake, they are not as large as, say, whether God exists, or Jesus Christ as the eternal Son become man for us and our salvation, or other fundamental articles of the faith. [108]

When we see so many things so terribly wrong in this world, we are called upon to remember who is in control. We are called to live our lives as those who have been blessed with participation in the first resurrection. And we are called to live in hope, knowing that Satan is bound, that his time is short, and that Christ will triumph. [123]

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Justification has long been, and remains to this day, a hotly contested issue among Christians. Are God’s people justified as the result of Christ’s imputed righteousness or did the authors of the New Testament mean something else by justification?  Venema addresses this issue but just barley scratches the surface. While I agree with his position, and the makings of a good book are here, it’s far too short to serve as little more than a primer.

Saying merely that believers are ‘justified by grace through faith’ does not adequately state the Protestant view. In the classic Protestant view, believers are said to be justified before God by grace alone on the account of the work of Christ alone, and this free justification becomes theirs by faith alone. [7]

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