The beauty of being reformed
Review of "Generously Reformed" by three Western Theological Seminary authors.
Generously Reformed: Theology Rooted Deep and Reaching Wide
J. Todd Billings, Suzanne McDonald, Alberto La Rosa Rojas
Baker Academic
2026.
This refreshing book brings beauty and sanity into theological conversation. Generously Reformed: Theology Rooted Deep and Reaching Wide – written by three Western Theological Seminary authors – inspires and re-kindles my passion for reformed theology. This accessible book is for all interested in better knowing the reformed tradition or even as an excellent introduction for those unfamiliar with reformed tradition.
I assumed that Generously Reformed might offer a vaguely “big tent” account of reformed theology shaped by contemporary progressive concerns. Instead this is a pastoral invitation to something better: to remember who we are as reformed people: “The reformed tradition is . . . a set of theological convictions and dispositions that find expression in our ache for and delight in God’s Word.” With that approach, Scripture’s “Grand Story” reveals the God who created us for himself and for life in his presence.
The authors clarify and enlarge the vision of all those who call themselves reformed. Each chapter deals with basic but often misunderstood matters. Generously Reformed takes us beyond the stultifying smugness of equating ethnic and church traditions with true Christian doctrine. “Being reformed is not a doctrinal contest to see who can win the game of being most doctrinally strict, or who can be reforming in a way that is most innovative.”
This book invites us on a shared journey of faith seeking understanding and offers a beautiful worldview that is better than the extremism and polarization too often seen today.
