Paradise Restored (A book review)

David Chilton's "Paradise Restored" is a superb introduction to eschatology. Starting from ground level, he slowly and logically builds a watertight case for postmillienialism and a theology of Dominion.
This book does not focus on critiquing the other positions. Instead Chilton works at forming, (or rather reforming) the discarded Biblical Theology of Victory. He brings scripture to light, giving new meaning to Adam's loss of Paradise, Christ's Victory, and what it means to Christians theology of the future.
Many of my own questions about eschatology were answered, and I came away with a much greater understanding of Postmillienialism. This is a fun and easy MUST read for anyone who wants an grasp on Biblical Eschatology

Robert Reymond's Systematic Theology

Robert Reymond's "A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith," has been called the new standard for Reformed Systematic Theologies. While I have never read any other Systematic Theology, Reformed or otherwise, Reymond seems to cover all the bases. He starts with the doctrine of Scripture itself, moves on to the Nature of God and the Nature of man, he then addresses the Theology of Salvation, then character and structure of the Church. He ends with Escatology (theology of last things). Within each of these "Parts" he addresses common heresies (past and present) and critics non-heretical stances where needed.
His most powerful "Part" was probably the second. In the Second, "God and Man," he acclaims the importance of a Presuppositional worldview. He also clearly sets forth the doctrine of God as Trinity, and the nature of fallen Man, originally made in God's image. If anyone was to read one part of the book this is the part I would recommend(Though for the most part it was all fantastic).
There were an few areas of disagreement worth mentioning. While he didn't linger on it long, Reymond took a jab at Reconstuctionists. This he did while rightly asserting that the Church should not have the power of the Sword, nor should Christians advocate a "theocracy." I suspect he was defining "theocracy" as "rule by the Church," because the scripture references he gave would only support that position. They could not be construed to deny God's law's rule over the State.
Also, while showing beautifully the doctrine of Christ's Kingdom as, "already, not yet," in eschatology, he did not come to the natural (and Scripture) conclusion of Postmillenialism.
The rest of my disagreements were even less minor. (Though I did address one of them several months ago in "Are the Attributes of God Communicable/Incommunicable?") Over all I found Reymond's book to be an excellent first Systematic Theology to read. Not only was I able to "get" some complex doctrines, when it came crucial theology it was RIGHT ON and POWERFUL! If you are considering reading or purchasing a Systematic Theology, whether you are Reformed or not, I highly recommend Robert Reymond's.

Here are a two of Scripture's most presuppositional statements. Gen. 22:16a "By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD." Ex. 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”