James Leo Garrett Jr. and the Southwestern Theological Tradition
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 65, No. 1 - Fall 2022
Editor: David S. Dockery
By Patrick Schreiner. Wheaton: Crossway, 2022, 179 pp., $23.99
Students of the Bible have long valued the book of Acts for its historical presentation of the spread of the gospel as it overcomes geographical, ethnic, and religious boundaries. Undoubtedly, increased appreciation for the ministries of the Apostles–specifically Peter and Paul–is a natural overflow of any reading of Acts. The historical moniker “Acts of the Apostles” is case in point. Fewer readers of Acts, however, exult in the theology of Acts, perhaps because of the transitional and programmatic nature of Luke’s narrative.
Patrick Schreiner recognizes these important truths, yet his purpose in The Mission of the Triune God is to focus on the theology of Acts by drawing together several themes from Luke’s narrative. In fact, Schreiner identifies seven themes “to summarize Luke’s main theological aims” and to demonstrate that “Acts is about God, the God who continues his mission to glorify himself by blessing the nations through his chosen people” (p. 27). These themes are integrated, but they also build upon each other throughout the narrative.
The mission of the Triune God is foundational to understanding the theology of Acts. Chapter one establishes the work of God the Father, orchestrating the “action” of the narrative according to his plan to multiply the Word and advance his kingdom. Chapter two focuses on the Son, the risen and ascended Lord who gives life and rules over all. Chapter three shows how the Spirit–the promise of the Father and the Son–comes to extend the mission of Jesus’ exal- tation by saving, recreating, and reconciling a new people and a new kingdom community.
The theological themes of chapters four through seven build upon the trinitarian foundation. Specifically, the mission of the Triune God in Acts is exhibited in the multiplication of the Word, the dissemination of the gospel message of salvation to “all flesh” (from Jews to Gentiles to barbarians), the establishing of the church as the new people of God, and the mission of believers to be witnesses for Christ to the end of the earth.
Schreiner’s writing is accessible and enjoyable–it isn’t often that a serious work in biblical theology includes contemporary cultural references (from Kanye West to Gustav Holst) that set up theological emphases. The accessibility, however, does not betray the academic and pastoral vigor that Schreiner demonstrates in tracing the theological themes of Acts. As such, The Mission of the Triune God is a valuable supplement for preparation in preaching through Acts, but also a helpful catalyst for deeper study and engagement with the narrative of Acts and its theology.
One of twenty volumes in a series on New Testament Theology by Crossway, Schreiner’s contribution faithfully executes the overall purpose and aim. As stated by editors Thomas R. Schreiner (Patrick’s father) and Brian S. Rosner–both noted biblical theologians in their own right–this series is a project in biblical theology that includes historical and literary dimensions of the biblical text but focuses on the theological emphases in view of the Bible’s overarching narrative and Christocentric focus (p. 13). Readers will benefit from Schreiner’s achievement of these goals for the book of Acts in The Mission of the Triune God.
For example, Schreiner adeptly weaves together the Old Testament teachings of Exodus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, and Psalms (and more) into the progressive tapestry of God’s mission to form a people for himself, ultimately in the Church, through the person and work of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts does not exist in a theological vacuum, but rather fulfills and propels the Old Testament witness to God’s mission in the world.
Essential to Schreiner’s thesis is that Acts is a renewal document: “a model, a prototype, an exemplar for the renewal of the church” (p. 20). By renewal, Schreiner correctly defends the ongoing work and witness of the church to the nations after Luke concludes Acts 28. Jesus rules and reigns now through the church, and the commission to be his witnesses (empowered by the Holy Spirit) has not ceased after the activity of the early church recorded by Luke. The theology of Acts establishes this reality, as the Word continues to multiply, and the kingdom of God steadily advances (even in the face of persecution). Schreiner writes to encourage the contemporary church not to forget, or lack faithfulness to, the mission of the Triune God until Jesus returns.
Certainly, other themes could be included and more could be said about the theology of Acts than Schreiner has articulated. Readers will be hard-pressed, however, to find a clearer, more concise treatment of a biblical theology of Acts than this work. The Mission of the Triune God is a notable contribution and a commendable resource for any theological and pastoral library.
Schreiner is Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is also author of the newly released Acts in the Christian Standard Commentary series by Holman Reference (B&H).
