New Book from Greg Nichols, Lectures in Systematic Theology – Doctrine of the Church.

Rob Ventura served as the General Editor for this volume.

Question: Greg, please tell us about your conversion and your current role as pastor in
your church.

Greg: I was raised in a nominal Christian home, ignorant of the gospel. By grace, God saved me in my early 20’s from a life of sin of which I am now ashamed. After he saved me, I finished college and got a job as a chemical engineer. At age 29, God called me from engineering into the ministry. I have pastored churches since 1978, first in NJ, then for 25 years at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, MI. After “retirement” in 2019, at age 71, I have served for the last four years as “interim” pastor at Amazing Grace Church, Catskill, NY. I am very thankful to God for the privilege of serving him and his people.

Question: What other books have you written, and can you please tell us a little bit about
them.

Greg: It has been my privilege to teach Systematic Theology since 1979, in various venues. Currently, I teach at Reformed Baptist Seminary. In order to conserve the fruit of these many years of labor, I have tried to put these systematic lectures into print. To that end, I have published the Doctrine of God, the Doctrine of Man, and the Doctrine of Christ.

Question: What is your new book about, and what motivated you to write it?
Greg: This new book, the Doctrine of the Church, is the fourth volume in this series of systematic works. In these lectures, I labor to present and apply the comprehensive teaching of the Bible, on the major themes of the Bible, in biblical categories and proportions. I attempt to discover, expound, and apply this biblical testimony without addition, subtraction, or distortion. My motive in committing these systematic lectures to writing is to preserve for future generations the fruit of labor that has taken over forty years to complete. I first began to teach the doctrine of the church in 1981.

Question: What makes this new volume unique?
Greg: The endorsements highlight qualities that distinguish this new volume. Dr. Gonzales describes it as “probably the most exegetically detailed and theologically comprehensive ecclesiology ever written.” Dr. Borgman calls it “the most thorough Baptist ecclesiology I have ever seen.”

Question: Who is your target audience for this new work?
Greg: This book is for anyone wanting to learn comprehensively what the Bible says about the church of Christ. My hope is that it will be especially helpful to seminary students and professors, and also to church leaders, pastors and deacons, who want to glorify God in their churches. As Doctor Borgman puts it: “For me, it will serve as a standard resource for all things ecclesiology.”

Question: Where can this new work be purchased?
Greg: Since it is produced through Kindle Direct Publishing, it is available on Amazon.
Additionally, the book can be purchased here:
Lectures in Systematic Theology, Vol. 4: The Doctrine of the Church – Trinity
Book Service
Solid Ground Books

Endorsements:

Greg Nichols has provided the most thorough Baptist ecclesiology I have ever seen. First, Nichols puts the STEM in Systematic. I have never before read “Let me illustrate this mathematically” in a Systematic Theology! Nichols deals with issues which are of particular interest to Reformed Baptists, such as association, crisis resolution, membership, the ordinances, and an often-overlooked topic, training men for the ministry. Second, Nichols’ theology is exegetically driven. Each section includes the exegesis of multiple passages. This is no mere proof texting systematic theology; this is systematics in the rich tradition of Vos and Murray. Nichols’ appendices are full of lexical and exegetical detail. Third, Nichols is experientially rich. This is not just ivory tower theology; this is theology applied. Finally, there is a freshness in his approach, for example, his section on the spiritual gifts of the church is as refreshing as it is detailed. It is hard to imagine sitting down and just reading through this work. It is not only exhaustive, but exhausting! However, for me it will serve as a standard resource for all things ecclesiology. What an achievement!

–Dr. Brian Borgman, Pastor of Grace Community Church, Minden, Nevada

I believe The Doctrine of the Church is Greg Nichols’ magnum opus. Drawing from the best of the Reformed and Baptist traditions and leaving no stone unturned, he has produced what is probably the most exegetically detailed and theologically comprehensive ecclesiology ever written. In this work, Nichols follows in the steps of Korah’s Sons and honors the Messianic King by extolling the glories and privileges of the King’s Bride.  

–Dr. Robert Gonzales, Dean of Reformed Baptist Seminary, Coconut Creek, Florida

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgements.  

Preface.  

Course Outline.

Topical Index.

Abbreviations.

Required and Recommended Reading.

Topic 1: An Orientation to Ecclesiology.

Topic 2: A Reformed Baptist Confession of the Church.

Topic 3: A Biblical Definition of the Church.

Topic 4: The Distilled Essence of the Church.

Topic 5: The Substantial Foundation of the Church.

Topic 6. The Corporate Nature of the Church.

Topic 7: The Manifold Identity of the Church.

Topic 8: The Messianic Institution of the Church.

Topic 9: The Evangelical Membership of the Church.

Topic 10: The Apostolic Government of the Church.

Topic 11: The Covenantal Organization of the Church.

Topic 12: The Spiritual Animation of the Church.

Topic 13: The Prescribed Convocation of the Church.

Topic 14: The Christian Mission of the Church.

Topic 15: The Sacred Vocation of the Church.

Topic 16: Spiritual Warfare.

Topic 17: Evangelism.

Topic 18: Ordinances: Baptism and Communion.

Topic 19: Instruction.

Topic 20: Discipline.

Topic 21: Devotion: Worship and Prayer

Topic 22: Brotherly Love: Fellowship, Nurture, and Benevolence.

Topic 23: The Institutional Relations of the Church: Family and State.

Topic 24: The Successful Fruition of the Church.

Topic 25: The Importance and Improvement of the Church.