Joel Beeke

Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Mich. He is co-author of A Puritan Theology.

  • Betrayed by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2008

    Matthew 26 offers a series of short but brilliantly lit scenes surrounding the betrayal of Jesus. The chapter opens with Christ announcing the end of His public preaching ministry. After this, He says to His disciples: “After two days is …Read More

  • True Shepherding by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2007

    Every morning for several months, my wife and I walked past an injured Canada goose, whose feathers stuck out in several directions. For all those months, several geese dutifully stayed with the injured bird. Likewise, caring for the wounded is …Read More

  • Christ Forsaken by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2008

    “Ay, ay, d’ye know what it was—dying on the cross,
    forsaken by His Father — d’ye know what it was?…
    It was damnation — and damnation taken lovingly.”
          — John “Rabbi” Duncan (1796–1870)
    “And about the ninth hour Jesus …Read More

  • A Just War by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | October 2008

    Throughout His public ministry, Jesus spoke out against the scribes and the Pharisees. Christ sums up His case against them in Matthew 23 as He teaches multitudes and His disciples at the temple on the Tuesday of Passion Week. Christ …Read More

  • For the Record by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | August 2008

    People in the news are often asked to give their views on hot issues of the day. Matthew 19 presents such a scenario: Christ is at the height of His public ministry, when “great multitudes followed him” (v. 2 KJV …Read More

  • The Turning Point by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2008

    The turning point in Matthew’s account of Christ’s life and work occurs in chapter 16: “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of …Read More

  • How the Kingdom Comes by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | June 2008

    Matthew 13 presents a priceless display of some parables of Christ and also gives His reasons for using this device in His teaching ministry. Best of all, it offers two examples of Christ’s own interpretation of His parables. They …Read More

  • The Faithful Minister by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    Matthew 11 begins with a brief reference to Jesus’ commissioning the twelve apostles (see 10:2–5), then returning to His work as a minister of the Word. This is the context for understanding the events and sayings of Chapter …Read More

  • Portraits of Jesus by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2008

    Matthew 8 presents several portraits of Christ in ministry. A comparison of Matthew’s accounts with those in other gospels makes it clear that Matthew’s portraits are not arranged in chronological order. Rather, they are given to us to …Read More

  • Be Ye Perfect by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2008

    In Matthew 5:33–48, Jesus tells us how we are to fulfill the law — not legalistically, but in a spirit of Christ-like love. The goal is that we might strive to obey His final admonition in verse 48: “Be …Read More

  • Christ Victorious by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2008

    A perpetual state of war exists between Christ, the champion of God, and the Devil, the prince of this world (Gen. 3:15). Matthew 4:1–11 tells of one of Christ’s great victories over the Devil and the …Read More

  • Thy King Cometh unto Thee by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | September 2008

    On the outskirts of the city, Jesus sends two disciples to a nearby village to fetch a female donkey and her colt. The owner of these animals, although unknown to the disciples, is on close terms with Christ, believing in …Read More

  • Signs and Seals of Union by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2013

    Just as He called the world into being by the power of His Word (Ps. 33:6–9; Heb. 11:3), so God brings His church into being by the power of the gospel call (2 Thess. 2:13–14 …Read More

  • The Discipline of God by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | October 2010

    Church programs, campus ministries, and independent organizations today emphasize the need for radical discipleship. It is not always clear what they mean by this. The word radical can be a trendy term. What is clear is this: if one’s …Read More

  • Almost Home by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2004

    Genuine perseverance and assurance are sorely lacking among Christians today. The fruits of perseverance and assurance — diligent use of the means of grace, perseverance in heartfelt obedience to God’s will, desire for fellowship with God, yearning for God’s …Read More