Theological Journals, Part 3

“Theologians You Should Know: Apostolic Fathers to the 21st Century,” Dr. Michael Reeves discusses Polycarp’s trial, refusal to say “Caesar is Lord," his testimony and famed statement, his burning and, finally, his stabbing. He neither glorified nor sought martyrdom. This was a local wave of persecution in Smyrna.

Princeton Theological Review (Vol.22, No.1, Spring 2007): in “Justice, Mercy, and Forgiveness: Jesus’ Cross to Bare,” Sharon L. Baker argues that the “violence” theory of God in the penal, Anselmian, and satisfaction atonement involves God as the "violent God" and that this Christian doctrine is the source of all violence in the world. Quite the opening. 

Reformed Faith and Practice (May 2022): in “For Machen, Fosdick was a Small Part of the Problem,” Dr. D. G. Hart notes that Machen was way ahead of the agnostic, unscholarly Fosdick and that he, Machen, was involved in investigative committees of the PCUSA GA--investigating the doctrinal disturbances in the church. Machen cites Fosdick as an exhibit of doctrinal declension and indifferentism afoot in the mainline-flat-liners. The "social pragmatism" and "utilitarianism" is the new hermeneutic of the downgraders.

Seed and Harvest (Winter 2021, Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry): discusses four staff additions. Of course, TESM, like ACNA, supports women's ordinations and, we would add, the "De-Bishopping of St. Paul's Pastorals." 

Hedgehog Review (Sprin 2017): in the “Strange Persistence of Guilt,” Dr. Wilfred M. McClay ends the article by citing Freud’s anxiety that a world without religion may well end up with greater problems—unresolved guilts—the persistent problem of the day.

Concordia Theological Journal (January 2022), in “Confessional Loyalty or `I Let That Subscription Lapse?’”, Scott R. Murray sets the pace in the very title. Confession is an act before God using God’s Word to speak to God in prayer and worship and speaking that Word to the world. Should we let that "subscription lapse?" We would add that the PCUSA's 1988 GA noted, "We have no doctrinal core, just diversities." 

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal 55,1 (Fall, 2021): in “Introduction to Church Holidays from Gereformeerd Kerkrecht,” Peter Vander Schaa comments on the history of the liturgical calendar pertaining to Passion Week. A very fair and good piece of historical reconstruction.