Theological Journals, Part 3

Themelios (Dec 2021): in “Raised up from the Dust: An Exploration of Hannah’s Reversal Motif in the Book of Esther as Evidence of Divine Sovereignty,” Dr. Justin Jackson clearly exposits 1 Samuel 2 as the reversal theme pointing to God’s sovereignty that humbles the proud and exalts the humble—albeit individual, this rises to national prominence in the Esther narrative. VALUE: shows the utter importance of the need for a full-orbed, Biblical view of God. All heresies and apostasies rise from failures on this front. New Horizons (June 2022): in “Augustine’s Short Prayers in His Confessions,” Rev. Shane Lems reviews a few prayers by Augustine as exhibits of depth and earnest faith, pointing a way forward for one’s prayer life. As usual, from our Presbyterian friends, they take their leave from Reformed Prayer Book Churchmanship. VALUE: highlight Augustine and to remind one of the inherent values of the old BCP. Not even a note from our Presbyterian brother, a deficiency, yet, loving him in Christ. But then, the Anglicans have let their doctrinal subscription lapse decades ago, so we can’t follow that path for a minute. Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies (5.2: 2020): in “The One Church, the Many Churches,” the Roman scholar, Eduardo Echeverria is doing techno-mumbo-jumbo. Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal (1837): the Editor is expositing Romans 8.1-4 with comments on the “law,” a tough issue in Pauline theology. Southwestern Theological Journal (Fall 2021), in “THE USE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IN THE EPISTLE TO THE JAMES, 1-2 PETER AND JUDE,” Dr. Mark Taylor comments on the doctrinal, murderous, fiscal and rebellious nature of false teachers. Those four characteristics arise from Jude’s use of the OT. VALUE: applications to Graffies, Barthians, naturalists, experientialists, TBN $$-hunters, and others. A challenging question in terms of application. Reformed Theological Journal (Sept 2020), in “Christian Platonism” and Christological Interpretation: A Response to Craig A. Carter, Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition,” Daniel J. Treier of Wheaton College is muddying up issues without clarity. VALUE: to see how techno-mumbo-jumbo does nothing for a graduate student or person in the pew.