Theological Journals, Part 1: 9/24/2022

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (Mar 2022): in “Temptation of an Evangelical Theologian,” Dr. R. Albert Mohler comments on how Evangelicals in 1949 wanted to bury the term “Fundamentalism” as retreatistic, separationistic, and dismissive of cultural engagements—pursuing the larger end of respectability from the culture and academy. Dr. Mohler seems to be warning of retreatism or a return to fundamentalistic non-engagement. ??. Not a theological word about the “antithesis” in the Dutch Reformed stream of the church—involvement in the world of affairs yet separation from the sins of the world. Anglican Theological Review (May 2022): in “’As if possessing but one mouth’: How Irenaeus Christianizes Classical Harmonia,” Dr. Jack Franicevich deals with Cicero and Quintillian with the interpretative rules in dealing with legal texts. Seemingly, Irenaeus pursued the same direction, that is, interpretation must recover the context and authorial intention of the text. Good sense. Anglican Theological Review (Aug 2022): “Editors Introduction:” this edition is dedicated to historical retrieval on Archbishop Tutu, South Africa’s Constitution, and racism in the apartheid. Trinity Journal (TEDS, Spring 2022): in “Biography and Historical Reliability in the Gospel of John,” Dr. Te-Li Lau, NT Prof. at TEDS, discusses “genre” with John as a biography of Jesus, like the other Gospels. One often heard that the Gospels are NOT biographies. A 1992 book recovers the idea that they are biographies. Anglican and Episcopal History (Aug 2022): in “Black Radicalism in the Episcopal Church: Absalom Jones and Slave Resistance, 1746-1818), Dr. D.A. Dunkley comments on Absalom Jones’s persistent pursuit of education as a black slave serving in a household in Philadelphia. He was influenced by a Quaker in the Quaker school, a school dedicated to abolitionism. However, the school was viewed as imparting seditious notions. Table Talk (August 2022):: “Plurality of Elders” by Rev. Michael Brown of Chiesa Riformata, Milan, Italy. Using standard NT texts, he argues that plurality of elders makes for accountability amongst leaders, shared responsibilities and the checks and compensations in helping the Rector or Pastor. Table Talk (September 2022): “Christian Anthropology and the Moral Law,” Dr. David Van Drunen anthropology, work, gender and sex, and race. He turns to the “value of human life,” Ukraine and murder, e.g., abortion seems to be in view also, but we’ll see. He argues quite ably from the Bible and science. No such thing as “races” genetically. Sex and gender are created orders with scientific backup. Table Talk (Oct 2022): “Prudence:” Rev. Mgabu makes the foray, a term better lived than defined. Proverbs is called in to help. Speech is involved, prudence and discretion. Standard Bearer: (Aug 2022): in “Roe Overturned:” attorney Brian Van Engen begins his review of the SCOTUS decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision. Warrantable, interesting, and captivating thus far. Standard Bearer (September 1, 2022): “Antinomians? With a Doubt (2):” Prof. Ronald Cammenga engages the conflict of the schismatic RPC that branched off from the PRC. The former asserts that forgiveness precedes repentance. The Prof. says no citing Psalm 32. Stay tuned. Standard Bearer (September 15,2022): “Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Matthew 18:” Prof. Gritters expertly handles the issue of incest, sexual abuse and the duties of the Church to publicly, not privately, rebuke these private sins. A child must report such to parents and elders who take it from there. Well done inquiry by the Professor who advocates for stated policies in the church and Christian schools.