Theological Journals, Part 4: 10/18/2022

Reformed Faith and Practice (May 2022): in “What Counts as `Biblical’ Philosophy? Reflections from Dru Johnson’s Biblical Philosophy, Dr. Gray Sutanto of Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington D. C., thankfully ends his long-talk that biblical philosophy must rise from biblical theology. What, pray tell, is he talking about? That'll fizzle off into the ether. Nice chat for the faculty lounge, but not for Charlie and Suzy in the pew. Theology is doctrinal (propositional, intellectual) but doxology and practical. Concordia Theological Journal (January 2022), in “Ph.D. Program at Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne” is described. Protestant Reformed Theological Journal 55,1 (Fall, 2021): BOOK REVIEW: The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End: Volume 1: The Millenium, by David J. Engelsma. Jenison: Reformed Free Publishing Associations, 2021. Pp. 350. $29.95. ISBN-13: 978-1-944555-67-2. [Reviewed by Martyn McGeown]. Some hot talk by Rev. McGeown in his summary on postmillennialism and premillennial dispensationalism—as carnal systems without hope. OK. Noted. Themelios (Dec 2021): in “The Placement of Paul’s Composition of 1 Corinthians in Troas,” Daryn Graham speaks of “letters” (plural) to Galatia. Willy nilly. Reminds someone of his early days in NT studies. Still recommending Dr. Donald Guthrie’s NT work as the “go-to.” Or, Theodore Zahn’s 3-volume NT. Themelios (2022): in “Dr Strange in the Multi-perspectival Paradox,” Dr. Daniel Strange is enthusing over Dr. Very Poythress’s “Symphonic Theology.” We’ll live Poythress and Frame to entertain their audiences. Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies (5.2: 2020): in “Catholicity from an Anglican Perspective,” Prof. Eugene R. Schlesinger tells us, willy nilly, out of the gate, that the ACNA and TEC are “political divisions.” At least one can laugh some and, according to Gramma, should laugh. Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal (1837): the Editor continues to expound the authority and place of the civil magistrate, to uphold God’s moral laws. Oh oh! Theocracy! Oh no! Southwestern Theological Journal (Fall 2021): BOOK REVIEW: The Trinity: An Introduction. By Scott R. Swain. Wheaton: Crossway, 2020, 155pp., $15.99. From the early wrap, this sounds like an excellent, introductory volume on the “Biblical grammar of Trinitarianism.” Good for scholars, pastors and laymen. That is, something in plain talk about this subject. One is reminded of Rev. Ed Bickerseth’s volume, that good CoE man from Exeter. The Biblical Repertory/Princeton Review (January 1837). The Editors review “Melancthon’s Letters:” we read of a letter by Melancthon to Spalatain arguing that theologians should be Bishops, not canon lawyers. Sounds like a Cranmer-Gardiner theme where Cranmer uses “canon lawyer” as a donnish put-down of Gardiner, a non-theologian.