NEW HORIZONS in the ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN

6 End-Time Living 20 Review: Sinclair Ferguson’s APRIL 2017 // by George R. Cottenden The Whole Christ // by Arthur J. Fox

“For Us and for Our Salvation”

by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. // 3 VOLUME 38, NUMBER 4 CONTENTS New Horizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church Editor: Danny E. Olinger Managing Editor: James W. Scott FEATURES Editorial Assistant: Patricia E. Clawson 3 Cover Designer: Christopher Tobias “For Us and for Our Salvation” Proofreader: Sarah J. Pederson Editorial Board: The Committee on Christian By Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Education’s Subcommittee on Serial Publications 6 End-Time Living © 2017 by The Committee on Christian Education of By George R. Cottenden The Orthodox Presbyterian Church. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are 8 The Reformation of Church Polity from The ESV® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing By John Muether ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (We use the 2011 revision.) Articles previously published may be slightly edited. DEPARTMENTS New Horizons (ISSN: 0199-3518) is published monthly except for a combined issue, usually August- 10 September, by the Committee on Christian Education Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 N. Easton Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539; tel. 215- Presbyterian church forming in East Asia 830-0900; fax 215-830-0350. 12 Letters to the editor are welcome. They should deal Christian Education with an issue the magazine has recently addressed. Review: Choosing the Good Portion Their language should be temperate, and they may not charge anyone with an offense. They should be brief, • Our membership vows • Out of the mouth … and they may be condensed by the editor. 14 Send inquiries, letters to the editor, and other Home Missions correspondence to the editor at [email protected]. Corona, Calif. Send address changes to [email protected]. Allow six weeks for address changes. 16 Stewardship The digital edition (PDF, ePub, mobi) and an archive of previous issues are available at www.opc.org. Giving and worship Views expressed by our writers are not necessarily 17 those of the editors or official positions of the Prayer Calendar Orthodox Presbyterian Church. 19 Copies are distributed free to members and friends News, Views, & Reviews of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Nonmembers are asked to donate $20.00 for an annual subscription (USD $30.00 if sent to addresses in Canada; $40.00 elsewhere abroad). A free e-mail PDF subscription is also available. Requests for a subscription should be sent to [email protected] or the address below. Periodicals postage is paid at Willow Grove, Pa., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to New Horizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 N. Easton Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539.

On January 28, fourteen people from San Antonio Reformed Church (Andrew Moody, ) took a short mission trip to Austin to join with people from South Austin Presbyterian Church (Jim Cassidy, pastor) in reaching out to the neighborhood in which they meet for worship.

2 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 “FOR US AND FOR OUR SALVATION”

RICHARD B. GAFFIN, JR. // In making use of the Nicene Creed in our worship, we confess in part about Jesus Christ that he “for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he deserves. Most if not all believers grasp the resurrection. His resurrection, no rose again according to the Scriptures, in some measure the saving truth of pe- less than his death, is at the heart of the and ascended into heaven, and is seated nal substitution, of Christ’s “once offer- gospel (Rom. 1:3–4; 1 Cor. 15:3–4). The at the right hand of the Father; and he ing up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy resurrection is often viewed primarily shall come again, with glory, to judge divine justice, and reconcile us to God” as the awesome miracle that validates both the living and the dead; whose (Shorter Catechism, 25). At the same the truth of Christianity and the gos- kingdom shall have no end.” Together time, however, it seems fair to say that pel. But it is more than such crowning with the rest of the “one holy catholic in general Christians are not as clear evidence—much more. and apostolic” church down through the about the answer to our question about Sin, Salvation, and the centuries, we affirm what has achieved the saving efficacy of the resurrection. Resurrection and continues to secure our salvation: No Resurrection, No Salvation the death, resurrection, ascension, and Salvation on its negative side is heavenly session of the incarnate Son, It should be immediately apparent salvation from sin. All too evidently the the eternal Son of God become man. that the death of a dead Christ, a Christ destructive consequences of sin are vir- This confession prompts the ques- who remains dead, achieves nothing for tually incalculable, its misery untold. At tion I want to consider here. How spe- our salvation. Paul makes that clear in the same time, those innumerable con- cifically is the resurrection “for our sal- 1 Corinthians 15: if Christ hasn’t been sequences are basically twofold. First, vation”? What in particular is the saving raised, then our faith is “futile,” or “use- sin affects our standing before God; it efficacy, or “efficiency,” of the resurrec- less,” and we are “still in [our] sins”— renders us guilty, liable to his just judg- tion? Or, to ask the question negatively, entirely—and our situation all told is ment and condemnation. Second, it af- without the resurrection, what would “most to be pitied” (vv. 17, 19). Minus fects our condition, in that it leaves become of our salvation? the resurrection, death continues with us thoroughly corrupt and enslaved to To the question of how Christ’s unabated, invincible finality, and it does and sin as the power that domi- death is for our salvation, virtually ev- so as “the wages of sin” we so justly de- nates our lives. The depth of sin’s effects ery Christian will likely have a ready serve (Rom. 6:23). are such that, left to ourselves, apart and heartfelt answer: he died that my Certainly without the death of from God’s saving grace, we are noth- sins might be forgiven, to bear in my Christ there is no salvation, but then ing less than “dead in ... trespasses and place the eternal punishment my sin neither is there any salvation without sins” (Eph. 2:1, 5). Sin leaves the sinner

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 3 both inexcusably guilty and helplessly warranted by the righteousness mani- along a number of lines, including the enslaved. fested in Jesus’ obedience “in the flesh,” one we will follow here. “But where sin abounded, grace that is, during his life on earth prior to Again, as with justification, union abounded much more” (Rom. 5:20, the resurrection. with Christ is crucial. We are united nkjv). As the effects of sin, in its But the justification of Christ in with him in his death and resurrection, abounding, are either one of two basic his resurrection was not just for his own signified and sealed to us in baptism, kinds, so too, in countering and allevi- sake, apart from us; it was also for us, “in order that, just as Christ was raised ating these effects, grace—manifold, “for our justification.” Our justifica- from the dead by the glory of the Fa- superabounding in its effects—is basi- tion flows from our union with him, by ther, we too might walk in newness of cally twofold. Grace is either judicial or Spirit-worked faith, along with the life” (Rom. 6:4). Here the resurrection renovative, reversing either our guilt- other benefits of salvation manifested of Christ is linked specifically with the ridden standing before God or our cor- by that union (Larger Catechism, 69). newness that marks the Christian life. rupt, sin-enslaved condition. The role of Because of our union with him, then, That newness surely has in view Christ’s the resurrection in bringing about that we share in his justification; his resur- life as resurrected, the resurrection life reversal can be seen here by focusing on rection-approved righteousness is reck- he shares with those who are united to justification and sanctification. oned as ours, imputed to us. him. The Resurrection and Justification At the same time, this union pre- The source and quality of this life serves a key difference—a gospel dif- are further clarified in Romans 8:11: “If For justification, a key text is Ro- ference—that is not to be missed. the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from mans 4:25: Jesus “was delivered up for Christ’s justification, unlike ours, does the dead dwells in you, he who raised our trespasses and raised for our justi- not involve the imputation to him of Christ Jesus from the dead will also give fication.” Earlier in Romans, Paul has the righteousness of another. Unlike us, life to your mortal bodies through his said that Christ’s death was a propitia- he is declared righteous on the ground Spirit who dwells in you.” What God tory sacrifice, so that God might be “just of his own lifelong, blood-bought righ- the Father did in raising Jesus from the and the justifier” of believers (3:25–26). teousness. dead he will also do for believers. The Later he says that “we have now been Calvin has beautifully captured this controlling thought here is the tie or justified by his blood” (5:9). In 4:25, reality: unity that there is between the bodi- however, justification is connected spe- ly resurrection of Christ and that of Therefore, that joining together of cifically with Christ’s resurrection in Christians. Head and members, that indwelling distinction from his sacrificial death. The intrinsic nature of that unity of Christ in our hearts—in short, that How are we to understand that is made most explicit in 1 Corinthians mystical union—are accorded by us connection? On the basis of his life of 15:20, 23. There Christ is described as the highest degree of importance, so obedience, culminating in his death as “the firstfruits” of the resurrection. To that Christ, having been made ours, the representative sin-bearer and righ- extend the metaphor as Paul surely in- makes us sharers with him in the gifts teous substitute for sinners (Phil. 2:8; tends, his resurrection and ours are the with which he has been endowed. We Rom. 3:25; 8:3; 2 Cor. 5:21), Christ’s beginning and the end of one, single do not, therefore, contemplate him resurrection is his own justification. harvest. outside ourselves from afar in order This is so in the sense that the action Christ’s resurrection is, as is of- that his righteousness may be imput- of God in raising him from the dead— ten said, the guarantee of ours, but we ed to us but because we put on Christ that enlivening act itself—vindicates should appreciate that this is so because and are engrafted into his body—in him in his obedience and effectively his resurrection is nothing less than “the short, because he deigns to make us demonstrates his righteousness. The actual beginning of this general epochal one with him. For this reason, we resurrection, then, is a de facto decla- event” (Vos, Pauline Eschatology, p. 45). glory that we have fellowship of righ- ration of his righteous standing before As believers, we can be sure of our teousness with him. (Institutes of the God. As an event, Christ’s resurrection own resurrection, not only because God Christian Religion, 3.11.10) “speaks,” and it does so judicially, in a has decreed it and promised it (which legal manner. The Resurrection and would surely be enough for us!), but First Timothy 3:16 confirms this. Sanctification because he has done more: that decree There Christ is described as “manifest- has been realized, that promise has al- ed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit” How then is the resurrection es- ready been fulfilled, in history; the res- (nkjv). This almost certainly has in sential for our sanctification—for­ the urrection harvest in which believers will view the Holy Spirit’s action in rais- renovative side of salvation, for lives share bodily at the end of history, when ing Jesus from the dead (Rom. 8:11). pleasing to God and marked by holi- Christ returns, has already begun. It has This response by the Spirit was justly ness? That question can be answered entered history and become visible in

4 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 his resurrection. Christ and the Spirit. The eternal, es- And that intercession of Christ, resur- The Resurrection, the Holy Spirit, sential distinction and equality between rected and ascended, as gracious as it is and the Christian the second and third persons of the hardly gratuitous, refutes any and every remain unchanged. charge that would call into question the Romans 8:11, as it highlights this But because of who Christ, in his justification of God’s elect. Moreover, it resurrection unity, brings into view the human nature, has become in his state insures, with an infallible efficacy, that activity of the Holy Spirit. God will res- of exaltation, he and the Spirit are now “they can never fall from the state of jus- urrect us bodily, as he did Jesus, through one in their work of giving life. This life tification” (Confession of Faith, 11.5). the enlivening action of the Spirit. But is nothing less than resurrection life in Finally, consider Romans 8:29. more is said here than what will be true the Spirit. As we have seen, this is not God’s predestinating purpose for be- in the future. The Spirit of resurrection only a future hope, but already a present lievers centers ultimately in their being is the indwelling Spirit; he is already reality for believers. “conformed to the image of his Son, present in believers. This points us to a Of course, the bond between in order that he might be the firstborn fundamental truth about the Christian Christ and the Spirit did not begin at among many brothers.” This “image” is life: life in the Spirit is sharing in the the resurrection. Christ was conceived the Son’s as he is resurrected, specifically resurrection life of Christ. by the Spirit (Luke 1:35), and the Spirit in his now-glorified human nature. He That comes out clearly in the later descended on him at his baptism is “the firstborn among many broth- verses that immediately precede (vv. by John (Luke 3:21–22). ers” only as he is “the firstborn from the 9–10). Four combinations are present The difference, the momentous dif- dead” (Col. 1:18). there: (1) “you … in the Spirit,” (2) “the ference, is this: At his baptism, Christ Our privilege, great beyond our Spirit … in you,” (3) to “belong to him received the Spirit as an endowment comprehension, is this: we have been [Christ]”—equivalent here to “you … to carry out the messianic task before chosen in Christ “before the foundation in Christ,” and (4) “Christ … in you.” him, the task that ultimately led to the of the world” (Eph. 1:4) to the ultimate These expressions hardly intend to split cross. But in his exaltation, in his res- end that we be like Christ. This confor- the believer’s life into four different sec- urrection leading to his ascension (Acts mity to his image, already being worked tors; together they provide a unified, 2:32–33), he received the Spirit as the in us by the sanctifying power of the overall perspective on that life. consummate reward for having com- Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19), will be In this mutual indwelling, Christ pleted that assigned kingdom task. And fully realized when, like him, we are and the Spirit are one. In their presence he does not keep this reward for “his raised bodily. and activity, the Spirit is “the Spirit of own private use” (Calvin); it becomes But there is more to this than what Christ” (v. 9). There is no relationship, the consummate gift that he shares per- is ultimate for us. Even more ultimate no union with Christ, that is not at the manently with his people at Pentecost. in God’s predestinating purposes is same time fellowship with the Spirit. So, Jesus Christ—the resurrected, what is at stake for the Son personally There is no work of the Spirit in our life-giving Spirit—has promised us: in our salvation, what he has invested lives that is not also the presence of “I am with you always, to the end of for himself. This, as much as anything, is Christ at work in us (see Eph. 3:16–17). the age” (Matt. 28:20). He is with the why from all eternity the Son willed, to- This inseparable bond between church to stay, indwelling believers as gether with the Father and the Spirit, to Christ and the Spirit does not begin he provides every spiritual blessing and become incarnate, to suffer and die. He with our experience; rather, it rests on resource that we need to carry out our did so, so that, having been resurrected what is first of all true in the experience kingdom task of discipling the nations. triumphant over sin and death, he might of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15, we are So, too, as the life-giving Spirit, he is have brothers like himself—brothers told that Christ, the , as the present with us in a special, sacramen- glorified not because of anything in “firstfruits” of the resurrection harvest, tal way when he invites us to commune themselves, but entirely because of his became the “life-giving Spirit” (v. 45). with him at his table. saving mercy. They will share with him At his resurrection, he was not only glo- Even More Than That in this triumph and magnify forever his rified by being transformed in his hu- own preeminent exaltation glory. And man nature by the enlivening power of How, then, was Christ resurrected so his “kingdom shall have no end.” the Spirit. He also came into a posses- “for us and for our salvation”? I have Surely there can be no more ulti- sion of the Spirit that was so climactic, done little more here than to begin con- mate perspective on Christ’s resurrection so unprecedented, so overflowing, that sidering the answer. I have not yet taken “for us and for our salvation” than this. it is properly captured by calling him note of what is as important as any- the “life-giving Spirit.” thing: Christ, “who died —more than The author, an OP , is emeritus Note that this in no way compro- that, who was raised,” intercedes for us professor of at West- mises the personal distinction between at God’s right hand (Rom. 8:33–34). minster Theological Seminary.

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 5 END-TIME LIVING

GEORGE R. COTTENDEN // What time it is often determines the way you act. For example, you behave differently on Saturday morning, when you don’t have to get to work or school, than you do on the other days of the week. You may even sleep in. In a football game, strategy changes at different times in the game, especially once the two-minute times—this is the period in which we in a general sense during the period of warning has sounded and the team with live. These expressions refer to the years his humiliation. Rather, it refers specifi- the ball is eager to score. from the first coming of Christ until he cally to Christ’s suffering unto death on What we eat and drink also de- returns in glory. This period is seen as the cross. pends on what time it is. If I want a one block of time that shapes who we Jesus endured a substitutionary good night’s sleep, I avoid caffeinated are and the way we are to respond to the death. He suffered, “the righteous for coffee in the evening. varied affairs of life. the unrighteous.” He died in the place In each of these cases, the way we Living with an Awareness of Who of his people. He bore our guilt on live is shaped by what time it is. We Are in Christ Calvary. He took our place, so that the In 1 Peter 4:1–11, the apostle can say of us that we wants his readers to understand that we How are we supposed to live in the have died with Christ. Our union with live in a certain kind of time that must end-time? What is special about the Christ in his death defines who we are govern our actions. He says, “The end of period of time in which we live? now. We are people who have died. We all things is at hand” (v. 7). In the first place, we are to live with no longer have the same relationship to Similarly, the Epistle to the He- an awareness of who we are in Christ. sin and death that we had before. brews begins, “Long ago, at many times We are to think in the same way he Peter picks up on this in chapter 4. and in many ways, God spoke to our did when he was on earth. Peter says in The Christian who has suffered in the fathers by the prophets, but in these last verse 1, “Since therefore Christ suffered flesh, in the sense that Christ has suf- days he has spoken to us by his Son.” in the flesh, arm yourselves with the fered in the flesh, has “ceased from sin” The apostle John says, “Children, it same way of thinking.” (v. 1). The point is not that Christ was is the last hour, and as you have heard The reference to Christ suffering in sinning and then stopped sinning be- that is coming, so now many the flesh points back to what Peter said cause of his death. Rather, he bore our have come. Therefore we in 3:18: “For Christ also suffered once guilt and, having taken it to the cross, know that it is the last hour” (1 John for sins, the righteous for the unrigh- he no longer bears that burden. He has 2:18). teous, that he might bring us to God, taken care of it once and for all. In 1 Peter 1:20, we read that Christ being put to death in the flesh but made United to Christ through faith, we “was made manifest in the last times.” alive in the Spirit.” What is in view in too have died to sin. We have ceased The last days, the last hour, the last this verse isn’t simply Christ’s suffering from sin, not in the sense that we no

6 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 longer sin or are tempted to sin, but work is due tomorrow can concentrate homes. If we see ourselves as stewards in the sense that we have been set free your attention. Well, we are staring at of the gifts and resources that God has from the curse and bondage of sin. a deadline. Christ is coming again. We entrusted to us (v. 10), there is no room We are no longer slaves to sin. When don’t have forever to show love or hos- for grumbling. temptations come, we have the ability, pitality. We don’t have forever to pray Living with a Focus on the Glory by God’s grace, to resist them and turn for and share the gospel with those who of Christ away from sin to live in accordance with are lost in sin. the will of God. Peter says, “Be self-controlled and But there is still a third characteris- Believers been have united to sober-minded for the sake of your tic that shapes faithful end-time living. Christ, not only in his death, but also prayers” (v. 7). He tells us to be a fo- We are to live in such a way that our in his resurrection. This too has conse- cused, praying people, self-controlled focus is on the glory of Christ. quences for the way we live. and sober-minded as we address our- Peter speaks first about God being Near the beginning of his letter, selves prayerfully to the needs of our glorified through Christ. We are to live Peter blesses because we sin-cursed world. “in order that in everything God may have been “born again to a living hope “Above all,” he says, “keep loving be glorified through Jesus Christ.” We through the resurrection of Jesus Christ one another earnestly” (v. 8). This is not have a variety of motives for why we from the dead” (1:3). In that hope, we simply an emotional “I like you and I do things, some good and some not so have been set free from the control of like to be around you” kind of love. Peter good. Is your dominant motive that you sin, “so as to live for the rest of the time is describing love that is stretched taut. want to glorify God through Christ? in the flesh no longer for human pas- That is what biblical love looks like in God sent his Son to redeem a people sions but for the will of God” (4:2). practice. It is not something that just who would be conformed to his image. “Human passions” could be taken flows as emotions gush. It involves a As we live in the ways he has just de- in the general sense of “human desires.” disciplined application of the resources scribed, the fruit of Christ’s work be- It is true that union with Christ sets us we have for the benefit of those whom comes evident and God receives glory. free from being dominated by our de- we love. Peter ends the section with an as- sires. In the light of the next few verses, This love “covers a multitude of cription of praise. “To him belong glory however, it seems that Peter is focus- sins” (v. 8). What sometimes gets in the and dominion forever and ever. Amen” ing especially on the sinful desires that way of our loving people is that they (v. 11). Does “to him” refer to Christ or dominate unbelievers. If we know who are not very lovable. We forget that we to God? The sentence structure makes we are in Christ, we can live as those aren’t very lovable either, but Christ still the former slightly more likely. Also, who are free from such desires to do the loves us. If we really love someone for there is a similar doxology in Rev- will of God as revealed in his Word. Christ’s sake, that love will cover a mul- elation 1:5–6, where it clearly is Christ Living with an Expectation of the titude of their sins. As we read in Prov- who is in view. But God is also glorified Return of Christ erbs 10:12, “Hatred stirs up strife, but through Christ, because of the way the love covers all offenses.” work of Christ shows itself in your life In verse 7, Peter points to a second This covering of sins, of course, and mine. truth that should shape our lives as we does not mean ignoring them to the Peter goes further, saying that live in this present age. We are to live in hurt of the sinner or of others. There are Christ himself, the second person of the expectation of the return of Christ. times when you have to approach some- Trinity made flesh, receives glory. This He says, “The end of all things is at one about their sins so that they can get is what Jesus prayed for in John 17:5, hand; therefore be self-controlled and right with the Lord. But we are not to “And now, Father, glorify me in your sober-minded.” He goes on to speak of let those sins be barriers to a proper love own presence with the glory that I had conduct that should be seen in us be- for the sake of Christ. with you before the world existed.” As cause the end of all things is at hand. This love involves showing hos- the second person of the Trinity, he al- History has a goal. There is an end to pitality to one another without grum- ways has had glory. Now, as the God- the present order. We don’t know when bling. In the first century, hospitality man, ascended to heaven and seated at it will occur, but we do know that, ever was very important. Travelling mission- the right hand of the Father, he is glori- since Christ’s first coming, it has been aries needed believers to open their fied when we live as those who know “at hand.” homes to them. that we are in the end-time. Live then This knowledge must shape the That isn’t as often the case today. for his glory, as those united to him by way we act. An approaching deadline But hospitality can be shown in a va- faith and eagerly awaiting his return. To can change the way you think about a riety of ways as we reach out to people him be glory forever and ever. Amen. project. Consider how knowing that to meet their needs, share our resources a term paper at school or a project at with them, and welcome them into our The author is a retired OP pastor.

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 7 THE REFORMATION OF CHURCH POLITY

JOHN MUETHER // Reformation historians commonly distin- guish between first- and second-generation Reformers. Those in the first generation (most notably Luther and Zwingli) were pio- neers in their proclamation of the formal and material principles of the Reformation, namely, the authority of Scripture and justification by faith alone. Building in the administration of church role of the older Bucer was formative, on this foundation, the second genera- discipline. especially in the development of Cal- tion consolidated theological insights In addition, Bucer argued that vin’s understanding of biblical church into confessional statements and often church councils must submit to Christ polity. From his vantage point in Stras- focused their attention on the order through the rule he has established in bourg, Calvin also witnessed a negative and discipline that should characterize his Word. Delegates to councils must example. In nearby Lutheran territories, churches of the Protestant faith. The in- be chosen with prayer and fasting, and the state was dominating the churches, novations of Roman Catholics, on the with careful examination, in order that and the pattern that developed was one one hand, and the anarchy of Anabap- their spiritual gifts would be displayed. of ecclesiastical subordination to civil tists and other radical Reformers, on the Once commissioned, councils had to magistrates. other hand, provided ample evidence of hear these delegates, lest they silence It is important to underscore that the dangers of a disordered church. the voice of the Spirit. (Here is a point Bucer, Calvin, and other reformers were The Reformed wing of the Ref- worth pondering at Presbyterian assem- not engaged in the art of invention. ormation sought especially to honor blies, when commissioners are tempted Rather, the reformation of polity was Christ as the only head of the church to end lengthy debate by means of the an exercise of rediscovery. Discipline and thus came to express what can be parliamentary device known as “calling through the office of the elder and a called the regulative principle of church the question.”) system of graded assemblies was not an government: Christ’s Word clearly re- Meanwhile, as was innovation, but was found in Scripture veals the structure of the church, and independently coming to many similar and multiple patristic sources. Under so the government of the church must conclusions in , he was person- Bucer’s influence, Calvin grew more find its basis in apostolic teaching and ally experiencing the effects of disorder- confident that the eldership was an in- practice. ly polity during his first tenure in that stitution ordained by Christ. Developments in city. The question of who had authority Calvin’s Ecclesiastical Ordinances to excommunicate provoked a dispute This fine-tuning of church polity between Calvin and the political au- Geneva’s request in 1541 that Cal- was a particular focus of thorities. He and other ministers were vin return met with his great reluctance. during his labors to reform the church banished in 1538 by the city council, He recoiled at the prospect of returning in Strasbourg. In drawing up church or- which held, in Calvin’s judgment, ex- to a place of torture, where he would dinances for the city, a particular insight cessive control over the discipline of “die a thousand times each day.” But he drew from the New Testament was the church. When Calvin sojourned willing to “bring my heart as a sacrifice the importance of the role of the ruling in Strasbourg from 1538 to 1541, the and offering to the Lord,” he returned

8 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 to the city where he would spend the its regulations be applied with compas- John Calvin’s successor, Theodore Beza rest of his life. Immediately, he set out sion and forbearance. For example, in commented in a sermon that church to order the church through his Eccle- addressing ministerial indiscretions, polity is the particular object of Satan’s siastical Ordinances, which the council the church must distinguish between attacks, because it is easier to overturn a quickly adopted as law, with only a few “crimes which are intolerable” and church’s government than its doctrine. modifications. “faults which on the other hand may be His warning could well have been de- Biographer Alister McGrath ob- endured while direct fraternal admoni- scribing the evangelical church today. serves that “if the Institutes were the tions are offered.” And in its conclu- The “regulative principle of polity” is muscles of Calvin’s reformation, his sion the Ordinances note: “Yet all this the minority position in contempo- ecclesiastical organization was its back- should be done with such moderation, rary American , which bone” (A Life of John Calvin, p. 111). The that there be no rigor by which anyone is dominated by disordered churches, preface to the Ordinances explained may be injured; for even the corrections many of which have no formal polity that “the spiritual government of the are only medicines for bringing back (including some that aspire to be “New kind which our Lord demonstrated and sinners to our Lord.” Calvinist”). Of course, doctrine without instituted in his Word should be set Calvin’s interests in polity, in turn, order does not do away with conflict in out in good order so that it might be would serve to shape the growth and the church; rather, it puts conflict reso- established and observed among us.” A development of his Institutes through lution in the hands of tyrants. key feature of the Ordinances was the several editions. References to ruling Independent, celebrity independent jurisdiction of an ecclesi- elders, absent from the first edition in mock deliberative Presbyterian polity astical court. Calvin wanted to protect 1536, appeared first in the 1541 edi- for its inefficient authority structures. the church’s right to excommunicate tion (after his Strasbourg experience) One popular preacher rather color- from interference by the civil authori- and were greatly augmented by 1559. fully suggested that Paul’s teaching on ties. The preface to the work assured the Indeed, the fourth book of that final church discipline could be summarized magistrate that the church could not edition, “The External Means or Aims in this way: a church planter must weed usurp the state in its exercise of civil Whereby God Invites Us into the So- from his membership those who would jurisdiction. These are two ordained ciety of Christ and Holds Us Therein,” stand in the way of his vision for the powers; one is given the spiritual sword, is a sustained reflection on the church church. After all, “sometimes Paul had and the other the secular sword. (To be and its proper order. So vital was this to put people into the wood chipper.” sure, Calvin would experience ongoing order to the unity and harmony of the One might well imagine Calvin as- resistance to this principle in Geneva, church that Calvin warned, “Whoever sessing that strategy as he did Roman and it would take more than a decade to discounts it as not necessary, is striving Catholic discipline in his reply to Car- establish the city’s consistent practice.) for the undoing, or rather, the ruin and dinal Sadoleto: “Among pirates and As with Bucer, Calvin outlined destruction of the church” (4.3.3). robbers there is apparently more justice four offices in the church: pastors, doc- Genevan church government and regular government, more effect tors, elders, and . The duty of the came to characterize many Reformed given to law, than by all your order.” elder entailed “oversight of the life of churches through its missionary activi- The seeming precision of Reformed everyone, to admonish amicably those ties. The Scottish church implemented polity is no small part of the common whom they see to be erring or to be liv- Genevan practice in its Second Book charge that Reformed churches consist ing a disordered life, and, where it re- of Discipline (1578), with a Presbyte- of the “frozen chosen,” so obsessed with quired, to enjoin fraternal corrections.” rian structure of graded courts, from decency and order that their growth is At the heart of Calvin’s ecclesiol- local sessions to presbyteries for re- restricted. But concern for order is not ogy was the consistory, meeting weekly, gional churches and /assemblies a Spirit-quenching institutionalism. In and composed both of lay elders and for provincial and national levels. This Edmund Clowney’s memorable words, members of the Company of Pastors. eliminated and superinten- the Spirit of ardor is also the Spirit Eschewing any notions of prelacy, he dents. The strength and flexibility of of order (The Church, p. 115). The Re- underscored the parity of elders in the such polity accounts for the remarkable formed tradition has understood that exercise of discipline. The deliberations spread of beyond Europe, church polity is the vital tool whereby of the consistory were the acts of the into the New World, Asia, and Africa. God “invites us” and “holds us.” It is the living Christ, working through his ser- These churches were generally without means by which we come to express our vants who ministered only on the basis reliance on supporting princes and of- submission to the Lord and Head of the of his Word. ten took root in seemingly hostile fields. church, and to one another. Contrary to the popular image Contemporary Church Disorder of Calvin as a grim tyrant, care is ex- The author, an OP ruling elder, teaches at pressed throughout the Ordinances that Late in his tenure at Geneva as Reformed Theological Seminary.

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 9 FOREIGN MISSIONS THE FORMING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN EAST ASIA // A MISSIONARY IN EAST ASIA The author participating in an ordination service

were part of that body. From the very outset, God used him to establish a uniquely American church that would eventu- n response to a call for a minister to serve in Colonial Amer- ally write her own book of church order. Likewise, although ica, the Presbytery of Laggan in Northern Ireland ordained Presbyterian missionaries from America, such as myself, are IFrancis Makemie in 1682 and sent him to Maryland, where laboring to assist in the organization of the forming Church, the Lord used him to plant four Presbyterian congregations it has never been our goal for this church to be responsible to the next year. In 1706, he helped to organize the Presbytery of the general assembly of a foreign denomination. To that end, Philadelphia, which eventually evolved into the Presbyterian I have been involved in the process of assisting the forming Church in the United States of America (PCUSA). Several Church to write her own book of church order. years ago, the OPC in America similarly sent me to East Asia, In the early years of the PCUSA, decisions needed to be to assist in the organization of an indigenous Presbyterian made about the exact form of the Westminster Standards that church. It would most certainly be self-aggrandizing to place would be adopted by that church. The most significant revi- myself at the same level of historical significance as Makemie, sions that the American church made to the Standards were particularly because my role in assisting the church here is far in regard to the relationship between the church and the state. less central than Makemie’s was, yet there are a few curious Currently, I am the chairman of a committee that is working parallels. to revise the translation of the Standards and to make deci- When the first presbyteries of what would become the sions about whether or not to accept the American revisions PCUSA were forming, the pastors comprising them were of the text. Given the unique position of the church within from different backgrounds. Some were trained in Europe at the state here in East Asia, consideration of these revisions is well-established Presbyterian universities. Others came out of very important. Congregationalism and were trained at institutions like Har- Like the PCUSA in its early years, the forming Church vard. Still others never had formal seminary training and were is vibrantly planting and organizing churches, as well as train- educated by pastor-mentors. But a common desire to establish ing leadership for them. There are currently six locations in a Presbyterian body in America united them. The men of the this country where presbyteries are forming. And I am prepar- forming Presbyterian Church here in East Asia (“Church”) ing to visit another location that seems to hold promise for have likewise come from different backgrounds and have been a seventh presbytery. I teach at a seminary that currently has trained in different kinds of institutions. Some have been thirty-nine men studying in its Master of Divinity program trained in America at well-established Reformed seminar- and forty-seven in its Bachelor of Divinity program. The sem- ies. Others have come out of various evangelical churches and inary is preparing these men to be pastors or other full-time have been trained in their denominational seminaries. Still ministry workers. I serve them as the chairman of a committee others have been educated or are being educated by local or that helps to examine some of these men, along with other online seminaries or have been taught by pastor-mentors. But men from around the country, for licensure and ordination. a common commitment to Christ, the Reformed faith, and Currently, the forming Church has ten ordained ministers and Presbyterian polity is uniting them. twenty-three licentiates associated with her. In 2017, I expect Although Makemie was sent to America by a presbytery to be involved in the examination of more than twenty men in Ireland, it was never his goal to establish congregations that seeking licensure or ordination.

10 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 Both the PCUSA and the forming Church were orga- about Presbyterian and Reformed church history. After teach- nized during the rapid development and political rise of the ing about all the splits that have occurred in Presbyterian nation in which they were located. The political situation of churches from the time of the Reformation to the present and both churches placed them in a strategic position to send mis- discussing the current sorry state of the PCUSA, I asked my sionaries to other nations and to have a great influence around students, “Are you ready for this?” In fact, I sometimes won- the world. For many der if I am ready and of her early years, the whether what I am PCUSA was an evan- doing makes sense. gelistic, Bible-preach- I think that, in many ing church, committed ways, church plant- to the Westminster ing is a lot like having Standards, which ag- children. We rejoice gressively sought to at our children’s birth, establish churches in even though we know other lands, taking ad- that they will suffer vantage of the oppor- and someday die, but tunities afforded by the also knowing that nation in which she those who are God’s was established. Per- elect will live again for haps the Lord is also all eternity and that opening a great door God works out his for the Church here. plan through them. She is situated in a very If church history populous country, in is our guide, it would A congregation in the forming Church which Christianity is seem that no denomi- experiencing explosive nation and very few growth. Now, nations closed to citizens of Western nations— congregations have remained relatively healthy and faithful to such as those in the Middle East and Northern Africa—are the gospel for more than a few hundred years. Although there open to people from this country. Eventually, the Lord may are some bodies that go through times of revival, the tendency send an army of missionaries from the now-forming Church is that churches go through a life cycle not at all unlike that to such places, where the greatest number of unreached people of human beings. People are born and grow, often quite vigor- reside, to help complete the Great Commission. ously at first, and then reach maturity. When mature, they are Being Realistic about the Future most productive and give birth to future generations. Even- tually, they get old, lose strength, have a tendency to easily I do not mean to suggest that everything is rosy. Just as become sick, and then die. So it is, too, with local churches controversies have torn American Presbyterians apart through- and denominations. Because we live in a sin-cursed world, out her history, so too are there struggles in the Church here. this is just the reality that believers face. No matter how bibli- Some congregations have leaders who have become Reformed cal the doctrine and polity of a church are at her foundation, and Presbyterian in their convictions, but the congregations the principle of sin and death exists within her. But knowing they serve are opposed to any change in their church. The two this, we do not give up on seeking to plant faithful churches pastors of a congregation that has served as a cornerstone for that are organized according to the principles set forth in the the forming Church have chosen to divide the church and Bible, any more than we give up having children and seek- plant a new congregation because they are unable to get along. ing to raise them to be followers of Christ. We may be sad at Some Reformed churches are filled with strife caused by cer- what has happened to the PCUSA, but we are thankful to be tain extreme strands of Reformed thinking. Many men being in the OPC, which has her roots in the church tradition as- prepared for ministry often lack the opportunity to be prop- sociated with Francis Makemie. Therefore, we seek, by God’s erly mentored by another Reformed pastor in actual ministry grace, to see the church built up through the planting of new, situations in order to learn how to be an officer in a Presbyte- fruit-bearing local churches that are united into Reformed rian church. Often church leaders have trouble trusting other and Presbyterian denominations. church leaders. Gossip and backbiting assail church unity. In No one can predict the future of the forming Church. addition, although the government has not aggressively sought We pray that she will have a long and fruitful life. May God to persecute the forming Church, it may change its mind and be gracious to me and others laboring for the health of the place great stress on member congregations. church in this country, so that she may in turn be used by the A few years back, I taught a course at a seminary here Lord to build the kingdom of God throughout the world.

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 11 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION REVIEW: CHOOSING THE GOOD PORTION // GEORGE MARSDEN

George Marsden with his mother, Bertha, and her mother, Edith Mish, in the early 1960s

hen my wife, Lucie, was growing up in an Ortho- the Kelloggs over the years, and I never saw reason to change dox Presbyterian parsonage, her family almost always my view of their genuine, pious warmth. I am not surprised to hadW several guests for Sunday dinner. Her mother, Rosemary learn that the Kelloggs lived by the rule, “Let not the sun go Commeret, was an outgoing hostess who naturally expressed down on your wrath.” warm piety and upbeat enthusiasm. Her nickname, “Rosie,” fit Later, when I was in seventh grade, Dorothy Partington her disposition, and she was a counterbalance to her husband, (later Anderson and Barker)—like Eleanor Kellogg, the sub- Ray. He was also a most welcoming and good-humored host, ject of one of the chapters in this collection—became my fa- but was not inclined toward Pollyanna, as would have been vorite teacher. She had just turned twenty-two and had been apparent from the morning’s sermon. Rosemary, who also had out of college several years. She was extraordinarily smart, and a lovely singing voice, played an important complementary she combined excellent pedagogy with liking games and hav- role in their ministries together. Rosemary passed away this ing a good time. In another time and situation, she might have past fall. Her story parallels that of many pastors’ wives who become a scholar or executive. Instead, she dedicated herself are included in this book of memoirs, written by women, chil- to serving the church in the two principal ways open to a tal- dren, and close friends of many who played invaluable roles as ented woman: in Christian education and in what turned out Orthodox Presbyterian women. to be a more challenging vocation, as a pastor’s wife. Later I One of the good aspects of being part of a small denomi- saw her and her husband, Bob, in a struggling church in Ham- nation, especially for families of pastors and other church of- den, Connecticut. (That church, by the way, was held together ficers, is that all sorts of other people from around the country largely by the impressive family of Henry and Ruth Bacon, seem like part of an extended family. Some will be known by and Ruth’s role is rightly celebrated in one of these chapters.) reputation nationally and may be encountered on occasion in One more childhood impression comes from 1946, when person at a general assembly or when they and their family our family stayed for a week in an apartment in Wildwood, have visited one’s local church. Others are well-known region- New Jersey, next to that of the Hunt family. Bruce Hunt had al figures who are regulars at one’s Bible conference. been allowed to return to Korea, but the rest of the family Having been part of that extended family, and so having had to stay behind. To my seven-year-old imagination, the five known many of the subjects of this volume, I found it to be Hunt children seemed models of friendly, disciplined, well- a pleasure to read. In the interest of full disclosure, I should behaved children. I can still picture them playing board games say that I have a weakness for Orthodox Presbyterian women. on the outdoor wooden steps of the frame building. The older That started, of course, with my affection for my mother. But girls took care of the younger twins, and everything appeared when I was a very young boy, the warmest grown-up I knew, to be harmonious. The account of Katherine Hunt in this vol- outside my own family, was Eleanor Kellogg, the wife of our ume, based on her letters, reveals what a battle it could be for pastor, Ed Kellogg (who also scored high for outgoing en- a single parent of five to provide such character-building dis- thusiasm). When Eleanor substituted at our Christian school, cipline. Beyond that, Katherine Hunt’s letters are just one of she played the piano in what I later came to think of as the the many reminders in this volume of the terrific sacrifices Wheaton style—lots of extra notes. Our family kept up with that those dedicated to missions have been willing to make.

12 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 The book recounts separations and the agonies of not know- ing whether a husband will survive, arrests, house break-ins, kidnapping, and martyrdom. These make the most dramatic OUR MEMBERSHIP VOWS and some of the most moving reading. One of the other moving chapters is that about Grace The Gift of Faith Mullen. A remark of hers during the time she was battling Glen J. Clary cancer was the inspiration for the volume. And as someone who has done more than anyone to preserve the resources for If the Bible is God’s self-authenticating Word, then why OPC history, this collection is a fitting tribute to her that she don’t all people believe it? Why doesn’t everyone recog- would have appreciated. Gracie was a good friend of mine nize its divine authorship? Why do some people reject its from some years on the staff together at the French Creek authority? Bible Conference, an institution we both loved and which had Some people reject the divine authorship of the a significant influence on a number of the subjects in this vol- Bible for the same reason the existence of God is rejected, namely, they suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. ume. Later, as a historian, I appreciated Grace’s deep knowl- 1:18). The problem is not a lack of proof or evidence; it’s edge and immense helpfulness. She was someone who exem- not a failure on God’s part to reveal himself or authenticate plified the fruit of the spirit. his Word. Instead, the problem is with the sinful human One feature that does not appear often in this volume is heart. humor. But since that is a significant part of extended fam- In rebellion against God, sinners refuse to submit to ily histories, and also an important source of relief, especially him. They reject the divine authority of Scripture because when ministerial families get together, I will attempt one an- they want to be autonomous—ruled by themselves and not ecdote. This is strictly from within my own immediate family’s by God. Sinners cannot believe the gospel of Christ with- history, and it relates to one of the stories in this volume. The out the gift of faith, which God gives to his elect through section on Mary Eckardt (Bob Eckardt is my first cousin), the work of the Holy Spirit ( John 6:37, 44). refers mainly to the loss of their dear adult son Doug in a The Holy Spirit must change the sinner’s heart in bike accident. But it also includes a story of the family’s life- order for him to be willing and able to believe (Acts 16:14). threatening experience when, with three boys in the car, they Without the gift of faith, he will not and cannot submit to were pulling a trailer cross-country in 1994 to the general as- the authority of God’s Word (Rom. 8:7). Unless his heart sembly in Portland. Their car broke down in the middle of the is renewed by the Holy Spirit, he will continue to live in mountain road, and Mary’s prayers were answered when a fire rebellion against God. crew soon came by and helped them out. Meanwhile, their Faith is a gift from God, and God gives this gift to the close friends, Ray and Rosemary Commeret (Ray and Bob elect; that is, to those who were chosen by him for salva- Eckardt had been at Westminster together), were also going tion (Eph. 1:4–5; Acts 13:48). The elect will believe because to the GA with four children in the car and pulling a trailer. God, by his Spirit, makes them willing and able to believe Coming down a mountain road, their trailer started to fishtail ( John 6:37; 10:26–29). badly, and the children thought they were going to die. At Thus, the Holy Spirit enables us to see and recognize last the two exhausted and travel-weary families pulled into the Bible for what it truly is, the Word of God. Without the assembly’s parking lot at nearly the same time. Rosemary the Spirit, we are spiritually dead in our sins and unable provided the needed comic relief when she asked Mary, “So to believe (Eph. 2:1; John 6:44). Unless we are born of the Spirit, we cannot see the kingdom of God ( John 3:3, 5). when are you going to get your divorce?” The Orthodox Presbyterian Church, in a significant sense, owes its existence to an extraordinarily intelligent and dedicated woman, “Minnie” Machen, who is the subject of the opening chapter of this book. If Minnie Machen had not been Out of the Mouth . . . [Continued on page 21] When my children asked about women on the mission field, I told them that they do find work—teaching, nursing, and such—but that only Congratulations men should preach the word and administer the . Daniel, 8, concluded, “Ohh, I see; so The Shorter Catechism has been recited by: ladies get to do the real jobs then.” • Kate Oftedahl, Covenant OPC, Tucson, AZ —Jonathan Holst Hamden, Conn. The Children’s Catechism has been recited by: Note: If you have an example of the humorous “wisdom” that can • Sarah Clifford, Grace OPC, Vienna, VA come from children, please send it to the editor.

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 13 HOME MISSIONS THE LONG ROAD TO CORONA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH // SEAN D. GREGG Matt and Elin Prather

Reformed believers at the conference, for that matter). Matt ended up taking the next year off from seminary, during which t took Matt Prather a long time to get from San Diego to time he married Elin and lived both in Israel and in Finland Corona, California. Although the physical distance is just with her. After about a year and a half from having met, they Ione hundred miles, the spiritual journey that led him there were married and parents of an infant, and back in Southern was much longer. California so Matt could complete his seminary training. Growing up the third of four children, he attended an During seminary, Matt remained sure that he was called church with his family, and later a Calvary to missions, and he became convinced that the OPC was the Chapel. It was in high school that Matt felt called to foreign right place for him to serve. He says Chris Hartshorn was missions. This call was confirmed by his pastor, and he was a big factor in this, but also credits the influence of faculty sent by a in San Diego to serve in Israel. members from the OPC. He spent about a year doing humanitarian work among After graduation, Matt interned at their home church Ethiopian and Russian immigrants. Later he helped establish with Mark Schroeder at Harvest OPC in San Marcos, Cali- and operate a guesthouse located in Galilee that served as a fornia. He then interned for an additional four months at base for evangelism and Bible studies. Matt also spent two Westminster OPC in Westminster, California, while prepar- years studying Arabic in Jordan. He then returned to Israel ing for ordination exams. more equipped to reach Arabic-speaking people in the region. About halfway through his internship at Harvest, Corona During his last five years in the Middle East, Matt be- began to appear on the horizon. Chris Hartshorn and Dave gan to come to Reformed convictions. He soon realized that Crum talked with Matt about becoming the church planter his newfound understanding of Scripture would require him in Corona. Matt still felt the call to foreign missions, but he to leave his current position and pursue ministry with a Re- was happy to take the call to reach out to the lost in his own formed church. Eventually he decided to return to the United backyard. States and enroll at Westminster Seminary California, where A Group Gathers in Corona he met and became good friends with another former Cal- vary Chapel minister, Chris Hartshorn. But even though he After seminary, Chris Hartshorn became the church was back in Southern California, he still wasn’t very close to planter at Anaheim Hills Presbyterian Church in Anaheim Corona. Hills, California. As the congregation grew, several people Although Matt had become convinced of Reformed the- from Corona began attending worship, each week driving on ology and had returned to the United States, he maintained Highway 91, one of California’s most congested roads. “We’re relationships with his former colleagues. Near the end of his second year of seminary, he was asked if he would return to Israel for two weeks to help with an international pro-life con- Home Missions Today ference. Matt agreed to go. For up-to-date Home Missions news and prayer While he was helping with the conference, he met Elin, a updates, e-mail [email protected]. Finnish conference participant. They hit it off right away, even New editions: April 5, 19. before finding out that they were both Reformed (and the only

14 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 glad to have you here,” Hartshorn told them, “but don’t get Matt and Elin and their two toddlers have begun can- too comfortable, because we want to plant a church in your vassing the neighborhoods around the congregation’s meeting community soon.” place, in order to let people know about the new church plant. It wasn’t too long before a Bible study began with the Some weeks, members of the congregation join them. They members of Anaheim Hills Presbyterian Church who lived in knock on thirty to forty doors each time, and engage in con- Corona and a few others. Chris normally led the Bible study, versations with those who answer and leave information about and Matt also led it several times to begin to get to know the church. The congregation prays that new visitors will come the group. Last fall, Matt was called to become the full-time as a result of these efforts. church planter for them. He was installed as an evangelist on The Lord has blessed this young work. There are currently November 13, 2016. Worship services began on the following eleven people taking a new members’ class. Four men, includ- Sunday. ing two who have previously served as deacons, are taking a Everything fell beautifully into place. The group was able leadership training class. The men have a joint Bible study to sign a lease on a good location for worship, just one week with the men from Anaheim Hills Presbyterian Church, and before the first service—at the facility of Beth Shalom Mes- they occasionally gather for breakfast as well. The women of sianic Jewish Congregation. Matt says it’s a beautiful location Corona Presbyterian Church gather twice a month for fellow- with adequate space, and the relationship between the two ship and service. congregations has been good. The congregation is currently brainstorming, trying to Several visitors attended the first service, and three of figure out the best way to get into the fabric of Corona. Matt is them have continued to worship with the group. The congre- continuing to develop the congregation’s efforts to work their gation has been actively inviting people to come to church, way into the life of the community in an effort to reach more and some other visitors have come to worship over the past neighbors with the gospel. few months. Today about thirty-five people gather for worship Prayer Needs each Lord’s Day. Sunday school follows the worship service, and the group gathers again for an evening Bible study and Pray for Corona Presbyterian Church: time of prayer at the Prathers’ home. • For growth as a family and a group. The group has come from varied backgrounds. Some were • For awareness of opportunities and courage to share the members of other Reformed denominations; others have come gospel. from broadly evangelical churches. A few were unchurched. Matt says that all of them are enthusiastic about the OPC, • For wisdom in reaching out to Corona. and they have a great desire to get the word out about their • That new visitors will find the congregation warm and new congregation. welcoming.

The congregation of Corona Presbyterian Church

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 15 STEWARDSHIP worship, and thus we would do well to retain the practice of taking the offering during the corporate Lord’s Day worship service. (2) Churches that remove the collection from the con- text of corporate worship unintentionally drive a wedge be- tween giving and worship in the minds of God’s people. (3) GIVING AND Retaining the practice of collecting tithes and offerings during corporate worship reinforces the solemnity of our responsibil- WORSHIP ity as Christ’s disciples to be good financial stewards of the financial resources with which God has blessed us. // GEOFFREY L. WILLOUR The OPC’s Directory for Worship clearly supports the view that giving to the church is an act of special worship: The bringing of offerings in the public assembly of God’s people on the Lord’s Day is a solemn act of wor- ship to almighty God. The people of God are to set aside to him the firstfruits of their labors; in so doing, they should ne part of a typical Reformed worship service that some- present themselves with thanksgiving as a living sacrifice to times makes visitors uncomfortable is the collection, or God. All should participate in this act of worship when God Ooffering. In fact, the “passing of the plate” during corporate gives opportunity for it. (II, B.4.a., emphasis added) worship can be awkward, and perhaps even a real turnoff, to some. After all, does not this practice give the appearance of Many biblical considerations support this truth. For ex- supporting the cynic’s slander that “the church is only inter- ample, 1 Chronicles 29 shows that giving to the work of the ested in your money”? And if this worship practice has such Lord is an act of worship. There King David and the Israel- potential to be a stumbling block in the way of inquirers visit- ites present offerings to the Lord for the construction of the ing the church and giving the gospel a fair hearing, why not temple. (See “King David’s Cheerful Gift,” by Christopher just do away with the practice altogether and instead solicit Chelpka, in the October 2016 issue of New Horizons.) tithes and offerings in other ways? Because of the connection between giving and worship, It is perhaps from such considerations that some churches and also because it reinforces the solemnity of our financial today have done away with the practice of taking a collec- stewardship before the Lord, we would do well to retain the tion during worship, instead providing ways for members to collection in our worship services. give outside of corporate worship. For example, some churches provide a locked offering box in the back of the sanctuary, The author is the pastor of Lake OPC in Mentor, Ohio. where attendees can deposit their tithes and offerings, while other, more trendy churches Worldwide Outreach Year-to-Date provide kiosks in the foyer where offerings 2017 Receipts with 2017 Goal can be made electronically. 4,500 I share the concern that we not put un- Total YTD budget deficit: $76,935.84 (-11.66%) necessary stumbling blocks in the way of 4,000 Christian Ed deficit: $6,210.75 (-8.2%) Home Missions deficit: $23,748.97 (-11.3%) church visitors and inquirers after the Chris- 3,500 Foreign Missions deficit: $39,758.68 (-14.6%) tian faith. And certainly we need to avoid 3,000 high-pressure tactics and seek to be sensitive and dignified in the soliciting of tithes and 2,500 offerings from the congregation. At the same Thousands 2,000 time, I suggest that we would do well to retain this time-honored practice of collecting the 1,500 gifts of God’s people during the corporate, 1,000 Lord’s Day worship service. 500 In defense of this practice, I would offer 0 three considerations: (1) In Scripture, giv- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ing to the work of the Lord is an act of special

16 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 PRAYER CALENDAR APRIL

1. Octavius and Marie Delfils, Haiti. Pray that the Lord 7. Ray and Michele Call, Montevideo, Uruguay. Pray for would raise up men for leadership in the church. / wisdom and vision to know which areas of ministry in John and Wenny Ro, Chicago, Ill. (downtown). Pray for the church to develop. / Bill and Margaret Shishko, much unity and love among the core group at Gospel regional home missionary for the Presbytery of Con- Life Presbyterian Church. / Pray Ross Graham, stated necticut and Southern New York. Pray that Bill’s radio clerk of the GA, as he prepares the agenda for the program will yield contacts for church plants. / Kathy meeting of the Eighty-fourth General Assembly that Bube, Loan Fund administrator. will begin May 31. 8. Mike and Katy Myers, Royston, Ga. Pray for God’s pro- 2. Brett and vision of officers for Heritage Presbyterian Church and Maryann for continued peace. / Missionary associates Markus Mahlen, and Sharon Jeromin, Montevideo, Uruguay. Pray that Orland Park, they will have opportunities to present the gospel to Ill. Pray that seekers. / Charlene Tipton, database administrator. Brett will 9. Mark and Jeni Richline, Montevideo, Uruguay. Pray challenge that those who attend church regularly will become the lost men members. / Jay and Andrea Bennett, Neon, Ky. Pray and disciple that the Lord would enable Neon Reformed Presbyte- the believ- rian Church to organize as a particular church by 2020. ing men in / Doug Watson, part-time staff accountant. Stateville Prison. / Ben Brett and Maryann Mahlen 10. Christopher and Ann Malamisuro, Cincinnati, Ohio. and Heather Pray that invitation cards sent to new residents will Hopp, Haiti. Pray for the programs for children in the bring visitors to Good Shepherd OPC. / Affiliated churches on the island of La Gonâve. / Adrian (and Ra- missionary Linda Karner, Japan. Pray that her students chel) Crum, yearlong intern at Bayview OPC in Chula will be able to learn well. / Bryan (and Heidi) Dage, Vista, Calif. yearlong intern at Covenant OPC in Komoka, Ontario. 3. Ben and Melanie Westerveld, Quebec, Canada. Pray 11. Affiliated missionaries Craig and Ree Coulbourne, for those who work with the teaching ministries at St- Urayasu, Japan. Pray that God would bring fruit from Marc Church. / Home Missions staff administrator Sean the seeds sown at weekly Bible studies. / David and Gregg. / Pray for Brian Cochran, Christopher Folkers, Rebekah Graves, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Pray that God Joel Pearce, and David Winslow as they seek permis- would bless Coeur d’Alene Reformed Church’s leader- sion to use copyrighted material for the Trinity Psalter ship training class. / Ordained Servant editor Greg Hymnal. Reynolds. 4. Andrew and Billie Moody, San Antonio, Tex. Praise the 12. Bob and Grace Holda, Oshkosh, Wis. Pray that God Lord for bringing San Antonio Reformed Church to the would add to Resurrection Presbyterian Church’s point of organizing as a particular church. / Pray for number those whom he is calling to himself in Osh- missionary associate Janine Eygenraam, Quebec, Can- kosh. / Eric and Dianna Tuininga, Mbale, Uganda. Pray ada, as she assists in a number of St-Marc’s outreach for Eric as he resumes his ministry in Uganda following programs. / Pray for the OPC Timothy Conference, furlough in the U.S. / New Horizons managing editor which will be held April 5–8 at Westminster Seminary Jim Scott. California in Escondido, Calif. 13. Charles and Connie Jackson, Mbale, Uganda. Pray 5. Retired missionaries Betty Andrews, Cal and Edie that God would raise up godly men to lead the PCU Cummings, Greet Rietkerk, and Young and Mary Lou congregations and plant new ones. / Matt and Elin Son. / Phil Strong, Lander, Wyo. Praise the Lord for his Prather, Corona, Calif. Pray for God’s Spirit to empower faithfulness to Grace Reformed Fellowship over the last Corona Presbyterian Church for service and add to five years. / Ryan (and Rachel) Heaton, yearlong intern their number. / Jan Gregson, assistant to the finance at Tyler Presbyterian Church in Tyler, Tex. director. 6. Ron and Carol Beabout, Gaithersburg, Md. Pray for five 14. Home Missions associate general secretary Al Tri- new families or individuals to regularly attend Trinity carico. / Missionary associates Christopher and Chloe Reformed Church. / Heero and Anya Hacquebord, Verdick, Nakaale, Uganda. Pray for the clinic workers L’viv, Ukraine. Pray that young Christians will know the as they provide medical care to the Karimojong. / blessings and peace of the gospel. / Mark Stumpff, Christian Education general secretary Danny Olinger. OPC office assistant. Pray for his safe travel as he visits presbyteries.

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 17 PRAYER CALENDAR Continued 15. David and Sunshine Okken, Nakaale, Uganda. Pray for 22. Lowell and Mae Ivey, Virginia Beach, Va. Pray for the the many meetings held each week where the gospel Lord’s blessing on Reformation Presbyterian Church’s is presented. / Jim and Eve Cassidy, Austin, Tex. Ask evangelism and outreach activities. / Foreign Missions the Lord to bless South Austin Presbyterian Church’s administrative assistant Linda Posthuma and secretary outreach and advertising endeavors. / Army chaplain Katrina Zartman. / New Horizons cover designer Chris David (and Jenna) DeRienzo. Tobias and proofreader Sarah Pederson. 16. Bill and Sessie Welzien, Key West, Fla. Pray that the 23. Mr. and Mrs. F., Asia. Pray for Mr. F. as he maintains a Lord would add to Keys Presbyterian Church. / David busy schedule of teaching and ministry oversight. / and Rashel Robbins, Nakaale, Uganda. Pray that the Kim and Barbara Kuhfuss, Eau Claire, Wis. Pray that the children who attend church will hear the gospel and Lord would bring three new tithing families to Provi- come to faith. / David Haney, director of finance and dence Reformed Church. / Marvin Padgett, executive planned giving for the Committee on Coordination. director of Great Commission Publications. 17. Missionary associate Leah Hopp, Nakaale, Uganda. 24. Josh and Kristen McKamy, Chambersburg, Pa. Pray Pray for her safety in travel as she visits local villages. that Covenant OPC’s regular outreach activities will / Eric and Donna Hausler, Naples, Fla. Pray for the resume and bear fruit. / Tentmaker missionary T. L. L., Lord to grant wisdom as Christ the King Presbyterian Asia (on furlough). Pray for a good balance between Church looks for a new location. / Pray for Diaconal speaking engagements and time with family. / Joseph Ministries administrator David Nakhla as he visits the Johnson, yearlong intern at Trinity OPC in Hatboro, Pa. ministry to refugees carried out by the Greek Evangeli- 25. Missionary associate D. V., Asia. Pray for the salvation cal Church in Greece from April 19 to 28. of people he has contacted. / Chris and Megan Harts- 18. Larry and Kalynn Oldaker, Huron, Ohio. Pray that horn, Anaheim Hills, Calif. Pray that the people of Ana- Grace Fellowship’s outreach plans will be blessed with heim Hills Presbyterian Church will love the gospel and visitors. / Missionary associates Heather Palmer and have a burden to share it with the lost. / Navy chaplain Angela Voskuil, Nakaale, Uganda. Pray for the thriving Cornelius (and Deidre) Johnson. preschool where they teach. / editorial New Horizons 26. Pray for Chris and Nancy Walmer, area home missions assistant Pat Clawson. coordinator, Presbytery of Central Pennsylvania, as he 19. Bob and Martha Wright, Nakaale, Uganda. Pray that does exploratory work in Lebanon, Pa. / Mr. and Mrs. many will come to Christ as a result of the ministry in M., Asia. Pray that the Reformed faith will take deep Karamoja. / Brian and Sara Chang, Cottonwood, Ariz. root in Asia. / Archie Allison, chairman of the Subcom- Pray for new opportunities for the name of Christ and mittee for Internet Ministries. Christ Reformed Presbyterian Church to be made 27. Pray that tentmaker missionary T. D., Asia, will have known. / proofreader Diane Olinger. Ordained Servant many opportunities to do evangelistic outreach. / 20. Tim and Deborah Herndon, West Lebanon, N.H. Give Joshua and Jessica Lyon, Carson, Calif. Pray for the thanks for young families that plan to join Providence continued development in the ministry of Grace OPC. OPC. / For- / Ryan (and Rochelle) Cavanaugh, yearlong intern at eign Missions Prescott Presbyterian Church in Prescott, Arizona. general sec- 28. Paul and Sarah Mourreale, St. Louis, Mo. Pray that the retary Mark Lord would add three new families to Gateway OPC Bube. Pray this year. / Missionary associates E. K. and S. Z., Asia. for wisdom Pray that God would equip them to disciple the young and insight women he brings into their lives. / Bulut Yasar, year- as he pro- long intern at New Life OPC in Montoursville, Pa. vides counsel to our mis- 29. Pray for the labors of affiliated missionaries Jerry and sionaries. / Marilyn Farnik, Prague, Czech Republic. / Mika and Miller (and Christina Edmondson, Grand Rapids, Mich. Pray for Stephanie) growing unity and fellowship among the people of Mark and Kathy Bube Ansell, year- New City Fellowship. / Zachary (and Annie) Simmons, long intern at yearlong intern at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Whea- Faith Presbyterian Church in Garland, Tex. ton, Ill. 21. Pray for Foreign Missions associate general secretary 30. Home Missions general secretary John Shaw. / Mis- Douglas Clawson as he advises and encourages candi- sionary associates Kathleen Winslow, Prague, Czech dates for missionary service. / Brad and Cinnamon Republic, and Sarah Jantzen, Mbale, Uganda. Pray for Peppo, Springfield, Ohio. Pray for continued devel- these ladies and the children with whom they work. / opment in the ministry of Living Water OPC. / Janet Daniel (and Marcy) Borvan, yearlong intern at Mer- Birkmann, administrative assistant for the Committee rimack Valley Presbyterian Church in North Andover, on Diaconal Ministries. Mass.

18 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 NEWS, VIEWS, & REVIEWS

WILLIAM SHISHKO INSTALLED

Richard Gerber The Rev. William Shishko was in- stalled on November 19 as an evangelist for the Presbytery of Connecticut and Southern New York to serve as its re- gional home missionary. The service of installation was held during the stated meeting of the Presbytery held at the Or- thodox Presbyterian Church of Bohemia in Bohemia, New York. In addition to the , people from the OP churches on Long Island and Queens and pastors from churches with whom the OPC has fraternal relations attended the service. The host church provided a wonderful lunch following the service. The Rev. Jonathan Shishko, moderator of Presbytery and son of Bill and Marga- Participants in the installation of Bill Shishko as RHM (left to right): Dick ret Shishko, led the service of worship and Gerber, Jon Shishko, Bill Shishko, Al Tricarico gave the prayer of installation. The Rev. Al Tricarico, associate general secretary of installed as pastor of Beal Heights Pres- CIRCULAR REASONING? the Committee on Home Missions and byterian Church in Lawton, Okla., where Church Extension, preached on 2 Corin- Editor: he had been ministering. thians 12:1–10. The Rev. Richard Gerber, In the March 2017 issue of New Hori- chair of the Presbytery’s missions com- • Philip D. Mayfield, formerly a PCA zons, Glen J. Clary asks (p. 13), “Why do mittee, gave the charge to the evangelist minister, was installed as associate pastor you believe that the Bible is the Word of using 2 Timothy 4:1–18. of Columbia Presbyterian Church in Co- God?” He says the best answer is “I believe Mr. Shishko began his labors on Sep- lumbia, Md., on January 31, 2016. the Bible is the Word of God because the tember 1. He previously served for thirty- MILESTONES Bible says so.” I do believe the Bible is the five years as the pastor of the Orthodox Word of God, but I think Clary’s reason- Presbyterian Church in Franklin Square • Ruth Bido Morton, the widow of the ing about it is circular. It’s like saying, (New York). He is the first regional home Rev. George F. Morton, died peacefully “The Bible is true because the Bible says missionary to serve the Presbytery of on February 18. so, and the Bible is true.” If we are going Connecticut and Southern New York, to teach our children and proclaim to the which was formed by the General As- world that the Bible is the Word of God, sembly on January 1, 1998. VIEWS we need sounder reasons for believing and declaring so. ENGAGING THE SKEPTICS Diane Castro UPDATE Beverly, Mass. Editor: CHURCHES I read with interest Mr. Peppo’s article Glen Clary replies: It’s too difficult to pro- on “Engaging the Skeptics” in the March vide an adequate answer to the criticism of • On February 3, Beal Heights Presby- issue. I recently debated the truth of Chris- circular reasoning here. Let me commend terian Church in Lawton, Okla., was re- tianity with atheist Michael Shermer, the Greg Bahnsen’s book Always Ready, in ceived into the OPC from the PCA. editor in chief of Skeptic magazine. The de- which he says, “Indeed, it is the case, as MINISTERS bate can be found online at https://www. many will be quick to point out, that this youtube.com/watch?v=7FCk4aA-vIQ. presuppositional method of apologetics • On February 3, Brian E. Belh, once an Paul Viggiano assumes the truth of Scripture in order OP minister, but recently in the PCA, was Torrance, Calif. to argue for the truth of Scripture. Such

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 19 is unavoidable when ultimate truths are do a condition for receiving God’s grace. thirty years Motyer being debated. However, such is not dam- That is not the gospel of God’s free grace spent teaching the aging, for it is not a flat circle in which in Christ, which declares that Christ is text. And his Look one reasons (i.e., “the Bible is true because offered freely. Repentance is afruit of to the Rock (seeing the Bible is true”). Rather, the Christian God’s grace. I repent, not to be saved, but Christ in the Old apologist simply recognizes that the ulti- because I apprehend the mercy of God Testament), Preach- mate truth—that which is more pervasive, in Christ and believe that, as one Puritan ing? (lobbying for fundamental, and necessary—is such that strikingly put it, “Christ is dead for you” simplicity in exposi- it cannot be argued independently of the (p. 101). tion), and numerous preconditions inherent in it. One must Third, is it true that the Christian commentaries (e.g., presuppose the truth of God’s revela- does not have to keep the law (antino- on Amos, Exodus, tion in order to reason at all—even when mianism)? The Marrow Men taught that Philippians, and Psalms) have established reasoning about God’s revelation. The fact the law is a rule of life for the Christian. him as a trusted helper to pastor and lay- that the apologist presupposes the word Ferguson supports their view (on pages man alike. Motyer is that rare scholar who of God in order to carry on a discussion 121–22) by likening the law to an abusive can write plainly, say something quotable or debate about the veracity of that word first husband who showed no pity toward in a few words, and write sympathetically does not nullify his argument, but rath- his wife and later died; she then married to ordinary folk. er illustrates it.” a more gracious husband. Before Christ, In this pocket guide, Motyer begins the law was like the first husband, hav- with this statement of purpose: “Now this ing no pity on us. But in Christ we died Old Testament, above all else we might REVIEWS to the law, and our new husband, Christ, say about it, is designed to prepare us for “abounds more in grace than the abusive the Lord Jesus Christ.” In fact, a central husband did in condemnation. It is this thesis for Motyer is that to know Jesus, The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomi- that produces what Thomas Chalmers fa- we must know the Old Testament. As anism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the mously described as “the expulsive power redemption is its story, he notes several Marrow Controversy Still Matters, by of a new affection’” (p 122). Now the law words to watch for like , covering, Sinclair Ferguson. Crossway, 2016. is the gracious rule of Christ for life. and ransom. Hardback, 256 pages, list price $24.99. Finally, is it possible to have assurance Second comes a brief look at the au- Reviewed by OP minister Arthur J. Fox. of faith or salvation, and if so, thor, God—the creator and moral gover- The Whole Christ is Sinclair how? Ferguson tells us that nor of the universe. Ferguson’s call for the church assurance begins when we re- Third, the New Testament warrant to get the gospel right. He alize that Christ did not die for Motyer’s view is summarized in four makes his point by using an to make God love us; rather, simple texts: Galatians 3:29 and 6:16, obscure event in Scottish God sent Christ to die be- Philippians 3:3, and Colossians 2:11–12. church history, the Marrow cause he loved us. When we As with the whole book, this section is Controversy of 1717. The believe that God loves us, our succinct and much more profound than book is pastoral in its tone as lives will be marked by righ- the novice might realize. it answers four questions: teous living, not sinning and The fourth and largest section is a First, can the gospel be walking in love. fourfold presentation of the unity of the freely offered to all people? This is a very practical Bible: one covenant, one God, one way of The Marrow Men, so called book. It may be Sinclair Fer- salvation, and one Messiah. because of their agreement guson’s best. Fifth, Motyer tackles several prophets with Edward Fisher’s book, the Marrow to give the untrained reader some clues of Modern Divinity, answered yes, because as to how to proceed. Then there are the A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Loving the there is such a fullness of God’s grace in Psalms, constituting the “outpouring Old Testament, by Alec Motyer. Chris- Jesus Christ that he himself is the gospel. of the heart and the well-thought-out tian Focus, 2015. Paperback, 144 pages, Second, do you have to repent before intention of the mind,” all under one list price $7.99. Reviewed by OP minis- you can believe in Jesus? The presbytery heading: “Take It to the Lord.” ter William M. Hobbs. involved in the Marrow Controversy de- There is also a little section on proph- manded that potential ministers agree Christian Focus publishes a series of ecy. According to Motyer, prophecy and “that it is not sound and orthodox teach- “pocket guides” on various subjects, like creation are the Bible’s two-part defense ing that we forsake sin in order to our this one on the Old Testament by retired that Yahweh (the Lord) is God. Motyer coming to Christ, and instating us in cov- Irish Old Testament scholar and pastor briefly surveys Isaiah 40–48 to demon- enant with God” (p. 28). In other words, Alec Motyer. Now over ninety years old, strate the point. Then, working a series must I repent in order to come to Christ? Motyer is a voice worth hearing. His 555- of interesting angles (e.g., obedience, sac- That is legalism; it makes something I page commentary on Isaiah reflects the rifices, city of God, circumstances), this

20 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 thesis is carried into the New Testament, REVIEW: OP WOMEN that some of the less well-to-do had to where the Savior is the fulfillment all the make. My father, who was the missions things. The key help Motyer gives here is [Continued from page 13] general secretary in the early days, culti- structure. He presses the reader to read vated the good graces of the well-to-do and reread the text, looking for its struc- the sort of brilliant, pious, and orthodox ladies. He also visited the families of the ture in order to arrive at its meaning. Presbyterian that she was, her son Gres- home missionaries, many of whom he de- Who might benefit from this little ham would probably not have been the scribed as “poor as church mice.” book? My ninth-grade Bible students last sort of person to take the stands he did I could have mentioned many more year would have been much helped. This that led to the founding of the denomina- memories in this anecdotal review. There year’s kids will thank me. It would make a tion. So it is fitting that this book begins is no way to adequately celebrate all that nice study for a Sunday school class. Even with a tribute to her. these and so many other women have the minister who has preached and taught It is also appropriate to include re- done to provide, through God’s grace, through the Old Testament will enjoy the membrances of a number of other early much of the strength of the denomina- read and learn something, too. women, such as the Rothwell sisters, the tion. So I will just recommend this volume Shillito sisters, Marguerite Montgom- to anyone who is part of the extended OP ery, and Anna Rath, who were crucial to family. It is a place to be reminded of, or to Spreading the Feast: Instruction and Med- funding the denomination that had to learn about, many of the saints who have itations for Ministry at the Lord’s Table, start from scratch at the depths of the de- gone before or are still around. by Howard Griffith. P&R, 2015. Paper- pression. They are a reminder that the or- back, 152 pages, list price $14.99. Re- thodox Presbyterian movement at first in- The author is emeritus professor of history at viewed by OP pastor Stephen J. Oharek. cluded a few truly privileged people. Most the University of Notre Dame. Choosing In Spreading the Feast, Howard Griffith wealthy, conservative Presbyterians were the Good Portion: Women of the Ortho- has brought not ready to give up the comforts of the dox Presbyterian Church, edited by Pa- his decades Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. But tricia E. Clawson and Diane L. Olinger, is of pastoral the few who did were immensely helpful. available from the Committee for the Histo- experience, The story of Hattie and John De- rian at store.opc.org (to pay by credit card) or along with Waard, and what they had to give up to [email protected] (to be billed) for $15.00 his abilities as leave, is a reminder of the great sacrifices plus shipping. a systematic theologian, to something against you,” you should first “Foundations” discussion is a series of bear upon the go and be reconciled (Matt. 5:23–24), “Meditations,” which Griffith refers to subject of the does not teach communicants to refrain as “the meat of the book” (p. 19). Here Lord’s Supper. from partaking of the Supper. He says the author makes a particularly useful This brief vol- that “individual members do not have the contribution to how the Supper can be ume is divided right to put themselves out of Commu- administered. If Griffith’s sound eccle- into two parts: “Foundations” of the Sup- nion,” because “Table fellowship is rightly siology is on display in Part One of the per, followed by a series of twenty-eight more than an individual matter” (p. 59). book, his redemptive-historical reading of “Meditations.” Flowing out coherently from the the Scriptures is on display in Part Two. “Foundations” provides a basic ori- entation to the theology and practice of the Lord’s Supper, agreeably to the Word of God and our confessional standards. Within this discussion, Griffith defends the admission to the Table of professing believers only (against paedocommunion) and argues against using the Supper as an occasion to turn “from faith to ritual” (p. 34). He commends weekly observance of the Supper, though that point is far from The OPC’s short-term missions newsletter, the S.T.O.R.M. Report, essential to the book. is a great resource for individuals and groups looking for ways to Griffith provides a helpful (and, I -be serve the OPC in the U.S. or on a foreign mission field. The Report lieve, correct) explanation of why all com- includes opportunities for service, as well as photos and testimoni- municant members should ordinarily als from those who have gone before. Find the S.T.O.R.M. Report partake of the Supper when it is adminis- at OPCSTM.org or write to [email protected] to be tered. He explains that Jesus’ warning, that added to the mailing list. “if you … remember that your brother has

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 21 NEWS, VIEWS, & REVIEWS Continued

These twenty-eight meditations move and corporate sanctification. Poythress Who Is Jesus? Knowing Christ through His along the story line of the Bible from provides a basic primer on what it means “I Am” Sayings, by J. V. Fesko. Reforma- “Old Covenant Anticipations” to “New to be a Christian, what the biblical story tion Heritage Books, 2016. Paperback, Covenant Fulfillment,” concluding with line entails, why we should be obedient 112 pages, list price $10.00. Reviewed by “The Riches of Union with Christ.” to Christ, how we can serve Christ in our OP pastor Shane Bennett. These meditations offer guidance to knowledge, and how Christian thinking enable ministers to tie their explanation contrasts with worldly thinking. The in- Great things of the Supper to the particular themes of fluence of Abraham Kuyper, Geerhardus often come in the sermon text. This not only helps avoid Vos, and Cornelius Van Til is evident small packages. the redundancy of reciting the same form, throughout this material. The same could but also allows the visible word (sacra- Part Two examines various resources be said of John ment) to attach rather specifically to the we can draw upon in serving Christ in Fesko’s Who Is preached word. Just as a particular wine our knowledge. In this major section, Jesus? Though it can be paired with a particular food to en- the author manifests his commitment to is a brief ninety- hance the meal, so also can and the Reformed tradition. He reminds us three pages, the sermon be paired well to create a coherent of our basic spiritual resources (the ordi- content is highly spiritual meal for God’s people. nary means of grace), which God has said valuable and use- While Spreading the Feast will prove he would bless to our spiritual nourish- ful for both pastors and laymen. In Who especially useful to pastors, it would also ment and growth in grace. Additionally, Is Jesus? Fesko begins and ends by focus- be of benefit to anyone interested in find- Poythress opens up a window on histori- ing on the title’s question. By examining ing an accessible introduction to the Sup- cal resources (which are not infallible), in- the seven “I am” statements of Jesus found per and its breadth of redemptive-histori- cluding the insights of Herman Bavinck in the gospel of John and developing the cal significance. and Herman Dooyeveerd. Poythress Old Testament context and allusions sur- points out more recent resources as well. rounding them (devoting a chapter to Part Three is essentially a brief intro- each saying), Fesko unfolds, not who we The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Sav- duction to, and exposition of, Kuyper’s might imagine Jesus to be, but who Jesus ior All the Time, in All of Life, with All Lectures on Calvinism. The author reminds himself claims to be. Neither the believer Our Heart, by Vern Poythress. Cross- us of the Kuyperian (and biblical) dictum nor the unbeliever can afford to ignore Je- way, 2016. Paperback, 224 pages, list that all of life is lived under the lordship sus’ claims, for in his “I am” statements we price $19.99. Reviewed by OP minister of Jesus Christ. Poythress includes chap- are confronted with a man who is either a Jeffrey C. Waddington. ters on politics, science, art, lunatic, a liar, or God in the flesh. One of the latest writings of the future, education, and This book is useful to pastors for sev- Vern Poythress, a professor work. He reminds us that we eral reasons. First, it develops an Old Tes- at Westminster Theological must seek to bring our whole tament context that often enriches and Seminary, is The Lordship of lives under Christ without enlivens the text of John’s gospel. Jesus did Christ. In it, he delineates in falling into triumphalism. not live in a vacuum, but came to minister broad strokes what the in- Part Four deals with traps to people with an Old Testament context. tellectual development of a that Christians can fall into That context makes sense of who Jesus is, Christian mind-set or world- in seeking to honor Christ and Fesko labors to unfold it. view involves. in our knowledge. These Second, each chapter ends helpfully The Lordship of Christ is traps include our motivation, with application. Sometimes it is as sim- beautifully and clearly writ- norms, situations, and hopes. ple as “Will you believe in Jesus?” or “Pray ten, combining depth of sub- Readers familiar with the therefore for your shepherds’ focusing ject matter with enviable simplicity. The work of John Frame and Vern Poythress our attention on the implication of Jesus’ book consists of twenty chapters in four on perspectivalism will recognize this words for our own lives.” parts, along with a summary conclusion theological approach. This segment is es- Third, it has merit as an evangelistic and a valuable appendix on the increas- pecially helpful in reminding us of some tool. Everyone, whether a believer or an ingly popular Two Kingdoms theology. of the practical pitfalls to avoid in devel- unbeliever, has some idea of who Jesus Poythress is able to describe and evaluate oping our Christian minds. is, but not everyone has engaged Jesus’ the Two Kingdoms movement irenically, This is an excellent book to give to new claims that call us to worship him as the while disagreeing with it at points. believers, as well as to those who have God-man. This book would be easy to Part One addresses the call to serve been on the journey for some time now. convert into a series of outreach lectures. Christ. Here the author lays down his the- As we progress from here to eternity, it is Finally, this book is useful to the lay- sis that the development of the life of the good to be reminded that Jesus declares man since it addresses the doubts that of- mind is an integral part of our personal that every stretch of the pathway is his. ten plague Christians. Is Jesus really God

22 / NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 NEWS, VIEWS, & REVIEWS Continued

OPC Men’s Retreat Diaconal Summit Registration

April 28–30 • South Jersey May 15 is the deadline to register for the OPC Diaconal Summit, which will meet June 15–17, 2017, in Wheaton, Illinois. Get all the • For: men age 16 and older details and register now at www.opcstm.org/register. • Speaker: Rev. John Van Meerbeke • Camp Haluwasa, Hammonton, N.J. • Free-time activities: fishing, skeet Sanders establishes the doctrine of wants readers not only to find the Trinity shooting, softball, soccer, golf (fees) the Trinity in a fresh way. This does in Scripture, but to do so in a way that re- not imply that his arguments are new spects the character of biblical revelation • Cost: $132 per person or unique, but that they are distinctive (p. 242). • Details and online registration: at from many recent treatments. His pri- Sanders prioritizes finding the Trin- immanuelonline.org look under “Events” mary purpose is “seeking to give dog- ity in Scripture. He counters the common matic guidelines for Trinitarian exege- idea that while the doctrine of the Trin- sis, which is more a matter ity flows from Scripture, it is of viewing biblical Trini- a doctrinal formulation of the in the flesh? Is he just a moral teacher? tarianism from the right church due to its specialized How do I demonstrate his deity? Fesko angle, in the right light, and vocabulary and complex ideas answers these questions and strengthens at the right distance” (p. 172). (e.g., pp. 185–87). At the same our faith in our Savior, who is the great He urges readers to under- time, he does not discount ‘I am,’ the bread of life, the light of the stand the Trinity in light of the church’s reflection on the world, the true vine, the resurrection and the missions and processions doctrine. He aims to teach the life—in short, God in the flesh and of the persons, as opposed to readers how to use Christian the Savior of men. distinguishing between the creeds to find the unfold- Fesko reminds us that we cannot ac- economical Trinity and the ing doctrine of the Trinity in cept Jesus as simply a teacher of morality. immanent Trinity or prov- the Bible instead of using the He is either a lunatic, a liar, or Lord. Both ing the doctrine through a Scriptures as a means to bol- the gospel of John and this book make it piecemeal appeal to Scripture. He argues ster the language of the creeds. This ap- clear: he is Lord, and we must worship the that the “immanent” and “economical” proach is a good model for respecting the living God made flesh. I highly recom- language has the disadvantage of imply- authority of Scripture without neglecting mend this book. ing two instead of two ways in the witness of the church to its teachings. which the triune God reveals himself. The Triune God is an excellent contri- At the same time, he shies away from bution to the New Studies in Dogmatics The Triune God, by Fred Sanders. proving the doctrine by citing proof texts series. Sanders will challenge the average Zondervan, 2016. Paperback, 254 pag- for one part of the doctrine at a time, since reader to think deeply, encourage scholars es, list price $24.99. Reviewed by Prof. such arguments do not adequately reflect to reason more clearly, and exhort all to Ryan M. McGraw. how the New Testament reveals the Trin- worship God more joyfully. This is a good At the present time, the doctrine of the ity. Rather than treating fully how Scrip- combination in a book on the triune God. Trinity is experiencing a renaissance, yet ture reveals the Trinity, many Christians still need to learn how the author provides suf- to think and live in light of the Trin- ficient illustrations of Positions Available ity. The growing literature on the Trin- his principles to give us ity often fails to bridge the gap between the necessary tools to Pastor: Westchester OPC in Mount Vernon, the scholarly world and the church. Fred read our properly N.Y., seeks a full-time pastor who can Sanders’s The Triune God falls somewhere (p. 191). This method en- provide strong Reformed preaching and is between those two worlds. He presents a ables readers to “develop committed to spreading the word of God well-informed exposition of the doctrine hermeneutical approach- in a diverse community. Candidates should of the Trinity that aims to promote dox- es and exegetical skills” possess leadership and organizational skills. ology. The primary aim of this mid-level that enable them to read Benefits package and manse are included. text is to rework how we should ground the New Testament with Send résumé, references, and MP3 sermon the Trinity in Scripture and to what end the same Trinitarian pre- sources to [email protected]. Ira Rubin, (p. 162). This makes this book outshine suppositions as its au- clerk of session. others of its kind in several respects. thors (p. 219). Sanders

NEW HORIZONS / APRIL 2017 / 23 OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF YOUR LAW.PSALM 119:18

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