MC 601K—Reformed Ecclesiology and Polity Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Instructor: Preston Graham Jr
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On Being a Confessional Church by Gregory Edward Reynolds
On Being a Confessional Church by Gregory Edward Reynolds In 1980, at my first General Assembly, in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the late Bernard “Chip” Stonehouse exhorted rookie commissioners to wait five years before we opened our mouths in debate. Fresh out of seminary I thought my Old School theology made my position superior to Chip’s on most questions. However, I am pleased to have heeded his exhortation. Over the past several decades I have been privileged to observe and participate in a system of church government based on principles that are self-consciously Biblical. It has been difficult at times to learn to think and communicate in a way different from my native egalitarian instincts. As an outsider, raised in liberal New England Congregationalism, it took a conscious effort, time and experience to learn to participate in the culture of Presbyterianism. I am glad I waited. Chip gave us good advice on this point. With an increasing number of ministers entering the OPC from outside the Presbyterian tradition, and with the increasing variety of seminary training of our ministers, I would like to pass on some thoughts on what it means to be a confessional church. I, with my fellow officers, have taken a vow to uphold the purity, peace and unity of the church. I believe that only a truly confessional church has the ability to keep such a vow, because we have corporately agreed on what we believe. If we cannot continue our agreement we will face, as is perhaps already evident, a confessional crisis. As one astute observer of the last General Assembly comments: “The church is particularly ill-equipped to judge the way in which her subordinate standards serve to establish both the unity and the diversity of its faith. -
The Story Pastor
Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations 2-1-2017 The tS ory Pastor: A Faithful and Fruitful Identity for Pastors Jordan Rimmer George Fox University, [email protected] This research is a product of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at George Fox University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Rimmer, Jordan, "The tS ory Pastor: A Faithful and Fruitful Identity for Pastors" (2017). Doctor of Ministry. 218. http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/218 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY THE STORY PASTOR: A FAITHFUL AND FRUITFUL IDENTITY FOR PASTORS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GEORGE FOX EVANGELICAL SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY JORDAN RIMMER PORTLAND, OREGON FEBRUARY 2017 George Fox Evangelical Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of Jordan S. Rimmer has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 16, 2017 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies. Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: Josh Sweeden, PhD Secondary Advisor: Deborah Loyd, DMin Lead Mentor: Leonard I. Sweet, PhD Expert Advisor: Len Hjalmarson, DMin Copyright © 2017 by Jordan Rimmer All rights reserved ii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................... -
2013 04 12 Catalog
LANCASTER MENNONITE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ’S BENEFIT AUCTION OF RARE , OUT -OF -PRINT , AND USED BOOKS FRIDAY , APRIL 12, 2013, AT 6:30 P.M. TEL : (717) 393-9745; FAX : (717) 393-8751; EMAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE : http://www.lmhs.org/ The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society will conduct an auction on April 12, 2013, at 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one-half mile east of the intersection of Routes 30 and 462. The sale dates for the remainder of 2013 are as follows: June 14, September 13, October 11, and December 13. The auction not only specializes in local and denominational history and genealogy of southeastern Pennsylvania, but also includes theological works and other types of material of interest to the nationwide constituency. Please refer to the last page of the catalog for book auction procedures. Individual catalogs are available from the Society for $8.00 ($4.00 for Society members) + $3.00 postage and handling. Persons who wish to be added to the mailing list for the rest of 2013 may do so by sending $16.00 ($8.00 for Society members) with name and address to the Society. Higher rates apply for subscribers outside of the United States. All subscriptions expire at the end of the calendar year. The catalog is also available for free on our web site at www.lmhs.org/auction.html . 1. Seeberg, Reinhold. Text-Book of the History of Doctrines. Translated by Charles E. Hay. Vol. 1: History of Doctrines in the Ancient Church. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1966, [c1952]. 492pp (dj, bib refs, ind, syp, gc); Kelly, J.N.D. -
Faith and Life: Readings in Old Princeton Theology 05HT6160 RTS-Houston – Fall 2021 John R
Faith and Life: Readings in Old Princeton Theology 05HT6160 RTS-Houston – Fall 2021 John R. Muether ([email protected]) Meeting Dates October 1-2 (Friday and Saturday) December 3-4 (Friday and Saturday) Course Description A survey of the “majestic testimony” of Princeton Theological Seminary from its founding in 1812 to its reorganization in 1929, with readings from major figures including Archibald Alexander, Charles Hodge, Benjamin Warfield, and others. Emphasis will fall on its defense of the Reformed faith against the challenges of its time, its influence on the establishment of American Presbyterian identity, and its role in shaping contemporary American evangelicalism. Course Outline (Subject to Change) 1. Introduction: What was Old Princeton? 2. Archibald Alexander 3. Charles Hodge 4. A. A. Hodge 5. B. B. Warfield 6. Other Voices 7. J. G. Machen 8. Conclusion: The Legacy of Old Princeton Assignments 1. Completion of 1000 pages of reading. (10%) 2. Class presentation on a representative of Old Princeton theology (20%) 3. Research Paper (50%) 4. Class attendance and participation (20%) Readings Students will compile a reading list of primary and secondary sources in consultation with the instructor. It should include 1. Selections from Calhoun and/or Moorhead 2. Readings from at least four members of the Old Princeton faculty 3. At least two selections from both The Way of Life by Charles Hodge and Faith and Life by B. B. Warfield. 4. Resources for their class presentation and research paper. Research Paper The research paper is a 3000-4000 word paper which will explore in depth a particular figure in the story of Old Princeton. -
Samuel Miller's Pastoral Theology
Samuel Miller’s Pastoral Theology Posted on April 8, 2015 by Andrew Webb My own first contact with Samuel Miller, Old Princeton’s Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church Government, came many years ago when I read an essay that had a quote from his “Presbyterianism The Truly Primitive and Apostolical Constitution of the Church of Jesus Christ.” The quote was just a paragraph or two from one of the chapters on worship, entitled bluntly “Presbyterians do not observe Holy Days.” After reading it, I remember being convinced of his position and thinking, I MUST find the rest of this! Eventually, I found a copy of the book from 1840 in the library at Westminster Theological Seminary; and I have to admit, I probably damaged the spine in the process of photocopying the entire work. It was that book, more than anything else I’d read to date, that convinced me of the truth of Old School Presbyterianism. It brought together church history with biblical exposition and a fervent piety, in a way that few men other than Miller have ever been able to. Those who are familiar with the works of Samuel Miller, will probably have noticed that while his works are all very biblical, there is a pronounced bent towards the historical, and towards facts rather than speculation. As John De Witt put it, “he lived intellectually in the sphere of the concrete.” 1 While he understood Reformed theology better than most, and could defend it admirably, he was not a Systematic Theologian like Alexander or Hodge. You can’t read most of his works and even sermons without very quickly beginning to encounter references to Eusebius or Tertullian or Clement. -
Faith and Learning the Heritage of J
REVIEW: Hoffecker’s Charles Hodge by Barry Waugh NewHorizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church OCT 2012 OCT Faith and LearninG The Heritage of J. Gresham Machen by Katherine VanDrunen ALSO: NEW BOOKS ON OLD PRINCETON by D. G. Hart and John R. Muether V o l u m e 3 3 , N u m b e r 9 NewHorizoNs iN tHe ortHodox PresbyteriaN CHurch Contents Editorial Board: The Committee on Christian Education’s Subcommittee on Serial Publications Editor: Danny E. Olinger FEATURES Managing Editor: James W. Scott Editorial Assistant: Patricia Clawson Cover Designer: Christopher Tobias 3 Faith and Learning: The Heritage of Proofreader: Sarah J. Pederson J. Gresham Machen © 2012 by The Committee on Christian Education of By Katherine VanDrunen The Orthodox Presbyterian Church. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are 6 The Personal Side of Charles Hodge from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publish- By Alan D. Strange ers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Articles previously published may be slightly edited. The Legacy of Geerhardus Vos 8 New Horizons (ISSN: 0199-3518) is published monthly By Danny E. Olinger except for a combined issue, usually August-Septem- ber, by the Committee on Christian Education of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 N. Easton Road, 19 Planning for a Minister’s Retirement Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539; tel. 215/830- By Douglas L. Watson 0900; fax 215/830-0350. Letters to the editor are welcome. They should deal with an issue the magazine has recently addressed. -
The Shepherd Student
WRS Journal 12:2 (August 2005): 27-36 THE SHEPHERD STUDENT Earl L. Brown, Jr. Breath of Breath1 says Qoheleth,2 the whole is breath. Not only was Qoheleth wise but he also taught knowledge to the people; he studiously weighed3 and arranged many proverbs. Qoheleth sought to find delightful words,4 and to write true words with precision.5 The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd6 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is wearisome to the body.7 Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 [Brown adaptation of NET Bible8] The text set before us is not only the key to the interpretation of the book, but it accurately coalesces the convergent philosophy of life as a précis of the life of Solomon,9 as it is paraphrased in the lives of Robert Dick Wilson, Allan MacRae, and Robert W. Anderson.10 Life Transitions: From Solomon to Jesus, From David’s Son to David’s Greater Son Solomon was the Old Covenant prototype for the masterful Shepherd Student. Unlike Solomon, however, Jesus learned in his earthly human nature, obedience “through the things which he suffered” (Heb 5:8). It is in this capacity that Christ in the New Covenant provides a superior Shepherd and student (see 1 Pet 2:21). -
A Reponse to Andrew Purves' Paper
A Reponse to Andrew Purves’ Paper “‘I Yet Not I But Christ:’ Galatians 2:20 and the Christian Life in the Theology of T. F. Torrance” for the Thomas F. Torrance Fellowship Annual Meeting November 18, 2005 by the Rev. Dr. Jeannine Michele Graham I wish to thank Dr. Andrew Purves for a wellthoughtout, clearly articulated, faithful rendering of such a fundamental Torrancian concept as the vicarious humanity of Christ, particularly as it finds expression in the theological implications which underlie Galatians 2:20. This is actually the second version of the remarks I originally wrote to be presented here. I suppose it might have been easier to respond to a paper with which I have strident disagreements. But inasmuch as I resonate so strongly with the theological insights of both Thomas and James Torrance, having had the privilege of studying with James in my postgraduate years, I found myself tending to reiterate what you had already said, though lacking your admirable conciseness. Thus, you have presented me with a delightful problem. Aside from my inclination to want to emit an “Amen! Preach it, brother,” I trust you would appreciate more than a hearty hurrah. So I have tried to consult my own life and teaching experiences to identify aspects of this subject which might invite further clarification or development, especially points which either my students or lay people in general have struggled to grasp as they have had occasion to become acquainted with this paradigm of the vicarious humanity of Christ. As I was engaged in rethinking what I might say here, I have at the same time been challenged to think theologically in the midst of a very disturbing event that occurred within the particular existential context of my life in Spokane, WA. -
The Trinity Review
THE TRINITY REVIEW For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare [are] not fleshly but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. And they will be ready to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Number 259 Copyright 2006 John W. Robbins Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692 September 2006 Email: [email protected] Website: www.trinityfoundation.org Telephone: 423.743.0199 Fax: 423.743.2005 The Orthodox Presbyterian Cover-up Paul M. Elliott Editor’s note: Last year The Trinity Foundation published Assembly’s commendation of it, both maintain the OPC as a Paul Elliott’s book, Christianity and Neo-Liberalism: The safe haven for those who teach error. Spiritual Crisis in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Men within the OPC, including at least one member of the Beyond. That book examines in detail the false doctrine of Committee itself, teach heresy regarding the Gospel and salvation now being taught in the Orthodox Presbyterian many other fundamentals of the faith. Even the men on the Church and W estminster Theological Seminary. It is Committee who have their personal doctrine right have available from The Foundation for $19.95, plus shipping. facilitated the teaching of false doctrines by others for In June 2006, the OPC General Assembly voted to decades. Some will reject this as a blanket, indiscriminate distribute, but did not adopt, a Report produced by its indictment. -
Covenant Theology in Reformed Perspective
COVENANT THEOLOGY IN REFORMED PERSPECTIVE Collected essays and book reviews in historical, biblical, and systematic theology Mark W. Karlberg Wipf and Stock Publihsers 150 West Broadway, Eugene OR 97401 Made available electronically through Two Age Press Covenant Theology in Reformed Perspective By Karlberg, Mark W. Copyright©2000 by Karlberg, Mark W. ISBN: 1-57910-315-4 (For the bound printed version) Printed by Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2000. This book is reprinted electronially by Two Age Press on behalf of Wipf & Stock Publishers. The original bound copy by Wipf and Stock differs slightly in pagi- nation. Dedicated to my parents and aunt, Dorothy Bloser, For their spiritual discernment in the things of the Lord And their sacrifice in the struggle for the faith in our generation. Soli Deo gloria Permission to republish material was granted by: Calvin Theilogical Journal The Evangelical Quarterly Foundations Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society Trinity Journal The Westminster Theological Journal and by John Muether and Howard Griffith, editors, Creator, Redeemer, and Consummator: Essays in Biblical Theology Presented to Meredith G. Kline Collection of Articles CHAPTER ONE: “Reformed Interpretation of the Mosaic Covenant,” The Westminster Theological Journal 43 (1980) 1-57. CHAPTER TWO: “Reformation Politics: The Relevance of OT Ethics in Calvinist Political Theory,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29 (1986) 179-91. CHAPTER THREE: “Moses and Christ: The Place of Law in Seventeenth-Centu- ry Puritanism,” Trinity Journal 10 NS (1989) 11-32. CHAPTER FOUR: “The Original State of Adam: Tensions in Reformed Theolo- gy,”The Evangelical Quarterly 59 (1987) 291-309. CHAPTER FIVE: “Covenant Theology and the Westminster Tradition,” WTJ 54 (1992) 135-52. -
Deuteronomy 202 1 Edition Dr
Notes on Deuteronomy 202 1 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable TITLE The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible was its first two words, 'elleh haddebarim, which translate into English as "these are the words" (1:1). Ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties began the same way.1 So the Jewish title gives a strong clue to the literary character of Deuteronomy. The English title comes from a Latinized form of the Septuagint (Greek) translation title. "Deuteronomy" means "second law" in Greek. We might suppose that this title arose from the idea that Deuteronomy records the law as Moses repeated it to the new generation of Israelites who were preparing to enter the land, but this is not the case. It came from a mistranslation of a phrase in 17:18. In that passage, God commanded Israel's kings to prepare "a copy of this law" for themselves. The Septuagint translators mistakenly rendered this phrase "this second [repeated] law." The Vulgate (Latin) translation, influenced by the Septuagint, translated the phrase "second law" as deuteronomium, from which "Deuteronomy" is a transliteration. The Book of Deuteronomy is, to some extent, however, a repetition to the new generation of the Law that God gave at Mt. Sinai. For example, about 50 percent of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod. 20:23— 23:33) is paralleled in Deuteronomy.2 Thus God overruled the translators' error, and gave us a title for the book in English that is appropriate, in view of the contents of the book.3 1Meredith G. Kline, "Deuteronomy," in The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. -
09ST5450 – Apologetics
ST 5450 Apologetics Reformed Theological Seminary, NY – Remote-Live Dr. N. Gray Sutanto ([email protected]) May 31-June 14th – M-Th, 8-11am. Course Description This course introduces the theological discipline of apologetics. It focuses on developing a holistic Reformed apologetic for the contemporary world. Course Readings1 Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, vol. 2, God and Creation (Baker Academic), chpts. 1-2. (73 pages) Richard Gaffin, “Some Epistemological Reflections on 1 Cor. 2:6-16,” WTJ (1995): 103-24 (PDF provided) Matthew Kaemingk, Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration (Eerdmans: 2018), Entirety (280 pages) Christopher Watkin, Thinking Through Creation: Genesis 1-2 as Tools of Cultural Analysis (P&R, 2017), (140 pages). Joshua Chatraw, Telling a Better Story: How To Talk about God in a Skeptical Age (Zondervan: 2020), Entirety. (240 pages). Cornelius Van Til, Christian Apologetics, 2nd edition, ed. William Edgar (P&R, 2003). Entirety (206 pages) James Anderson, “If Knowledge then God: The Epistemological Theistic Arguments of Plantinga and Van Til,” CTJ (2005): 49-75. Alvin Plantinga, “Two Dozen (or so) Theistic Arguments” (PDF provided – 25 pages) Course Requirements: 1. Participation (10%) a. 4 Canvas Topic Discussions. b. 2 Student-to-student discussion threads. 2. Reading Pledge (20%) a. Students will write a pledge on how many percent of the reading have been completed. 1 This list is also sequenced according to suggested reading order. b. Due July 16th 3. Apologetics Term Paper (30%) – 4000 words maximum. Students will write a paper responding to an alternative faith or worldview, while utilizing the material from the course readings. You will interact with a section from a classic or contemporary text (e.g.