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báø; tV yˆw◊Œ hR;l¡Ea_ nG n◊w rDm w… Vv j`A ˆy◊w sV M dñé y ¶Dk Dj y◊ _ h y w`D I m h : P salm 107:43 The JournalTHEOLOG of the Log College & Seminary CONTENTS The Authority of Scripture ........................................................................................................... 7 John McDonald New Covenant Theology and the Framework of Reformed Orthodoxy ......................................... 10 Samuel Bathiran Law and Covenant: The Pastoral Implications of Confessionalism .............................................. 27 Win Groseclose A Puritan Primer (Part 1) .............................................................................................................. 41 Tim Goad The Log College: Yesterday and Today ........................................................................................... 48 John McDonald To Know as We are Known: A Lesson on Life and Learning ....................................................... 63 John Knox Divine Mediation in Paul’s Financial Policy ................................................................................ 67 Conley Owens Authority and Application: An Introduction to Biblical Counseling .............................................. 80 Reagan Marsh The Progressive Mindset ................................................................................................................. 95 Andrew Underhile The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry .......................................................................................... 116 Gilbert Tennent From the Editor’s Desk .................................................................................................................. 133 Volume 1, No. 1 January 2021 The Journal of the Log College & Seminary ©2021 ISBN: 978-1-68474-240-0Theolog Chief Editor: Rev. Win Groseclose The Log College and Seminary P.O. Box 3435 Sumter, SC 29151 [email protected] [ ] Manuscripts for Theolog should be emailed directly to: [email protected]. All contributions are to conform to The Log College and Seminary's paper guidelines and should be original work of an LCS Oversight Board member, alumnus, student or mentor in the disciplines of Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Biblical Theology, Pastoral Theology, Church History, Apologetics, or Practical Theology and should be consistent with LCS's doctrinal statement. Theolog has the right to publish, sell, or circulate any articles sent as submissions, but the author retains the copyright. The Oversight Board of LCS has complete authority and control over Theolog as a journal and can reject any article if it does not fit the parameters of this journal or this institution's interests. The primary format of Theolog is designed to be electronic, but print copies are available through Amazon.com. Electronic editions can be downloaded from logcollege.net. Electronic versions of Theolog may be freely distributed so long as nothing of its content is altered or removed. [ ] The Log College & Seminary desires to see theological education restored to the local church. Ministry preparation is, after all, a part of the church's discipleship task! LCS seeks to serve the local church by providing an academic platform that pastors can use in the training of their members and the preparation of men called to the gospel ministry's work. Our vision is to help prepare a new generation of Reformed pastors who are passionate for the glory of God, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the equipping of the church for ministry - without the financial obligation of the traditional seminary! How do we do this? By offering a challenging curriculum coupled with pastoral mentoring and oversight (the old Puritan apprenticeship model). Thus, the student receives both a firm theological foundation and the practical ministry skills necessary for effective ministry. President: Dr. John McDonald Advisory Board: Dr. Timothy Goad Dr. Samuel Bathiran Rev. Win Groseclose From the Desk of the President: The establishment of the Log College was as humble as it was extraordinary. It might be said that its beginning stemmed principally from parental responsibility – the obligation felt by William Tennent Sr. to faithfully educate his children. But this great patriarch would soon realize his duty as a faithful father in the church. Tennent recognized the great need for ministerial education in the expanding colonies and was determined in the Lord to provide a workable solution. The rest, they say, is history. Today in the United States, there is no lack in the number of seminaries available for aspiring ministerial candidates. However, despite the great numbers, there are still two significant needs that remain – the need for faithful seminaries and the need for affordable seminaries. Ironically, there is no better solution to the challenges presented by modern ministerial education than a return to the Log College mentor-based model. A return to the Log College model is, in principle, nothing more than a return to the pastoral discipleship model presented to us is in the New Testament. There we find that the Biblical expectation is that pastors disciple future pastors. Like the Seminary, Theolog dedicates itself to the preservation and proclamation of Biblical Truth. It is a publication containing both old and new wine – cherished truths with a view toward modern pastoral application. Academics must never be for the sake of study, but rather for the sake of living. The commitment of the Log College men was that orthodoxy (right doctrine) should always culminate in orthopraxy (right living). The Log College men were known for their happy marriage of education with experientialism. May this always be true of the Log College men. Dr. John H. McDonald President The Log College & Seminary 7 The Authority of Scripture John H. McDonald, Th.D.1 One of the most intriguing book titles in Christian literature of the past half- century is Francis Schaeffer’s classic, He is There, and He is not Silent. God exists, and He has spoken! Integral to the Christian Worldview is the concept that God has communicated absolute propositional truth about Himself, creation, and mankind. This communication is possible because God created mankind in His own image, Gen. 1:26 (rational, self-aware, self-active, and moral). While God has revealed certain general truths about Himself in nature (natural revelation), He has communicated more specific truths via spoken and written words (special revelation). God chose certain men to convey His words and provided attestation to His messengers through miraculous signs.2 We know these men as the Prophets and Apostles.3 The prophetic formula was, “Thus says the LORD.” The apostolic formula was “Thus says the Holy Spirit.”4 The messages of both Prophet and Apostle, in both spoken and written form, were identified as the very Word of God, and the miraculous signs attested to this bold yet genuine claim. Uniquely embedded in God’s special revelation about Himself, creation, and mankind is revelation about this special revelation itself! In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (or translated more literally as “God-breathed”). In 2 Peter 1:20, we read that “…no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, …but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” In 2 Peter 3:15-16, we find that Paul’s writings were considered “Scripture.” These passages teach that all of the prophetic and apostolic writings were ultimately of divine origin. While God spoke through 1 Dr. John McDonald currently serves as President of the Log College & Seminary. A direct descendant of Scotch Presbyterians from Argyllshire, Scotland, Dr. McDonald has served churches in Mississippi and Florida. Aside from his normal administrative duties with LCS, Dr. McDonald also serves as a LCS mentor and remains actively engaged in research, writing, counseling, and pulpit supply. Dr. McDonald is available for speaking engagements and as a conference speaker by request. 2 Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:3-4. 3 2 Peter 3:2. 4 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 1:12; Revelation 3:22. 8 men and utilized theirTheolog: intellects The Journaland unique of the Log personalities, College & Seminary at the same time, He also ensured that what His messengers spoke and wrote was exactly and precisely what He wanted to be communicated – a superintendence extending even to the very words.5 Theologians refer to this divine superintendence as the “Inspiration of Scripture.” Because Scripture is verbally (every word) and plenary (every portion) inspired, it is infallible (cannot err) and is therefore inerrant (does not err). The Inspiration of Scripture is foundational to the Authority of Scripture. If God (infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth) has indeed addressed a particular subject, then it follows that such information must be considered ultimate, final, and absolute. In Scripture, God addresses morality, sin, salvation, and eternal life. But He also addresses science and history. Whenever God speaks, the result is ultimate, final, and absolute truth. The authority of Scripture has as its very basis the authority of God Himself. Put simply, “What God says, goes!” Obviously, many books claim to be authoritative revelation from God. What makes the Bible so different? Many things! The Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years by almost forty different authors, yet has one central overarching