INAUGURAL ISSUE A RESEARCH JOURNAL OF THE SCHOOL OF BIBLE AND THEOLOGGY PIEDMONT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA Published Annually by: Piedmont International University 420 South Broad Street Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101 © 2012 by Piedmont International University President Execcutive Vice President Charles Petitt, D.D. Alan Cox, D.D. Provost Vice President of Graduate Studies Beth Ashburn, Ph.D. Barkev Trachian, Ph.D. Dean of the School of Bible and Theology Larry Tyler, Ph.D. Editorial Board Beth Ashburn, Ph.D. Barkev Trachian, Ph.D., Editor Hoyle Bowman, Th.D. Larry Tyler, Ph..D. Gilbert Braithwaite, Th.D. Tim White, D. Min. Jerry Hullinger, Ph.D. Wayne Willis, Ph.D. (Candidate) James R. Sprouse, Ph.D. Publication Staff Michelle Bolin Cindy Wiley Volume 1, No.1 Fall 2012 Introduction: Aletheias is the academic journal of Piedmont International University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Each issue consists of scholarly, researched articles in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Christian Ministry. It also includes reviews of notable and recently published books in these academic subjects. The editors consider the journal as part of the ministry of the University, serving believers in academic circles, churches and other ministries, and the public arena. The journal’s purposes are to inform, to encourage, to edify, and to instruct. Copying: Aletheias hereby grants permission for articles to be copied for use in a local congregation or classroom, if (a) no more than one hundred copies are made, (b) the material is distributed free, and (c) the copies include the notice, “Copyright (year) and reprinted from Aletheias, Piedmont International University.” For any other use advanced permission must be obtained. Doctrinal Basis: Aletheias adheres to the Piedmont Statement of Faith published in the University catalogs. Manuscripts: The Aletheias editorial board welcomes manuscripts submitted by Piedmont faculty, graduate students, and alumni. Original research articles are also welcome from friends of Piedmont who meet the publication standards. Policies and guidelines are specified in the “Aletheias Instructions for Contributors.” The editorial board reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not meet the Aletheias standards. Correspondence: [email protected]; 336-714-7986 ii Table of Contents Editorial Barkev Trachian .......................................................................................................................... 1 A Case for Unlimited Atonement Hoyle Bowman ............................................................................................................................ 7 A Brief Survey of the Christology of the Apocalypse Larry Tyler ................................................................................................................................. 80 Critiquing The God Delusion: An Apologetic Paradigm Against the New Atheism of the 21st Century Brian Wagner ............................................................................................................................ 96 The Nature of Truth: A Theological Answer to a Philosophical Question Scott Anthony Smith ............................................................................................................... 115 Middle Knowledge and the Problem of Evil Jacob Hollingsworth ............................................................................................................... 136 The Strategic Place of Hermeneutics in the Evangelical Feminist Debate Wayne Willis ........................................................................................................................... 147 A Tethered Bird Jonathan Bolin ......................................................................................................................... 172 Book Review: The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything Howard L. Wilburn ................................................................................................................ 202 iii EDITORIAL By Barkev S. Trachian* For over sixty-five years Piedmont has been preparing preachers, teachers, and Christian leaders to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ around the world. That focus is stronger today than it has ever been. With Piedmont’s firm stand for classical dispensationalism, balanced theology, and dynamic exposition, the University emphasizes proficiency in applying a literal, grammatical, contextual, and historical hermeneutic leading to a proper understanding of the Word of God. The theological landscape today is in a state of flux. Piedmont is committed to remaining faithful to its founding mission. SETTING THE OBJECTIVES Launching the journal Aletheias is designed to expand the ministry of the University beyond the classroom and the online course environment. We plan to pursue four objectives. Presenting an Avenue of Research First, Aletheias will present an avenue of research and outreach for our Ph. D. students, our faculty, and our alumni to apply the knowledge and the skills gained in their academic programs and in their ministries. Sharing their research with a discerning public will improve their competencies and encourage further investigation of a subject for a better understanding of 1 2 biblical truth.1 Paul commended the Berean believers because “they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”2 Research, under the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, is the most productive mode of accessing knowledge. 3 Competence in research is a significant objective of the Ph.D. curriculum. Producing Aletheias is consistent with that objective. Contributing to the Body of Biblical Scholarship Second, Aletheias will endeavor to contribute to the body of scholarship in biblical studies, theology, and ministry by producing timely articles, expanding our current knowledge of the Word of God and Christian ministry; evaluating relevant literature; and presenting a conservative, premillennial, dispensational perspective. While other views will be objectively presented, our premise will remain anchored in our theological identity. In every course our faculty members share valuable information, and our students produce quality research. Many of our alumni lead dynamic ministries where their training is applied. These research papers and these ministry principles are worth sharing. Engaging Our World for Christ Third, Aletheias will strive to engage our multi-cultural world for Christ as we obey the Great Commission. Scholarship is sometimes viewed as intellectual exercise lacking passion and urgency for outreach. A sincere desire for a proper understanding of the Word of God should propel one to have a burden for making Christ known to all people. Proclamation of the Word was the passion of the early church. “Its proclamations were inspired not by a Pharisaic, scribal * Dr. Barkev S. Trachian, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., is the Vice President of Graduate Studies at Piedmont International University and the Editor of Aletheias. 1 Timothy Johnson, M.D., vividly illustrates the effectiveness of this method of discovery of truth in his salvation testimony published in his book, Finding God in the Questions (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2004), 15. 2 Acts 17:11. All Scripture citations are taken from the King James Version. 3 Kevin J. Vanhoozer skillfully explains the importance of thorough research in discovering biblical truth in his article “Lost in Interpretation?” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (March 2005): 89-114. 3 legalism, but by the living Word.”4 Archeologists excavating the catacombs have discovered an interesting symbol: a pair of sandals, to represent the mission and the evangelistic outreach of the early Christians. 5 The early Church was a proclaiming Church. In the Great Commission obedience to “observe all things” is the content and outcome of teaching.6 Paul repeatedly affirmed the importance of the proclamation of the Gospel. This truth is crystallized clearly in his message to the Corinthian believers.7 After affirming proclamation as the transmission of the Gospel, Paul presented the heart of the Gospel in its most dynamic form as the summation of his central message.8 Providing a Ministry Forum Fourth, Aletheias will provide a forum where ministry leaders will share with our readers Scriptural truths and paradigms learned through research and years of service. Ministry should have at its disposal the most advanced technology. Leaders should be equipped with enhanced communication skills for maximum impact for Christ. Seminaries usually structure courses into aggregates referred to as departments, divisions, or schools. This compartmentalization may assume that Theology, Biblical Studies, and Ministry are mutually exclusive areas of academic pursuit. Ministry may be viewed as one of the disciplines. However, Ministry is the adhesive that gives Theology and Biblical Studies power for impact.9 In addition to specifying courses in Ministry, Piedmont International University requires a ministry component in every theology and Biblical Studies course. Aletheias will reflect this emphasis. 4 Eberhard Arnold, The Early Christians in Their Own Words (Farmington, PA: Plough Publishing House, 1998), 291. 5 Ibid., 292. 6 Matthew 28:19-20. 7 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. 8 Ralph P. Martin, Worship in the Early Church (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1975), 58. 9 Joel Green, “Practicing