Volume 1, Number 1 (April 2009)
Editorial
Matthew W. Mason
The Editorial is available to read on this website.
The Maximalist Hermeneutics of James B. Jordan
R. S. Clarke
Abstract
James B. Jordan's maximalist hermeneutic seeks to read the Bible in a way that allows the depth and richness of its meaning to be discerned. The relationship between special and general revelation is important, as the world teaches us how to understand the Bible, and the Bible shows us how to interpret the world. The reader of the Bible should learn to be sensitive to all its literary tropes, in particular its rich symbolism and typology. Controls on this maximalist hermeneutic are not found in externally imposed rules but in theological and ecclesiastical traditions which themselves derive from the Bible.
The Poetry of Wisdom: A Note on James 3:6
Sarah-Jane Austin
Abstract
James 3.6 presents complex exegetical difficulties and is often declared textually corrupt. However, since James was probably influenced by Hebrew wisdom literature, and since this is typically poetic, a consideration of Hebrew poetic parallelism may help to make sense of the text as it stands. Viewed in the light of Berlin’s analysis of parallelism, James 3.1-12 is particularly rich in poetic devices, and this suggests that in 3.6 poetic function overrides the requirements of normal syntax. A reading is proposed which arranges the verse in three balanced couplets and situates it in the overlap of two major groups of metaphors.
John Owen’s Doctrine of Union with Christ in Relation to His Contributions to Seventeenth Century Debates Concerning Eternal Justification
Matthew W. Mason
Abstract
In 1649, Richard Baxter accused John Owen of teaching eternal justification, whereby the elect are justified from eternity, rather than when they believe in Christ. More recently, Hans Boersma has also argued that Owen taught justification prior to faith. Through an historical examination of Owen’s doctrines of justification and union with Christ, I demonstrate that he distinguishes various types of union with Christ: decretal, forensic, and mystical. He is thus able to maintain a mainstream Reformed Orthodox doctrine of justification by faith, whilst also maintaining that faith is a gift of God, purchased by Christ, and applied through Christ.
Thinking Like a Christian: The Prolegomena of Herman Bavinck
Matthew Roberts
Abstract
This article outlines the main contours of Herman Bavinck’s Prolegomena. Bavinck’s insight was that theological method must be grounded in the substance of theology itself, specifically in its Trinitarian and covenantal aspects. Theology is to be understood as a critical part of the image of God, as he is reflected in the believing consciousness of men in the Church, in response to God’s revelation in Christ. This concept is tightly integrated with Bavinck’s central understanding of the gospel as God fulfilling his creation design in Christ. In this way Bavinck derives a robustly Christian account of knowledge and certainty.
Book Reviews
Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright, eds., Believers Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ
Reviewed by Neil Jeffers
Peter J. Leithart, The Baptized Body
Reviewed by Martyn Cowan
David G. Firth and Jamie A. Grant, eds., Words and the Word: Explorations in Biblical Interpretation and Literary Theory
Reviewed by Sarah-Jane Austin
Daniel J. Treier, Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice
Reviewed by Michael Francis
Peter J. Leithart, 1 & 2 Kings
Reviewed by Alastair Roberts
Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
Reviewed by Pete Jackson
Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson, Is Christianity Good for the World?
Reviewed by Marc Lloyd
Tim Chester, You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for our Sinful Behaviour and Negative Emotions
Reviewed by Glenn B. Nesbitt
John Flavel, Impure Lust
Reviewed by Martyn Cowan
