This paper is co-authored with Randall Johnson Many associate Reformed Protestantism with soft theological determinism and compatibilism. In other words, according to the Reformed, God determines all things, yet human creatures are truly free, moral agents. Richard Muller and the authors of Reformed Thought on Freedom, however, deny that the Reformed were compatibilists. Instead, they … Read more
I was unable to attend and present last year due to a university requirement, so I am resubmitting that proposal that was accepted. Genesis 1-2 depicts an idyllic world in which humans occupy the prominent place of bearing God’s image and ruling over all creation. Notably, God creates these image-bearers as “male and female” (Gen … Read more
The Sea of Galilee – most scholars gloss over this term, accepting that the Sea of Galilee simply refers to the lake by which Capernaum was situated. While this is somewhat true, the fact that this toponym often goes unmentioned is a mystery. Apart from Matthew and Mark’s gospels and one reference from John (Matt … Read more
Early Christians followed their pagan counterparts in marking the graves of their people. Yet, there were distinct elements that Christians sought to include in their burial inscriptions. Much has been written about these distinctions in the literature, and yet there are more avenues to consider. For instance, while extant epigraphic and funerary epitaphs of members … Read more
The go’el custom which has been investigated from sociological and anthropological perspectives contains rich implications for leaders today. I previously argued that “the go’el custom, as reflected in Ruth, depicts an established custom wherein the redemption of property was merged with the practice of levirate marriage” (p. 237). This current proposal builds upon that work … Read more
Preaching is not merely the proclamation of biblical truth; it is also a pastoral act that shapes the emotional and spiritual life of a congregation. Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) has been widely applied to leadership and church dynamics emphasizing the importance of a well-differentiated leader—one who remains steadfast in conviction while resisting the pull … Read more
The saga of the Underground Railroad looms large in the national Canadian consciousness. Canada views itself, especially when juxtaposed with the United States, as a bastion of freedom for fugitive slaves and free Blacks looking to preserve their liberty. The national identity rest largely on Canada being one of the primary destinations on the Railroad. … Read more
Though overshadowed by Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Helmut Thielicke (1908–86) belongs to the class of German speaking theologians whose work has proven its value beyond the 20th century. Ministering amidst his nation’s unprecedented intellectual and spiritual ruin, Thielicke discerned the sources of decay and their deleterious effects. That is, nihilism. Thielicke’s conclusions about nihilism … Read more
Scholars have long studied Matthew’s Gospel for its extensive use of the Old Testament regarding the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. However, scholarship has not completed much work in the area of prophetic realization within the context of Matthew’s church audience, that is his readership. This topic is especially relevant for Pentecostal readings of Matthew. The … Read more
The 20th and 21st centuries’ revival of interest in the Holy Spirit has extended to many areas of Christian life and practice, including missions and the relationship of Christianity to other religions. The person and work of the Holy Spirit stands at the center of many modern theology of religions proposals. One of the most … Read more