The task of this paper is to focus on one towering figure in Baptist theology, John Gill (1697-1771), to determine whether and to what extent his ecclesiology is in line with the four marks of the church found in the Nicene creed (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic). Therefore, this paper will examine the writings of … Read more
This paper attempts to hold together three strands of literature that have each grown in recent years, yet frequently grown apart: (1) classical, dogmatic Christology [e.g., Pawl, Cross, Duby, Wellum, McFarland], (2) biblical theological accounts of worship and glory [e.g., Lamport, Block, Beale, Peterson, Kaiser, etc.], and (3) philosophical accounts of humanity’s “chief end” [e.g., … Read more
The relationship between confession, ecclesiology, and authority in protestant literature has been variously appraised. Dorner considers confession as a product of the certain character of Christian faith; Bavinck considers confession as arising genetically from Scripture; and Webster posits that confession is act of the eccentricity holiness of the church. Norwegian Lutheran dogmatician Gisle Johnson (1822-1894), … Read more
Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matt. 26:42, NIV) suggests that redemption could only come through the crucifixion. However, in the Summa Theologiae (ST III.46.2), Thomas Aquinas argues that redemption was … Read more
The Nicene Creed affirms that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father.” However, the Western Church added the filioque clause, “and from the Son,” which led to significant disagreement with the Eastern Church. Specifically, the Eastern Church maintained belief in a procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father only, emphasizing the monarchy of the … Read more
Tragically, the 2,000-year history of the Church is filled with examples of men and women who once held firmly to the truths of Scripture, but over time they began re-interpreting, explaining away, and eventually denying some of the doctrines of Scripture. This drift has drawn many theologians, Bible scholars, and pastors away from creedal Christianity. … Read more
In this essay, I will investigate how themes of divine justice are woven through the Nicene Creed. This paper will argue that the Creed’s teaching on the Son aligns with the diverse expressions of divine justice in Scripture and contains important implications for how we consider the justice of our triune God in se and … Read more
Throughout various articles and entries in his Miscellanies, Jonathan Edwards seemed to be developing a unique account of the hypostatic union wherein the Holy Spirit is understood to be the bond of union between Christ’s two natures. Although Edwards himself never fully developed his Christology, several contemporary theologians have sought to resource his model for … Read more
Established scholarship regards ancient Christian exegetical strategies as a vital prerequisite to theological conclusions integral to Nicene trinitarian dogma (Yeago 1994). More recent scholarship analyzes and evaluates the relation of Scripture and metaphysics (Levering 2004, Levering 2010, Rowe 2010, Carter 2018, Duby 2019, Carter 2021). Herman Bavinck (1854–1921) contributes to this ongoing, contemporary conversation, especially … Read more
The doctrine of divine simplicity has been largely ignored, rejected, or redefined in the last one hundred years of scholarship until the recent resurgence of interest. Specifically, modern apologist theologians and philosophers have largely rejected this doctrine in discussing God’s attributes and the relations of the Trinitarian persons, believing it to be something to apologize … Read more