on hold in the event of a cancellation
Paul’s interpreters are perpetually wrestling with whether the future judgment portrayed in Romans 2 is a part of Paul’s gospel of grace through faith, or a foil for it. Versions of each interpretation abound. Those who argue persuasively for a real judgment “according to works” of both believers and unbelievers must reason from elsewhere in … Read more
In their theological debate with Eunomius of Cyzicus, it is well-known that the Cappadocians strongly disputed their opponent’s claim that “God knows no more of His own substance than we do” (Socrates, Church History IV.7) by appealing to the absolute incomprehensibility of God’s essence (e.g., Gregory of Nazianzus, Or. 28). What is less often recognized … Read more
The concept of a “new covenant” (Luke 22:20) in early Christianity naturally brought to the fore a host of questions concerning the nature of the church, Israel, and how to interpret Scripture—questions that remain relevant to this day. This paper will examine the approach to this problem in the fourth century writer known as “Macarius.” … Read more
Debate continues over the identity of the blasphemous son in Leviticus 24:10–23. Notable scholars Jacob Milgrom and Bryan Bibb (and some noteworthy evangelicals) identify the son as a foreigner, and thus advance that Leviticus 24:10–23 functionally establishes that non-Israelites also must act holy. Other scholars Simeon Chavel and M.C. Westcott consider the son to be … Read more
Pastors typically spend the bulk of their time interacting with Christians. For this reason, they may not fully appreciate the experiences of their congregants who interact with the non-Christian world on a daily basis. Sermons, for example, from Esther, Daniel, or 1 Peter may be less effective if they fail to grapple with the challenges … Read more
This paper will explore the problems with the use of the label “cultural apologetics,” while at the same time arguing for the importance of a cluster of strategies that are commonly labeled as such. The adjective “cultural” to describe apologetics can suggest that other versions of apologetics could be acultural, understood universally, outside of the … 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 significance that the book of Ruth plays in the story of the Messiah can be seen clearly at the end of the book, with the genealogy connecting the child given to Naomi through Ruth to David. This is routinely noted by biblical theologians, seen recently in T. D. Alexander (1998), Kaiser (2008), and Schreiner … Read more
The recovery of the practice of “ecclesial theology” and the identify of pastors and theologians as “ecclesial theologians” has an exemplar in the late John Webster. He understood his own work in academic theology as a self-conscious repudiation of the practice of theology as a critical science and undertook instead to employ theology in service … Read more
In the past decade, several theologians have been exploring topics at the interface of Christian theology and the possible existence of Extra-Terrestrial Intelligent Life (ETIL). This interesting field is known as “Astrotheology.” Until now, there has been very little engagement from the evangelical theological community. The paper will begin with an overview of the field … Read more