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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
The Nicene Creed (325 AD) celebrates 1700 years this year, 2025. The Christological doctrine of hypostatic union defending the divinity of Jesus Christ and his full humanity has been challenged throughout the history of the church. Even during the Reformation, specifically the English Puritans, the doctrine of hypostatic union was tested. It was in this … Read more
The interpretation of the Apostles’ Creed by Martin Luther has been the subject of scholarly debate, with some suggesting that his understanding diverged from traditional Church teachings. Jaroslav Pelikan (1984) argues that Luther’s emphasis on the personal application of the Creed might overshadow its communal interpretation, while Heiko Oberman (1989) claims that Luther’s focus on … Read more
The description of Ham as Noah’s “youngest son” (בנו הקטן) in Gen 9:24 has long puzzled readers, since he appears to be depicted as the middle son in 9:18 (i.e., “Shem, Ham, and Japheth”). Discussions surrounding this verse often have centered around source- and redaction-critical issues, with interpreters arguing that this phrase is a vestige … 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
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
This paper explores the theological significance of two key reforms identified by Francisco Dryander in his 1549 letter to Thomas Cranmer: the abolition of the Mass and the allowance of clerical marriage. As Dryander wrote, “I also hear that a praiseworthy reformation has taken place in matters of religion: it has not yet seen the … Read more
Jean François Lyotard, who is credited with first applying the term “postmodern” to the world of philosophy, is perhaps best known for his definition of postmodernity as “incredulity towards metanarratives.” This claim, understood as a statement abjuring absolute truth-claims, has produced a certain notoriety both for Lyotard and for Postmodernism in general amongst Christian thinkers … Read more
Theologians commonly appeal to Ephesians 4:23–24 in their expositions of human nature and the image of God. Is this an instance of irresponsible proof-texting, or a valid inference from the discourse of Ephesians? Indeed, there do seem to be good reasons to recognize an anthropological dimension in this text. Christian renewal is envisioned as restoration … Read more