153
Editor’s Notes Welcome to the pages of the first issue of volume 49 of the Prot- estant Reformed Theological Journal. The first article in this issue is the transcript of the speech that Dr. John Bolt gave to the student body and faculty of the Protestant Reformed Seminary, as well as area ministers this past spring. Dr. Bolt is familiar to the constituency of the Protestant Reformed Churches as an outspoken critic of the treatment of Herman Hoeksema by the 1924 Synod of the Christian Reformed Church. Besides critical of the treatment of Hoeksema, he also finds fault with the doctrinal formulations of the 1924 Synod defining and defending common grace. In his article, Dr. Bolt points out what he believes to be the inadequacies of the “Three Points” and offers alternative formulations. Even though the very worthwhile question-and-answer session that followed Dr. Bolt’s speech cannot be reproduced here, we trust our readers will profit from the transcription of the speech. Our readers are once again favored with an article by a familiar contributor to PRTJ, Dr. Jürgen Burkhard Klautke, professor in the Academy for Reformed Theology in Marburg, Germany. This article is the transcription of a speech by Dr. Klautke at a conference spon- sored by the PRCA denominational Committee for Contact with Other [Foreign] Churches. The speech is a stirring defense of the truth of God’s covenant of grace, according to which elect believers are “in Christ,” as is the language of our Lord in His High Priestly prayer. Along the way, Dr. Klautke engages in necessary polemic against those who have perverted the truth of God’s Word that believers are “in Christ. This issue contains the first three parts of an eighteen part “John Calvin Research Bibliography” by the undersigned. This bibliography was constructed over the course of a number of years and copies of it were distributed to students who took a newly developed interim course on “The Theology of John Calvin.” It was thought that pub- lishing this bibliography would make available a valuable resource for any who are interested in doing research on the great Reformer John Calvin. Each section of the bibliography corresponds to a class

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Editorrsquos Notes

Welcometothepagesofthefirstissueofvolume49oftheProt-estant Reformed Theological JournalThefirstarticleinthisissueisthetranscriptofthespeechthatDrJohnBoltgavetothestudentbodyand facultyof theProtestantReformedSeminary aswell asareaministersthispastspringDrBoltisfamiliartotheconstituencyof theProtestantReformedChurchesasanoutspokencriticof thetreatmentofHermanHoeksemabythe1924SynodoftheChristianReformedChurch Besidescriticalof the treatmentofHoeksemahealsofindsfaultwiththedoctrinalformulationsofthe1924SynoddefininganddefendingcommongraceInhisarticleDrBoltpointsoutwhathebelievestobetheinadequaciesoftheldquoThreePointsrdquoandoffers alternative formulations Even though the veryworthwhilequestion-and-answersessionthatfollowedDrBoltrsquosspeechcannotbereproducedherewetrustourreaderswillprofitfromthetranscriptionof the speech OurreadersareonceagainfavoredwithanarticlebyafamiliarcontributortoPRTJ DrJuumlrgenBurkhardKlautkeprofessorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyThisarticleisthetranscriptionofaspeechbyDrKlautkeataconferencespon-soredbythePRCAdenominationalCommitteeforContactwithOther[Foreign]ChurchesThespeechisastirringdefenseofthetruthofGodrsquoscovenantofgraceaccordingtowhichelectbelieversareldquoinChristrdquoasisthelanguageofourLordinHisHighPriestlyprayerAlong thewayDrKlautke engages in necessarypolemic againstthosewhohavepervertedthetruthofGodrsquosWordthatbelieversareldquoinChrist ThisissuecontainsthefirstthreepartsofaneighteenpartldquoJohnCalvinResearchBibliographyrdquobytheundersignedThisbibliographywasconstructedoverthecourseofanumberofyearsandcopiesofitweredistributedtostudentswhotookanewlydevelopedinterimcourseonldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoItwasthoughtthatpub-lishingthisbibliographywouldmakeavailableavaluableresourceforanywhoareinterestedindoingresearchonthegreatReformerJohnCalvinEachsectionofthebibliographycorrespondstoaclass

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 12

sessiondevotedtothatmaintopicwiththerelatedsub-topicsthatwerecoveredintheclasslistedbeneatheachmaintopic ProfDavidEngelsmaemeritusProfessorofDogmaticsandOldTestamentintheProtestantReformedTheologicalSeminarycontrib-utesareviewarticleofReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed ThoughteditedbyWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeThebookexam-inestheteachingofleadingReformedtheologiansofthesixteenththroughtheearlyeighteenthcenturiesonthefreedomofthewillItdemonstratesthattheReformedtraditionhasconsistentlyrejectedtheerrorofldquofreewillrdquowhileatthesametimeupholdinggenuinehumanfreedomBesuretoreadthisveryworthwhileextendedreviewmdashandthenperhapsgetthebookandreaditforyourself As always this issueofPRTJ contains anumberof excellentbookreviewsThisisamuchappreciatedfeatureofanytheologicaljournalandthatcertainlyisthecasewithourjournalWetakethisopportunitytoexpressourthankstothemenwhoregularlycontributebookreviewsHopefullytheyknowhowmuchourreadersanticipatetheirregularcontributionsineachnewissueandbenefitfromthem Weremindourreadersthatourjournalismadeavailablefreeofcharge ThecostofitsproductionandmailingarecoveredbytheseminaryYourgiftsthereforeareappreciatedAndmanyofyoudosendgiftsperiodicallyWearegratefulforyoursupport Nowreadandenjoy Soli Deo Gloria mdashRLC

November 2015 3

The Unfinished Business of 19241

John Bolt

ItisdefinitelyoutoftheordinaryforaChristianReformedsemi-naryprofessortohavelecturedattheProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolmdashabouttheeventsof1924nolessmdashandnowtohavethatlecturepublishedinitsTheological JournalOfcourseIamnotastrangertothistopichavingwrittenthreeessaysonthesubjectoverthelastfifteenyears2WhatmayhavesurprisedsomeistheextenttowhichIhavebeencriticalofmyownchurchrsquosdealingwithcommongraceandsympathetictomuchofRevHermanHoeksemarsquoscritiqueofthedoctrine IacknowledgethatthesethreearticleswerenotentirelyinnocentandthatthetitleofthethirdonemdashldquoHermanHoeksemawasright(onthethreepointsthatreallymatter)rdquomdashwasquitedeliberatelyprovoc-

1 ThisarticleisarevisedversionofalectureIgaveattheProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolonApril142015IhaveremovedmostbutnotalloftheelementsfittinganoralpresentationsothatIcouldpreservesomeof the directness and liveliness of the oral in thiswritten versionHerewithmythankstothefacultyfortheinvitationandtoallthosepresentforthehospitalitywithwhichIwasreceivedandthecourteousthoughtfulquestion-and-answersessionafterthelectureAnoteonthetitleAfterIhadfinishedpreparingthislectureIcameacrossanotherclaimbyaformerCRCMinister that commongrace remains ldquounfinished business for theCRCrdquoEdwardHeeremaLetter to My Mother Reflections on the Christian Reformed Church in North America (FreemanSDPineHillPress1990)

2 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceand theChristianReformedSynodofKalamazoo (1924) ASeventy-FifthAnniversaryRetrospectiverdquoCalvin Theological Journal35(2000)7-36idemldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodTheTemptationsofCalvinistPolitics(ReflectionsontheThirdPointoftheCRCKalamazooSynod1924rdquoCTJ 35(2000)205-37idemldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMat-ter)rdquoinArieCLederandRichardAMulleredsBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James De Jong (GrandRapidsReformationHeritageBooks2014)295ndash318

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 14

ativeMyinterestandintentionwasmorethanmerelyacademicandhistoricalovertheyearsIhavebecomepersuadedthat1924wasatragedy for theChristianReformedChurch and for theReformedwitnessinNorthAmericaNotonlydidtheCRCloseanimportanttheologicalcounter-weightinthepersonandtheologicalpassionsofRevHermanHoeksematheeventsof1924andtheyearsafterleftalegacyofbrokenchurchesandfamiliesthathaspoisonedChristianfellowshipamongReformedpeopleespeciallyinWestMichigantothisverydayFurthermorebecausethe1924decisionwashastilyformulatedintheheatofdebateitlackedtheologicalprecisionandledtoconfusionintheChristianReformedChurchparticularlyblurringtheboundariesbetweenparticulargraceandGodrsquosprovidentialcareoftheworldItbecamemyconvictionthatthefirststeptoanypossi-bleclarificationandhealingwasforChristianReformedfolktofacesomehardquestionsthathadtocomefromwithinIwasnotlookingtostiruptroublewithmyarticlesbutIdidhopetostimulateseriousself-reflectionwithin theCRC Myarticleshave understandablybeenwell-receivedintheProtestantReformedChurchesbutIamalsogratefulforthewell-wisherswithintheCRCincludingsomeofmyfacultycolleaguesatCalvinSeminarywhohavebeensupportiveofthegeneralthrustofmywritingonthissubject

My Journey with the Doctrine of Common Grace in the CRC Myown interest in theperiodof roughly1920 to1924 in theChristianReformedChurchgoesbacktomyseminarystudentyearsin the early 1970s IwrotemyCRChistory paper on theRalphJanssencontroversy3andprovidentiallyhadanopportunitytospeak

3 DrRalphJanssenwasaprofessorofOldTestamentatCalvinTheo-logicalSeminarywhoseteachingcameundersuspicionbystudentsandhisfacultycolleaguesforitsalleged(higher)criticalapproachtoHolyScriptureAfterseveralyearsofback-and-forthdiscussioninvolvingtheCalvinCol-legeandSeminaryBoardofTrustees(calledtheCuratorium)andthesynodof theChristianReformedChurchProfJanssenwaseventuallydeposedbythe1922SynodTheprimaryldquoevidencerdquousedtoconvicthimwerethestudentnotesofhislecturesItisworthnotingherethatJanssenrsquosappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceandhiscriticismofRevHermanHoeksema(whoreciprocatedasoneofJanssenrsquosmostvocalpubliccritics)playedamajorroleinthefatefuleventsof1924

November 2015 5

witharetiredCRCministerwhohadbeenoneofJanssenrsquosstudentsandwhoexpressedsomeappreciationforthewayhemadetheBiblecomealive4ThenwithoutaccesstotheinfamousldquostudentnotesrdquousedasevidenceagainsthimIhadnowayofindependentlycheckingJanssenrsquosorthodoxyButIdidwonderwhethertheCRCrsquosprocessagainstJanssenwastrulyjustThathappenedin1922Ialsowon-deredHowdidRevHoeksemarsquosfortuneschangesodramaticallyinonlytwoyearsfrom1922to1924DidtheChristianReformedChurchchangeitsmindaboutsuchissuesasthehistoricalcriticismofScripture WhydidJanssenappeal to thedoctrineofcommongracetonoavailin1922onlytohavetheCRCbecomefixatedondefendingthedoctrineameretwoyearslaterAseedofcuriositywasplantedinthoseyearsCouldtherestillbeunfinishedbusinessleftoverfrom1922ndash24 Iwasstillworkingonmydissertationin1980whenIstartedatwo-yearterminalteachingjobintheReligionandTheologyDepartmentatCalvinCollegeMyresearchonHermanBavinckandAbrahamKuyperhadledmetoothercriticsofKuypersuchasArnoldvanRulerKlaasSchilderJochemDoumaalsofromtheLiberatedReformedChurches andWimVelema from theChristelijke Gereformeerde KerkenIthereforecametomyteachingpostatCalvindisposedtodoingsomerevisionistthinkingaboutcommongraceTomydelightIfoundthatProtestantReformedstudentsbegantotrustmeanden-gagemeinhonestdiscussionsbecauseItookthemandtheirviewsseriouslyThatwasnotalwaysthecaseatCalvinCollege WhenIstartedteachingatCalvinSeminaryin1989conversationswithcolleaguesincludeddiscussionsaboutthewaythedoctrineofcommongracehadshapedtheCRCwherewenowlivedandworkedinthe1990sWejudgedthattheinfluencehadnotbeenaltogetherbeneficialAfriendlyandwarmpersonalconnectionwithProfDavidEngelsmaofthePRCSeminarystartedinthe1990swhenweworkedtogetherontheboardoftheDutchReformedTranslationSocietyto

4 RevElbertKooistra (1891ndash1995)RevKooistra graduated fromCalvinSeminaryin1921andacceptedacalltoservetheChristianReformedChurchAustinvilleIowaAspresidentoftheconsistoryofthatchurchhesignedaletterofprotestagainstJanssenrsquosdepositiontothenextmeetingofsynodin1924

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 16

bringHermanBavinckrsquosReformed Dogmatics intoEnglishtranslationAstheeditorof theCalvin Theological Journal thatsamedecadealongwitheditorialcommitteememberRichardMullerwedreameduptheideaofpreparingathemeissueofCTJ commemoratingtheseventy-fifthanniversaryof theCRCrsquosKalamazooSynodof1924andtheinfamousldquothreepointsrdquoWeaskedCTSPhDstudentRan-dyBlacketertowriteanarticleontheso-calledldquoWell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquo5andIintendedtowriteaneditorialintroducingtheissueIgotalittlecarriedawayinmyreadingandresearchforthateditorialandendedupwithmyfirstessaywhosethesiswasthattheCRCsynodhadactedinunseemlyhastebyfailingtoappointaproperstudycommitteetoexaminethedoctrineofcommongraceandthattherewassignificantevidencetowarrantthejudgmentthat1924wasldquopayback timerdquo forRevHoeksemarsquos involvement in the Janssendeposition6TherewereIsuggestedinfluentialandimportantforcesintheCRCthatwantedtoshutdowntheanti-commongracevirusintheCRC(OnthatessayIdidgetsomepushback)TodramatizethehastinessandsloppinessofthedraftedThreePointsinasubsequentarticleIproposedarewritingofthethirdpointthatIwasconvincedwouldhavesatisfiedHoeksemaandavoidedtheproblematiclanguageofKalamazoo7Mythirdessayalsoproposedarewriteofthemosttroublingfirstpoint8butinmyviewtheproblemwith1924cannotbesolvedsimplybyrewritingtheThreePoints9

5 RaymondABlacketerldquoTheThreePointsinMostPartsReformedAReexaminationoftheSo-calledWell-meantOfferofSalvationrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 351(2000)37-65

6 AsanadditionalbitofevidencetosupportthisitisworthnotingthatontheAgenda forthe1924Synodtherewerenofewerthanelevendistinctldquoprotestsrdquoagainstthe1922decisiontodeposeProfJanssenIwillbere-ferringtothe1924 Acts of Synod anumberoftimesinthisarticleReaderswhowishtocheckoutthepassagesforthemselvesshouldknowthatthereisonlineaccesstotheCRCActs of Synod athttpwwwcrcnaorgresourcessynod-resourcesthe1924Actsareavailableathttpwwwcalvinedulibrarydatabasecrcnasynod1924acts_etpdf

7 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

8 JohnBoltldquoHermanHoeksemawasRightrdquo3039 ThathasnrsquotstoppedmefromtryinghowevertheAppendixtothis

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 110

SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 112

NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Vol 49 No 114

ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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Vol 49 No 118

notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

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Vol 49 No 122

creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

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tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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Vol 49 No 126

IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 128

Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 130

Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 132

The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 142

inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 144

conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 146

bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 148

TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

Page 2: Editor’s Notes - prca.org

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 12

sessiondevotedtothatmaintopicwiththerelatedsub-topicsthatwerecoveredintheclasslistedbeneatheachmaintopic ProfDavidEngelsmaemeritusProfessorofDogmaticsandOldTestamentintheProtestantReformedTheologicalSeminarycontrib-utesareviewarticleofReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed ThoughteditedbyWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeThebookexam-inestheteachingofleadingReformedtheologiansofthesixteenththroughtheearlyeighteenthcenturiesonthefreedomofthewillItdemonstratesthattheReformedtraditionhasconsistentlyrejectedtheerrorofldquofreewillrdquowhileatthesametimeupholdinggenuinehumanfreedomBesuretoreadthisveryworthwhileextendedreviewmdashandthenperhapsgetthebookandreaditforyourself As always this issueofPRTJ contains anumberof excellentbookreviewsThisisamuchappreciatedfeatureofanytheologicaljournalandthatcertainlyisthecasewithourjournalWetakethisopportunitytoexpressourthankstothemenwhoregularlycontributebookreviewsHopefullytheyknowhowmuchourreadersanticipatetheirregularcontributionsineachnewissueandbenefitfromthem Weremindourreadersthatourjournalismadeavailablefreeofcharge ThecostofitsproductionandmailingarecoveredbytheseminaryYourgiftsthereforeareappreciatedAndmanyofyoudosendgiftsperiodicallyWearegratefulforyoursupport Nowreadandenjoy Soli Deo Gloria mdashRLC

November 2015 3

The Unfinished Business of 19241

John Bolt

ItisdefinitelyoutoftheordinaryforaChristianReformedsemi-naryprofessortohavelecturedattheProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolmdashabouttheeventsof1924nolessmdashandnowtohavethatlecturepublishedinitsTheological JournalOfcourseIamnotastrangertothistopichavingwrittenthreeessaysonthesubjectoverthelastfifteenyears2WhatmayhavesurprisedsomeistheextenttowhichIhavebeencriticalofmyownchurchrsquosdealingwithcommongraceandsympathetictomuchofRevHermanHoeksemarsquoscritiqueofthedoctrine IacknowledgethatthesethreearticleswerenotentirelyinnocentandthatthetitleofthethirdonemdashldquoHermanHoeksemawasright(onthethreepointsthatreallymatter)rdquomdashwasquitedeliberatelyprovoc-

1 ThisarticleisarevisedversionofalectureIgaveattheProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolonApril142015IhaveremovedmostbutnotalloftheelementsfittinganoralpresentationsothatIcouldpreservesomeof the directness and liveliness of the oral in thiswritten versionHerewithmythankstothefacultyfortheinvitationandtoallthosepresentforthehospitalitywithwhichIwasreceivedandthecourteousthoughtfulquestion-and-answersessionafterthelectureAnoteonthetitleAfterIhadfinishedpreparingthislectureIcameacrossanotherclaimbyaformerCRCMinister that commongrace remains ldquounfinished business for theCRCrdquoEdwardHeeremaLetter to My Mother Reflections on the Christian Reformed Church in North America (FreemanSDPineHillPress1990)

2 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceand theChristianReformedSynodofKalamazoo (1924) ASeventy-FifthAnniversaryRetrospectiverdquoCalvin Theological Journal35(2000)7-36idemldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodTheTemptationsofCalvinistPolitics(ReflectionsontheThirdPointoftheCRCKalamazooSynod1924rdquoCTJ 35(2000)205-37idemldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMat-ter)rdquoinArieCLederandRichardAMulleredsBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James De Jong (GrandRapidsReformationHeritageBooks2014)295ndash318

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 14

ativeMyinterestandintentionwasmorethanmerelyacademicandhistoricalovertheyearsIhavebecomepersuadedthat1924wasatragedy for theChristianReformedChurch and for theReformedwitnessinNorthAmericaNotonlydidtheCRCloseanimportanttheologicalcounter-weightinthepersonandtheologicalpassionsofRevHermanHoeksematheeventsof1924andtheyearsafterleftalegacyofbrokenchurchesandfamiliesthathaspoisonedChristianfellowshipamongReformedpeopleespeciallyinWestMichigantothisverydayFurthermorebecausethe1924decisionwashastilyformulatedintheheatofdebateitlackedtheologicalprecisionandledtoconfusionintheChristianReformedChurchparticularlyblurringtheboundariesbetweenparticulargraceandGodrsquosprovidentialcareoftheworldItbecamemyconvictionthatthefirststeptoanypossi-bleclarificationandhealingwasforChristianReformedfolktofacesomehardquestionsthathadtocomefromwithinIwasnotlookingtostiruptroublewithmyarticlesbutIdidhopetostimulateseriousself-reflectionwithin theCRC Myarticleshave understandablybeenwell-receivedintheProtestantReformedChurchesbutIamalsogratefulforthewell-wisherswithintheCRCincludingsomeofmyfacultycolleaguesatCalvinSeminarywhohavebeensupportiveofthegeneralthrustofmywritingonthissubject

My Journey with the Doctrine of Common Grace in the CRC Myown interest in theperiodof roughly1920 to1924 in theChristianReformedChurchgoesbacktomyseminarystudentyearsin the early 1970s IwrotemyCRChistory paper on theRalphJanssencontroversy3andprovidentiallyhadanopportunitytospeak

3 DrRalphJanssenwasaprofessorofOldTestamentatCalvinTheo-logicalSeminarywhoseteachingcameundersuspicionbystudentsandhisfacultycolleaguesforitsalleged(higher)criticalapproachtoHolyScriptureAfterseveralyearsofback-and-forthdiscussioninvolvingtheCalvinCol-legeandSeminaryBoardofTrustees(calledtheCuratorium)andthesynodof theChristianReformedChurchProfJanssenwaseventuallydeposedbythe1922SynodTheprimaryldquoevidencerdquousedtoconvicthimwerethestudentnotesofhislecturesItisworthnotingherethatJanssenrsquosappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceandhiscriticismofRevHermanHoeksema(whoreciprocatedasoneofJanssenrsquosmostvocalpubliccritics)playedamajorroleinthefatefuleventsof1924

November 2015 5

witharetiredCRCministerwhohadbeenoneofJanssenrsquosstudentsandwhoexpressedsomeappreciationforthewayhemadetheBiblecomealive4ThenwithoutaccesstotheinfamousldquostudentnotesrdquousedasevidenceagainsthimIhadnowayofindependentlycheckingJanssenrsquosorthodoxyButIdidwonderwhethertheCRCrsquosprocessagainstJanssenwastrulyjustThathappenedin1922Ialsowon-deredHowdidRevHoeksemarsquosfortuneschangesodramaticallyinonlytwoyearsfrom1922to1924DidtheChristianReformedChurchchangeitsmindaboutsuchissuesasthehistoricalcriticismofScripture WhydidJanssenappeal to thedoctrineofcommongracetonoavailin1922onlytohavetheCRCbecomefixatedondefendingthedoctrineameretwoyearslaterAseedofcuriositywasplantedinthoseyearsCouldtherestillbeunfinishedbusinessleftoverfrom1922ndash24 Iwasstillworkingonmydissertationin1980whenIstartedatwo-yearterminalteachingjobintheReligionandTheologyDepartmentatCalvinCollegeMyresearchonHermanBavinckandAbrahamKuyperhadledmetoothercriticsofKuypersuchasArnoldvanRulerKlaasSchilderJochemDoumaalsofromtheLiberatedReformedChurches andWimVelema from theChristelijke Gereformeerde KerkenIthereforecametomyteachingpostatCalvindisposedtodoingsomerevisionistthinkingaboutcommongraceTomydelightIfoundthatProtestantReformedstudentsbegantotrustmeanden-gagemeinhonestdiscussionsbecauseItookthemandtheirviewsseriouslyThatwasnotalwaysthecaseatCalvinCollege WhenIstartedteachingatCalvinSeminaryin1989conversationswithcolleaguesincludeddiscussionsaboutthewaythedoctrineofcommongracehadshapedtheCRCwherewenowlivedandworkedinthe1990sWejudgedthattheinfluencehadnotbeenaltogetherbeneficialAfriendlyandwarmpersonalconnectionwithProfDavidEngelsmaofthePRCSeminarystartedinthe1990swhenweworkedtogetherontheboardoftheDutchReformedTranslationSocietyto

4 RevElbertKooistra (1891ndash1995)RevKooistra graduated fromCalvinSeminaryin1921andacceptedacalltoservetheChristianReformedChurchAustinvilleIowaAspresidentoftheconsistoryofthatchurchhesignedaletterofprotestagainstJanssenrsquosdepositiontothenextmeetingofsynodin1924

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 16

bringHermanBavinckrsquosReformed Dogmatics intoEnglishtranslationAstheeditorof theCalvin Theological Journal thatsamedecadealongwitheditorialcommitteememberRichardMullerwedreameduptheideaofpreparingathemeissueofCTJ commemoratingtheseventy-fifthanniversaryof theCRCrsquosKalamazooSynodof1924andtheinfamousldquothreepointsrdquoWeaskedCTSPhDstudentRan-dyBlacketertowriteanarticleontheso-calledldquoWell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquo5andIintendedtowriteaneditorialintroducingtheissueIgotalittlecarriedawayinmyreadingandresearchforthateditorialandendedupwithmyfirstessaywhosethesiswasthattheCRCsynodhadactedinunseemlyhastebyfailingtoappointaproperstudycommitteetoexaminethedoctrineofcommongraceandthattherewassignificantevidencetowarrantthejudgmentthat1924wasldquopayback timerdquo forRevHoeksemarsquos involvement in the Janssendeposition6TherewereIsuggestedinfluentialandimportantforcesintheCRCthatwantedtoshutdowntheanti-commongracevirusintheCRC(OnthatessayIdidgetsomepushback)TodramatizethehastinessandsloppinessofthedraftedThreePointsinasubsequentarticleIproposedarewritingofthethirdpointthatIwasconvincedwouldhavesatisfiedHoeksemaandavoidedtheproblematiclanguageofKalamazoo7Mythirdessayalsoproposedarewriteofthemosttroublingfirstpoint8butinmyviewtheproblemwith1924cannotbesolvedsimplybyrewritingtheThreePoints9

5 RaymondABlacketerldquoTheThreePointsinMostPartsReformedAReexaminationoftheSo-calledWell-meantOfferofSalvationrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 351(2000)37-65

6 AsanadditionalbitofevidencetosupportthisitisworthnotingthatontheAgenda forthe1924Synodtherewerenofewerthanelevendistinctldquoprotestsrdquoagainstthe1922decisiontodeposeProfJanssenIwillbere-ferringtothe1924 Acts of Synod anumberoftimesinthisarticleReaderswhowishtocheckoutthepassagesforthemselvesshouldknowthatthereisonlineaccesstotheCRCActs of Synod athttpwwwcrcnaorgresourcessynod-resourcesthe1924Actsareavailableathttpwwwcalvinedulibrarydatabasecrcnasynod1924acts_etpdf

7 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

8 JohnBoltldquoHermanHoeksemawasRightrdquo3039 ThathasnrsquotstoppedmefromtryinghowevertheAppendixtothis

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

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SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 120

technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 122

creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 124

tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 126

IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

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Vol 49 No 128

Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 130

Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 132

The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 134

AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

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concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

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IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

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inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

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conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

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bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 148

TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

Page 3: Editor’s Notes - prca.org

November 2015 3

The Unfinished Business of 19241

John Bolt

ItisdefinitelyoutoftheordinaryforaChristianReformedsemi-naryprofessortohavelecturedattheProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolmdashabouttheeventsof1924nolessmdashandnowtohavethatlecturepublishedinitsTheological JournalOfcourseIamnotastrangertothistopichavingwrittenthreeessaysonthesubjectoverthelastfifteenyears2WhatmayhavesurprisedsomeistheextenttowhichIhavebeencriticalofmyownchurchrsquosdealingwithcommongraceandsympathetictomuchofRevHermanHoeksemarsquoscritiqueofthedoctrine IacknowledgethatthesethreearticleswerenotentirelyinnocentandthatthetitleofthethirdonemdashldquoHermanHoeksemawasright(onthethreepointsthatreallymatter)rdquomdashwasquitedeliberatelyprovoc-

1 ThisarticleisarevisedversionofalectureIgaveattheProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolonApril142015IhaveremovedmostbutnotalloftheelementsfittinganoralpresentationsothatIcouldpreservesomeof the directness and liveliness of the oral in thiswritten versionHerewithmythankstothefacultyfortheinvitationandtoallthosepresentforthehospitalitywithwhichIwasreceivedandthecourteousthoughtfulquestion-and-answersessionafterthelectureAnoteonthetitleAfterIhadfinishedpreparingthislectureIcameacrossanotherclaimbyaformerCRCMinister that commongrace remains ldquounfinished business for theCRCrdquoEdwardHeeremaLetter to My Mother Reflections on the Christian Reformed Church in North America (FreemanSDPineHillPress1990)

2 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceand theChristianReformedSynodofKalamazoo (1924) ASeventy-FifthAnniversaryRetrospectiverdquoCalvin Theological Journal35(2000)7-36idemldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodTheTemptationsofCalvinistPolitics(ReflectionsontheThirdPointoftheCRCKalamazooSynod1924rdquoCTJ 35(2000)205-37idemldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMat-ter)rdquoinArieCLederandRichardAMulleredsBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James De Jong (GrandRapidsReformationHeritageBooks2014)295ndash318

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 14

ativeMyinterestandintentionwasmorethanmerelyacademicandhistoricalovertheyearsIhavebecomepersuadedthat1924wasatragedy for theChristianReformedChurch and for theReformedwitnessinNorthAmericaNotonlydidtheCRCloseanimportanttheologicalcounter-weightinthepersonandtheologicalpassionsofRevHermanHoeksematheeventsof1924andtheyearsafterleftalegacyofbrokenchurchesandfamiliesthathaspoisonedChristianfellowshipamongReformedpeopleespeciallyinWestMichigantothisverydayFurthermorebecausethe1924decisionwashastilyformulatedintheheatofdebateitlackedtheologicalprecisionandledtoconfusionintheChristianReformedChurchparticularlyblurringtheboundariesbetweenparticulargraceandGodrsquosprovidentialcareoftheworldItbecamemyconvictionthatthefirststeptoanypossi-bleclarificationandhealingwasforChristianReformedfolktofacesomehardquestionsthathadtocomefromwithinIwasnotlookingtostiruptroublewithmyarticlesbutIdidhopetostimulateseriousself-reflectionwithin theCRC Myarticleshave understandablybeenwell-receivedintheProtestantReformedChurchesbutIamalsogratefulforthewell-wisherswithintheCRCincludingsomeofmyfacultycolleaguesatCalvinSeminarywhohavebeensupportiveofthegeneralthrustofmywritingonthissubject

My Journey with the Doctrine of Common Grace in the CRC Myown interest in theperiodof roughly1920 to1924 in theChristianReformedChurchgoesbacktomyseminarystudentyearsin the early 1970s IwrotemyCRChistory paper on theRalphJanssencontroversy3andprovidentiallyhadanopportunitytospeak

3 DrRalphJanssenwasaprofessorofOldTestamentatCalvinTheo-logicalSeminarywhoseteachingcameundersuspicionbystudentsandhisfacultycolleaguesforitsalleged(higher)criticalapproachtoHolyScriptureAfterseveralyearsofback-and-forthdiscussioninvolvingtheCalvinCol-legeandSeminaryBoardofTrustees(calledtheCuratorium)andthesynodof theChristianReformedChurchProfJanssenwaseventuallydeposedbythe1922SynodTheprimaryldquoevidencerdquousedtoconvicthimwerethestudentnotesofhislecturesItisworthnotingherethatJanssenrsquosappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceandhiscriticismofRevHermanHoeksema(whoreciprocatedasoneofJanssenrsquosmostvocalpubliccritics)playedamajorroleinthefatefuleventsof1924

November 2015 5

witharetiredCRCministerwhohadbeenoneofJanssenrsquosstudentsandwhoexpressedsomeappreciationforthewayhemadetheBiblecomealive4ThenwithoutaccesstotheinfamousldquostudentnotesrdquousedasevidenceagainsthimIhadnowayofindependentlycheckingJanssenrsquosorthodoxyButIdidwonderwhethertheCRCrsquosprocessagainstJanssenwastrulyjustThathappenedin1922Ialsowon-deredHowdidRevHoeksemarsquosfortuneschangesodramaticallyinonlytwoyearsfrom1922to1924DidtheChristianReformedChurchchangeitsmindaboutsuchissuesasthehistoricalcriticismofScripture WhydidJanssenappeal to thedoctrineofcommongracetonoavailin1922onlytohavetheCRCbecomefixatedondefendingthedoctrineameretwoyearslaterAseedofcuriositywasplantedinthoseyearsCouldtherestillbeunfinishedbusinessleftoverfrom1922ndash24 Iwasstillworkingonmydissertationin1980whenIstartedatwo-yearterminalteachingjobintheReligionandTheologyDepartmentatCalvinCollegeMyresearchonHermanBavinckandAbrahamKuyperhadledmetoothercriticsofKuypersuchasArnoldvanRulerKlaasSchilderJochemDoumaalsofromtheLiberatedReformedChurches andWimVelema from theChristelijke Gereformeerde KerkenIthereforecametomyteachingpostatCalvindisposedtodoingsomerevisionistthinkingaboutcommongraceTomydelightIfoundthatProtestantReformedstudentsbegantotrustmeanden-gagemeinhonestdiscussionsbecauseItookthemandtheirviewsseriouslyThatwasnotalwaysthecaseatCalvinCollege WhenIstartedteachingatCalvinSeminaryin1989conversationswithcolleaguesincludeddiscussionsaboutthewaythedoctrineofcommongracehadshapedtheCRCwherewenowlivedandworkedinthe1990sWejudgedthattheinfluencehadnotbeenaltogetherbeneficialAfriendlyandwarmpersonalconnectionwithProfDavidEngelsmaofthePRCSeminarystartedinthe1990swhenweworkedtogetherontheboardoftheDutchReformedTranslationSocietyto

4 RevElbertKooistra (1891ndash1995)RevKooistra graduated fromCalvinSeminaryin1921andacceptedacalltoservetheChristianReformedChurchAustinvilleIowaAspresidentoftheconsistoryofthatchurchhesignedaletterofprotestagainstJanssenrsquosdepositiontothenextmeetingofsynodin1924

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 16

bringHermanBavinckrsquosReformed Dogmatics intoEnglishtranslationAstheeditorof theCalvin Theological Journal thatsamedecadealongwitheditorialcommitteememberRichardMullerwedreameduptheideaofpreparingathemeissueofCTJ commemoratingtheseventy-fifthanniversaryof theCRCrsquosKalamazooSynodof1924andtheinfamousldquothreepointsrdquoWeaskedCTSPhDstudentRan-dyBlacketertowriteanarticleontheso-calledldquoWell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquo5andIintendedtowriteaneditorialintroducingtheissueIgotalittlecarriedawayinmyreadingandresearchforthateditorialandendedupwithmyfirstessaywhosethesiswasthattheCRCsynodhadactedinunseemlyhastebyfailingtoappointaproperstudycommitteetoexaminethedoctrineofcommongraceandthattherewassignificantevidencetowarrantthejudgmentthat1924wasldquopayback timerdquo forRevHoeksemarsquos involvement in the Janssendeposition6TherewereIsuggestedinfluentialandimportantforcesintheCRCthatwantedtoshutdowntheanti-commongracevirusintheCRC(OnthatessayIdidgetsomepushback)TodramatizethehastinessandsloppinessofthedraftedThreePointsinasubsequentarticleIproposedarewritingofthethirdpointthatIwasconvincedwouldhavesatisfiedHoeksemaandavoidedtheproblematiclanguageofKalamazoo7Mythirdessayalsoproposedarewriteofthemosttroublingfirstpoint8butinmyviewtheproblemwith1924cannotbesolvedsimplybyrewritingtheThreePoints9

5 RaymondABlacketerldquoTheThreePointsinMostPartsReformedAReexaminationoftheSo-calledWell-meantOfferofSalvationrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 351(2000)37-65

6 AsanadditionalbitofevidencetosupportthisitisworthnotingthatontheAgenda forthe1924Synodtherewerenofewerthanelevendistinctldquoprotestsrdquoagainstthe1922decisiontodeposeProfJanssenIwillbere-ferringtothe1924 Acts of Synod anumberoftimesinthisarticleReaderswhowishtocheckoutthepassagesforthemselvesshouldknowthatthereisonlineaccesstotheCRCActs of Synod athttpwwwcrcnaorgresourcessynod-resourcesthe1924Actsareavailableathttpwwwcalvinedulibrarydatabasecrcnasynod1924acts_etpdf

7 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

8 JohnBoltldquoHermanHoeksemawasRightrdquo3039 ThathasnrsquotstoppedmefromtryinghowevertheAppendixtothis

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 110

SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 112

NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Vol 49 No 114

ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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Vol 49 No 118

notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

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Vol 49 No 122

creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

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tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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Vol 49 No 126

IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 128

Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 130

Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 132

The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 142

inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 144

conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 146

bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 148

TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

Page 4: Editor’s Notes - prca.org

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 14

ativeMyinterestandintentionwasmorethanmerelyacademicandhistoricalovertheyearsIhavebecomepersuadedthat1924wasatragedy for theChristianReformedChurch and for theReformedwitnessinNorthAmericaNotonlydidtheCRCloseanimportanttheologicalcounter-weightinthepersonandtheologicalpassionsofRevHermanHoeksematheeventsof1924andtheyearsafterleftalegacyofbrokenchurchesandfamiliesthathaspoisonedChristianfellowshipamongReformedpeopleespeciallyinWestMichigantothisverydayFurthermorebecausethe1924decisionwashastilyformulatedintheheatofdebateitlackedtheologicalprecisionandledtoconfusionintheChristianReformedChurchparticularlyblurringtheboundariesbetweenparticulargraceandGodrsquosprovidentialcareoftheworldItbecamemyconvictionthatthefirststeptoanypossi-bleclarificationandhealingwasforChristianReformedfolktofacesomehardquestionsthathadtocomefromwithinIwasnotlookingtostiruptroublewithmyarticlesbutIdidhopetostimulateseriousself-reflectionwithin theCRC Myarticleshave understandablybeenwell-receivedintheProtestantReformedChurchesbutIamalsogratefulforthewell-wisherswithintheCRCincludingsomeofmyfacultycolleaguesatCalvinSeminarywhohavebeensupportiveofthegeneralthrustofmywritingonthissubject

My Journey with the Doctrine of Common Grace in the CRC Myown interest in theperiodof roughly1920 to1924 in theChristianReformedChurchgoesbacktomyseminarystudentyearsin the early 1970s IwrotemyCRChistory paper on theRalphJanssencontroversy3andprovidentiallyhadanopportunitytospeak

3 DrRalphJanssenwasaprofessorofOldTestamentatCalvinTheo-logicalSeminarywhoseteachingcameundersuspicionbystudentsandhisfacultycolleaguesforitsalleged(higher)criticalapproachtoHolyScriptureAfterseveralyearsofback-and-forthdiscussioninvolvingtheCalvinCol-legeandSeminaryBoardofTrustees(calledtheCuratorium)andthesynodof theChristianReformedChurchProfJanssenwaseventuallydeposedbythe1922SynodTheprimaryldquoevidencerdquousedtoconvicthimwerethestudentnotesofhislecturesItisworthnotingherethatJanssenrsquosappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceandhiscriticismofRevHermanHoeksema(whoreciprocatedasoneofJanssenrsquosmostvocalpubliccritics)playedamajorroleinthefatefuleventsof1924

November 2015 5

witharetiredCRCministerwhohadbeenoneofJanssenrsquosstudentsandwhoexpressedsomeappreciationforthewayhemadetheBiblecomealive4ThenwithoutaccesstotheinfamousldquostudentnotesrdquousedasevidenceagainsthimIhadnowayofindependentlycheckingJanssenrsquosorthodoxyButIdidwonderwhethertheCRCrsquosprocessagainstJanssenwastrulyjustThathappenedin1922Ialsowon-deredHowdidRevHoeksemarsquosfortuneschangesodramaticallyinonlytwoyearsfrom1922to1924DidtheChristianReformedChurchchangeitsmindaboutsuchissuesasthehistoricalcriticismofScripture WhydidJanssenappeal to thedoctrineofcommongracetonoavailin1922onlytohavetheCRCbecomefixatedondefendingthedoctrineameretwoyearslaterAseedofcuriositywasplantedinthoseyearsCouldtherestillbeunfinishedbusinessleftoverfrom1922ndash24 Iwasstillworkingonmydissertationin1980whenIstartedatwo-yearterminalteachingjobintheReligionandTheologyDepartmentatCalvinCollegeMyresearchonHermanBavinckandAbrahamKuyperhadledmetoothercriticsofKuypersuchasArnoldvanRulerKlaasSchilderJochemDoumaalsofromtheLiberatedReformedChurches andWimVelema from theChristelijke Gereformeerde KerkenIthereforecametomyteachingpostatCalvindisposedtodoingsomerevisionistthinkingaboutcommongraceTomydelightIfoundthatProtestantReformedstudentsbegantotrustmeanden-gagemeinhonestdiscussionsbecauseItookthemandtheirviewsseriouslyThatwasnotalwaysthecaseatCalvinCollege WhenIstartedteachingatCalvinSeminaryin1989conversationswithcolleaguesincludeddiscussionsaboutthewaythedoctrineofcommongracehadshapedtheCRCwherewenowlivedandworkedinthe1990sWejudgedthattheinfluencehadnotbeenaltogetherbeneficialAfriendlyandwarmpersonalconnectionwithProfDavidEngelsmaofthePRCSeminarystartedinthe1990swhenweworkedtogetherontheboardoftheDutchReformedTranslationSocietyto

4 RevElbertKooistra (1891ndash1995)RevKooistra graduated fromCalvinSeminaryin1921andacceptedacalltoservetheChristianReformedChurchAustinvilleIowaAspresidentoftheconsistoryofthatchurchhesignedaletterofprotestagainstJanssenrsquosdepositiontothenextmeetingofsynodin1924

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 16

bringHermanBavinckrsquosReformed Dogmatics intoEnglishtranslationAstheeditorof theCalvin Theological Journal thatsamedecadealongwitheditorialcommitteememberRichardMullerwedreameduptheideaofpreparingathemeissueofCTJ commemoratingtheseventy-fifthanniversaryof theCRCrsquosKalamazooSynodof1924andtheinfamousldquothreepointsrdquoWeaskedCTSPhDstudentRan-dyBlacketertowriteanarticleontheso-calledldquoWell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquo5andIintendedtowriteaneditorialintroducingtheissueIgotalittlecarriedawayinmyreadingandresearchforthateditorialandendedupwithmyfirstessaywhosethesiswasthattheCRCsynodhadactedinunseemlyhastebyfailingtoappointaproperstudycommitteetoexaminethedoctrineofcommongraceandthattherewassignificantevidencetowarrantthejudgmentthat1924wasldquopayback timerdquo forRevHoeksemarsquos involvement in the Janssendeposition6TherewereIsuggestedinfluentialandimportantforcesintheCRCthatwantedtoshutdowntheanti-commongracevirusintheCRC(OnthatessayIdidgetsomepushback)TodramatizethehastinessandsloppinessofthedraftedThreePointsinasubsequentarticleIproposedarewritingofthethirdpointthatIwasconvincedwouldhavesatisfiedHoeksemaandavoidedtheproblematiclanguageofKalamazoo7Mythirdessayalsoproposedarewriteofthemosttroublingfirstpoint8butinmyviewtheproblemwith1924cannotbesolvedsimplybyrewritingtheThreePoints9

5 RaymondABlacketerldquoTheThreePointsinMostPartsReformedAReexaminationoftheSo-calledWell-meantOfferofSalvationrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 351(2000)37-65

6 AsanadditionalbitofevidencetosupportthisitisworthnotingthatontheAgenda forthe1924Synodtherewerenofewerthanelevendistinctldquoprotestsrdquoagainstthe1922decisiontodeposeProfJanssenIwillbere-ferringtothe1924 Acts of Synod anumberoftimesinthisarticleReaderswhowishtocheckoutthepassagesforthemselvesshouldknowthatthereisonlineaccesstotheCRCActs of Synod athttpwwwcrcnaorgresourcessynod-resourcesthe1924Actsareavailableathttpwwwcalvinedulibrarydatabasecrcnasynod1924acts_etpdf

7 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

8 JohnBoltldquoHermanHoeksemawasRightrdquo3039 ThathasnrsquotstoppedmefromtryinghowevertheAppendixtothis

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 112

NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 114

ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 122

creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 124

tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 126

IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 128

Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 130

Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

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Vol 49 No 132

The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 134

AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

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concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

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IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

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inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

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conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

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bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 148

TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

Page 5: Editor’s Notes - prca.org

November 2015 5

witharetiredCRCministerwhohadbeenoneofJanssenrsquosstudentsandwhoexpressedsomeappreciationforthewayhemadetheBiblecomealive4ThenwithoutaccesstotheinfamousldquostudentnotesrdquousedasevidenceagainsthimIhadnowayofindependentlycheckingJanssenrsquosorthodoxyButIdidwonderwhethertheCRCrsquosprocessagainstJanssenwastrulyjustThathappenedin1922Ialsowon-deredHowdidRevHoeksemarsquosfortuneschangesodramaticallyinonlytwoyearsfrom1922to1924DidtheChristianReformedChurchchangeitsmindaboutsuchissuesasthehistoricalcriticismofScripture WhydidJanssenappeal to thedoctrineofcommongracetonoavailin1922onlytohavetheCRCbecomefixatedondefendingthedoctrineameretwoyearslaterAseedofcuriositywasplantedinthoseyearsCouldtherestillbeunfinishedbusinessleftoverfrom1922ndash24 Iwasstillworkingonmydissertationin1980whenIstartedatwo-yearterminalteachingjobintheReligionandTheologyDepartmentatCalvinCollegeMyresearchonHermanBavinckandAbrahamKuyperhadledmetoothercriticsofKuypersuchasArnoldvanRulerKlaasSchilderJochemDoumaalsofromtheLiberatedReformedChurches andWimVelema from theChristelijke Gereformeerde KerkenIthereforecametomyteachingpostatCalvindisposedtodoingsomerevisionistthinkingaboutcommongraceTomydelightIfoundthatProtestantReformedstudentsbegantotrustmeanden-gagemeinhonestdiscussionsbecauseItookthemandtheirviewsseriouslyThatwasnotalwaysthecaseatCalvinCollege WhenIstartedteachingatCalvinSeminaryin1989conversationswithcolleaguesincludeddiscussionsaboutthewaythedoctrineofcommongracehadshapedtheCRCwherewenowlivedandworkedinthe1990sWejudgedthattheinfluencehadnotbeenaltogetherbeneficialAfriendlyandwarmpersonalconnectionwithProfDavidEngelsmaofthePRCSeminarystartedinthe1990swhenweworkedtogetherontheboardoftheDutchReformedTranslationSocietyto

4 RevElbertKooistra (1891ndash1995)RevKooistra graduated fromCalvinSeminaryin1921andacceptedacalltoservetheChristianReformedChurchAustinvilleIowaAspresidentoftheconsistoryofthatchurchhesignedaletterofprotestagainstJanssenrsquosdepositiontothenextmeetingofsynodin1924

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 16

bringHermanBavinckrsquosReformed Dogmatics intoEnglishtranslationAstheeditorof theCalvin Theological Journal thatsamedecadealongwitheditorialcommitteememberRichardMullerwedreameduptheideaofpreparingathemeissueofCTJ commemoratingtheseventy-fifthanniversaryof theCRCrsquosKalamazooSynodof1924andtheinfamousldquothreepointsrdquoWeaskedCTSPhDstudentRan-dyBlacketertowriteanarticleontheso-calledldquoWell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquo5andIintendedtowriteaneditorialintroducingtheissueIgotalittlecarriedawayinmyreadingandresearchforthateditorialandendedupwithmyfirstessaywhosethesiswasthattheCRCsynodhadactedinunseemlyhastebyfailingtoappointaproperstudycommitteetoexaminethedoctrineofcommongraceandthattherewassignificantevidencetowarrantthejudgmentthat1924wasldquopayback timerdquo forRevHoeksemarsquos involvement in the Janssendeposition6TherewereIsuggestedinfluentialandimportantforcesintheCRCthatwantedtoshutdowntheanti-commongracevirusintheCRC(OnthatessayIdidgetsomepushback)TodramatizethehastinessandsloppinessofthedraftedThreePointsinasubsequentarticleIproposedarewritingofthethirdpointthatIwasconvincedwouldhavesatisfiedHoeksemaandavoidedtheproblematiclanguageofKalamazoo7Mythirdessayalsoproposedarewriteofthemosttroublingfirstpoint8butinmyviewtheproblemwith1924cannotbesolvedsimplybyrewritingtheThreePoints9

5 RaymondABlacketerldquoTheThreePointsinMostPartsReformedAReexaminationoftheSo-calledWell-meantOfferofSalvationrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 351(2000)37-65

6 AsanadditionalbitofevidencetosupportthisitisworthnotingthatontheAgenda forthe1924Synodtherewerenofewerthanelevendistinctldquoprotestsrdquoagainstthe1922decisiontodeposeProfJanssenIwillbere-ferringtothe1924 Acts of Synod anumberoftimesinthisarticleReaderswhowishtocheckoutthepassagesforthemselvesshouldknowthatthereisonlineaccesstotheCRCActs of Synod athttpwwwcrcnaorgresourcessynod-resourcesthe1924Actsareavailableathttpwwwcalvinedulibrarydatabasecrcnasynod1924acts_etpdf

7 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

8 JohnBoltldquoHermanHoeksemawasRightrdquo3039 ThathasnrsquotstoppedmefromtryinghowevertheAppendixtothis

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 110

SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 112

NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 114

ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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Vol 49 No 118

notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

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Vol 49 No 122

creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

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tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

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Vol 49 No 128

Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 130

Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 132

The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 134

AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 136

concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 140

IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 142

inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 144

conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 146

bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 148

TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

Page 6: Editor’s Notes - prca.org

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 16

bringHermanBavinckrsquosReformed Dogmatics intoEnglishtranslationAstheeditorof theCalvin Theological Journal thatsamedecadealongwitheditorialcommitteememberRichardMullerwedreameduptheideaofpreparingathemeissueofCTJ commemoratingtheseventy-fifthanniversaryof theCRCrsquosKalamazooSynodof1924andtheinfamousldquothreepointsrdquoWeaskedCTSPhDstudentRan-dyBlacketertowriteanarticleontheso-calledldquoWell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquo5andIintendedtowriteaneditorialintroducingtheissueIgotalittlecarriedawayinmyreadingandresearchforthateditorialandendedupwithmyfirstessaywhosethesiswasthattheCRCsynodhadactedinunseemlyhastebyfailingtoappointaproperstudycommitteetoexaminethedoctrineofcommongraceandthattherewassignificantevidencetowarrantthejudgmentthat1924wasldquopayback timerdquo forRevHoeksemarsquos involvement in the Janssendeposition6TherewereIsuggestedinfluentialandimportantforcesintheCRCthatwantedtoshutdowntheanti-commongracevirusintheCRC(OnthatessayIdidgetsomepushback)TodramatizethehastinessandsloppinessofthedraftedThreePointsinasubsequentarticleIproposedarewritingofthethirdpointthatIwasconvincedwouldhavesatisfiedHoeksemaandavoidedtheproblematiclanguageofKalamazoo7Mythirdessayalsoproposedarewriteofthemosttroublingfirstpoint8butinmyviewtheproblemwith1924cannotbesolvedsimplybyrewritingtheThreePoints9

5 RaymondABlacketerldquoTheThreePointsinMostPartsReformedAReexaminationoftheSo-calledWell-meantOfferofSalvationrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 351(2000)37-65

6 AsanadditionalbitofevidencetosupportthisitisworthnotingthatontheAgenda forthe1924Synodtherewerenofewerthanelevendistinctldquoprotestsrdquoagainstthe1922decisiontodeposeProfJanssenIwillbere-ferringtothe1924 Acts of Synod anumberoftimesinthisarticleReaderswhowishtocheckoutthepassagesforthemselvesshouldknowthatthereisonlineaccesstotheCRCActs of Synod athttpwwwcrcnaorgresourcessynod-resourcesthe1924Actsareavailableathttpwwwcalvinedulibrarydatabasecrcnasynod1924acts_etpdf

7 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

8 JohnBoltldquoHermanHoeksemawasRightrdquo3039 ThathasnrsquotstoppedmefromtryinghowevertheAppendixtothis

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 110

SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 112

NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 114

ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 116

IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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Vol 49 No 118

notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

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tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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Vol 49 No 126

IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

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Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

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The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

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AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

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concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 140

IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 142

inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 144

conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 146

bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 148

TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

Page 7: Editor’s Notes - prca.org

November 2015 7

Is There a Problem with Point Two Whatrsquos at Stake WhatthendoIthinkiswrongwith1924IamnotgoingtorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaidinmypreviousarticleswhereIdealtwiththethirdandfirstpointsbutbytakingacloserlookatthesecondpointIthinkwecanmovethediscussionforwardconsiderablyHereisKalamazoorsquosPointTwo

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13and36whereitistaughtthatGodthroughthegeneraloperationsofHisSpiritwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

OnthefaceofitthisistheleastproblematicofthethreeandIcanappealtoacreditableProtestantReformedsourceforwarrantHerersquoswhatProfHermanHankosaidaboutit

IthasbeensaidthatthesecondpointwhichdealswiththerestraintofsincanstandthetestoforthodoxyifpermittedtostandbyitselfThereisanelementoftruthinthisSurelytheheresyofthesecondpointisnotasgreatifitisdivorcedfromthefirstandthirdpoints10

FurthermorehenotesldquoHoeksemadidnotdenyarestraintofsinButhefoundrestraintofsininGodrsquosprovidenceasGoddirectedallthecircumstancesofthelifeofmenRestraintofsinwasnotgraceforitwasunderGodrsquosprovidentialrulethatmendevelopedinsinthrough-outtheagesSinisrestrainedoutwardlybyallthecircumstancesoflifewhicharedeterminedandexecutedbythedecreeofGodrsquoswillrdquo11

articlecontainsmyrevised threepointsalongwithacommentaryon thechanges

10 HermanHankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake A Doctrinal History of the Protestant Reformed Churches (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2000)96

11 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-95

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 18

HankoaddsaveryinterestingandhelpfulfootnoteatthispointldquoIthasbeencommonlysaidthatcommongraceconfusestheworkoftheHolySpiritwiththatofthepolicemanrdquo12 Iwas inspiredamongother thingsbyHankorsquoscomment thatldquoTheThreePointsformaunityrdquoThatmayhavebeenobviousbutstartingwiththepremiseofunityIbegantoaskmyselfwhatthatunitycouldhavebeenforthosewhoadvocatedforthedoctrineQuestionsfollowedldquoWhatwasthenarrativeframeforSynod1924rsquosprocla-mationoftheThreePointsWhatwasthemainconcernofcommongracedefendersintheCRCWhatimportantdimensionofChristiandiscipleshipdidtheyjudgeHoeksemaandDanhoftobedenyingrdquoInotherwordsfromtheperspectiveofthosewhodefendedcommongracewhatwasatstakeCanwefindevidenceforasingleanswer ItisnoteasytoanswerthesequestionsbecauseIbelievetherewerelikelydifferentmotivesinplayInhisapologyfortheThreePointsLouisBerkhofisonlyconcernedtodemonstratethatthedoctrineofcommongraceisclearlytaughtinScriptureandtheReformedCon-fessionsheregardsthedenialtobeoutsideofthetradition13WhetheroneagreeswithhimornotthatwouldbesufficientreasontomakeafussaboutitOntheotherhandRalphJanssenwhostirredupthecommongracepotintheCRCinthefirstplaceusedcommongracetodefendlevelsofhistoricalcriticismofScriptureAndHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosmain antagonist in the conflictRev JanKarelVanBaalenbelievedfirmlythatdenyingcommongracewastantamounttoAnabaptismandworld-flight ComplicatingmattersevenmoreProfHankodistinguishescommongraceconvictionsoftheSecession

12 HankoFor Thy Truthrsquos Sake94-5This isa formulationusedbyHoeksemahimselfandreflectshisconcernthatthereferencetotheHolySpiritretrainingevilintheSecondPointyieldsmoraldeterminismbecausetheHolySpiritisthussaidtocompelamanldquotodogoodworkscontrarytotheintentsofhisownheartthemoralcharacterofmanisdestroyedhisresponsibilityisdeniedandatheoryofmoraldeterminismispresentedasReformeddoctrinerdquo(HermanHoeksemaReady to Give an Answer133)

13 LouisBerkhofDe drie punten in alle deelen Gereformeerd (GrandRapids Eerdmans1925) Inhis introduction (p3)Berkhof says thisldquoIngeneralourReformedpeoplesimplyregard[theThreePoints]asanexpressionofwhattheyhavealwaysbelievedonthegroundsofScriptureandourConfessionsrdquo

November 2015 9

leaderswhichcenteredontheso-calledwell-meantgospelofferfromthoseoftheKuyperianswhoweremoreconcernedwithrestraintofsinandcivicgoodIwouldaddtothatafurtherdistinctionamongKuyperiansbetweenclassicalneo-CalvinistswhowantedtomaintaintheantithesisandadvocatedseparateChristianinstitutionsandorgani-zationsontheonehandandprogressiveAmericanizingKuyperianswhoaffirmedcommongraceasareasontoengageincooperativesocialandpoliticalactivitywithallpeopleontheotherItisimportanttonotethatwithrespecttotheformerKuyperianemphasisHoeksemawas in full agreementwithpro-commongracemensuchasLouisBerkhof He categorically repudiated the accusationof JanKarelVanBaalenthatopposingcommongracemeantworldflightusinglanguagethatwouldwarmtheheartofanyantitheticalKuyperian

ThebrothermustknowthatthissimplyisnotourperspectiveatallInfactweholdtoexactlytheoppositeviewWepreciselydonotwanttoescapefromtheworldRatheritisexactlyourgoalnottoforsakeanyterrainoflifeWeinsteadcallonGodrsquospeopletobeengagedinalloflifeWeonlydesirethatGodrsquospeoplehiscovenantpeopleneitherforsakenordenyGodinanyareaIneverysphereGodrsquospeoplearecalledtolivebygraceoutofthesinglegracebywhichtheyareingraftedintoChristandloveGodbykeepinghiscommandments14

ThatisstraightforwardKuypertheKuyperoftheantithesisSowhichofthesemotivesdominatedtheflooroftheKalamazooSynodCanweevenfindaprimarymotive

Why did the 1924 Synod Insist on the Three Points Therecordinthe1924 Acts of SynodisinsufficientforthispurposebecauseapartfromdogmaticallydeclaringtheThreePointstobetheclearteachingofScriptureSynoddidnotreallyengageHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosobjectionsas theyhadexpressedthemin theirbookVan Zonde en Genade (1923ETSin and Grace15)Thematerialon

14 HHoeksemaandHDanhofNiet Doopersch Maar Gereformeerd (GrandRapidsGrandRapidsPrintingCond[1922])67-68

15 HenryDanhofandHermanHoeksemaSin and GraceedHermanHankotransCorneliusHanko(GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishing2003)

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 110

SynodrsquosAgenda in1924includedfourclassicalovertures16andanadditionaltwenty-threeldquocommunicationsrdquowhichwereback-and-forthprotestsagainstactionsofindividualsconsistoriesandclasseswithrespect to concerns aboutDanhof andHoeksemarsquosbook17 These protestsandovertureswereobviouslytheoccasion forthesynodicalactionbutsinceneithertheAgendanorthe1924 Acts of Synodincludethe content oftheprotestswedonotgetaclearpictureoftheldquowhyrdquoexcept thatmanypeoplebelievedthebrothers tobeun-ReformedAfter going back and forth on the question of appointing a studycommitteeSynoddeclareditselfnotquitereadytoaddressall thequestionsraisedbythecontroversybutthennonethelessconcludedthatitshouldspeakoutdefinitivelyonthreepoints

There are however three points onwhich in the judgment of thecommitteeSynodshoulddeclareitselfspecificallynamely(1)ThefavorabledispositionofGodtowardallmenandnotalonetowardtheelectYourcommitteejudgesthatthispointisofcentralimportanceinthisquestionwhichatpresenthascausedsomuchunrestinthechurchThetwofollowingpointsareintimatelyinterwovenwiththefirstpointandaremoreorlesscomprehendedinit(2)Therestraintofsinintheindividualpersonandinsociety(3)Thedoingofso-calledrighteousnessbytheunregenerate

Andhereiswhy

OurcommitteejudgesthatitisnecessaryforSynodtodeclareitselfonthesepointsa)BecausewearedealingherewithpointsinwhichtheBrothersDanhofandHoeksemahavechosen to takepositionswiththesesforwhichtheyhavetakenresponsibilityandwhichtheyhavedefendedb)Becausetheconfessionsmakecleardeclarationsconcerningthesepointsc)BecauseitisimperativelynecessarythatfortherestinthechurchesSynodtakeafirmstandpoint18

16 FromClassesHackensackHudsonMuskegon andSiouxCenter(1924 CRC Acts of Synod 120)

17 Thelistisfoundinthe1924 CRC Acts of Synod114-15thedispositionoftheseitemsisgivenonpages116-19

18 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 124IwouldagreethatthesearethreevalidgroundsforasynodicalstatementMyquarreltheniswiththehastewithwhichtheThreePointsweredrawnupasynodisnottheplacetodofull

November 2015 11

IshouldnoteherethatthesearethreevalidreasonsforsynodtodealwiththedoctrineofcommongracemorebroadlybutinapropercarefulmannerThatwouldhaverequiredastudycommitteeInsteadsynodchoseinsummaryfashiontostateonlythesethreepointsIndealingwiththeseThreePointsSynodrsquosmethodwastodirectlyquoteasubstantivepassagefromHoeksemaandDanhofrsquoswritingsmdashno-tablySin and Grace andNiet Doopersch maar Gereformeerd [Not Anabaptist but Reformed] declarethemldquoto beinconflictwiththeHolyScripturesandtheconfessionsrdquoandthenwithout any analysissimplylisttextsfromScripturetheConfessionsalongwithmaterialfromReformedwriterssuchasCalvinUrsinusandVanMastricht19 WhenItookacloselookatthesynodicalrecordagainthisyearIwasstruckbytwothings1SynodrsquosreadingandinterpretationofHoek-semarsquosandDanhofrsquoswritingisstrikinglyunsympatheticTherearepassagesthatIknowIwouldnothavewritteninpreciselythesamewaythatHoeksemaandDanhofdidandyetknowthattheissuetheyraisedwasvalidandneededtobetakenseriouslyTotakebutoneexampleSynodcitesthefollowingpassagefrompage244ofVan Zonde en Genade

GracedoesnotresideinthingsbutpurelyinthegoodfavorofGodAndnomorearegoldandsilverrainandsunshinegiftsandtalentsgraceinandbythemselvesItispossibleforgracetoworkinallthesethingsbutitalwaysremainsparticularandisgivenonlytoHispeople20

Furtherexplicationisalsogivenfrompage252

studycommitteeworkTheevidenceInowpresentshowsthattheThreePointsneededmorethoroughgroundingandargumentationthantheyreceivedattheKalamazoosynodTheimpressiongivenbytheactualdeclarationofsynodisthatforsomeapriordecisionagainstHoeksemaandDanhofhadalreadybeenmade

19 It is this unusual presentation of texts and citationswithout anynarrativeframeofargumentthatunderscorestheimpressionthatsynoddidnotreallydeliberateonthematterbutsimplylistedsourcesindefenseofapreviouslydeterminedposition Thisisthesortofprocedurethatgaveldquoproof-textingrdquosuchabadname

20 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 112

NotthatgraceitselfoverflowsHowwouldwebeabletoteachthis[onthebasisof]ourpositionandatthesametimeteachthattheungodlysimplyreceivenograceNotheintentwasnothingmorethanthattheoutwardgiftswhichGodinHisgracegrantstoHispeoplealsofallupontheunrighteoushowevertothemsimplywithoutgrace21

ItseemsobvioustomethathonestengagementwiththesepassagesshouldhaveincludedpayingseriousattentiontoterminologyHoek-semaandDanhofusethewordldquogracerdquoinarestrictivesoteriologicalwayandfromthatperspectivewhattheysayisabsolutelycorrectapointemphasizedbyalltheologianswhodefendcommongracewhenthey insist that commongracedoesnot saveanyone GracedoesnotresideinldquothingsrdquoAnyfairreadingofHoeksemaandDanhofrsquosstatementscitedabovewouldhavetoconcludethatthisisexactlythepointthattheyaremaking Thesecondthingthatstruckmeistheweaknessofthesynodicalresponseineachcase IfinditunconvincingtodaybecausemuchofitisnotexactlytothepointStickingwiththesameexampletheScripturepassagescitedincludeActs1416-1722andRomans2423 Inmy judgment these two texts actually buttressHoeksema andDanhofrsquos point because they aremissiological passages that pointtoGodrsquosgoodnessin order to call people to repentanceThetextsdonotspeakofageneralindiscriminategrace toallpeoplebuttoaprovidentialfavor ofGodthatisrevelationortestimonytoallpeopleandrendersthenwithoutexcuseInotherwordsldquocommongracerdquohere (betterldquogeneral revelationrdquo) isnot reallyldquogracerdquounderstoodassavinggraceAttheveryleastmuchmorenuancedtreatmentofthepassageiscalledfor Thewatersofclarityarereallymuddiedwhentheso-calledldquowell-meantofferoftheGospelrdquoisintroducedasevidenceforcommonornon-savinggrace

21 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 12522 ldquoInthepastheletallnationsgotheirownwayYethehasnotleft

himselfwithouttestimonyHehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasonsheprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoyrdquo(AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNIV)

23 ldquoOrdoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindnessforbear-anceandpatiencenotrealizingthatGodrsquoskindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentancerdquo

November 2015 13

Iamledtowonderiftheonlyrationaleandpurposethatwasagreeduponbythedelegatesofthe1924Synodwasthecommonconvictionthattheanti-commongracesentimentinthechurchhadtobestoppedCommongracewasregardedasaconfessionalmatterandtheunrestin thechurcheshad tobeaddressedbyastrongaffirmationof thedoctrinewithoutreallyaddressingthemanyissuesthattheldquounrestrdquohadlegitimatelyunearthed24 IntruthSynoddidnotwanttoexploretheissuesanyfurtheratthetime Notonlydiditdecidenot toappointastudycommitteeoncommongraceitalsomdashandforthisyouwillneedtoholdyourbreathmdashofficiallydecidedthis

ThatSynodmakenodeclarationatpresentconcerningthepositionoftheChurchregardingthedoctrineofCommonGraceandallitsramificationsSuchadeclarationwouldassumethatthismatterhasbeenthoughtthroughindetailandhasbeenfullydevelopedwhichcertainly is not the case A requiredpreliminary study is entirelylackingAsaresultthereisnocommunis opinio[commonopinion]intheReformedchurchesonthismatter25

24 AsIindicatedearlierthesearevalidconcernsandsufficientgroundforadeclarationfromsynodButevenifmanywerealreadyconvincedinadvancethatcommongraceneededtobeaffirmedthisdoesnotjustifythehasteshownbysynodanditsfailuretospendthetimeneededtoformulateafullwarrantedwell-arguedstatementAfteralltheRemonstrantheresywasalsoapparenttoagoodnumberoftheologiansbeforetheSynodofDortbutitstilltookthedelegates154meetingsfromNovember131618 toMay91619tocompletetheirworkIronicallysuchhasteleavestheimpressionthatthesubjectisnotreallyallthatimportantIcanrsquothelpwonderingifthatimpressionevenmoresothanthecontentofthedeclarationitselfmayhavebeen themostdamaging to theChristianReformedChurchrsquos subsequenthistoryNeverattheperiloffalsifyingthegospelspeakaboutGodrsquosgraceinsuchamannerthatthereisconfusionabouttheparticularityofsavinggraceIfitwasdeemedimportanttothedelegatesofthe1924SynodthattheChristianReformedChurchaffirmtheprovidentialpresenceandrestrainingpowerofGodoveragainsta(wrongly)perceivedtendencytowardAnabaptismamongthosewhorejectedcommongracethenitwasallthemoreimportanttorepudiateallformsofuniversalismasKuyperhimselfhaddoneinhisattackontheChristus pro omnibus sloganofhisday(OnthatlastpointseemyldquoHermanHoeksemawasRight(OntheThreePointsthatReallyMatter)rdquo297ndash304

25 1924 CRC Acts of Synod 125

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Vol 49 No 114

ReallyWhatthenwasthefussallabout If theretrulywasldquonocommonopiniononthematterrdquoshouldsynodthennothaverefrainedfromitsdogmaticassertionoftheThreePointsespeciallysincethedelegatesknewthattheseThreePointswouldbedisputedAndthenthereistheawkwardPastoralLettertothechurchesthataccompaniedtheThreePointsandwarnedagainstldquoallone-sided[pursuitsto]drivethismatter to theextremeand thusabuse thedoctrineofcommongracerdquo The statementgoeson toquoteHermanBavinckrsquoswarn-ingsagainstworldlinessandchallengetoretaintheldquospiritual-moralantithesisrdquoldquoDonotbeconformedtothisworldrdquo26Whyshouldaconstructive statementonadoctrineaboutwhichSynodwascon-vincedldquothatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisviewrdquohavetobeaccompaniedwithawarningnottomisunderstandormisusethedoctrineOrdinarilyconstructivedoctrinalstatementsthatsupposedlyareclearly taught inScriptureandwidelyattestedtointheReformedConfessionsarenottreatedlikecigaretteswithanaccompanyingwarningthatthedoctrineinquestionmaybedan-geroustoyourspiritualhealthWedonotneedanadvanceddegreeinpsychologytowonderif themindofsynodwasnotcompletelycomfortablewithitsownwords

The Inadequacies of the 1924 Decision An Alternative ThebestwecansaythereforeisthatKalamazoo1924representsaunitedfrontlikelybypeoplewithvariedmotivesandreasonsonlyatonelevelnamelytosilencetheanti-commongracevoiceintheCRCThenarrativeframefor1924isldquoWemustaffirmcommongracerdquoByhurriedlyadoptingtheThreePointswithoutreallylisteningcarefullytoathoughtfulandrichcritiqueofthedoctrinethesynodoftheCRCIjudgefailedthechurchanddidadisservicetoRevHoeksemaAsItookanotherlookatthesynodicalrecordof1925itstruckmethattheSynodofDorttooktheRemonstrantsmoreseriouslyandtreatedtheirideaswithmorehonorableattentionthanHoeksemareceivedatKalamazoo27Hoeksemarsquoscritiqueofcommongracedeservedbetterandcarefulhonestlisteningandengagingcouldhaveresultedinaf-firmingwhatwasimportantabouttheThreePointswhilepreserving

26 1924 Acts of Synod 13527 See note 24 above

November 2015 15

thechurchfromitsmistakesIhavealreadyproposedarewordingofthefirstandthirdpointsthatIhavegoodreasontobelievewouldhavemetwithHoeksemarsquosapprovalInabitIwillwrestlewiththesecondpointPleasenotethatIhavenoproprietaryclaimontheseformulationsandknowthattheycanbeimproveduponButandthisismyimportantpointifIcandothisinmysparetimeIremaincon-vincedthatsmartReformedChristiansofgoodwillworkingtogetherinhonesttheologicallaborcouldhavedoneitin1924 Tosumupatthispointtheoldandessentiallydefensiveframe-workmdashoppositiontocommongraceisavirusfromwhichtheCRCneeds to be curedmdashis inmy judgment completely inadequate forconstructinggooddoctrineforthechurchFurthermoreHoeksemahimself suggestedanalternativenarrative frame for the issuesad-dressedbycommongracenamelyGodrsquosprovidence RepeatedlyheaffirmstherealityofGodrsquosrestraintofsinandtherealityofcivilrighteousnessin providential terms Forexampleconsiderwhathesaysaboutcivilrighteousness

AndwhattheniscivilrighteousnessAccordingtoourviewthenat-uralmandiscernstherelationshipslawsrulesoflifeandfellowshipetcastheyareordainedbyGodHeseestheirproprietyandutilityAndheadaptshimselftothemforhisownsakeIfinthisattempthesucceeds the result isanact that showsanoutwardandformalresemblancetothelawsofGodThenwehavecivilrighteousnessaregardforvirtueandexternaldeportment28

28 Ready to Give an Answer128InfairnesstoHoeksematheremainingqualificationinthisquotationalsomustbementioned

AndifinthisattempthefailsasisfrequentlythecasecivilrighteousnessdisappearsandtheresultisexactlytheoppositeHisfundamentalerrorhow-everisthathedoesnotseekafterGodnoraimatHimandHisgloryeveninthisregardforvirtueandexternaldeportmentOnthecontraryheseekshimselfbothindividuallyandinfellowshipwithothersinnersandwiththewholeworldanditishispurposetomaintainhimselfeveninhissinoveragainstGodAndthisissinAndinrealityhisworkalsohasevileffectsuponhimselfandhisfellowcreaturesForhisactionswithrelationtomenandhisfellowcreaturesareperformedaccordingtothesameruleandwithsimilarresultsAndthusithappens that sindevelopsconstantlyandcorruption increaseswhile stillthereremainsaformaladaptationtothelawsordainedofGodforthepresentlifeYetthenaturalmanneverattainstoanyethicalgoodThatisourview

Hoeksemaiscitinghimselfhere(Langs Zuivere Banen72-3)

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IamthereforeinfullagreementwithHoekemarsquosconclusionwheninhisdiscussionoftheSecondPointhesaysldquoasisusuallydonewiththeexponentsofthetheoryofcommongracesynodconfusedgraceandprovidencerdquo29 Idonotthinkwecanmoveaheadbylookingatthedisparatemo-tiveswithintheCRCforaffirmingcommongracenorisitparticularlyhelpfultolookatwhatsomejudgetobethebadconsequencesoftheThreePointsItistooeasytolookataspecificpost-1924developmentintheCRCandattributeittothedecisionsoftheKalamazooSynodButhistoricalcausalityisneverthatsimpleFromastrictlyhistoricalperspectivethebestonecandoisobservethatsomedevelopmentsintheCRCareconsistentwithandunderstandableasa consequence of one particular motivation for affirming commongrace but notothersOneexamplewillsufficeAmongtheldquostreamsrdquowithintheCRCthatstronglyaffirmedcommongraceIidentifiedaldquoprogressiveAmericanizingrdquoformofCalvinismthatadvocatedgreaterinvolve-ment in theculturalsocialandpoliticalaffairsandinstitutionsoftheAmericanmainstreamTheRevJohannesGroenforexamplewhoimmediatelyprecededRevHoeksemaasthepastorofEasternAvenueCRCencouragedhiscongregationtojoinsecularlaborunionsandpreachedinfavorofwomenrsquossuffrageamongotherthingsForKuyperianantitheticalCalviniststhiswasabetrayalofaReformedprinciplethatinsistedonseparateChristianlaborassociationsButnotebothaffirmedcommongraceWhenonelooksattheCRCtodayandnoticesthatitsleadershipisheavilyinvestedintheecumenicalprojectofldquoparticipatinginGodrsquosmissionintheworldrdquothenonecanIbelievepointtothe1924decisionasareasonbutthatappealisnotsimplesomecarefulnuancesneedtobeobservedandfinerdistinctionsneedtobemadeItisnotthedoctrineofcommongraceassuchbutaprogressivereadingofthedoctrinethatistheculprithere

Three or More Objections to the Three Points ForthepurposesofthisessayIbelieveitwillbemostconstructiveformetospelloutmy objectionstothe1924commongracedecisionandexplainwhyIbelievethatitleftfartoomanymattersunfinishedFirstIamconvincedthatthetermisbadlychosenresultsinmultiple

29 Ready to Give an Answer115

November 2015 17

misunderstandingsandpotentiallyleadstomoralmisstepssuchasexcusingworldlinessamongChristiansKlaasSchilderoncearguedthatthetermldquocommongracerdquo(algemeene genade)wasscientificallyirresponsibleldquoItisrdquohenotedldquoacatastrophicmisjudgmenttocon-cludefromthepreservingactivityofGodrsquosloveorthelimitationofhiswrathageneralloveandthusinaculturallyoptimisticmyopiatoexclude therealityofGodrsquoswrathrdquo30 Iquiteagreeand this iswhyIconsiderespeciallythefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointstobesuchadisasterThepointatissueisnotwhetherGodprovidentiallycontinuestoupholdHiscreationafterthefallNoristhereaquarrelwiththeexpectationthatweproclaimthegospelldquopromiscuouslyrdquotoallpeopleTheCanonsofDorttellusweshouldButtomixthisprovidential blessingwithagraciouswell-meantgospeloffertoallpeopleconfusesour obligationtopreachthegospelwiththemyster-iesofGodrsquosprovidenceThechurchisthentemptedtolookoutsidethechurchandtheproclamationofthegospelforindicatorsofGodrsquosredemptive work forwhat inecumenicalcircles isnowcalled themissio deiandcallGodrsquospeopletojoinGodinthisworkWemustparticipatesowearetoldinGodrsquosmissionofbuildingHiskingdominbringingaboutjusticealleviatingpovertyandsimilaractivitiesThedistinctionbetweenthechurchandtheworldislostthisisnotthesametaskthatourLordgavetoHischurchintheGreatCommission31 SecondnotonlyisthetermldquocommongracerdquolessthanhelpfulbecauseitrisksmixingtogetherGodrsquosprovidenceandHisredemptiveloveproponentsoftenforgetthatCalvinrsquospointinspeakingaboutGodrsquosuniversalbestowalofnon-savinggiftsisthatbelieversremem-bertobegratefultoGodforallhisgiftsAlltoooftenthedoctrineisinvokedtodirectourattentiontothatwhichisdeemedgoodnobletrueandbeautifulinthisworldandtocelebratethegiftsratherthantheGiverAugustineinawonderfulsermononIJohn214mdashldquoletus

30 Is de term ldquoAlgemeene Genaderdquo wetenschappelijk verantwoord (KampenZalsman1947)68-9

31 IncidentallythatiswhyIagreewiththebasicthesisofProfDEn-gelsmarsquospamphletThe Coming of the Kingdom Christianizing the World (RedlandsCAHopeProtestantReformedChurch[2013])thatthekingdomofGodisaspiritual realityandnottobeconfusedwiththis-worldlyeffortsbyChristians(orforthatmatterevenunbelievers)toimprovethisworld

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notlovetheworldneitherthethingsofthisworldrdquomdashpleadswithhishearerstoldquolovewhatGodhasmaderdquobutcitingRomans125mdashldquoTheyadoredandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreatorwhoispraisedforeverrdquomdashhewarns them against any love that is inordinate andintemperateldquoGoddoesnrsquotforbidyoutolovethosethingsbutyoumustnrsquotlovethemintheexpectationofblessednessRatheryoumustfavorandpraisetheminsuchawaythatyoulovetheCreatorrdquoHefollowsthisupwithanextendedmetaphorofabrideandbridegroomandaskswhatwewouldthinkofabridewhowasmoreinterestedintheringthanthemanldquoWhowouldnrsquotconvictherofanadulterousmindYoulovegoldinsteadofthemanyoulovearinginsteadofyourbridegroomrdquoInthesamewaythataringisgivenaspledgeoflovethatthebridegroomldquohimselfmaybelovedinhispledgerdquosoGodgivesusldquothesethingsthatwemightlovehimrdquoWhenweappealtothedoctrineofcommongraceinsuchawayastoorientourheartstotheconcretegiftsofcultureratherthantoGodingratitudeforHisgiftsweriskturningourdesirefortheldquogoodsrdquoofthisworldintoanidolWhenwefocusonlyorprimarilyonelementsinunbelievingpaganandsecularculturethatseemldquogoodrdquotousweinternalizeforourselvesandsendoutamessagethatldquotheworldisnotasbadasallthatrdquo32ThedoctrineofcommongracewemustalwaysrememberisnotintendedtogiveuspermissiontoblessanduseunbelievingculturebuttoliftourheartstotheGiverofldquoeverygoodandperfectgiftrdquo33 InthethirdplacecommongracedivertsourattentionfromtheparticularityofGodrsquosgraciouswork inChrist to redeemHisownandopensthedoorpotentiallytoavarietyofuniversalismsInthisobjectionwehaveAbrahamKuyperonoursideItisanenormousmistaketooverlookthefactthatKuyperrsquoslongseriesofarticlesoncommongracewerethethirdseriesafterthefirstoneonParticular

32 ThiswastheburdenofSchilderrsquosconcerncommongraceledChris-tianstoconcludeldquodewereldvaltmeerdquo

33 Theparallelhere iswith themisuseofgeneralrevelationwhenitisunderstoodtobealdquobookrdquothatgivesus(scientific)knowledgeabouttheworld SeemyldquoGetting thelsquotwobooksrsquostraightwitha littlehelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 462(2011)315-32

November 2015 19

Grace34 andasecondoneonthecovenant35TheseriesonparticulargracebeginswithasectionthathasthetitleGeen Christus pro omnibus (ldquoNoChristforAllrdquo)AfterspellingouttheimportanceofcovenantasthenecessaryorganiccontextforparticulargraceKuyperwantsto remindhis readers that salvationhistoryGodworkingoutHisdecreeofelectionandreprobationtakesplacewithinacreationthatGodcontinuestoupholdbyHispowerldquoNeitherourelectionnorourattachmenttothecommunityofsaintsnegatesourcommonhuman-ity norremovesourparticipationinthelifeoffamilyhomelandorworldrdquo36TospeakmetaphysicallycreationispriortoredemptionandthestageonwhichthedramaofredemptiontakesplaceUndoubtedlythatiswhatwasalsointendedbythosewhoexpressedthemselvesinthefirstofKalamazoorsquosThreePointsOneadditionalpointshouldbeaddedhereIfcreationispriortoredemptionandgraceisGodrsquosrestorativeandhealingresponsetothebrokennesscausedbyhumanrebellionthenthecreationitselfneedstobetakenintoaccountaseschatologicallyimportantThegroaningcreationtooawaitsdeliv-eranceIntheendandonlythencanwespeakofaproperbiblicalChristus pro omnibus Fourthandfinallyaone-sidedemphasisoncommongracefailstotakeintoaccountcommonwrathandjudgmentIlearnedthisfirstfromSchilderandrecognizeditagaininHoeksemarsquosemphasisontheorganiccharacteranddevelopmentofsinOncemyeyeswereopenedtobeingonthelookoutforthisnotionIfounditasclearlyinHermanBavinckInthefinalpublishedStoneLectureldquoRevelationandtheFuturerdquonotactuallydeliveredatPrincetonBavinckquoteswithapprovalDutchpoetIsaacdaCostarsquoscommentsaboutthein-ventionofprintingldquothatitwasagiganticsteptoheavenandtohellrdquoBavinckthenaddsthatthesameldquomaybeappliedtoallscientificand

34 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesEersteBundelDat de Genade Particulier Is (AmsterdamJHKruyt1884)ETbyMarvinKampsParticular Grace A Defense of Godrsquos Sovereignty in Salvation (GrandvilleMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation2001)

35 AbrahamKuyperUit het Woord TweedeSeriesTweedeDeelDe Leer der Verbonden (AmsterdamJHKruyt1885)

36 AbrahamKuyperCommon Gracevol1part1editedbyJordanJBallorandStephenJGrabilltranslatedbyNelsonDKloostermanandEdMvanderMaas(GrandRapidsCLPAcademic2013)9

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technicalaspectsofculturerdquo37IcoulddwellonBavinckrsquosremarkableprescienceinthisessaymdashforeseeingtheriseofGermannationalismandnotionsofAryanracialsupremacyforexamplemdashbutforourpur-posesIwanttohighlightafascinatingdifferencebetweenBavinckrsquosfinalStonelectureandKuyperrsquostenyearsearlierBothhaveldquoandthefuturerdquointhetitleBavinckrsquosisldquorevelation andthefuturerdquoKuyperrsquosisldquoCalvinismandthefuturerdquoAtellingdifferenceBavinckprovidesamplewarningagainstthegrowingtechnocraticmanagerialsecularsocietythathesawcomingwhileKuyperrsquos lectureincludessomesimilarwarningstheoverallnarrativeoftheLectures of Calvinism isbasedontheheliotropicmythoftheadvancingprogressofCalvin-ism fromEuropetoAmericatoAsiaInfairnesstoKuyperhislastmajorwritingproject thefour-volumeVan de Voleinding (About the Consummation)alsosoundspropheticwarningsagainstthespiritthatwoulddominatethetwentiethcenturybutBavinckrsquosvoiceIbelievewasmoreconsistentlyclearanddefinite Soletmesummarizemydifficultieswith1924thiswayThankstosloppyterminologythatfailedtomakeimportantdistinctionsclearthedoctrineofcommongracenolongerprimarilydirectedmembersoftheChristianReformedChurchtogratitudetoGodforHisgiftsbutencouragedthemtodevotethemselvestothis-worldlygiftsfortheirownsakeandpotentiallydirectedtheirattentionawayfromthechurchanditspreachingtoldquowhatGodisdoingintheworldrdquoCommongracewasproclaimedwithoutcallingattentiontocommonjudgmentTheresultisthatweriskedleavingpeopleintheirlostnessandendingupbeingsatisfiedwhenwehavedugwellstoquenchtheirbodilythirstwithoutgivingthemlivingwater Inanutshellthatismydifficultywith1924NotewellthatIamnotsayingthatallthiswasintendedbythosewhoformulatedtheThreePointsinfactmostwouldprobablybehorrifiedbythekindsofdevelopmentsIportrayedMyonlyclaimhereisthat1924 does not protect the church from such views That is the tragedyof itshastyreactionmuchmorecarefulthoughtshouldhaveenteredintotheCRCrsquosdeliberationsandaproperlyconstitutedstudycommitteewould have needed to takeHoeksemarsquos andDanhofrsquos objections

37 HermanBavinckPhilosophy of Revelation(GrandRapidsWmBEerdmans1953)300

November 2015 21

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

muchmoreseriouslyThatisthefirsthalfofwhatIconsider1924rsquosunfinishedbusiness

The Other Unfinished Business of 1924Reading the Three Points Sympathetically MyguessisthatnotonlyhaveyouthereaderbeenfollowingmesofarbutthatIstillhaveyoursympathyformyassessmentof1924ThesecondpartofmylecturemightbemorechallengingExposinginadequateandpoorlyformulatedstatementsarethefirstitemofun-finishedbusinessButweneedtodomorethansimplyreactagainstthepastanddeconstructitTheotherunfinishedpartof1924iscon-structiveThatrequiresasympatheticreadingofthe1924documentsaswellIstherecontentintheThreePointsthatneedstobeaffirmedusingimprovedlanguageOrperhapsbettersaidldquoIsthereagermin eachofThreePointsoradeepertruthlyingbehindtheThreePointsthatisimportanttoReformedtheologyandneedstobeaffirmedIamconvincedthatthereisandthatweneedtofindwaysofstatingthosetruthswhichavoidthepitfallsof1924InitiallyIamgoingtousethewordldquogracerdquotentativelyandsomewhatpromiscuouslyandaskthereadernottorespondwithimmediaterejectionbuttohearmeoutIntheendIwillreturntoaveryrestrictiveuseofthewordthatItrustwillsatisfyInthemeantimebearwithmeasItrytoworkoutsomeimportanttheologicalissues38IamofferingthemnotasfinaldeclarationsfromthetopofsomeReformedMtSinaibutasconver-sationstartersIameagertogetresponsestowhatIamproposing GodcreatedtheworldgoodandwithoutsinHoweverweliveinafallenworldandwearebyvirtueofourcommonhumanityinAdamsinnersMoreoverGodcontinuestoupholdthisfallencre-ationandashumanbeingsweexperiencemuchthatcanbecalled

38 IwasledtotheinsightsandconclusionsthatfollowbyhavingtoreflectonMaxStackhousersquosnotionofldquofourgracesrdquocreationprovidencesalvationandtheeschatonSeeMaxLStackhouseGod and Globalization Global-ization and Grace Volume 4 (NewYorkContinuumPublishingCompany2007)IntheendStackhousersquosformulationsarenotmyownbuttheissues heraisesinhisdiscussionoftheldquofourgracesrdquoaretheologicallyimportantandneedtobedealtwithIacknowledgeherewhatIhavelearnedfromapaperbyaformerstudentatCTSJessicaDriesengawhoisnowaPhDstudentatFullerTheologicalSeminary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 122

creationallygoodOurfirsttheologicalreflectiononthismustcometotermswiththefactthatthiscontinuationofcreationisitselfgratuitous onGodrsquospartAfterthefallcreationdidnotneed tocontinueGodwasnotrequiredtoletitcontinueGodwouldhavebeenperfectlyjust inwithholdingHis sustaining andpreservingpower from theuniverseandlettingitdisappearintodas NichtigeThatHedidnotbutcontinuedtosustainHiscreationisanactofHisbenevolenceorifyouwillldquogracerdquoIusethewordhereknowingfullwellwhattheobjectionsarebutIwantthereaderfornowsimplytorecognizethatweneedtofindwordsbywhichwecanaffirmthatthecontinuationofcreationisradicallycontingentuponGodrsquosgoodpleasure ThecontinuationofcreationisagiftandanygiftfromGodisgraceAndletusgobackastepfarthertocreationitselfThereareallkindsofproblemswithspeakingaboutcreationasanactofGodrsquosgracebutonceagaincreationitselfisnotnecessaryitwascreatedex nihilo byGodrsquossovereigngoodpleasureCreationdoesnotexistnecessarilyitsexistenceispuregiftIhavecometospeakthereforeofaldquodou-blecontingencyrdquoandldquogiftednessrdquowithrespecttocreationFirstcreationasawholeisagiftdependentonGodrsquoscreativeactandprovidentialupholdingofallthingsthatwhichisneed not be ThisisthefirstcontingencyButinadditionGodrsquoscontinuingtoupholdallthingsbyHispowerafterthefallisagracious upholdingHismercyisthesecondcontingencyItisthisgift character ofcreationandprovidencethatliesbehindsomeoftheconcernsofcommongraceproponentsanditisanaffirmationwemustmakePerhapswecansatisfythisbyspeakingsimplyofaldquodoublecontingencyrdquowhatcannotbeoverlookedistheneedtofindlanguagebywhichwecanaffirmthemercy ofGodrsquosgoodpleasureincontinuingtoupholdafallencreationPleasenotethatitwouldbeaseriousmisunder-standingofmyclaimheretopositsomeformofἀποκαταστάσιςoruniversalredemptionofthecosmosIwanttomaintainthatGodrsquosdecreeofelectionandreprobationstands InadditionweneedtofindtherightkindoflanguagebywhichweaffirmGodastheGiverofeverygoodandperfectgiftincludingthoseHebestowsuponthejustandtheunjustAndthisbringsmebacktotheSecondPointofKalamazooWeallagreeItrustthatGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinIhavethereforealsopreparedwhat

November 2015 23

IthinkwouldbeanacceptablerevisionoftheSecondPointsimplybyretaining thefirstsentenceof theoriginal shifting the focus toGodrsquosfatherlycareandthecomfortofbelieversandre-writingtheconfessionalground

Concerningtherestraintofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinso-cietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessionthereissucharestraintofsinThisisgreatcomforttobelieverswhotrust in their heavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeing persuaded that he sorestrainsthedevilandallourenemiesthatwithouthiswillandper-missiontheycannothurtusrdquo(BelgicConfessionArt13)Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegoodcivilorder(BelgicConfessionArt36)

YouwillnoticethatIalsoremovedthereferencetotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheoriginalIdidittoforestallallmisunderstandingandobjectionnotbecauseIthinkthattheclaimisaltogetherwrongOnthecontrarymdashandhereIdohaveCalvinonmysidemdashIwanttoaffirmtheHolySpiritasthesourceofalllifeallgiftsandyesastheOnewhobestowsgiftsthatdonotsaveIbelieveIamonbiblicalgroundhereinusingsomeoftheexamplesCalvinhimselfusedtheSpiritofGodbestowinggiftofcraftsmanshipontabernacleartisansBezalelandOholiabOldTestamentjudgessuchasSamsononwhomthe ruach YHWH descendedclearlywithoutsanctifyinghimCyrusastheLordrsquosldquoanointedrdquoetc ThematterofgiftsrestraintofsinandinfactallthreepointshoweverdoesneedanewframeworkSomyquestionforthe1924controversyisthisWhatwouldhappenifwearguedforthebasicprovidential content oftheThreePointsmdashwemustpreachthegospelpromiscuouslyGodprovidentiallyrestrainssinthereisaprovidentialnon-savingexternalcivilrighteousnessamongpeoplemdashandempha-sizedtheimportanceofthechurchrsquoscallingtoexpressgratitude to GodfortheseHisgoodgiftsProvidenceandgratitudethatismy narrativeframe NowwedonotknowthemindofGodandmuchofGodrsquosgov-ernanceofhumanhistoryishiddentooureyesandmayevenleadustolamentldquoHowlongOLordMaranathaLordJesuscomequicklyrdquoAswelivebetweenthetimeswedohavetofindlanguagesoitseems

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 124

tometospeakaffirmativelyaboutthosehumandeedsthatexternally areinkeepingwithGodrsquoslawThatisourappropriatepublicwit-nessInaworldwherethemoralcapitaloftheChristiangospelhasbeensquanderedandcannotbeappealedtoasaguideforpubliclifeChristiansas citizensneedtoaffirmwhateveractsexternallyconformtoGodrsquoslawandencourageourfellowcitizenstolivethatway HerethenismyproposalmdashmyThreePoints1 WereservethewordldquogracerdquoforGodrsquosredemptiveandparticularloveinChristwherebyHedecreedtosaveHiselectandbringglorytoHisownname2 WespeakopenlyaboutGodwhooutofHisgoodpleasurecreatedtheworldupholdsandpreservesitbyHisFatherlyhandsothatourgratitudetoGodforallhisgiftswillbeobvioustoeveryone3 WeaffirmallhumanconductthatexternallyconformstoGodrsquoslaw Insumwhatevergermsoftruthcanbedistilledfromtheconvic-tionsofthosewhoformulatedtheThreePointstheymustbeframedbyanarrativethataccentsprovidence andgratitude

Conclusion InconclusionechoingtheallegedsignaturewordsofPresidentRichardNixonbutnowItrustwithpurermotiveandhonestintentldquoLetmebeperfectlyclearrdquoIamtrulygratefulfortheprivilegeofspeaking at the ProtestantReformedTheological School and forpublishingmylectureinyourTheological Journal Butthislectureisnot an audition for a teaching post at theProtestantReformedTheologicalSchoolIamnotexactlyonthesamepageasHermanHoeksemaNonethelessIadmireandrespecthisgiftedtheologicalmindamembarrassedbythewayhewastreatedin1924anddeep-lyregretthecondescendinganddismissivemannerinwhichsomeimportantpeopleintheCRCcametospeakofhimIconsiderhimamostworthyandvaluabletheologicalconversationpartnerIknowIwouldhaverelishedtheopportunitytodosoinpersonMyownteacherandpredecessoratCTSDrFredKloostertoldmethathedidHoeksemarsquosousterfromtheCRCwasourlosshisvoiceaneededcorrectivetotheCRCrsquosdrivetowardprogressiveAmericanizationPartofmyvocationforthepastthirtyyearshasbeentoinserthere

November 2015 25

andthereanoccasionalnotefromthatvoiceaspartofadiscordantchordinthegrandninthsymphonyofCRCprogressivisml

AppendixA Reformulation of Kalamazoorsquos Three Points

TheworkingpremiseofmypreviousthreearticlesontheChris-tianReformedChurchrsquoscommongracecontroversyinthe1920swasthattheSynodofKalamazooactedwithhasteandproducedflawedstatementswhoseinsufficientclaritynotonlyledtoanunnecessarychurchschismbutalsoleftconfusionanduncertaintyin theCRCTheprecedinglectureessaymyfourthexpandsonthatconclusionbypayingcloserattentiontotheactualwordingandgroundingoftheSynodrsquosthreecontentiouspointsSinceIhadproposedarevisionoftheThirdPointinmysecondessay39anddidthesamefortheFirstPointinthethirdessay40Icompletedthetrifectabyproposingare-visedSecondPointinthisessay41InthisAppendixIamplacingthethreerevisionsside-by-sidewiththeoriginalsfromthe1924SynodsothatreaderscanmakeaclosecomparisonTheletterednotesthathavebeen inserted into the textpoint thereader tomoreextendedcommentaryontherevisionsfollowingeachpoint

39 JohnBoltldquoCommonGraceTheonomyandCivicGoodrdquoCTJ35(2000)233

40 John Bolt ldquoHerman Hoeksema was Rightrdquo 303 41 Seepage28

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Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 126

IngratitudetoGodforhisprovidentialacareSynoddeclares

Commentarya Framingthematerialintermsofgratitudeandprovidence strikesmeasessentialGratituderemindsustofocusontheGiverandnotthegiftithelpskeepbelieversfromdivertingtheirattentionawayfromGodtohisworldandthegiftsheprovidesinitPlacingGodrsquosgeneralfavortocreationwithinthearenaofprovidence(ratherthansoteriology) helps us avoid succumbing to the temptation of any

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the favorableattitudeofGodtowardmankindin general and not only towardtheelectSynoddeclaresthatitiscertainonthegroundofScriptureandtheConfessionsthatthereisbesidesthesavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosenuntoeternallifealsoacertainfavororgraceofGodwhichHeshowstoallHiscreaturesThisisevidentfromthequotedScripturepassag-es gandfromtheCanonsofDordtII5andIIIandIV8and9wherethe general offer of theGospelisdiscussedhwhileitis evident from the quoted declarations of Reformed writersof theperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfrom of old have championedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the First Point

Concerning the doctrine ofgraceSynoddeclaresthatGodrsquossavinggraceisalwaysparticularto the electbThepromiseofthegospelldquothatwhosoeverbelievesinChristcrucifiedshallnotperishbut have eternalLifetogetherwiththecommandtorepentandbelieveoughttobedeclaredandpublished to all nations and toall persons promiscuously andwithoutdistinctiontowhomGodoutofHisgoodpleasuresendsthegospelrdquo c(CanonsofDordtII5) InadditiontothissavinggraceofGodshownonlytothosechosento eternal lifed there is also afavoreofGodshowntoallcrea-tureswherebyheprovidentiallyupholds all things preserveslife and governs theworld byhis Fatherly hand (LordrsquosDay10)Whateverldquolightofnaturerdquoremains inman only serves tomakehiminexcusablef(CanonsIIIIV4)

November 2015 27

UnfinishedBusinessof1924

numberofuniversalismsThisfavorofGodisnot untosalvationb Changingtheopeningsentenceofpointonetoapositivedeclara-tionontheparticularityofgrace(borrowedfromAbrahamKuyper)makesitclearthatwhateverfollowsaboutGodrsquosprovidentialmercyandfavortoallpeoplewillnotbeconfusedwithsalvationc IncorporatingtheactualwordsfromtheCanonsofDordtandtheHeidelbergCatechismasintegraltothestatementgivesitaconfes-sionalgravitas thatisabsentinthethrice-repeatedreferencetotheldquoquoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformedtheologyrdquoandthevagueallusiontoldquoReformedfathersfromofoldrdquod Itseemedtomeimportantmdashespeciallytodaymdashexplicitlytore-pudiateallformsofsoteriologicaluniversalisme ldquoFavorrdquoisintentionallychosentodistinguishitfrom(soteriolog-ical)ldquogracerdquoThisdistinctionparallelstheonethatAbrahamKuyperalsomadeinhisarticlesoncommongracebetweenldquogenaderdquo(savinggrace)andldquogratierdquo(favor)thoughKuyperrsquosownusageisnotentirelyconsistentf ThepointthatGodrsquosgeneralrevelationanduniversalprovidentialfavorinfactservetodefendthejusticeofGodrsquoswrathbyrenderingall people inexcusable(Rom127)isalmostalwaysoverlookedorforgottenbydefendersofcommongraceg TherevisionactuallyquotestherelevanttextoftheconfessionratherthanpointingtoldquothequotedScripturepassagesrdquowhicharethennotgivenTheoriginalisstylisticallyawkwardandleavestoomanyquestionsldquoWhataretheselsquoquotedrsquoScripturepassagesrdquoh ThereferencetotheldquogeneralofferofthegospelrdquoisincludedintherevisionbutaspartofthegospelmandatetopreachthegospelofgraceandnotasagroundforthedoctrineofcommongraceInmyviewitisherethatthefirstpointopensupoccasionforgreatconfusionbyblurringthedistinctionbetweensoteriologyandprovidence

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Commentaryi TherevisionisanattempttoreorienttheemphasisonGodrsquosre-straintofsinforthecomfortofbelieversandtheirgratitudePointingtorestraintasasocialgoodshouldbesecondaryj QuotingtheBelgicConfessiondirectlynotonlyaddsweighttothestatementbutitalsoremindsusthattherealissuehereisrestraint of lawlessnessasnecessaryforgoodcivilorderandnotappreciationofthecivilorderonitsownasafruitofcommongracek AsIindicatedinmyessayIdonotquarrelwiththereferencetotheHolySpiritinKalamazoorsquosSecondPointIleftitoutoftherevisiontoavoidunnecessarycontroversytheSecondPointdoesnotneedit Furthermore on the face of itKalamazoorsquos claim is clearlyincorrectThereisnotevenanallusiontotheHolySpiritineither

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Second Point

Concerning the restraint ofsininthelifeoftheindividualandinsocietytheSynoddeclaresthataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintofsin Thisisevidentfromthequoted Scripture passages andfromtheBelgicConfessionArt13s and 36where it is taughtthat God through the generaloperationsofHisSpiritkwithoutrenewingtheheartrestrainssininitsunhinderedbreakingforthasaresultofwhichhumansocietyhasremainedpossiblewhileitisevi-dentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwritersoftheperiodofflorescenceofReformed the-ologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wordingof the Second Point

Concerningtherestraintofsininthe life of the individual and insociety theSynoddeclares thataccordingtoScriptureandCon-fession there is sucha restraintof sin This is a great comfortto believerswho trust in theirHeavenlyFatherrsquos care ldquobeingpersuadedthathesorestrainsthedevil and all our enemies thatwithouthiswillandpermissionthey cannot hurt usrdquo (BelgicConfessionArt13)i Godusescivilauthoritiesashisservantstorestrainlawlessnessandpromotegood civil order(BelgicConfes-sionArt36)j

November 2015 29

Article13or36oftheBelgicConfessionMyrevisiontriestomakeitclearthattherestraintofsindoesnotenterthearenaofsoteriologyorthespiritualkingdomofChristbutbelongsintherealmofGodrsquosprovidenceandisbothasourceofcomforttobelieversandgroundsforgratitudeTheactiveagentonGodrsquosbehalfinrestrainingsininArticle36isthecivilmagistratenottheHolySpiritTheBelgicCon-fessionisclearlyworkingwithastrongdoctrineoftwokingdomsasisevidentintheArticle(35)immediatelyprecedingtheoneoncivilgovernmentInexplainingtheLordrsquosSuppertheBelgicConfessionpointstotheanalogywithandthedistinctionfromordinarymealsthat are necessary for physical life Notice also how this articlehardlypointstoourdaily(physical)breadassomethinguniversallyredemptivethatisreservedfortheelect

NowthosewhoarebornagainhavetwolivesinthemTheoneisphysicalandtemporalmdashtheyhaveitfromthemomentoftheirfirstbirthanditiscommontoallTheotherisspiritualandheavenlyandisgiventhemintheirsecondbirthmdashitcomesthroughtheWordofthegospelinthecommunionofthebodyofChristandthislifeiscommontoGodrsquoselectonlyThustosupportthephysicalandearthlylifeGodhasprescribedforusanappropriateearthlyandmaterialbreadwhichisascommontoallpeopleaslifeitselfButtomaintainthespiritualandheavenlylifethatbelongstobelieversGodhassentalivingbreadthatcamedownfromheavennamelyJesusChristwhonourishesandmaintainsthespirituallifeofbelieverswheneatenmdashthatiswhenappropriatedandreceivedspirituallybyfaithrdquo

If oneisstillinclinedtospeakofthisrestraintasldquocommongracerdquothenoneisatleastconfessionallyobligatedtomakeitcrystalclearthatthisisnotsomethingthatbelongstothespiritualkingdomandissalvific

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Commentaryi Asimpledeclarativethatusesconfessionallanguageseemstomepreferablethantheconcessivestructure(ldquothoughincapablecanrdquo)

1924 Synodrsquos Wordingof the Third Point

Concerning the performance of so-called civic righteousnessbytheunregenerate theSynodde-claresthataccordingtoScriptureandConfessiontheunregeneratethough incapable of any savinggood(CanonsofDordtIIIIV4)can perform such civic goodThis is evident from thequotedScripturepassagesandfromtheCanonsofDordt III and IV 4andtheBelgicConfessionwhereit is taught that God withoutrenewing the heart exercisessuchinfluenceuponmanthatheisenabledtoperformcivicgoodwhileitisevidentfromthequoteddeclarationsofReformedwriters of themost flourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedfathersfromofoldhavechampionedthisview

A Proposed Re-Wording of the Third Point

Concerning the performance ofso-called civic righteousnessby the unregenerate theSynoddeclares that the unregenerateareincapableofanysavinggood(CanonsofDortIIIIV3)l We doacknowledgethatGodinhisprovidence does maintain allpeopleashisimagebearersmwhocontinue to keep glimmeringsof natural light whereby theyretain someknowledgeofGodofnaturalthingsandofthedif-ferencesbetweengoodandeviland discover some regard forvirtuegoodorderinsocietyandformaintainingorderlyexternaldeportmentrdquo(CanonsofDortIIIIV4)Thesedeedsofoutwardconformity toGodrsquos ordinancesdonotmakeunbelieversinwardlyvirtuousorgoodbeforeGodtheyrender unbelievers inexcusable(Romans120CanonsofDortIIIIV 4)n At the same timeGodrsquosprovidentialgoverningandsustainingcreationandhumanitywithin the bounds of externalorder is his universal gift to allpeopleThoughunderjudgmentlifeinthisworldisnothellChristisKingo

November 2015 31

ofKalamazoowhichseemstobetakingbackwiththelefthandwhatitofferedintherightInmyrevisionofthethirdpointItriedtolettheactuallanguageoftheconfessionsdotheheavyliftingm PlacingtheemphasisonhumanbeingsretainingtheimageofGodonceagaindirectsustothedoctrinesofcreationandprovidenceasthearenaswherethediscussionofcivicrighteousnessneedstotakeplacen BecausethepointissoimportantthereferencetoinexcusabilityisrepeatedhereSeeabovenotefo TheconcludingaffirmationofChristrsquosLordshipoverthewholecosmosisanimportantframeforthechurchrsquosconfessionaboutGodrsquosprovidentialcareWhileitisunfairtoevenattempttoreadthemindsandheartsofthedelegatestothe1924CRCsynodIjudgethatthisfinalconfessionmeetstheconcernsofdefendersofcommongracewhileatthesametimeitdirectsustoGodtheProviderandSustainerratherthantothegiftsofHisgraciouscarebythemselvesl

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The Fulfillment of Godrsquos Covenant in our Union with the Triune God

as Explained in the Upper RoomDiscourse and in the High Priestly Prayer

(John 13 - 17)Juumlrgen-Burkhard Klautke

1 The term ldquocovenantrdquo in the New Testament Ifwe look for the term ldquocovenantrdquo in theHolyScriptures itsoonbecomesobviousthatldquocovenantrdquo isnotusedmanytimesintheNewTestamentIntheOldTestamentwefindthetermldquocovenantrdquoapproximatelytentimesasoftenasintheNewTestament WhenwelookatthepassageswherethetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedintheNewTestamentmanyofthesepassagesspeakaboutthecontrastbetweenthecovenantofmountSinaiandthecovenantestablishedinChrist ForexamplethisisthecaseintheepistletotheHebrewsOfallthebooksoftheNewTestamentitisinthelettertotheHebrewsthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedmostfrequentlyTheChristiansaddressedinthisepistlewereindangerofreturningtoJudaismTheywerecon-frontedwiththespectacularceremoniesintheJewishtempleBeinginthetempleareawasanexcitingexperienceespeciallyontheDayofAtonementTherewerecrowdsofpeopleTheHighPriestwentintotheMostHolywithabasinfullofbloodThenhecameoutandblessedthepeopleItwasanimpressiveeventEventuallythisbecameatrialfortheChristiansTheirworshipwassimpleandunspectacularAlthoughtheydidnothaveimpressivevisibleservicesthewriteroftheepistletotheHebrewsdeclarestothoseChristiansthatwehaveamuchbetterHighPriestOurHighPriestdidnotgointotheholyplacesmadewithhandsbutintoheavenitselfHehaspassedthroughtheheavensandalwaysmakesintercessionforusbeforetheFatherThisintercedingbeforeGodshowsthatthecovenantmadeinChristismuchbetterthantheoldcovenantfromMountSinai(Heb72286) Wealsoreadaboutthecovenantinthethirdchapterofthesecond

November 2015 33

epistletotheCorinthianswheretheoldcovenantfromSinaiwhoseldquoglorywastobedoneawayrdquoiscomparedwiththeNewCovenantldquowhoseglorywillremainrdquo (IICor37-8)1

WhenwestudytheuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquointheNewTesta-mentfurtherwerealizethatldquocovenantrdquoisnotonlyusedtoshowthecontrastbetweenmountSinaiandthecomingofChristItisoftenusedforeventsfromtheOldTestamentForexamplePaulusesthetermldquocovenantrdquoinconnectionwiththenationofIsrael intheOldTestament

For I couldwish thatmyselfwere accursed fromChrist formybrethrenmykinsmenaccordingtothefleshWhoareIsraelitestowhompertaineththeadoptionandthegloryand the covenantsandthegivingofthelawandtheserviceofGodandthepromises (Rom934emphasisadded)

Zacharias takes the sameperspective The father of John theBaptistproclaimed

BythemouthofhisholyprophetshespakehellipthatweshouldbesavedfromourenemiesandfromthehandofallthathateusToperformthemercypromisedtoourfathersandtoremember his holy covenant (Luke170-72emphasisadded)

ZachariasprophesiedthattheeventsathandaregoingtoshowthatGodremembersHiscovenantThedirectionofhissightaboutthecovenantisbacktothepastGodremembers InasimilarwayPeterusedthetermldquocovenantrdquoAfterhealingthelamemanwholayatthegateofthetemplehesaid

1 In2Corinthians3thetermldquocovenantrdquoisusedwhenreferringtothatportionoftheBiblewerefertoastheldquoOldTestamentrdquoIn2Corinthians314thistermistranslatedintheKJVwithldquotestamentrdquoldquoButtheirmindswereblinded[themindoftheJews]foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestamentwhichveilisdoneawayinChristrdquo ProbablythetranslationldquotestamentrdquoistakenfromHebrews917-18Inmyhomecountry(Germany)peoplesaidinearliertimesthattheBiblecontainsthebooksoftheoldcovenantandofthenewcovenantInlightof2Corinthians314thisisentirelyappropriate

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AlltheprophetsfromSamuelandthosethatfollowafterasmanyashavespokenhavelikewiseforetoldofthesedaysYearethechildrenoftheprophetsand of the covenant which God made with our fathers sayinguntoAbrahamAndinthyseedshallallthekindredsoftheearthbeblessed(Acts32425emphasisadded)

ThatmeansWhatyouseenowisthefulfillmentofthecovenantofGodmadewithAbrahamHereagainthedirectionofsightgoestothe past2 OntheotherhanditisworthnoticingthatthetermldquocovenantrdquomdashIamtalkingaboutthetermnotabouttherealitymdashisnowhereusedfortherelationshipsamongthethreepersonsoftheGodheadtheFathertheSonandtheHolySpiritNordowefindastatementinwhichtherelationshipbetweenGodorChristandHischurchiscalledaldquocove-nantrdquoForexamplewedonotfindthetermsldquoheadofthecovenantrdquoorldquopeopleofthecovenantrdquointheNewTestament

2 The New Covenant in the blood of Christ IfthiswereallthattheNewTestamentsaidaboutthecovenantonewondersifthecovenantwouldbeofanyimportanceintheNewTestamentatall Yet thereisoneimportantevent that isrecordedintheNewTestamentinfourplacesThetermldquocovenantrdquoplaysacentralroleinthiseventAfewhoursbeforeourLordJesuswenttothecrossHewaswithHisdisciplesandinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupper

AndhetookthecupandgavethanksandgaveittothemsayingDrinkyeallofitForthisismybloodofthenewtestament[covenant]whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsinsrdquoButIsayuntoyouIwillnotdrinkhenceforthofthisfruitofthevineuntilthatdaywhenIdrinkitnewwithyouinmyFatherrsquoskingdom (Matt2627-29)3

WheninstitutingtheNewCovenanttheLordwasprobablyre-ferringtoExodus246-8

AndMosestookhalfofthebloodandputitinbasinsandhalfofthe

2 SeealsoStepheninActs783 SeealsoMark1423-25Luke2220TheapostlePaulalsomentions

thiseventWereadofthatin1Corinthians112425

November 2015 35

bloodhesprinkledonthealtarAndhetookthebookofthecovenantandreadintheaudienceofthepeopleandtheysaidAllthattheLord hathsaidwillwedoandbeobedientAndMosestookthebloodandsprinkleditonthepeopleandsaidBeholdthebloodofthecovenantwhichtheLordhathmadewithyouconcerningallthesewords

Speakingabout theldquoNewCovenantrdquo Jesuswasalso referringtothepromisewhichGodhadgiventhroughHisprophetJeremiahShortlybeforethecityofJerusalemwasconqueredbytheBabylonians(Jer32)weread

BeholdthedayscomesaiththeLordthatIwillmakeanew covenant withthehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudahNotaccordingto the covenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythat ItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgyptwhichmycovenanttheybrakealthoughIwasanhusbanduntothemsaiththeLordButthisshallbethecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelAfterthosedayssaiththeLordIwillputmylawintheirinwardpartsandwriteitintheirheartsandwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeopleAndtheyshallteachnomoreeverymanhisneighbourandeverymanhisbrothersayingKnowtheLordfortheyshallallknowmefromtheleastofthemuntothegreatestofthemsaiththeLordforIwillforgivetheiriniquityandIwillremembertheirsinnomore (Jer3131-34emphasisadded)

TheinstitutionoftheNewCovenantinthebloodofChristwasundoubtedlyaverysignificanteventLuketellsusthatJesusafterinstitutingtheLordrsquosSupperadmonishedHisdisciplestoloveeachotherandtoserveeachotherPriortothistheyhadonceagaindis-cussedwhowasthegreatestamongthem(Luke2224-30) IntheGospelofJohntheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperisnotrecordedThisshouldnotsurpriseusbecausetherearemanyeventsthatwefindintheothergospelsbutnotintheGospelofJohn4 The fourthgospeladdstowhatwereadintheothergospelsSoJohndoesnotmentiontheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupperButmdashandthis ismykeypointmdasheverything Johndescribes in the chapters

4 WecouldthinkofJesusrsquoprayerinthegardenofGethsemaneTogetherwithhisbrotherJamesandwithPeterJohnwassittingnotfarawayfromtheplacewhereJesusprayed

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 136

concerning the eventsof this last nightbefore the crucifixion isdirectlyconnectedtothecovenantofGodEventhoughwedonotfindthetermldquocovenantrdquoanywhereinJohn13-17JesusexplainsthecovenanttoHisdisciplesinthesechapterssothattheyandallofusmightunderstanditintherightwayandliveaccordingtoit IfweonlyhadthefirstthreegospelsMatthewMarkandLukewewouldhavetocometotheconclusionthatwedonotgetanyinformationaboutthequestionwhoestablishedthecovenantInthefirstthreegospelsweonlyreadldquoThisismybloodin[of]thenewtestament[covenant]rdquo(LukeldquoThiscupisthenewtestamentinmy bloodrdquo) Butwho established the covenant Of courseitisGodWecandeducethatfromJeremiah3131andwecanderiveitespeciallyfromExodus248ButthepointisThefirstthreeEvangelistsdonottellusexplicitlythatJesusidentifiedwho establishedthecovenantThequestionfor whomthecovenantisestablishedwouldremainvagueaswell ifwehadonlythefirstthreegospelsTherewereadthattheldquocup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for yourdquo(Luke221920emphasisadded)orldquoshed for manyrdquo (Matt2628Mark1424emphasisadded)ThequestionremainsWhatismeantbyldquotoyourdquoandldquoformanyrdquoWasthiscovenantgivenonlytothedisciplesWasitalsogiventoJudasThesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthechaptersofJohnrsquosGospelthatfollowtheinstitutionoftheLordrsquosSupper JesusrsquospeechintheupperroomendsinJohn1431AtthatpointtheLordsuddenlysays

HereafterIwillnottalkmuchwithyoufortheprinceofthisworldcomethandhathnothinginmeButthattheworldmayknowthatIlovetheFatherandastheFathergavemecommandmentevensoIdoAriseletusgohence (John143031)

ObviouslyJesusgotupafter thatandwalkedtotheMountofOliveswithHisdisciplesDuringthiswalkHecontinuedtoteachthemWereadthatinJohn15and16ItwasprobablywhentheypassedthetemplethatJesusprayedtoHisFatheraprayerrecordedinJohn17 InHisHighPriestlyPrayertheLordprayedforHimself(John171-5)andthenforHiselevendisciples(John176-19)Finally

November 2015 37

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

wereadldquoIdonotaskinbehalfofthesealonerdquo[iefortheeleventheapostles] butheprayed forall future believerswho were to believe through the word of the apostles(John1720)WhatJesussaid here showsHis omniscience He already knew thosewhowouldbelieveinHimbythewordoftheapostlesButitismorethanomniscienceConsiderverse24ldquoFatherIwillthattheyalsowhomthouhastgivenmebewithmewhereIamthattheymaybeholdmy glorywhichthouhastgivenmeforthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworldrdquoThosepeoplewouldbelieveinChristbecausetheFatherhadgiventhemtotheSon WhatwastheaimofJesusrsquoprayerTheansweris

ThattheymaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusthattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentmeAndtheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareone(John172122)

ThecentralpointisobviouslytheunityofthebelieversldquoevenasweareonerdquoProperlyspeakingtheSonofGodisprayingthattheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonbeexpandedtoallwhobelieveinChristthatistothosewhomtheFatherhadgiventotheSon ThequestionisWhatdoestheLordmeanwhenHeexpandstheunionoftheFatherandtheSontousWhatexactlyistheunionbetweentheFatherandtheSonWhatisthemeaningoftheverseldquohellipthattheyallmaybeoneasthouFatherartinmeandIintheethattheyalsomaybeoneinusrdquo (John1721)WhatdoestheLordwanttoteachusinHisprayerwhenHeaskedldquothattheglorywhichthougavestmeIhavegiventhemthattheymaybeoneevenasweareonerdquo (John1722)WhatisthemeaningofHisprayerldquoIinthemandthouinmethattheymaybemadeperfectinonerdquo (John1723)

3 Selected answers given during the history of the church WearenotthefirstonestothinkaboutthemeaningoftheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonwithusInfactsincethebeginningof church historyChristians have thought about this issue FormanyrealizedthatthisthemeisaverycentraltruthYettherewasmuchconfusionaboutwhatitactuallymeantThereforeitmakessense to introducesomeideas thatweresupposedtoexplain theunionbetweentheTriuneGodandtheChristian

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

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FirstwelookatonetheologianfromtheearlychurchAfterthatwelookatonewhohashadadecisiveinfluenceintheGreekOrthodoxChurchuntiltodayThirdlywewilldealwiththepositionofamysticinthelateMiddleAgesFinallywewanttoexaminetheunderstandingofunionwithChristthatdominatesmodernWesternthinkingtothisday

31 Athanasius First letusbeginwithatheologianfromthefourthcenturyHisnameisAthanasiusandhecamefromthecityofAlexandriaWecansummarizehisviewonunionwithChristinonesentenceldquoChristbecamemansothatwemightbecomedivinerdquo5 InthiscontexthespokeaboutdeificationBythathewantedto say that aChristian canobtain a kindof immortality alreadyin this life Athanasius believed that theChristianrsquos substanceistransformedinhisearthlylifeImportantforthereasoningofAthanasiusisthestatementoftheapostlePeterthatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquo (2Pet14)6 ThisraisesaquestionDidtheLordintendthiswhenHeprayedthattheunionofGodtheFatherwithChristwouldbeextendedtoHis

5 AthanasiusOn the Incarnation54[Oratio de incarnatione Verbi54](SC19945813ff)

6 Seealso thearticlebyALKolpPartakers of the Divine Nature The Use of II Peter 14byAthanasiusInStudia Patristica172(1982)1018-1023Forthehistoryoftheexegesisof2Peter14seeMLChris-tensonJAWittung[eds]Partakers of the Divine Nature The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions(GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007)SeeforfurtherstudyaboutthisissueDGPowersSalvation through Participation An Examination of the Notion of the Believersrsquo Corporate Unity with Christ in Early Christian Soteriology (Leuven 2001) Reformed theologians shouldbe awareofRLethamrsquosapproachHeinterpretstheGreekOrthodoxunderstandingofdeification(theosis)inthesenseofReformationTheologyAlthoughherightlycriticizesAdolfvonHarnackonthisissueonewonderswhetherLethamunderstandsthepositionoftheearlychurch(andofGreekOrthodoxtheologiansoflaterdays)inthecorrectway Itseemsthathis interpretationis largelybasedonmodernGreekOrthodoxpositions RLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)passimespecially95ff

November 2015 39

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

electIndeedtransformationisanimportantaspectoftheChristianlife(2Cor318)WebecomesonsanddaughtersofGodNeverthelesstheHolyScripturenowhereteachesthataChristianissubstantiallytransformedduringhisearthlylifeChristianshavethesamediseasesasotherpeopletheyhavetodieinthesamewayandtheyarestillabletocommitsinHoweverthereisasignificantdifferencebetweenChristiansandunbelieversChristianshavereceivedtheHolySpiritandunbelievershavenotYettheSpiritofGodisgiventoChristiansasafirstfruitoftheredemptionoftheirbodies(Rom823-27)InotherwordstheredemptionofourbodyisnotagradualprogressionduringourearthlylifeItwillbeanimmediateredemptionatourresurrectionThenthiscorruptiblebodywillputonincorruptionandthismortalbodywillputonimmortality(1Cor1551-542Cor51-5)InadditionAthanasiusprobablylaidtoomuchemphasisonourmortalityasthemainproblemofmanOurmainproblemisnotdeathbutsinItisthehostilityofthehumanheartagainstGodandagainsthisneighborDeathisonlythewagesofthissin

32 Gregory Palamas IntheGreekOrthodoxChurchdeificationsoonbecamethecen-traldogmaoftheirsoteriologyLetusconsiderthetheologianwhohashadthegreatestinfluenceontheEasternChurchupuntiltodayGregoryPalamas (GregoriosPalamas1296-1359)7ThismanwasaGreekmonkInhisdaysitwaspopularamongthemonkstobeenlightenedbyvisionsTheylongedforthatThemonkscalledthatenlighteningldquotaborlightrdquoIfthisldquotaborlightrdquoenlightenedsomeonehewasaccordingtotheiropinionunifiedwithGodThemanwhoisinecstasyisfilledwithenergiesandthusmeanstobeunitedtoGodanddeifiedatthesametimePalamasdidnotwanttoovercomehumanmortalityandcorruption (asAthanasius) Hisaimwas theexaltationofhumannaturebydeification

7 SeethebasicworkaboutGregoryPalamasJMeyendorffIntroduction agrave lrsquoeacutetude de Greacutegoire Palamas (Paris1959)SeealsoANWilliamsThe Ground of UnionmdashDeification in Aquinas and Palamas(NewYorkOxfordUniversityPress1999)HTKamppurildquoTheosis in der Theologie des Gregorios PalamasrdquoInLuther und Theosis(Erlangen1990)49-60RFlogausTheosis bei Palamas und LuthermdashEin Beitrag zum oumlkumenischen Gespraumlch(Goumlttingen1997)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 140

IfweaskldquoWhyaretheseideasfromtheByzantineMiddleAgesimportantforusrdquotheansweristhatmanypeopletoday(beinginflu-encedbypostmodernism)arefascinatedbysimilarideasPalamasrsquoquestionwas ldquoHowcanwe experience the uncreatedGod in thiscreatedworldrdquoThisisalsoaverycurrentquestionformanypeopletodayForinstanceinthePentecostalorCharismaticmovementoftodayOfcoursetherearedifferencesbetweenPalamasandthesemovementsTheideaofexperiencingGodismoreemotionalsuper-ficialandorientatedtowardworldlyhappinessinthePentecostalandCharismaticmovementthanintheByzantineMiddleAgesPalamaslongedtoexperienceGodthroughanasceticlifestyleButthelongingtoexperienceGodexistsinbothmovements What is theanswer toPalamasrsquoviewonunionwithChristac-cordingtotheScripturesIn2Corinthians3wedonotreadaboutaldquotaborlightrdquobutaboutlightshiningonMosesrsquoface(Ex3429-35)TheapostlePaultransfersthistoChristians(2Cor31213)Yetin2Corinthians3PaulrsquosintentionforuswasnottotakepartinanonymousimpersonalenergiesTheglorywhichtheNewTestamenttalksaboutisnotageneralkindofilluminationbutisalwaysconnectedtothepersonofJesusChristItisanilluminationthroughtheknowledgeofthegloryofGodin the face of Jesus Christ(2Cor31846)ThisilluminationisgiventhroughtheHolySpiritAndtheHolySpiritisnotanimpersonalenergymdashHeisapersonalBeingHeisaldquoComfort-errdquo(John167)HeldquoglorifiesJesusrdquo(John1614)ThroughHimwecometoknowtheLordJesusChristThroughtheHolySpiritwedonotfallintoecstasymdashbutwehaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodThroughtheSpiritofsonshipwecryldquoAbbaFatherrdquo IfweasktheNewTestamentHowcanwegetthisilluminationtheansweristhattheChristiandoesnotyetwalkbysightorbyvisionbutbyfaith(2Cor57Heb111)AndthisfaithisnourishednotbyecstaticexperiencesbutbythehearingandreadingofthegospelofChrist(2Cor314-182Cor43-6)InotherwordswemustrejecttheopinionofPalamas8

8 ItisevidentthatGregoryPalamasspeaksveryrarelyaboutChristinhiswritingsInhistheologythedoctrineofChristismorethebackgroundforthedeificationofmanThecomingofGodinHisenergiesismoreimportantforhimthanthecomingoftheSonintheincarnationThispositionislikely

November 2015 41

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

33 Meister Eckhart Therewere also different opinions about unitywithGod andChristwithintheWesternchurchIwillpresentapositionfromthelateMiddleAgesDuringthattimetherewasastrongtendencytoabandonthedrytheologyofscholasticismThiswasalsothedesireofamancalledMeisterEckhart(1260-1328)whowasamystic9 What didthismanteachHetaughtthatldquothebirthofGodrdquomusttakeplacedeepinthesoulofmanHowcanthishappenHisanswerwasnotbyecstaticilluminationsorbyvisionsInfactunionwithGodisonlypossibleifapersonemptieshimselfinhissoulHemustcuthimselfofffromeverythingthatisworldlyorexternalHeisnotallowedtodesire(want)anythingEvenifhestrivestodoGodrsquoswillthisisproofthathestillisnotpoorandemptyenoughtobeunitedtoGodOnlyifmanhasbecomealdquonothingrdquocanGodbeborninhimIfhereachesthisconditionitwillbepossibleforhimtobecomeonewithGodexperientially MeisterEckhartexplainedthatthequestionofhowthisldquobirthofGodrdquointhesoulofmanhappenscannotbeansweredHesaidthatitisgoodthatitcannotbeansweredforifanyoneknewhewouldtrytoproducethisunionwithGodbyhimselfwhichisnotallowedThepassivewaitingofnotknowingnotbeingabletodoanythingistheprerequisiteforldquothebirthofGodrdquodeepinthesoul Opinions like this spread in the timebefore theReformationTheseideasbecameverypopularbecausepeoplewantedtoleavedullscholasticismWefindtheseideasforexampleintheNetherlands

connectedtothedenialofthefilioquebytheEasternChurchesThisledtoaviewthatsawtheSpiritas(infact)superiortotheSonPalamasemphasizedthespiritualenergiesmorethantherelationshipofmanwithGodthroughChristPalamasalsoignoresmostofredemptivehistoryInfacttheviewofPalamasisnotbiblicalbutplatonicstructured

9 ItisdifficulttofindliteratureaboutMeisterEckhartinEnglishButseeforexampleMeister Eckhart The Essential Sermons Commentaries Treatises and DefenseTranslatedandeditedbyBernardMcGinnandEd-mundColledge(NewYorkPaulistPress1981)(Re-publishedinpaperbackwithoutnotesandaforewordbyJOrsquoDonohueasMeister Eckhart Selections from His Essential Writings (NewYork2005)ForanintroductiontohisthinkingseeBreakthrough Meister Eckharts Creation Spirituality in New Translation (NewYork1980)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 142

inthewritingsofThomasaacuteKempis(1380-1471)orinGermanyinPietismOfcoursethereweremanyvariationsofit HowdowejudgetheseopinionsaboutunionwithGodinthelightoftheHolyScripturesItistruethatthepoorinspiritwillinheritthekingdomofheaven(Matt53)Theywhofleefromsinandimpu-ritytheldquopureinheartrdquoshallseeGod(Matt58)WearecalledasChristianstocrucifyouregoismmdashtheBiblecallsitourldquofleshrdquo(Gal513)mdashandtoputtodeaththedeedsofthebody(Rom813)ButtheBiblealsosaysnotosinnottocreationWehavetodenyouregoismnotourcreatedbeingTowalkintheSpiritdoesnotmeantoliveapartfromourneighborsLetusrememberthatthefirstfruitoftheSpiritislove(Gal513)InotherwordstowalkintheSpiritistheoppositeofalifeapartfromotherpeopleasthemysticsimagineditwearecalledtoliveinrelationships LetusrememberthelastverseofJesusrsquoHighPriestlyPrayerldquothatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo (John1726)

34 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel FinallywementionanopinionaboutunionwithGodthatisveryrelevanttodayunionwithGodasthephilosopherHegelunderstoodit Hegellivedfrom1770to183110 ThiswasthetimewhentheFrenchRevolutiontookplace(1789)ThisRevolutionwentunderthemottoldquoNoGodandNoKingrdquoOnthealtaroftheCathedralNotreDameinParisastatueoftheGoddessofReasonwaserectedPeoplecametoadoreherTheideasofhumanrightswereadvancedmdashtheideasoflibertyequalityandfraternity Intheyear1788oneyearbeforetheFrenchRevolutionstartedHegelbegantostudyinTuumlbingenasmallcityinsouthernGermanyHestudiedphilosophyandclassicallanguagesHoweverHegelwas

10 WecanfindthisthinkinginallofHegelrsquosworksItemergesalreadyinDer Geist des Christentums und sein Schicksal (1798)(The Spirit of Christi-anity and its Fate)SpecificallywefinditinGWFHegelPhaumlnomenologie des Geistes(1807)Phenomenology of Spirit (OxfordClarendonPress1977)translatedbyAVMillerwithanalysisofthetextandforewordbyJNFindlayAnothertranslationofthesameworkiscalledPhenomenology of Mind (LondonHarperampRow1967)translatedbyJBBaillie

November 2015 43

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

livinginahousewherebasicallyonlytheologystudentslivedThushewasvirtuallysurroundedbytheologiansandtheology WhenthepeopleinEuropeheardaboutthecruelterrorinFrancetheywerefilledwithhorrorNotsoHegelTheyoungstudentHegelwasfascinatedbywhatheheardfromFranceTobesurehealsohadheardaboutthemurdersandtheterrorButallofthiswasnotanissueforhimMuchmoreimportanttohimweretheideas of the FrenchRevolutionthethoughtsaboutlibertyequalityandfraternityTohimtheyseemedtobegoodideastheyseemedtobeChristianideasInsteadofbeinghorrifiedbytheterrorinFranceHegelrequiredtheFrenchRevolutiontobeinterpretedasamoreorlessChristianrevolutionmdashunderstoodinadialecticalmannerShouldthevaluesoflibertyequalityandfraternitybelefttothenon-ChristiansHegelsaidldquoNordquoThisisgoodandweshouldbegladthatvalueswhichuptothispointwereonlytaughtwithinthechurchwerenowrealizedintheworldaccordingtoHegel HegelcametothisconclusioninourdaysGodcanbeexperi-encedintheworldthroughtheseidealsThereforeChristiansshouldthinkpositivelyabouttheFrenchRevolutionUntilthenChristianshadlockeduptheSpiritofGodinthechurchTheyhadforgottenaccordingtoHegelthattheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofhumanityTherealizationofhumanrightsisadutyforChristiansConsequentlyhesawtheFrenchRevolutionanditsideaswhichweresoonspreadoverallofEuropebyNapoleonBonaparteastheworkingoftheTriuneGodForHegeltheunityofmanandGodismanifestedincarryingouttheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworld AboutrevelationHegelsaidthefollowingGoddoesnotrevealHimselfthroughtheHolyScripturesbutthroughaculturalprogres-sionthatencompassesallofhistoryAndifonewantstobeunitedtoGodheshemustfightfortherealizationoftheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternityinthisworldWecannotfindthetruth(only)byreadingtheBibleTograspthetruthmeanstoparticipateactivelyintheprogressionofliberationwhichtakesplaceinhistoryinHegelrsquosview FromtheperspectiveofthisprogressionofliberationHegelbe-gantointerpretthewholeBibleHetaughtthatthekingdomofGodbeganwhentheJewswereliberatedfromtheslaveryinEgyptThey

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conqueredalandinwhichmilkandhoneywereflowingStepbysteptheymovedtowardlibertyThisprogressiontowardsliberationcontinuedandfinally led to the comingofChrist and then to theReformationtotheFrenchRevolutionandsoon HegelworkedoutthisconceptandillustrateditwithpassagesfromthegospelaccordingtoJohnWecannotdiscussthedetailsbutweshareoneexampleIntheGospelaccordingtoJohnJesussaidthathewouldleaveandthensendtheHolySpiritHegelinterpretedthisinthefollowingwayWhenJesuslivedonthisearthHisdiscipleswere totallydependentonHim Butnowafter thecomingof theSpiritthisworldiscontinuallybeingchangedaccordingtotheidealsoflibertyequalityandfraternity ItisobviousHegeldidnotwanttobeunchristianwithhissystemTheoppositeisthecaseHisphilosophycentersonunionwithGodForhimthisunionwithGodandwithChristisnotsomethingstaticitisadynamicprogressionItisadialecticprogressionwhichwillleadthewholeworldtolibertyequalityandfraternityandbythiseventuallytoGod InLiberationTheologywefindthesamebasicideasNotthereadingof theBibleis important inorder toknowthetriuneGodbuttounderstandandtograsptheprogressionofworldhistoryAndbyparticipationinthisprogressionmantakespartinGodandinHisloveHegeldidnotspeakaboutGodrsquoscommongraceintheworldbutaboutGodrsquoscommonlove In this progressionwhich encompasses thewholeworld thechurchnolongerplaysanimportantroleAlsowhetheryouareaChristianornotisnotessentialbecauseeverymanhasamindandaspiritAndbythishumanspiriteverybodycancomprehendGodtheSpiritofGodandgraspsHisloveinthisworldbylibertyequalityandfraternity(ortodaysisterhood) SomeChristianswho are oriented to theReformationmightaskwhytheologianswhodonotbelieveintheBibleanymorecallthemselvesChristiansHowcantheyknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrongThesetheologianswouldgivethefollowinganswerWetrytofindGodinthehistoricalprogressionofliberationbecauseinthisprogressionwebecomeonewithGod(orwithGodrsquosSpirit)11

11 ForinstanceGKaufmanwritesthatourconceptionsofGodshould

November 2015 45

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

HowarewetojudgetheseideasItisrightthatGodisnotonlyworking inHis church He is theCreator andLordof thewholeworldNothinghappenswithoutHiswillThisisalsotrueforthethirdpersonoftheGodheadtheHolySpiritWereadforexampleinPsalm10430ldquoThousendestforththyspirittheyarecreatedandthourenewestthefaceoftheearthrdquoButwemustkeepinmindthatthisistheprovidentialworkoftheTriuneGodHeisnotspreadingHiskingdombythisThespreadingofGodrsquoskingdomdidnothappenbybeinginvolvedinaworldwideprogressionofliberationbutbypreachingtheGospelofChristThroughthistheSpiritofGodcreatesliberationmdashfromsin TheLordJesusChristspeaksexplicitlyaboutthedistinctionbe-tweentheworldandHiselectldquoIpraynotfortheworldbutforthemwhichthouhastgivenmefortheyarethinerdquo(John179compareJohn1417)ImmediatelyafterthatHepraysldquoIhavegiventhemthywordandtheworldhathhatedthembecausetheyarenotoftheworldevenasIamnotoftheworldrdquo (John1714)AndalittlebitfurtherldquoSanctifythemthroughthytruththyWordistruthrdquo(John1717) InlightoftheHolyScripturesitisimpossibletolookfortruthinahistoricalprogression Wefind truthonly inGodrsquos infallibleinerrantWordInthisworldtheSpiritofGodisnottheLiberatorinthesenseoftheFrenchRevolutionHeistheHolySpirittheSpiritoftruth(John1613)Heldquoreprovestheworldofsin[fromitsgreatestbondage]becausetheybelievenotonhimrdquo andldquoofrighteousnessrdquo[inChrist]becauseldquoChristwenttohisFatherandtheyseehimnomorerdquoandldquoofjudgmentbecausetheprinceofthisworld[thegreatesttyrant]isjudgedrdquoFromthistruthourfreedomresultsandthiswillbefulfilledintheglory intheresurrectionwhenwewillgetnew

notbeguidedbyldquobiblicalortraditionalimagesrdquobutbyauniversallyacces-sibleethicofhumanizationldquoTheonlyGodweshouldworshiptodaymdashtheonlyGodwecanaffordtoworshipmdashistheGodwhowillfurtherourhuman-izationtheGodwhowillhelptomakepossiblethecreationofauniversalundhumanecommunityrdquoGKaufmanGod Mystery DiversitymdashChristian Theology in a pluralistic World(MinneapolisFortress1996)29SeealsoforthisconceptSMcFagueMetaphorical TheologymdashModels of God in Religious Language(PhiladelphiaFortress1982)passimMcFagueModels of GodmdashTheology for an Ecological Nuclear Age(PhiladelphiaFortress1987)passim

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bodiesThisfreedomtheTriuneGodhasrevealedtousinHisWordItisfreedomfromalifeundersin(John83247IICor317)

4 Some aspects of the covenant in Christrsquos bloodaccording to John 13 - 17 LetusnowcomebacktotheupperroomdiscourseWhatdoesourLordsaywhenHepraysthat theunionofHimandtheFathershallextendtothebelieverswhomtheFatherhasgiventotheSonLetusrememberthateverythingJohnhaswritteninthispassageisproclaimedjustafter the institutionof theLordrsquosSupperwhich isthefulfillmentofthenewcovenantinJeremiah31InJohn132wereadldquoAndsupperbeingendedhelliprdquoWhathappenedthenTheLordwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesBythisactJesusdoesnotonlywanttoadmonishthedisciplestoloveoneanotherItisnotonlyarepetitionofthecommandmenttoloveyourneighbor(Lev1918)Lookatthewordswithwhichthepassageisintroduced

NowbeforethefeastofthepassoverwhenJesusknewthathishourwascome thathe shoulddepartoutof thisworldunto theFatherhavinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworldhelovedthemuntotheend[hellip]JesusknowingthattheFatherhadgivenallthingsintohishandsandthathewascomefromGodandwenttoGodherisethfromsupperandlaidasidehisgarmentsandtookatowelandgirdedhimselfAfterthathepourethwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciplesrsquofeetandtowipethemwiththetowelwherewithhewasgirded(John131-3)

ThatwhichwereadhereshowsushowtheLordwhoisGodcomesdownfromthegloryofheaventodotheworkofaslaveforHisown A little later theLord tells the disciples thatHehas given anexamplebydoingthis(John1313-15)Thelove-commandalreadyexistedintheOldTestamentButheretheLordisspeakingaboutanewcommandItisnewbecausenowChristhascomedownandhashumbledHimselfforoursalvation(John133435)InotherwordsinthehandsofJesuswithwhichHewashedHisdisciplesrsquofeetwecanalreadyseethenailsthatpiercedthemonthecrossThatiswhatisnewaboutthislove WhenPeterrefusestobewashedJesussaysldquoIf Iwashtheenot

November 2015 47

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

thouhastnopartwithmerdquo(John138)WeonlyhaveapartwithJesusandwithHissacrificeoflovethroughHishumblingdeathonthecrossThisisthenewcovenantbywhichwehaveapartwithJesusWeonlyhaveapartwithHimbythegiftofHisreconciliatoryworkofloveonCalvary ThewaytohaveapartwiththisworkofsalvationisfaithinJesusChristldquoLetnotyourheartbetroubledyoubelieveinGodbelievealsoinmerdquo(John141)SomeyearslaterPeterwouldwritethatldquowemightbepartakersofthedivinenaturerdquoAndhowdoesthishappenTheanswerisldquoByhisgreatandpreciouspromisesrdquo (IIPet14)ThisdoesnotmeantobeilluminatedbygodlyenergiesanditdoesnotmeantoexperiencenothingnessinamysticalsensesothatGodcanbebornwithinusItalsodoesnotmeantobepartofauniver-salprogressionofhistorythroughrevolutionaryambitionsRathersalvationisonlythroughfaithwhichisrootedinHisholyWordItisfaithinGodtheFatherandinGodtheSonldquoThisgoesbeyondfellowshiptocommunion(orparticipation)andisstrictlyaunionajoiningtogetherthatisunbreakablerdquo12InthisworldweexperiencethisunionwithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonandwithoneanotherthroughloveInGodrsquoscovenanttheunionofGodtheFatherandtheSonisextendedtous FatherandSonareofonebeingbuttheynevermelttogetherintoonepersonGodtheFatherandtheSonarenotidenticalThereisadistinctionbetweenthemHoweverintheirbeingintheirholinessandintheirlovetooneanothertheyareoneThisiswhattheLordwantstoexplainhereldquoAtthatdayyeshallknowthatIaminmyFatherandyeinmeandIinyourdquo(John1420)13TheapostlePaulwritesldquoInhim[Christ]dwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyrdquoInthenextverseheaddsldquoAndyearecompleteinhimrdquo(Col2910) It is important to understand that Christians always remaincreatures TheyaredifferentfromGodGodandmanarenevermeldedtogetherAlsothetermperichoresisasadescriptionforourunionwithGodmaynotbeoveremphasized(tosayitcarefully)

12 QuotationfromRLethamUnion with Christ in Scripture History and Theology (PhillipsburgPampRPublishingCompany2001)97

13 SeeaboutthisissueelaboratelyDEngelsmaTrinity and Covenant God as Holy Family(JenisonRFPA2006)passim

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TheunionisanasymmetriconeGodtheFatherextendsHisuniontousnottheotherwayaroundCalvinneverusedthistermforourunionwithChrist14YetCalvinteachesthatldquowepassfromourowntohisnaturerdquo15 ThisistheworkoftheHolySpiritaloneHisworkisseenindoingthewillofGodandinlovetotheFatherldquoHethathathmycommandmentsandkeepeththemheitisthatlovethmeandhethat

14 SeeJMcLeanPerichoresis Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John CalvinInReformed Theological Review 682(2009)130-141MSHortonCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (Lou-isvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)276

15 JCalvin Commentary on Romans 65 [In eius naturam ex nostra demigramusrdquo CalvinCStA513083f]SeealsoJCalvinrsquosCommen-taryonICorinthians1212ldquoThenameofChristisusedhereinsteadoftheChurch[hellip]inasmuchashecallstheChurchChrist forChristconfersuponusthishonormdashthatheiswillingtobeesteemedandrecognisednotinhimselfmerelybutalsoinhismembers[ldquoChristinomeninlocumecclesiaesubstituiturecclesiamvocatChristumhocenimhonorenosdignaturChris-tusutnolittantuminsesedetiaminmembrissuiscenserietrecognoscirdquoCO49501=CR77501]CalvinwritesinhisInstitutesldquoForweawaitsalvationfromhimnotbecauseheappears tousafaroffbutbecausehemakesusingraftedintohisbodyparticipantsnotonlyinallhisbenefitsbutalsoinhimselfrdquo(Institutes3224)

Inhis(commendable)defrayalofNTWrightrsquosideasMichaelSHortonmakesthestatementthatinthethoughtofCalvinjustificationhaspriorityaheadofunionwithChristldquothattheforensicdeclarationisthebasisforthetransformativeeffectsofthisunionrdquoMichaelSHortonldquoCalvinrsquos Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace Modern Reception and Con-temporary PossibilitiesrdquoInJToddBillingsampIJohnHesselink(eds)Calvinrsquos Theology and Its Reception Disputes Developments and New Pos-sibilities(LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2012)72-94quotedfrom90SeealsoHortonrsquosCovenant and Salvation Union with Christ (LouisvilleLondonWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2007)passimspecially104105HortonrsquosinterpretationofCalvinisidenticalwithhisownconviction(SeeMichaelSHortonThe Christian Faith A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way (GrandRapidsZondervan2011)597InthiswriterrsquosviewthisshouldbereviewedbecauseinCalvinrsquostheologyjustificationhas(logical)prioritytosanctificationButbothjustificationandsanctificationarerootedinunionwithChrist

November 2015 49

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriune

lovethmeshallbelovedofmyFatherandIwilllovehimandwillmanifestmyselftohimrdquo(John14211510) AftertheLordgotup(John1431)andwalkedwithHisdisciplestothegardenofGethsemaneHeinstructedHisdisciplesinwhatitmeanstoliveinGodrsquoscovenantinthisworldHetaughtthemhowtoabideinHimAndifamanabidesnotinhimheiscastforthasabranch(John151-7)16 ChristteachesthatweabideinHimthroughHisWordldquoNowyouarecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyourdquo(John1534)17 ItisobviousChristdoesnotspeakaboutmysticsorenergiesbutabout faithandobedience toHis infallible inerrantWord In thiscontexttheLordcallsHisdisciplesHisfriends

GreaterlovehathnomanthanthisthatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriendsYearemyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyouHenceforthIcallyounotservantsfortheservantknowethnotwhathisLorddoethbutIhavecalledyoufriendsforallthingsthatIhaveheardofmyFatherIhavemadeknownuntoyou(John1514-16)

ToabideinChristinthisworldisnoteasyforJesusspokeaboutpersecutionsandtroubles(John1518-164)LaterPaulsaysthattheyreceivedthegiftldquoin the behalf of Christaregivennotonlytobelieveinhimbutalsotosufferforhissakerdquo(Phil129emphasisadded)18 NeverthelessJesuspromisedthatinthisworldoftribulationwewillnotremainalonebutwillreceivetheComfortertheHolySpirit(John165-33)

16 ReferringtothispassageHHankospeaksabouttheldquoorganicsenserdquoof thecovenant Godrsquos Everlasting Covenant of Grace (GrandRapidsRFPA1988)117

17 ItseemsthatthetermabidefortherelationshipbetweenGodandHispeopleisalreadyused(prophesied)intheSeptuagintForinstanceinIsaiah3018ThebeautitudeldquoblessedarealltheythatwaitforhimrdquoistranslatedintheLXXinthefollowingwayldquoBlessedarethosewhoabideinhimrdquo(μακάριοιοἱἐμμένοντεςἐναὐτῳ)SeealsoIs817(LXX)ConferalsothenegativeuseofabideinJer38(31)32(LXX)ὅτιαὐτοὶοὐκἐνέμεινανἐντῇδιαθήκῃμου

18 Seealso2Corinthians410

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Vol 49 No 150

Summary AttheoutsetwemadetheobservationthatthetermldquocovenantrdquoisrarelyusedintheNewTestamentWeaskedldquoWhatisthereasonthattheHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheNewTestamentdidnotspeakaboutthecovenantveryoftenrdquo WecannotgiveadefiniteanswerMaybethereasonisthatduringthefirstcenturythetermldquocovenantrdquowasoftenassociatedwiththeJewishpeopleThetermldquocovenantrdquoindicatedtoomuchofanationallimitation The termldquocovenantrdquowaswidespreadamong the JewsofthistimeAnationallimitationwasofcourseabolishedforthechurchoftheNewTestament Whateverthereasonfortherareuseofthetermldquocovenantrdquoisthe realityof thecovenant is foundeverywhere in theNewTesta-mentLetusrememberthestatementthatdescribesthemeaningofthecovenantintheOldTestamentWefindthesamestatementintheNewTestamentldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquoWhenwereadthisstatementforexamplein2Corinthians616weseethattheapostleisnowusingthisexpressiontogetherwithunionwithGodldquoAndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidolsForyearethetempleofthelivingGodasGodhathsaidI will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my peoplerdquo(emphasisadded) ldquoYearethetempleofGodandIwilldwellinthemandwalkinthemrdquoThisstatement(seeLev261112)referstothestatementinwhichtheLordexplainstheessenceofthecovenantintheupperroomdiscourseldquoIaminmyFatherundyouinmeandIinyourdquo(John14201721)NowwearetemplesofGod ThesamestatementldquoIwillbetheirGodandtheyshallbemypeoplerdquowefindalsointhelastbookoftheBibleRevelationTherewereadldquoAndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensayingBeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmenandhewilldwellwiththemandtheyshallbehispeopleandGodhimselfshallbewiththemandbetheirGodrdquo(Rev213)HereisthecovenantofGodfulfilledinglory19

19 Generallyitseemsmoreappropriatenottousethetermldquoeschatologyrdquobuttospeakaboutldquoregenerationrdquoorldquofulfillmentingloryrdquoorldquoconsumma-tionrdquoofthecovenantThetermldquoeschatologyrdquoemergedforthefirsttimeintheseventeenthcenturyasusedbytheLutherantheologianAbrahamCalov

November 2015 51

FulfillmentofGodrsquosCovenantinourUnionwiththeTriuneGod

WhenourLordinstitutedtheLordrsquosSupperandspokeaboutthenewcovenantthishasenormousweightforthewholeNewTestamentIfwepayattentiontotheexplanationofthiscovenantestablishedinChristrsquosbloodtheLorddescribesthiscovenantasldquounionwithGodrdquoldquotobeonewithGodtheFatherandwithHisSonrdquoLatertheapostleswouldusethephrasesldquotobeinChristldquoandldquoChristinyourdquo WhatallthesephrasesmeanandhowHiselectcanexperiencethiscovenantourLordexplainsintheupperroomdiscourseItbecomesobviousthatbyGodrsquoscovenantestablishedinChristChristianswillnotbesubstantiallydeifiedTheywillnotbeenlightenedbyvisionsoflightorreceivegodlyenergiesTheywillnotbecomemysticsandemptytheirsoulforthebirthofGodintheirsoulsAndtheywillnotfindtheunionwithGodbyparticipatinginahistoricprogressionandachievinglibertyequalityandfraternity InsteadinthecovenantthatChristhasestablishedthroughHisownbloodHiselectarebroughtintounionwithGodtheFatherandtheSonthroughfaithinHisworkonCalvarythroughhopeinHisunbreakablepromisesandthroughservingeachotherinloveOurcovenantrelationshiptoGodtheFatherandtoGodtheSonisnot(only)relatedtosomethinginthepastMuchmoreitcontainsourlifenowbyfaithhopeandlovetotheldquolivingGodrdquo(2Cor616)Letusnot forget thatChristrsquos explanationofHis covenantbeginswiththewashingofthefeetofHisdisciplesAnditendswiththelastrequestintheprayerofourLordbeforeHecrossedtheBrookKidronwhichisaboutloveldquoAndIhavedeclareduntothemthynameandwilldeclareitthatthelovewherewiththouhastlovedmemaybeinthemandIinthemrdquo(John1726) GodrsquoseternalloveisthefulfillmentofthecovenantwhichtheFatherhaswiththeSonandwhichourSaviorandLordJesusChristhasestablishedthroughHisbloodinordertoextendthatuniontoustothosewhomtheFatherhasgiventoHisonlybegottenSonl

Beforethattheologiansusedthetermde Novissimis(literallyldquoonthenewthingsontherenewalrdquo)

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 152

John Calvin Research Bibliography

compiled by Ronald L Cammenga

1 Survey of Calvinrsquos Life

Related Topics Calvinrsquos early life and education Calvinrsquos initial ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos stay in Strasbourg Calvinrsquos second ministry in Geneva Calvinrsquos struggles and controversies Calvin as international Reformation leader Calvin and the Academy of Geneva Calvinrsquos last yearsAlexanderJHldquoIdelettedeBureWifeofCalvinrdquoInLadies of the Reformation87-98 HarpendenEngland GospelStandard1978(Availableonlinehttpthirdmillorgarticlesjh_alexanderwifeofcalvinhtml)

AlexanderTDandKirkpatrickLSedsJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reformer InstituteforChristianTraining2009

AudinJeanMarieVincentHistory of the Life Works and Doctrine of John Calvin MiamiHardPressPublishing2012

AugustijnCornelisldquoCalvininStrasbourgrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuser166-77GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1999

BackusIrenaldquoCalvin SaintHeroortheWorstofAllPossibleChristiansrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpresedHermanJSelderhuis46-57GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994

BaintonRolandHldquoIdelettedeBurerdquoInWomen of the Reformation in France and England7487-8MinneapolisMNFortressPress2007

BalserakJonJohn Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniver-sityPress2014

BarthKarlldquoLifeofCalvinrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995129-409

BattlesFordLewisedandtrans ldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John Calvin A Collection of His Spiritual Prose Poems and Hymns43-62PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

November 2015 53

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBeckAndreasJldquolsquoExpositio reverentialisrsquoGisbertiusVoetiusrsquo(1589-1676)Rela-

tionshipwithJohnCalvinrdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2(2011)121-33

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosTeachingOfficeandtheDutchReformedDoctorenambtrdquo InBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardRMuller5-32GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2014

BeekeJoelRandGarryJWilliamsedsCalvin Theologian and ReformerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BellMCharlesldquoWasCalvinaCalvinistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921337-58

BezaTheodoreldquoLifeofJohnCalvinrdquoInTracts and Letters1xix-cEdinburghBannerofTruth2009MayalsobefoundinTracts and Treatises1lvii-cxxxviiiEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2002ItcanalsobeaccessedonlineathttpbennozuiddamcomBezaLifeofJohnCalvinpdf

BietenholzPeterGBasle and France in the Sixteenth CenturyGenevaLibrairieDroz1971

BouwsmaWilliamJJohn Calvin A Sixteenth Century PortraitOxford OxfordUniversityPress1988

BreenQuirinusldquoTheChurchastheMotherofLearningrdquoEncounter22no4(1961)363-419

BrentnallJMldquoTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoThe Banner of Sovereign Grace and Truth9no4(2001)94-97

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin onSacred andSecularHistoryrdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHall217-46PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010

BuschEberhardldquoWhoWasandWhoIsCalvinInterpretationsofRecentTimesrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)237-50

CadierJeanThe Man God MasteredGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1960Calvin John ldquoTheAuthorrsquosPreface JohnCalvin to theGodly and Ingenuous

ReadersGreetingrdquoInCommentary on the Book of Psalmsxxxv-xlivEd-inburgh BannerofTruth2009 MayalsobefoundinCommentary on the Book of PsalmstransandedJamesAndersonxxxv-xlixGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949OritmaybefoundasldquoTheSpiritualPilgrimageofCalvinrdquoInThe Piety of John CalvinedandtransFordLewisBattles43-61PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2009

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 154

CarsonDonandScottHarrower ldquoCalvinasCommentatorandTheologianrdquo InCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers read at the 2009 Westminster Conference29-44LondonWestminsterConference2010

CarrSimonettaJohn CalvinGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2013CoetzeeJChrldquoCalvinandtheSchoolrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary Prophet

edJacobTHoogstra197-225GrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1959______ldquoReligiousEducationandtheReformedTheologyrdquoEvangelical Quarterly

7(July1935)253-66CottretBernardCalvin A Biography GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000DrsquoAubigneCharlesMerle ldquoJohnCalvinmdashTheManandHisTimesrdquo InCalvin

Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

DavidDClairldquoTheReformedChurchinGermanyCalvinistsasanInfluentialMinorityrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing199213221-36

DeGreefWulfert ldquoOverviewofCalvinrsquosLiferdquo InThe Writings of John Calvin (expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19931-63

DillenbergerJohnedldquoAnIntroductiontoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheManandHisLiferdquoInJohn Calvin Selections from His Writings NewYorkNYDoubledayAnchor19751-80

DivitaJamesJldquoTheItalianSojournofJohnCalvin1536rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922139-65

DouglassRBruce ldquoTheDifferenceCalvinMaderdquo Theology Today 67 no 2(2010)10-15

DyerThomasHThe Life of John Calvin LondonJohnMurrayPublishing1850DykstraRussellldquoJohnCalvintheChurchReformerrdquoProtestant Reformed Theo-

logical Journal43no2(April2010)21-35EllsHastingsldquoMartinBucerandtheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992218-36EngammareMaxldquoCalvinAProphetWithoutaProphecyrdquoChurch History67

no4(1998)643-61FoxgroverDavidedCalvin Beza and Later Calvinism Papers Presented at the

Fifteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society April 7-9 2006 GrandRapidsMI CRCProductServices2006

GambleRichardCldquoSwitzerlandTriumphandDeclinerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921379-95

November 2015 55

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGanoczyAlexandreldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion

to John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20043-24

GeorgeTimothyldquoGloryuntoGodJohnCalvinrdquoInTheology of the Reformers NashvilleTNBampHAcademic2013163-251

GerrishBAldquoThePlaceofCalvininChristianTheologyrdquoInThinking with the Church Essays in Historical TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010105-24

GerstnerEdnaIdelette A Novel Based on the Life of Madame John Calvin GrandRapids ZondervanPublishingHouse1963

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterOneIntroductoryRemarksrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Printed BooktransKarinMaagKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress20051-38

GodfreyWRobertJohn Calvin Pilgrim and Pastor WheatonIL Crossway2009GordonFBruceCalvin NewHavenCT YaleUniversityPress2011GrierWJldquoCalvinversustheLibertinesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno558(2010)1-6______ldquoCalvinrsquosFrailtiesandCharmrdquoThe Banner of Truthno556(2010)1-4______ldquoCalvinrsquosToilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno555(2009)1-4______ldquoEffortsforUnionofProtestantsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno561(2010)1-4______ ldquoJohnCalvin AProtestantManifestordquo The Banner of Truthno547

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinArrivalinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno548(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinmdashBuildingtheWallsofZionrdquoThe Banner of Truthno557

(2010)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinFirstMinistryinGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno549

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinGenevainCalvinrsquosTimerdquoThe Banner of Truthno553

(2009)1-4______ldquoJohnCalvinPoororRichrdquoThe Banner of Truthno554(2009)1-3______ldquoJohnCalvinRevolutionatGenevardquoThe Banner of Truthno551552

(2009)1-6______ ldquoJohnCalvin TheStrasbourgYearsrdquo The Banner of Truth no 550

(2009)1-5______ ldquoJohnCalvin Wanderings andFlightrdquo The Banner of Truth no546

(2009)1-5______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosEarlyYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno545(2009)1-7

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 156

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgPampRPublishing2001207-220

______ldquoPreservedAmidPerilsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno565(2010)1-3______ldquoTheBrinkofHostilitiesrdquoThe Banner of Truthno562(2010)1-4______ldquoTheBurningofServetusrdquoThe Banner of Truthno560(2010)1-4______ldquoTheClosingYearsrdquoThe Banner of Truthno5672010)1-6______The Life of John Calvin EdinburghBannerofTruth2012HallBasil ldquoCalvinAgainsttheCalvinistsrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism

NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921318-36______ldquoTheCalvinLegendrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation

TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtnayPress19661-18HallDavidWldquoJohnCalvinALifeWorthKnowingrdquoInThe Legacy of John Cal-

vin His Influence on the Modern World(TheCalvin500Series)PhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing200843-82

HankoHermanldquoJohnCalvinGenevanReformerrdquoInPortraits of Faithful Saints JenisonMIReformedFreePublishingAssociation1999143-53

HaslerRichardAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992187-99

HaubenPaulJldquoASpanishCalvinistChurchinElizabethanLondon1559-65rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214240-46

HazlettIanldquoSomeHistoryandHistoriesofCalvinintheContextoftheReforma-tionrdquoTheology in Scotland16no2(2009)23-54

HelmPaulldquoCalvinEnglishCalvinismandtheLogicofDoctrinalDevelopmentrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214349-56

______ldquoOrientationrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburyTampTClark20081-18

HenryPaulEmilThe Life and Times of John Calvin the Great Reformer NewYorkNYRobertCarterampBrothers2012(2vols)

HesselinkIJohnJrldquoTheCatholicCharacterofCalvinrsquosLifeandWorkrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992149-56

HigmanFrancisldquoTheReformationandtheFrenchLanguagerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214110-26

HillerbrandHansJldquoJohnCalvinandtheReformedTraditionrdquoInThe Division of Christendom Christianity in the Sixteenth Century LouisvilleKYWestmin-sterJohnKnoxPress2007289-314

November 2015 57

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyHolderRWardldquoCalvinandGenevaLaterSwissReformrdquoInCrisis and Renewal

The Era of the ReformationsLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009143-66

HoumlpflHarroThe Christian Polity of John Calvin NewYorkCambridgeUni-versityPress1985(DevelopshisthesisinconjunctionwithanaccountofthelifeofCalvin)

HoumlrcsikRichardldquoJohnCalvininGeneva1536-38mdashSomeQuestionsaboutCalvinrsquosFirstStayinGenevardquo InCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994155-65

HughesPhilipEdgcumbe ldquoCalvinand theChurchofEnglandrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214325-48

______ldquoJacquesLefegravevreDrsquoEtaples(c1455-1536)CalvinrsquosForerunnerinFrancerdquoInCalvinus Reformator His Contribution to Theology Church and Society Potchefstroom PotchefstroomUniversity forChristianHigherEducation198093-108

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheManWhomGodSubduedrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume One 1956-1959edDMartynLloyd-JonesPhillipsburgNJPampRPublish-ing2000247-54

HunterAMitchellldquoTheEducationofCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992258-72

HwanBongLeeldquoCalvinrsquosSuddenConversion(subita conversion)andItsHistoricalMeaningrdquoCoram Deo1(2010)153-76

ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInWikipediaathttpenwikipediaorgwikiJohn_CalvinJohnsonGalenldquoJohnCalvinHuguenotrdquoKoinonia 11no2(1999)194-215JohnstonORldquoJohnCalvintheManrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume 3 1963-1964

edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001141-64JohnsonWilliamStacyJohn Calvin Reformer for the 21st Century Louisville

KY WestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009Jung-SookLeeldquoCalvinrsquosMinistryinGenevaTheologyandPracticerdquoInJohn

Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress2009199-218

KingdonRobertMldquoCalvinrsquosLastYearsrdquoinCalvinus Praeceptor EcclesiaeedHermanJSelderhuisGenevaLibrairieDroz179-88

______ ldquoTheCalvinistReformation inGenevardquo InThe Cambridge History of Christianityvol6Reform and Expansion 1500-1600edRPo-ChiaHsiaNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200790-103622-3

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 158

______ldquoTheControlofMoralsinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992343-56

______withLambertThomasAReforming Geneva Discipline Faith and Anger in Calvinrsquos Geneva GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

KirkJamesldquoTheInfluenceofCalvinismontheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214217-39

KnoxSkip(BoiseStateUniversity)ldquoTheReformationJohnCalvinrdquoAvailableonline at httpseuropeanhistoryboisestateedureformationreformerscalvinshtml11pages

KrommingaJohnJohn Calvin The Life and Significance of the Genevan Reformer GrandRapidsMIBacktoGodTractCommittee(pamphlet)

LakePGldquoCalvinismandtheEnglishChurch1570-1635rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214280-324

LawsonSteveldquoTheologiansfortheAgesJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwligonierorgblogtheologian-ages-john-calvin

LinderRobertDldquoJohnCalvinandSecond-GenerationProtestantismrdquoInThe Ref-ormation EraSantaBarbaraCAGreenwoodPublishingGroup200735-53

LindnerWilliamJohn Calvin The Story of One of Christianityrsquos Most Influential Leaders RichmondTXBlackstoneAudio2011

LittellFranklinHldquoWhatCalvinLearnedatStrassbourgrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197374-86

MaagKarinYldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationsofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly 74no4(2007)261-87

MackenzieJohnMemoirs of the Life and Writings of John Calvin LondonWil-liamsampSmith2012

MacKinnonJamesCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell (Pages1-213arebiographicalinnature)

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandPastorrdquoNew Horizons October20093-5

McGowanATBldquoCalvinrsquosLegacyrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a Reform-errdquoedTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200931-47

McGrathAlisterEA Life of John Calvin HobokenNJ WileyBlackwell1993McKeeElsieAnneedandtransldquoAnAutobiographicalIntroductiontoJohnCal-

vinrdquoinJohn Calvin Writings on Pastoral PietyMahwahNJPaulistPress200239-63

November 2015 59

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMcKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianforanAgeofLimitsrdquoInReadings

in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310McNeillJohnTldquoCalvinandtheReformationinGenevardquoPartIIInThe History

and Character of CalvinismOxfordOxfordUniversityPress196793-236______ldquoJohnCalvinDoctorEcclesiaerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyEugene

ORWipfampStockPublishers199811-20McPhersonJoyceBThe River of Grace The Story of John Calvin LebanonTN

GreenleafPress1998MrsquoCrieThomas The Early Years of John Calvin LondonEngland Forgotten

Books2012MeehanChristopherPursued by God The Amazing Life and Lasting Influence of

John Calvin GrandRapidsMI FaithAliveChristianResources2009MeeterHHLife of John Calvin GrandRapidsMICalvinCollege195764ppMenziesAllanldquoTheCareerandPersonalityofCalvinrdquoInA Study of Calvin and

Other Papers CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009127-93MonterEWilliamldquoTheItaliansinGeneva1550-1600ANewLookrdquoInArticles

on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199213279-304MullerRichardA ldquoDemotingCalvin The Issue ofCalvin and theReformed

TraditionrdquoInJohn Calvin Myth and Reality Images and Impact of Genevarsquos ReformeredAmyNelsonBurnettEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers20113-17

MullettMichaelCalvin NewYorkNY Routledge1989(68pp)NaphyWilliamGldquoCalvinandGenevardquoInThe Reformation WorldedAndrew

PettegreeNewYorkNYRoutledge2001309-22______Calvin and the Consolidation of the Genevan Reformation LouisvilleKY

WestminsterJohnKnox2003ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinCritiqueofCalvinismrdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992131-17______ldquoVia CalviniUnlockingtheEnigmaofJohnCalvinrsquosImpactrdquotransBarbara

CarvillandKarinMaagldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEu-roperdquoldquoInitia CalviniTheMatrixofCalvinrsquosReformationrdquoldquoSubita ConversioTheConversionofJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoEuropaafflictaTheReformationoftheRefugeesrdquo InJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the Refugeesrdquo GenevaLibrairieDroz200921-4951-6769-8889-130131-48177-94

OldHughesOliphantldquoTheReformationJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInThe Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian ChurchGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200290-133

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 160

OlsonJeannineldquoCalvinasPastor-AdministratorduringtheReformationinGenevardquoandldquoReformationandRevolutioninCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199232-10311-21

ParkerTHLldquoCalvininHisAgerdquoldquoJohnCalvinrdquoandldquoTheApproachtoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921100-71149-621163-70

______John Calvin A Biography LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2007______Portrait of Calvin HarrisonOH HarrisonPress2010ParsonsBurkedJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and Doxology

SanfordFL ReformationTrustPublishing2008PenningLGenius of Geneva A Popular Account of the Life and Times of John

Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1954PetersenWilliamJldquoIdeletteJohnCalvinrsquosSearchfortheRightWiferdquo(Available

onlinewwwchristianitytodaycomglobalprinterhtmlch1986issue121212html)

PhilpotJCldquoJohnCalvinrdquoathttpwwwgracegemsorg1810-CalvinhtmPiperJohnJohn Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God WheatonIL

Crossway2008PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinTheologyandHistoryrdquoSeminary Ridge Review 12no

2(2010)1-16PotterGRandGreengrassMJohn Calvin(DocumentsofModernHistoryseries)

BelAirCAHodderArnold1983PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinasManandasChristianrdquoThe Outlook59no10(No-

vember2009)28-31ReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyatGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18(November1955)1-33______ldquoTheTransmissionofCalvinismintheSixteenthCenturyrdquoandldquoJohnCalvin

JohnKnoxandtheScottishReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921359-7814177-88

ReyburnHughY John Calvin His Life Letters and Work Charleston SCBiblioBazaar2009

ReymondRobertJohn Calvin His Life and Influence ScotlandUK ChristianFocus2004

RoelkerNancyLymanldquoTheRoleofNoblewomenintheFrenchReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921482-109

November 2015 61

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographySchaffPhilipldquoJohnCalvinHisLifeandCharacterrdquoandldquoJohnCalvinCalvinrsquos

WorkrdquoInThe Creeds of Christendomvol1The History of the CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998421-66

SchmidtAlbert-Marie Calvin and the Calvinistic Tradition NewYorkNYHarper1960

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinasanAsylumSeekerrdquoinCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter De Klerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerNewYorkNYJJGroen1997283-300

______ John Calvin A Pilgrimrsquos Life DownersGrove IL InterVarsityPressAcademic2009

______edThe Calvin HandbookldquoBPERSONISTATIONSrdquoGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200923-56

SpierlingKarenEldquoFriendandFoeReformedGenevansandCatholicNeighborsintheTimeofCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now edRandallCZachman GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200879-98

______ldquoPuttinglsquoGodrsquosHonorFirstrsquoTruthLiesandServantsinReformationGenevardquoChurch History and Religious Culture 92no1(2012)85-103

______ldquoTheComplexityofCommunityinReformationGenevaTheCaseoftheLullinFamilyrdquoInDefining Community in Early Modern EuropeedMichaelJHalvorsonandKarenESpierlingBurlingtonVTAshgate200881-101

StaufferRichardldquoCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992125-48

StebbingHenry The Life and Times of John Calvin The Great Reformer (twovolumesinone)CharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009

SteinmetzDavidCldquoTheScholasticCalvinrdquoInCalvin in ContextOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010247-61

StjernaKirsiWomen and the Reformation HobokenNJWiley-Blackwell2008StrandKennethAldquoJohnCalvinandtheBrethrenoftheCommonLifeTheRole

ofStrassburgrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199219922193-207

StreaterDavidldquoTheSignificanceofJohnCalvinTodayrdquoChurchman113no3(1999)215-31

SungHyunKimldquoAMissiologicalStudyontheLifeofCalvinrdquoMission and The-ology24(2009)155-97

SutherlandNMldquoTheEnglishRefugeesatGeneva1555-1559rdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199214271-9

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 162

The Cambridge Guide to John CalvinPart1ldquoCalvinrsquosLifeandContextrdquo3-37AlsoPartIIchap11ldquoCalvinrsquosControversiesrdquoNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress188-203

ThomasDerekWHldquoWhoWasJohnCalvinrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for De-votion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200819-30

TylendaJosephNldquoCalvinrsquosFirstReformedSermonNicholasCoprsquosDiscoursemdash1November1533rdquoWestminster Theological Journal 38(1975-76)300-18

UttingerKateldquoHuguenotQueenTheRemarkableJeanneDrsquoAlbretofNavarrerdquoLeben5no1(2009)7-101723

VanHalsemaTheaB This Was John Calvin GrandRapidsMI BakerBookHouse1981

vanStamFransPldquoCalvinrsquosConversionashisFirstStepTowardstheMinistryrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12no1(2010)43-70

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemCalvin A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox2009

VollmerPhilipJohn Calvin Theologian Preacher Educator Statesman WhitefishMT KessingerPublishing2010

VoslooRobertRldquoCalvintheAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae35(2009)S17-33

______ldquoTheDisplacedCalvinlsquoRefugeeRealityrsquoasaLenstoRe-examineCalvinrsquosLifeTheologyandLegacyrdquo Religion amp Theology16(2009)35-52

WalchenbachJohnRobert ldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsontheLifeandThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThMThesisPittsburghTheologicalSeminaryPittsburghPA1969

WalkerWillistonJohn Calvin Revolutionary Theologian PastorScotlandUKChristianFocusPublications

______John Calvin the Organizer of Reformed Protestantism 1509-1564 White-fishMT KessingerPublishingLLC2006

WarfieldBBChapter1ldquoJohnCalvinTheManandHisWorkrdquoInCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC20113-26ThisselectionisalsothefirstchapterinWarfieldrsquosCalvin and Calvinism OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1931itisalsoincludedasthefirstarticleinthefirstvolumeof Articles on Calvin amp CalvinismeditedbyRichardCGamble NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992

WeaverSteveldquoTheLifeandTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquo1-13AvailableatwwwangelfirecomtnsteveweaverThe_Life_and_Theology-of-John_Calvinpdf

November 2015 63

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWendelFrancois Calvin Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995 ldquoChapterOneTheYoungCalvinrdquo15-45 ldquoChapterTwoFromtheFirsttotheSecondPeriodatGenevardquo46-68 ldquoChapterThreeTheOrganizationoftheChurchinGenevaandtheStruggle

forOrthodoxyrdquo69-107WilkinsonJohnldquoTheMedicalHistoryofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Medical History of

the Reformers Martin Luther John Calvin John KnoxHaddingtonScotlandHandselPress200151-84

WilliamsGarryldquoJohnCalvinrsquosAgendaPrioritiesamidtheSeparationfromRomerdquoInCalvin Geneva and Revival Papers Read at the 2009 Westminster Confer-enceGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks7-27

WitteJohnJrldquoCalvintheLawyerrdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing201034-58

WrightShawnDldquoJohnCalvinasPastorrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)4-17

ZachmanRandallCJohn Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2006

2 Calvin as Theologian Writer Lecturer Catechete Pastor Polemicist Missiologist Letter Writer

and Expositor of Sacred ScriptureRelated Topics Early publications Psychopannychia and Commentary on Senecarsquos

De Clementia Institutes of the Christian Religion Old and New Testament Commentaries Sermons Catechisms and Confessions Tracts and Treatises Letters

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingandHomileticNineEngagementsrdquo Churchman Parts1and2201-15and331-42

AndersonRosannaPldquoCalvinrsquosThreefoldStrategyforChristianEducationrdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors 10no1(2009)57-72

ArmstrongElizabethRobert Estienne Royal Printer An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress1954

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 164

AyersRobertNldquoLanguageLogicandReasoninCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927249-63

BalkeWimldquoCalvinandtheAnabaptistsrdquotransHenryJBaronInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009146-55

______ldquoCalvinandtheTheologicalTrendsofHisTimerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchef-stroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198248-68

BalserakJonEstablishing the Remnant Church in France Calvinrsquos Lectures on the Minor Prophets 1556-1559BedfordshireUKBrill

______John Calvin as Sixteenth-Century Prophet OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2014

BarkerWilliamSldquoTheHistoricalContextoftheInstitutesasaWorkinTheologyrdquoInA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Essays and AnalysisedDavidWHallandPeterALillbackPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing20081-15

BarthKarlldquo1536InstitutesrdquoandldquoReformationProgramChurchOrderCatechismConfessionrdquoInThe Theology of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1995157-226264-93

BattlesFordLewisldquoIntroductiontoJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536 editionrdquoandldquoEnglishingtheInstitutesofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19922245-884232-36

BavinckHermanldquoJohnCalvinALectureontheOccasionofhis400thBirthdayJuly101509-1909rdquotransJohnBoltThe Bavinck Review1(2010)57-85

BeachJMarkPietyrsquos Wisdom A Summary of Calvinrsquos Institutes with Study Ques-tions GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2010

BeaverRPierceldquoTheGenevanMissiontoBrazilrdquoInThe Heritage of John Calvin GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197355-73

BeekeJoelRldquoCalvinrsquosEvangelismrdquoMid-America Reformed Journal of Theology 15no1(2004)67-86

BenedictPhilip ldquoCalvinand theTransformationofGenevardquo InJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzelandMartinSallmannGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans20091-13

BenoitJean-DanielldquoCalvintheLetter-WriterrdquoandldquoTheHistoryandDevelopmentof the InstitutiordquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress196667-101102-17

Berthoud Jean-MarcPierre Viret A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation The Apologetics Ethics and Economics of the Bible TallahasseeFL ZurichPublishing2010

November 2015 65

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBillingsJToddldquoTheCatholicCalvinrdquoPro Ecclesia20no2(2011)120-34BlacketerRaymondAldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheMosaicHarmonyandJosh-

uardquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200630-52

______ldquoCommentariesandPrefacesrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009181-92

______ ldquoTheMoribundMoralist MoralLessons inCalvinrsquosCommentary onJoshuardquo InThe Formation of Clerical and Confessional Identities in Early Modern EuropeedJanseWimandPitkinBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPublishers2005149-68

______The School of God Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Calvinrsquos Interpretation of Deuteronomy(299pp)(StudiesinEarlyModernReligious TraditionCultureandSocietyvol3)(2006)NewYorkNYSpringerPublishing

BonningtonStuartldquoCalvinandIslamrdquoReformed Theological Review68no2(2009)77-87

BouwsmanWilliamJldquoCalvinismasTheologia RhetoricardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992785-106

BreenQuirinusJohn Calvin A Study in French Humanism BelAirCA ArchonBooks1968

______ldquoStThomasandCalvinasTheologiansAComparisonrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197323-39

BreukelmanFransHThe Structure of Sacred Doctrine in Calvinrsquos TheologyedRinseHReelingBrouwertransMartinKesslerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2010

BurgerChristophldquoCalvinintheLightoftheEarlyLettersrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

CalvinJohnCalvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timo-thyIITimothy313-17GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1996327-331

______Calvin Commentary on the Second Epistle of St PeterIIPeter119-21MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______ldquoCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheNewTestamentintheBibleofOlivetan(1535)rdquoPotschefstroomseUniversiteitSouthAfricaProceedingsof theSixthSouthAfricanCongressforCalvinResearch2000

______ldquoDedicationJohnCalvintoSimonGrynaeusamanworthyofallhonourrdquoCalvinrsquos Commentaries The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the RomansGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans19591-4

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 166

______Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvinrsquos Own lsquoEssentialsrsquo Edition(ANewTranslationofthe1541Institutes)

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster1960

ldquoIntroductionrdquoxxix-lxxxildquoJohnCalvintotheReaderrdquo3-5ldquoSubjectMatterofthePresentWorkrdquo6-8ldquoPrefatoryAddresstoKingFrancisIofFrancerdquo9-31______ldquoPublisherrsquosIntroductionJohnCalvinandhisSermonsonEphesiansrdquoIn

John Calvinrsquos Sermons on Ephesians EdinburghBannerofTruth1974v-xviCampiEmidioldquoJohnCalvinandPeterMartyrVermigliAReassessmentofTheir

RelationshiprdquoInCalvin und Calvinismus Europaumlische PerspektivenedIreneDingelandHermanJSelderhuisZurichSwitzerland85-102

CliffordAlanC Calvin Celebrated The Genevan Reformer and His Huguenot Sons NorwichEnglandCharentonReformedPublishing2009

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheConfessioFideiGallicanardquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992141-12

CochraneArthurCldquoAPreliminaryAspectofCalvinrsquosEpistemologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927276-88

drsquoAssonvilleVictorEldquolsquohellipTooIndolentaTheologyhelliprsquoAFewRemarksonCalvinrsquosConceptofTheologyrdquoInCalvinus clarissimus theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2012242-57

deCamposHeberCarlosJrldquoJohannesPiscatorrsquos(1546-1625)InterpretationofCal-vinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013271-82

deBoerErikAldquoBibleStudyinGenevaTheologicalTrainingforthePreachersto thePeoplerdquo Nederlands Gereformeerd Teologiese Tydskrif 47 nos 3 4(2006)384-409

______ldquolsquoPortrait of a New ProphetrsquoJohnCalvinMoonlightingasaPamphle-teerinStrasbourg(1539)rdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review 12nos2-3(2010)329-48

______The Genevan School of the Prophets The Congregations of the Company of Pastors and their Influence in 16th Century Europe GenevaLibrairieDroz2012

November 2015 67

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographydeGreefWulfertldquoCalvinrsquosWritingsrdquoInCambridge Companion to John Calvin

edDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress41-57______The Writings of John Calvin(expandededition)GrandRapidsMIBaker

Academic1993 a Chapter2ldquoFirstPublicationsrdquo64-8 b Chapter3ldquoCalvinandtheBiblerdquo69-104 c Outofchapter4ldquoBuildingUptheChurchrdquo116-129 d Chapter5ldquoDebatingwithRomanCatholicsrdquo134-50 e Chapter6ldquoDebatingwithOtherMovementsandIndividuals151-70 f Chapter8ldquoTheInstitutesrdquo182-9 g Chapter9ldquoMiscellaneous190-96 h Chapter10ldquoLettersrdquo197-207DennyGeorgeH ldquoCalvinrsquosInfluenceonEducationalProgressrdquo InCalvin Me-

morial Addresses RichmondVA PresbyterianCommittee ofPublication1909147-74

dePetrisPaoloCalvinrsquos Theodicy and the Hiddenness of God Calvinrsquos Sermons on the Book of Job OxfordEngland PeterLangAG2012

DeVriesDawnldquoCalvinrsquosPreachingrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to John Calvin DonaldMcKimedNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004106-24

DemuraAkira ldquoTwoCommentarieson theEpistle to theRomans CalvinandOecolampadiusrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong 16th Century Journal1997165-88

DingelIreneldquoCalvinintheContextofLutheranConsolidationrdquoReformation amp Renaissance Review12nos2-3(2010)155-87

DuffieldGEldquoTheGrowthofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutiordquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001193-206

DykstraRussell ldquoComparisonofExegesisJohnCalvinandThomasAquinasrdquoProtestant Reformed Theological Journal35no215-2536no112-2336no210-22

EdmondsonStephen ldquoTheBiblicalHistorical Structure ofCalvinrsquos Institutesrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology59no1(February2009)1-13

ElonheimoKalleldquoReformedTheologyinCalvinrsquosCatechism1542rdquoInCalvinus clarissimus Theologus Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuis GoumlttingenGermany VandenhoeckampRupprecht2012301-10

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 168

EngammareMaxldquoFromOneFormtheOtherCalvinrsquosCommentaryandSermonsonGenesisrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressonCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

FagreyDavid ldquoLetter toaKing CalvinrsquosPrefatoryAddress toFrancisI in theInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoReformed Herald65no89(2009)11-13

FehleisonJillldquoRulesofEngagementCatholicsandProtestantsintheDioceseofGeneva1580-1633rdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and NowedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200899-118

FennWilliamWldquoTheMarrowofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoHarvard Theological Review II(July1909)323-39

FreudenbergMatthiasldquoCatechismsrdquotransJudithJGuderInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009192-99

GambleRichardCldquoCalvinasTheologianandExegeteIsThereAnythingNewrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodWordandSpiritaCaseStudyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992744-60761-74

GarciaAurelioAldquoBullingerrsquosFriendshipwithCalvinLovingOneAnotherandEdifying theChurchesrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997 edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998119-33

GeorgeTimothyldquoCalvinrsquosPsychopannychiaAnotherLookrdquoInArticles on Cal-vin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19921992287-119

GerrishBAldquoCalvininRetrospectrdquoBulletin of the Institute for Reformed Theology 8no3(2009)3-9

______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheMeaningofReformationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992734-43

GilmontJean-FrancoisldquoChapterTwoPrintedWorksrdquoldquoChapterThreeWritingrdquoldquoChapterFourReadingPracticesrdquoldquoChapterFivePrintingrdquoldquoChapterSixCensorshiprdquoandldquoChapterSevenConclusionrdquotransKarinMaag39-292

GodfreyWRobertldquoTheCounseloroftheAfflictedrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200883-93

GordonBruceldquoWaryAlliesMelanchthonandtheSwissReformersrdquoInMelanch-thon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaag45-68GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic

GrittersBarrett ldquoCalvin asModel forReformedMinistersTodayrdquo Protestant Reformed Theological Journal43no1(November2009)3-22

November 2015 69

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGutekGeraldLldquoJohnCalvinTheologianandEducatoroftheProtestantRefor-

mationrdquoInHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Education Selected ReadingsNewYorkNYPearsonPublishing200041-49

HanSJldquoAnInvestigationintoCalvinrsquosUseofAugustinerdquoActa Theologica Sup-plementum10(2008)70-83

HaslerRAldquoTheInfluenceofDavidandthePsalmsuponJohnCalvinrsquosLifeandThoughtrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPub-lishing1992187-99

HaugaardWilliamPldquoTheContinentalReformationoftheSixteenthCenturyRef-ormationEmphasesSignificantforCatechesisrdquoInA Faithful Church Issues in the History of CatechesisedJohnHWesterhoffIIIandOCEdwardsJrNewYorkNYMorehousePublishingCo1981109-73

HelmPaulldquoCalvinthelsquoTwoIssuesrsquoandtheStructureoftheInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal42no2(November2007)341-48

HesselinkIJohnldquoCalvinStudiesinNorthAmericardquoinRestoration through Re-demption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013231-46

______ ldquoCalvinTheologian ofSweetnessrdquo Calvin Theological Journal 372(2002)318-32

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofDoctrinainHisCatechismsrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum Lit-erarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200870-87

______ldquoIntroductionrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199839-43

______ldquoTheDevelopmentandPurposeofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924209-16

______ldquoTheDistinctiveNatureofCalvinrsquosInstitutesandCertainMotifsinHisThe-ologyrdquoNederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif52no3(2011)384-92

HigmanFrancisMldquoCalvinandtheArtofTranslationrdquoWestern Canadian Studies in Modern Languages and Literature2(1970)5-27

______ldquoICameNottoSendPeacebutaSwordrdquoInCalvinus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997123-37

______The Style of John Calvin in the French Polemical Treatises OxfordOxfordUniversityPress1967

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 170

HofmeyrJWldquoTheDoctrineofCalvinasTransmittedintheSouthAfricanContextbyamongOtherstheOude SchrijversmdashAnIntroductorySurveyrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVan-DerWalted PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation1982259-63

HolderRWardedCalvin and Luther The Continuing Relationship GoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht2013

HughesPhilipEldquoJohnCalvinDirectorofMissionsrdquoInThe Heritage of John CalvinGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans197340-54

______ldquoThePenoftheProphetrdquoInJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195971-94

HunterAMitchell ldquoTheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheCommentariesrdquoandldquoSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoInThe Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19997-48

JohnsonPhillipRldquoTheWriterforthePeopleofGodrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing200895-108

JonesSereneldquolsquoSoulAnatomyrsquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsrdquoInPsalms in Community Jewish and Christian Textual Liturgical and Artistic TraditionsedHaroldWAttridgeandMargotElsbethFasslerAtlantaGASocietyofBiblicalLiterature2004265-84

KayayanEricldquoCalvinBetweenFacilis Brevitas ConfessioandInstitutioInstruc-tioninFaithinGenevardquoReformed Herald 68no1(2011)9-11

KellyDouglasldquoVariedThemesinCalvinrsquos2SamuelSermonsandtheDevelop-mentofHisThoughtrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997209-23

KingdonRobertMldquoCatechesisinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInEducating People of FaithedJohnVanEngenGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007294-313

KloosterFredldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudetotheHeidelbergCatechismrdquoInLater Calvin-ism International Perspectives Volume XXII Sixteenth Century Essays and StudiesedWFredGrahamKirksvilleMOTrumanStateUniversityPress1994311-32

______ldquoJohnCalvintheTheologianTheLeaderofTheologiansrdquoThe Outlook 59no1(2009)10-13

KnightIIIGeorgeWldquoCalvinrsquosNewTestamentCommentariesandHisWorkasanExegeterdquoInTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010153-65

November 2015 71

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyLaneAnthonyNSJohn Calvin Student of the Church FathersGrandRapids

MIBakerBookHouse1999______ldquoCalvinrsquosUseoftheFathersElevenThesesrdquoInJohn Calvin Student of

the Church Fathers1-14______ldquoCalvinrsquosWayofDoingTheologyExploringtheInstitutesrdquoInCalvin

Theologian and ReformeredJoelRBeekeandGarryJWilliams GrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201039-61

______ldquoJohnCalvinCatholicTheologianrdquoEcclesiology6no3(2010)290-314LeithJohnHldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalMethodandtheAmbiguityinHisTheologyrdquo

InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927264-75

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalRealismandtheLastingInfluenceofHisTheologyrdquoInToward the Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWelkerandMichaelWillisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans339-45

LinderRobertDldquoBrothersinChristPierreViretandJohnCalvinasSoul-MatesandCo-LaborersintheWorkoftheReformationrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998134-58

MaagKarinldquoCalvinandStudentsrdquoInThe Calvin HandbookedHermanJSel-derhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009165-71

______ldquoCalvinastheIdealTeacherrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck273-82

______ldquoHeroorVillainInterpretationofJohnCalvinandHisLegacyrdquoCalvin Theological Journal41no2(2006)222-37

______ ldquoRecruitingandTrainingPastors TheGenevanModelandAlternativeApproachesrdquoInRevisiting Geneva Robert Kingdon and the Coming of the French Wars of ReligionedSKBarkerFifeFranceCentreforFrenchHistoryandCulture201210-22

MacCullochDiarmaidldquoCalvinFifthLatinDoctoroftheChurchrdquoInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedict33-45OxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011

MacKinnonJamesldquoCalvinasTheologianrdquoInCalvin and the Reformation NewYorkNYRussellampRussell1930214-270

ManetschScottMldquoIstheReformationOverJohnCalvinRomanCatholicismandContemporaryEcumenicalConversationsrdquoThemelios 36no2(August2011) Available online at http thegospelcoalitionorgthemeliosarticleis_the_reformation_over_john_calvin_roman_catholicism_and_contemporary

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 172

McGeownMartynldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesAComparisonBetweenthe1536and1559Editionsrdquoatwwwcprfcoukarticlscalvinsinstitutescomparisonhtm

McGoldrickJamesEdwardldquoJohnCalvinmdashEruditeEducatorrdquoMid-America Journal of Theology21(2010)121-32

______ldquoJohnCalvinPracticalTheologianTheReformerrsquosSpiritualityrdquo2partsThe Outlook59no6(June2009)10-1559no7(July-August2009)11-14

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheologianofHeadHeartandHandsrdquoScottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology29no2(2011)177-95

McGrathAlisterE ldquoJohnCalvinandLateMedievalThought AStudyinLateMedieval Influences uponCalvinrsquosTheologicalDevelopmentrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992414-34

McKeeElsieAnnldquoCalvinandHisColleaguesasPastorsSomeNewInsightsintotheCollegialMinistryofWordandSacramentsrdquoPaperpresentedattheEighthInternationalCongressofCalvinResearchPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryAugust20-242002

McKimDonaldKldquoJohnCalvinATheologianForanAgeofLimitsrdquoInRead-ings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers1998291-310

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaTheologianlsquoTheInstitutesrsquordquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009210-29

MikkonenJuhaLuther and Calvin on Paulrsquos Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Lutherrsquos 153135 and Calvinrsquos 154648 Commentaries on GalatiansTurkuFinlandAboAkademis

MilletOlivierldquoCalvinrsquosSelf-AwarenessasAuthorrdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009ed IrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress201184-101

MintonHenryCollinldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInCalvin Memorial Addresses RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190937-56

MooreTMldquoSomeObservationsConcerningtheEducationalPhilosophyofJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublish-ing19923220-36

Moore-KeishMarthaLldquoCalvinSacramentsandEcclesiologyrdquoInCall to Worship Liturgy Music Preaching and the ArtsedTheodoreAGillJrLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress25-41

MuellerGustavEldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionasanIllustrationofChristianThinkingrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924217-31

November 2015 73

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyMullerRichardAldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutestheDevelopmentandHistoryoftheTextrdquo

GrandRapidsMeeterCenterExhibitJanuary199823pp______ ldquoIntheLightofOrthodoxy ThelsquoMethodandDispositionrsquoofCalvinrsquos

Institutio from thePerspective ofCalvinrsquosLate-Sixteenth-CenturyEditorsrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal28no4(1997)120-29

______ldquoOrdoDocendiMelanchthonandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInstitutes1536-43rdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and Influence beyond Wit-tenberg edKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1999123-40

______ldquoScholasticisminCalvinAQuestionofRelationandDisjunctionrdquoInCalvi-nus Sincerioris Religionis Vindex Calvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal1997247-65

______The Unaccommodated Calvin Studies in the Foundation of a Theological TraditionOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2001

MullerRogerEldquoTheStartingPointofCalvinrsquosTheologyAnEssay-ReviewrdquoCalvin Theological Journal362(2001)314-41

MurdockGraemeldquoCalvinistCatechizingandHungarianReformedIdentityrdquoInConfessional Identity in East-Central EuropeedGraemeMurdockBurlingtonVTAshgatePubLtd81-98

______ldquoTheImportanceofBeingJosiahAnImageofCalvinistIdentityrdquoThe Sixteenth Century Journal29no4(1998)104-59

NicholsStephenJldquoJohnCalvinInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoInPages from Church History A Guided Tour of Christian ClassicsPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing173-96

ObermanHeikoAugustinusldquoCalvinandFarelTheDynamicsofLegitimationinEarlyCalvinismrdquoReformation and Renaissance Review1no1(1999)7-40

______ldquoJohnCalvinTheMysteryofHisImpactrdquoandldquoTowardtheRecoveryoftheHistoricalCalvinRedrawingtheMapofReformationEuroperdquoInJohn Calvin and the Reformation of the RefugeesGenevaLibrairieDroz200951-6769-88

OliverEdwardTldquoInDefenseoftheInfluenceofJohnCalvinrdquoThe WRS Journal 16no1(2009)21-27

OlsonRogerEldquoZwingliandCalvinOrganizeProtestantThoughtrdquoInThe Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition amp Reform DownersGroveILInterVarsityPress397-413630

PackerJIldquoCalvintheTheologianrdquoInJohn Calvin A Collection of Distinguished EssaysedGEDuffieldGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1966alsoinJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966149-75

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 174

PalmerDamian J ldquoLearning from lsquoEminentPagansrsquo Calvin and the lsquoSecularAuthorsrsquordquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)58-67

ParkerTHL ldquoAChronologicalChartrdquo and ldquoAppendix1Cataloguesof theSermonsrdquoInCalvinrsquos PreachingLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnox1992150-62

______ldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoInJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Refor-mation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourtneyPress1966176-89

______Calvinrsquos New Testament CommentariesBloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers______ldquoJohnCalvinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarland

Publishing19921149-61(ContainsanoverviewoftheInstitutes)______ldquoTheHistoryofCalvinrsquosCommentariesrdquoIn Calvinrsquos New Testament Com-

mentaries London BloomsburyTampTClarkPublishers 6-25______ldquoTheThreeFormsofExpositionrdquoInCalvinrsquos Old Testament Commentaries

LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress9-41ParsonsBurkldquoTheHumilityofCalvinrsquosCalvinismrdquoInJohn Calvin A Heart for

Devotion Doctrine and DoxologyedBurkParsonsSanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing20081-17

ParteeCharlesldquoCalvinrsquosCentralDogmaAgainrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992775-84

______ ldquoCalvinrsquosPolemic FoundationalConvictions in theService ofGodrsquosTruthrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal 199797-122

PearsonCliveldquoTheFramingofJohnCalvinasPublicTheologianrdquoUniting Church Studies 17no1(2011)1-13

PeterRodolphe ldquoCalvinandLouisBudersquosTranslationof thePsalmsrdquo InJohn Calvin Courtenay Studies in Reformation TheologyedGEDuffieldUKSuttonCourteneyPress190-209

PhillipsDarryl ldquoAnInquiryintotheExtentoftheAbilitiesofJohnCalvinasaHebraistrdquoPhDdissertationExeterCollegeOxford2001

PiperJohn ldquoTheDivineMajestyoftheWord JohnCalvin TheManandHisPreachingrdquoInThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy Godrsquos Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine Luther and Calvin WheatonILCrossway114-48

PitkinBarbaraldquoChildrenandtheChurchinCalvinrsquosGenevardquoInCalvin and the Church Papers Presented at the Thirteenth Colloquium of the Calvin Studies Society May 24-26 2001edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety144-64

November 2015 75

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography______ldquoJohnCalvinandtheInterpretationoftheBiblerdquoInA History of Biblical

Interpretation Vol2The Medieval through the Reformation PeriodsedAlanJHauserandDuaneFWatsonGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic341-71

PontAdrianusDldquoCitizenrsquosOathandFormulatedConfessionConfessionofFaithinCalvinrsquosCongregationrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy ScriptureedWilhelmHNeuserGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1994237-39

PotgieterFJMldquoABriefCharacteristicofCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvinus Refor-matur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198233-47

PotgieterPieterCldquoJohnCalvinVerbiDiviniMinisterrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)87-100

______ldquoTheDidacticNatureofCalvinrsquosDe ScandalisrdquoKoers74no4(2009)643-59

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinandHisContributionstotheReformationrdquoThe Outlook 59no4(2009)17-19

PuckettDavidLldquoJohnCalvinasTeacherrdquoSouthern Baptist Journal of Theology 13no4(2009)44-50

RaithIICharlesldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalAppropriationofHisPhilosophicalSourcesANoteonNaturalLawandInstitutes2222-23rdquoCalvin Theological Journal 47no1(2012)32-49

ReedRichardCldquoCalvinrsquosContributiontotheReformationrdquoInCalvin Memorial AddressesRichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190915-35

______The Gospel as Taught by CalvinEdinburghBannerofTruthReidWStanfordldquoCalvinandtheFoundingoftheAcademyofGenevardquoWest-

minster Theological Journal18no1(1955)1-33RummelErikaandKooistraMichaeled Reformation Sources The Letters of

Wolfgang Capito and His Fellow Reformers in Alsace and SwitzerlandTorontoONCanadaCentreforReformationampRenaissanceStudies

SacquinMichegraveleldquoCalvinrsquosImageinCatholicFranceDuringtheNineteenthCen-turyrdquoInSober Strict and Scriptural Collective Memories of John Calvin 1800-2000edJohandeNietHermanPaulandBartWalletBedfordshireUKBrill21-38

SchaffPhilipldquoTheCatechismofGenevaAD1536and1541rdquoInThe Creeds of ChristendomVol1The History of CreedsGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks1998467-71

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 176

SchnuckerRVCalviana Ideas and Influence of John CalvinKirksvilleMOSixteenthCenturyPublishers1988

SelderhuisHermanJedldquoCalvinandWittenbergrdquoandldquoCWorkITypesrdquoThe Calvin HandbookGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans200957-63173-224(IncludessectiononInstitutes199-206)

______ldquoCalvin1509-2009rdquotransSusannaGebhardtInCalvin and His Influence 1509-2009edIrenaBackusandPhilipBenedictOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011144-58

______Calvinrsquos Theology of the Psalms Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2007

ServenMarcusJldquoRediscoveringOurReformationHeritageThePastoralTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoPaperpresentedattheEvangelicalTheologicalSocietyTheMasterrsquosSeminaryApril142000

Seung-GooLee ldquoThePurposeofTheologyasReflectedinCalvinrsquosMotivesforWritingtheInstitutesrdquoInStudies in Reformed TheologymdashTowards a Reformed Theology in Korea GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans117-45

ShepherdVictorldquoJohnCalvinTheologianPastor-PreacherCivicLeaderLawyer(1509-1564)rdquoTouchstone27no3(2009)10-21

SimpsonHWldquoTheEditio Princeps of the Institutio Christianae Religionis1536byJohnCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198226-32

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandtheIrrepressibleSpiritrdquoInCalvin in Context2dedOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2010262-77

______ldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofGenesisrdquoInCalvinusSinceriorisReligionisVindexCalvin as Protector of the Purer ReligionWilhelmHNeuserampBrianArmstrong16th Century Journal199753-96

______ldquoTheTheologyofJohnCalvinrdquoInThe Cambridge Companion to Refor-mation Theology edDavidBagchiandDavidCSteinmetz NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2004113-29

TavardGeorgeHldquoInstitutesChristianaereligionrdquoInThe Starting Point of Calvinrsquos Theology GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2000113-32

ThiantoYudhaldquoReformedEducationfromGenevathroughtheNetherlandstotheEastIndiesrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorandDavidSSytsmaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013489-501

November 2015 77

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyThomasDerekWHandWynneRCarltonedsZeal for Godliness Devotional

Meditations on Calvinrsquos InstitutesDarlingtonUKEvangelicalPress2011ThomasGeoffrey ldquoTheWonderfulDiscoveryof JohnCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquo The

Banner of Truth436(2000)21-23ThompsonJohnLldquoCalvinasBiblicalInterpreterrdquoInCambridge Companion to

John CalvinedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200458-73

______ldquoReformerofExegesisCalvinrsquosUnpaidDebttoOrigenrdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or Sinner edHerman J Selderhuis TuumlbingenGermany MohrSiebeck2010113-41

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReappraisalofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

ToddWNldquoTheFunctionofthePatristicWritingsintheThoughtofJohnCalvinrdquoThDdissertationUnionTheologicalSeminary1964

Tsong-shengTsanldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vanderMerweNTldquoCalvinAugustineandPlatonismAFewAspectsofCalvinrsquosPhilosophicalBackgroundrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation198269-84

vanderWaltBJldquoRenaissanceandReformationContemporariesbutnotAlliesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyBJVanDerWaltedPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChrisianHigherEducation198285-92

VanNesteRayldquoTheCareofSoulsTheHeartoftheReformationrdquoThemelios 391(April2014)53-63

vanNiekerkErasmusldquoTheDualStoryLineofCalvinrsquosSense-MakingApproachrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35no2(2009)33-55

VanPoptaJLldquoJohnCalvinAManofCompassionrdquoClarion37no20(1988)npAvailableatwwwspindleworkscomlibraryvanpoptacalvinhtm

vanStamFransldquoOliveacutetanNotCalvintheAuthorofA tous amateursAPrefacetotheOldestFrenchProtestantBiblerdquoInCalvinmdashSaint or SinneredHermanJSelderhuisTuumlbingenGermanyMohrSiebeck201066-81

vanrsquotSpijkerWillemldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipwithBucerDidItMakeCalvinaCal-vinistrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998169-86

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 178

______John Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus MagnumPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation

______ldquoTheImportanceoflsquoTheConciseCalvinrsquotoHendrikDeCockrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997323-36

______ldquoTheInfluenceofLutheronCalvinaccordingtotheInstitutesrdquoldquoTheIn-fluenceofBuceronCalvinasBecomesEvidentfromtheInstitutesrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos Institutes His Opus Magnum83-105106-32

VanTilCorneliusldquoCalvinandModernSubjectivismrdquoThe Outlook59no5(May2009)13-15

______ldquoCalvinasaControversialistrdquoThe Outlook59no3(March2009)9-13vanVeenMirjamGKldquoCalvinandHisOpponentsrdquotransGerritWSheeresIn

The Calvin HandbookedHermanJSelderhuisGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2009156-64

vanZylJimldquoJohnCalvinthePastorrdquoInThe Way Ahead Papers Read as the Carey Conference69-78

VenemaCornelisPldquoTheDuplex Gratia DeiandtheOrganizationofCalvinrsquosInsti-tutesOrdo Docendi orOrdo SalutisrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSytsmaandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013123-34

VoslooRobert ldquoCalvin theAcademyofGenevaand150YearsofTheologyatStellenbosch Historical-TheologicalContributions to theConversation onTheologicalEducationrdquoStudia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 35-Supplement(De-cember2009)17-33

______ldquoCalvinrsquosTheologicalHeritageinSouthAfricaEngaginganAmbivalentContestedandPromisingLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill2013247-70

WallaceRonaldSldquoAChristianTheologianCalvinrsquosApproachtoTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927107-34

WardPeterldquoComingtoSermonThePracticeofDoctrineinthePreachingofJohnCalvinrdquoScottish Journal of Theology583(2005)319-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoTheLiteraryHistoryofCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19924181-208

November 2015 79

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyWatanabeNobuoldquoCalvinrsquosSecondCatechismItsPredecessorsandItsEnviron-

mentrdquoInCalvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture edWilhelmHNeuser GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans1994224-32

WellsPaulldquoCalvinandFranceAParadoxicalLegacyrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitedrdquoedHenkvandenBelt BedfordshireUKBrill2013271-82

______ldquoRemakingCalvinrsquosInstitutesinModernFrenchrdquoThe Banner of Truthno606(2014)7-11

WendelFrancoisldquoTheInstitutesoftheChristianReligionrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtPartTwoChapter1GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic1995111-49

WengerThomasLldquoTheNewPerspectiveonCalvinRespondingtoRecentCal-vinInterpretationrdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50no2(2007)311-28

WengertTimothyldquorsquoWeWillFeastTogetherinHeavenForeverrsquoTheEpistolaryFriendshipofJohnCalvinandPhilipMelanchthonrdquoInMelanchthon in Europe His Work and InfluenceedKarinMaagGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic19-44

WhiteRobertldquoTranslatingCalvinrsquosSermonsrdquoBanner of TruthIssue621(June2015)16-19

WilcoxPeterldquoTheLecturesofJohnCalvinandtheNatureofHisAudience1555-1564rdquoArchiv fuumlr Reformationgeschichte87(1996)136-48

WileyDavidN ldquoCalvinrsquosFriendshipWithGuillaumeFarelrdquo InCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998187-204

WilliamsStephen ldquoCalvin AnAccommodatingTheologianrdquo InJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200949-59

WilsonNorrisldquoJohnCalvinasaPreacheroftheOldTestamentrdquoReformed Theo-logical Journal25(2009)34-48

WipfThomasRediscovering Calvin The Churches on the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Reformer John CalvintransJohnBowdenFSPC

WoollinDavidldquoTheDevelopmentandImpactofJohnCalvinrsquosInstitutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoAvailableatwwwreformation-todayorg

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasAnalogicalTheologianrdquoScottish Journal of The-ology 51no2(1998)162-87

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 180

______ldquoExpoundingScriptureandApplyingittoourUseCalvinrsquosSermonsonEphesiansrdquoScottish Journal of Theology56no4(November2003)481-507

______edJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism Critique and Engagement Then and Now GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008

______John Calvin as Teacher Pastor and Theologian ldquoPart1CalvinasTeacherandPastorrdquoGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic200611-172

______ldquoRestoringAccesstotheFountainCalvinandMelanchthonontheTaskofEvangelicalTheologyrdquoInCalvin Studies Society Papers 1995 1997edDavidFoxgroverGrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety1998205-28

______ldquoRevisingtheReformWhatCalvinLearnedfromDialoguewiththeRomanCatholicsrdquoInJohn Calvin and Roman CatholicismedRandallCZachmanGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2008165-92

______ldquoWhatKindofBookisCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 35no2(2000)238-61

ZuidemaJasonldquoCalvinasApologistrdquoInCalvin at 500 Theology History Prac-ticeedRichardRToppingandJohnAVissersEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers201167-85

3 Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Revelation ScriptureHermeneutics and Biblical Exposition

Related Topics Godrsquos revelation in creation Godrsquos revelation in sacred Scripture Calvinrsquos doctrine of Scripture Ecclesiastical tradition Manrsquos receptivity to the knowledge of God The witness of the Holy Spirit

AdamPeterldquoCalvinrsquosTheologyofRevelationFaithHearingtheWordofChristrdquoInHearing Godrsquos Words Exploring Biblical Spirituality DownersGroveILIVPAcademic2004119-38

AndersonCherylBldquoTheProtestantReformersandtheInclusiveBiblicalInterpreta-tionrdquoInAncient Laws and Contemporary Controversies The Need for Inclusive Biblical InterpretationOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2009111-33191-96

ArmstrongBMldquoGenevaandtheTheologyandPoliticsofFrenchCalvinismTheEmbarrassmentofthe1588EditionoftheBibleofthePastorsandProfessorsofGenevardquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNY GarlandPublishing199213195-216

AyersRobertHldquoTheViewofMedievalBiblicalExegesisinCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926410-15

November 2015 81

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyBalkeWillemldquoRevelationandExperienceinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInToward the

Future of Reformed Theology Tasks Topics TraditionsedDavidWillisandMichaelWelkerGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1998346-65

BalserakJon ldquoTheAuthorityofScriptureandTraditioninCalvinrsquosLecturesontheProphetsrdquoInThe Search for Authority in Reformation EuropeedHelenParishElaineFultonandPeterWebsterBurlingtonVTAshgate201429-48

BarnesPeter ldquoJohnCalvinandGodrsquosWordWrittenrdquo InJohn Calvin Man of Godrsquos Word Written and PreachedEdinburghBannerofTruth20111-36

ldquoAppendix1CalvinrsquosLovefortheWordofGodrdquo ldquoAppendix2CalvinrsquosPrefacetotheGenevaBibleof1546rdquoBatesGordonThe Typology of Adam and Christ in John CalvinInArticles on

Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926146-62BattlesFordLewisldquoGodWasAccommodatingHimselftoHumanCapacityrdquoand

ldquoCalculusFideirdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992613-237195-221

BilkesGeraldMldquoCalvinontheWordofGodrdquoInCalvin for TodayedJoelRBeekeGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201015-32

BlacketerRaymondA ldquoSmoothStonesTeachableHeartsCalvinrsquosAllegoricalInterpretationofDeuteronomy101-2rdquoCalvin Theological Journal34no1(1999)36-63

BoltJohnldquoGettingthelsquoTwoBooksrsquoStraight WithaLittleHelpfromHermanBavinckandJohnCalvinrdquoCalvin Theological Journal46no2(2011)315-32

BoultonMatthewMyerldquoSeeingThroughScripturerdquoInLife in God John Calvin Practical Formation and the Future of Protestant TheologyGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans201396-111

BrouwerRinseReelingldquoTheTwoMeansofKnowingGodNotanArticleofCon-fessionforCalvinrdquoInRestoration through Redemption John Calvin RevisitededHenkvandenBeltBedfordshireUKBrill201331-44

BrubakerLaurenEdgarldquoAStudyofJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofRevelationrdquoThesisNewYorkUnionTheologicalSeminary1942

BurcombeColinandTaylorPattonldquoTheOldtheNewandtheNowrdquoInJohn Calvin Reflections on a ReformeredTDAlexanderandLSKirkpatrickInstituteforChristianTraining200961-73

BurnettRichard ldquoJohnCalvin and theSensus Literalisrdquo Scottish Journal of Theology57no1(2004)1-13andinJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices331-42

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 182

BusserFritzldquoBullingerasCalvinrsquosModelinBiblicalExpositionAnExaminationofCalvinrsquosPrefacetotheEpistletotheRomansrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926434-66

CalvinJohnldquoArgumentrdquoCommentary on Genesis vol1 GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans194857-66

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon (commentson2Timothy31-17) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959236-51

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter119-21)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959384-91

______ Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (commentson2Peter316) GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959423-25

______Commentary on the Book of Psalms GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1949Psalm8193-108Psalm191307-333Psalm291474-484Psalm1044143-171Psalm11917-484411-436

______ Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Timothy313-17)GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1959245-51

______Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy Titus and Philemon(commentson2Peter119-21)MiltonKeynesUKPaternosterPress1995339-344

______Institutes of the Christian Religion EdJohnTMcNeillTrFordLewisBattles2volsPhiladelphiaPAWestminster196011-10135-99481-491421149-79

______ ldquoPrefacetoOlivetanrsquosNewTestamentrdquo InCalvin CommentariesedJosephHaroutunianGrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary 153558-73

Calvinrsquos Catechism (1545)QA300-8InReformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation edJamesTDennisonJrGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks20141509-10

ChristieAlexanderldquoTheDoctrineofHolyScriptureinCalvinandBrunnerrdquoUnion Seminary Quarterly ReviewIII(194041)19-32116-27325-50

ConfessionofFaithoftheReformedChurchesofFrance John Calvin Tracts and LettersArticle5ldquoOftheHolyScripturesandtheTwoNaturesinChristrdquo2141Article18ldquoOfHumanTraditionrdquo2148EdinburghBannerofTruth2009

ConradieEMldquoATheologicalRe-DescriptionoftheEmergenceofReligionInConversationwithJohnCalvinonthesemen religionisrdquo Nederduitse Gerefor-meerde Teologiese Tydskrif 53no1(2012)13-24

______ldquoTheNecessityofNaturalTheologyInConversationwithJohnCalvinon theHumanSensesrdquo Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 52no1(2011)66-82

November 2015 83

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyCramptonWGaryldquoJohnCalvinontheDoctrineofDivineRevelationrdquoThe Con-

fessional Presbyterian5(2009)89-114CunningtonRalphldquoDidTurretinDepartfromCalvinrsquosViewontheConceptofError

intheScripturesrdquoFoundations 61no2(2011)41-58Currid JohnD ldquoCalvinasHebraist Guarding theSacredDepositrdquo Reformed

Theological Review63no2(2004)61-71DakinArthurldquoTheCalvinisticViewofScripturerdquoandldquoThePrincipleofAuthority

inCalvinismrdquoInCalvinismLondonDuckworth1971169-89DrsquoAssonvilleVEldquoJohnKnoxandtheWordofGodAComparisonwithJohn

CalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEdu-cation1982109-26

deGreefWulfert ldquoCalvin asCommentator on thePsalmsrdquo InCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress200685-106

______ldquoCalvinrsquosUnderstandingandInterpretationoftheBiblerdquotransDavidDi-chelleInJohn Calvinrsquos Impact on Church and Society 1509-2009edMartinErnstHirzel andMartinSallmann GrandRapidsMI WmBEerdmans200967-89

DeKosterLesterldquoCalvinrsquosUseofScripturerdquoReformed JournalIX(June1959)3-6DeLongIrwinHochldquoCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInArticles on Calvin

amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926127-45andfoundinReformed Church ReviewXIII(April1909)165-82

deMoorLeonard ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926308-28

______ ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewofRevelationrdquo Evangelical Quarterly III (April1931)172-92

DennertBrianCldquoJohnCalvinrsquosMovementfromtheBibletoTheologyandPrac-ticerdquoJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society 542(June2011)345-65

DeVriesSimonJldquoJohnCalvinrsquosContributiontoanUnderstandingoftheBookofIsaiahrdquoInGodrsquos Word for Our World Biblical Studies in Honor of Simon John DeVriesedJHaroldEllensetalNewYorkNYBloomsburyPublishing172-99

DouglassJaneDempseyCalvinrsquos Use of Metaphorical Language for God God as Enemy and God as Mother InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992689-103

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 184

DoweyEdwardAJrldquoTheWordofGodasScriptureandPreachingrdquoInLater Calvinism International PerspectivesedWFredGrahamvol22ofSixteenthCenturyEssaysandStudies1994CharlesGNouertJrGeneralEditorKirks-villeMOTrumanStateUniversityPress19945-18

EdwardsRichardMldquoScripturalPerspicuityintheContinentalReformationrdquoInScriptural Perspicuity in the Early English Reformation in Historical Theology OxfordEngland PeterLangPublishingInc200971-124

EhrenspergerKathyldquoReformersinConversationoverRomansDiversityinRenewalandContinuityrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008193-99

ElliotMarkWldquoRomans7intheReformationCenturyrdquoInReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhrenspergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2008171-88

EngelbrechtBldquoIsChristtheScopusoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982192-200

FaseltConstantinldquoRespectfortheWordWhatCalvinandWittgensteinHadAgainstImagesrdquoInJohnCalvinMythandReality(papersofthe2009CalvinStudiesSocietyColloquium)EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2011165ff

FlamingDarleneKldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheSynopticGospelsrdquoinCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006131-63

FloorLldquoTheHermeneuticsofCalvinrdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982181-91andinArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926163-173

ForstmanHJackson Word and Spirit Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority RedwoodCityCAStanfordUniversityPress1962

FryeRolandM ldquoCalvinrsquosUseofFigurativeLanguagerdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990172-94

FuhrmannPaulTraugottCalvin the Expositor of Scripture InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926104-26

GambleRichardCldquoBrevitas et FacilitasTowardanUnderstandingofCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquoandldquoExpositionandMethodinCalvinrdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992633-50651-64

GeorgeTimothyldquoReadingtheBiblewiththeReformersrdquoFirst Thingsno211(2011)27-33

November 2015 85

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyGodfreyWilliamRobertldquoCalvinontheFourLastBooksofMosesrdquoInCreator

Redeemer ConsummatoredHowardGriffithandJohnRMuetherEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2007155-67

GoreRJJrldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofInspirationrdquoThe Reformation Review27no2(April1982)100-14

GoudriaanAzaldquoUlrikHuber(1636-1694)andJohnCalvinTheFranekerDebateonHumanReasonandtheBible(1686-1687)rdquoChurch History and Religious Culture91no1-2 (2011)165-78

HaasGuumlntherldquoCalvinasaModelforTheologicalInterpretationofScriptureIllus-tratedwithHisExegesisof1Tim41-5rdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201315-32

HaireJLMJohn Calvin as an Expositor InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992674-88

HansenGaryNealldquoCalvinasCommentatoronHebrewsandtheCatholicEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006257-81

______ldquoCalvinrsquosEngagementwithHolyScripturerdquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors10no1(2009)27-43

______ldquoDoorandPassagewayCalvinrsquosUseofRomansasHermeneuticalandTheologicalGuiderdquo InReformation Readings of RomansedKathyEhren-spergerandRWardHolderLondonBloomsburyTampTClark200877-94

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNon-literalInterpretationofScriptureOnAllegoryrdquoInJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Studies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryedCharlesRaynalGrandRapidsMICRCServices343-54

______ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosNonliteralExegesisrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum in-terpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRupprecht200827-36

HaroutunianJosephedldquoTheBiblerdquoInCalvin Commentaries GrandRapidsMIChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary78-119

HelmPaulldquoCalvinandNaturalLawrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927177-94

______ldquoDivineAccommodationrdquoldquoNaturalTheologyandtheSensus Divinitatisrdquo andldquoRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvinrsquos IdeasOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2006184-208209-45246-81

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 186

______ldquoScriptureReasonandGracerdquoInCalvin at the Centre OxfordOxfordUniversityPress201064-97

______ldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofOurselvesrdquoInCalvin A Guide for the PerplexedLondonBloomsburgTampTClark200819-35

HesselinkIJohnldquoChapter1TheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureCalvinrsquosTheologyandItsEarlyReceptionInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20123-24

______ldquoTrueReligionandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoandldquoExcursusTheAuthorityofScripturemdashTheInnerWitnessoftheSpiritrdquoInCalvinrsquos First Catechism A CommentaryLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress199844-5354-60

HeynsJAldquoCalvinus Reformator HodierdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribu-tion to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982317-21

HolderRWardldquoCalvinasCommentatoronthePaulineEpistlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006224-56

HortonMichaelldquoKnowingGodCalvinrsquosUnderstandingofRevelationrdquoInJohn Calvin and Evangelical Theology Legacy and ProspectedSungWookChungLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress20091-31

HuijgenArnoldldquoDivineAccommodationinCalvinMythandRealityrdquoInThe Myth of the ReformationedPeterOpitzGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2013248-59

HunterAMitchellldquoTheSourcesofHisTheologyrdquoandldquoTheHolyScripturesrdquochapters3and5The Teaching of Calvin A Modern InterpretationEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199938-48and63-92

HusbandsMarkldquoCalvinontheRevelationofGodinCreationandScriptureModernReceptionandContemporaryPossibilitiesrdquoInCalvinrsquos Theology and Its Recep-tion Disputes Developments and New PossibilitiesedJToddBillingsandIJohnHesselinkLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress201225-48

IstafanousAbd-El-Masih Calvinrsquos Doctrine of Biblical Authority EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers2010

JohnsonThomasC ldquoCalvin and theBiblerdquo Evangelical Quarterly IV (July1932)257-66

JungKyuChulldquoJohnCalvinrsquosViewonInerrancyofHolyScripturerdquoPresbyterian Theological Quarterly69no2(2002)186-206

KantzerKennethSldquoCalvinandtheHolyScripturesrdquoInInspiration and Interpreta-tionedJohnFWalvoordGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1957115-55

November 2015 87

JohnCalvinResearchBibliographyKibbeMichaelH ldquorsquoPresentandAccommodatedForrsquo CalvinrsquosGodonMount

SinairdquoJournal of Theological Interpretation 7no1(2013)115-31KoenigMatthew ldquoTheRevelationofScripture and theRevelationofChrist in

CalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquoThe Princeton Theological Review 6no2-3(AprilMay1999)15-24

KrausHans-JoachimCalvinrsquos Exegetical PrinciplesInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing199262-12

KrohnJamesBldquoTheTriuneGodWhoSpeaksCalvinrsquosTheologicalHermeneuticsrdquoKoers66no1amp2(2001)53-70

KwangPhilKoh ldquoTheGrammarofHermeneutics inCalvinrsquos Institutes of the Christian ReligionrdquoThe Journal of KwangShin University1(2002)97-132

LaneAnthonyNSldquoJohnCalvinTheWitnessoftheHolySpiritrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19929107-24

LarssonTordldquoJohnCalvin(1509-1564)rdquoInGod in the Fourth Gospel A Herme-neutical Study of the History of InterpretationsStockholmSwedenAlmquiestampWiksellIntl200161-97

LawsonStevenJThe Expository Genius of John Calvin SanfordFLReformationTrustPublishing2007

LehmannPaulL ldquoTheReformersrsquoUseof theBiblerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926416-33alsofoundinTheology TodayIII(October1946)328-44

MaysJamesLutherldquoCalvinrsquosCommentaryonthePsalmsThePrefaceasIntroduc-tionrdquoInJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990195-204

McGarrahanEuniceldquoJohnCalvinandSola ScripturardquoThe Register of the Company of Pastors9no2(2008)31-42

McGowanATB ldquoJohnCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo InTributes to John Calvin A Celebration of His QuincentenaryedDavidWHallPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010356-80

McKaneWCalvin as an Old Testament CommentatorInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926250-60

McKeeElsieAldquoSomeReflectiononRelatingCalvinrsquosExegesisandTheologyrdquoInBiblical Hermeneutics in Historical Perspective Studies in Honor of Karlfried Froehlich on his Sixtieth BirthdayedMarkSBurrowsandPaulRoremGrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans1991215-26

McKimDonaldKedCalvin and the Bible NewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 188

______ldquoCalvinrsquosViewofScripturerdquoInReadings in Calvinrsquos TheologyedDonaldKMcKimEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199843-68

McNairBruceldquoLutherCalvinandtheExegeticalTraditionofMelchisedecrdquoReview and Expositor 101no4(2004)747-61

McNeillJohnTldquoTheSignificanceoftheWordofGodforCalvinrdquoChurch History XXVII(June1959)131-46

MenziesAllanldquoCalvinasaBiblicalCriticandInterpreterrdquoInA Study of Calvin and Other PapersCharlestonSCBiblioBazaar2009194-209

MickelsenJohnKldquoTheRelationshipbetweentheCommentariesofJohnCalvinandHisInstitutes of the Christian ReligionandtheBearingofthatRelation-shipontheStudyofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926365-79alsofoundinGordon ReviewVno4(Winter1959)155-68

MoehnWilhelmusHThldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheActsoftheApostlesrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006199-223

MoellerPamelaAnnldquoFaithandWordrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doxology Worship in the 1559 Institutes with a View to Contemporary Worship RenewalEugeneORWipfampStockPublishers199735-52

MpindiPaulldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsoftheImprecationsofthePsalterrdquoInChurch and School in Early Modern Protestantism Studies in Honor of Richard A Muller on the Maturation of a Theological TraditionedJordanJBallorDavidSSyts-maandJasonZuidemaBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub2013135-52

MullerRichardAldquoTheFoundationofCalvinrsquosTheologyScriptureasRevealingGodrsquosWordrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926398-409

MurrayJohnldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquo(availableonlineatwwwthe-high-waycomarticleNov06html)ldquoCalvinandtheAuthorityofScripturerdquoCollected Writings of John MurrayEdinburghBannerofTruth19914158-754176-90

NicoleRogerldquoJohnCalvinandInerrancyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926273-90alsofoundinThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society254(December1982)425-42

NieselWilhelmldquoTheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInThe Theology of CalvinPhiladelphiaPAWestminsterPress195622-53

OpitzPeterldquoCalvinasBibleTranslatorFromtheModeloftheHebrewPsalterrdquoInCalvinus sacrarum literarum interpres Papers of the International Congress on Calvin ResearchedHermanJSelderhuisGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht20089-26

November 2015 89

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

______ldquoTheExegeticalandHermeneuticalWorkofJohnOecolampadiusHuldryckZwingliandJohnCalvinrdquoInHebrew BibleOld Testament The History of Its InterpretationVol 2 From the Renaissance to the EnlightenmentedMagneSaeboGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht2008407-51

OrrJamesldquoCalvinrsquosAttitudeTowardsandExegesisoftheScripturesrdquoInCalvin Memorial Address RichmondVAPresbyterianCommitteeofPublication190989-105

PakGSujinldquoCalvinonthelsquoSharedDesignrsquooftheOldandNewTestamentAu-thorsTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoWestminster Theological Journal 73no2(2011)255-71

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheNatureandFunctionofProphecyTheCaseoftheMinorProphetsrdquoInCalvin and Luther The Continuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201313-37

ParkHeeS ldquoThePrinciples ofCalvinrsquosExegesisrdquo The Journal of Chongshin University31(2011)72-106

PackerJIldquoJohnCalvinAServantoftheWordrdquoInPuritan Papers Volume Three 1963-1964edJIPackerPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2001165-92

ParkerTHLldquoCalvintheBiblicalExpositorrdquoandldquoCalvinrsquosConceptofRevelationrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing1992665-736329-64

______The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God A Study in the Theology of John CalvinEdinburghOliverandBoyd1952119p

ParsonsMichaelLuther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives Reformation Thought and Narrative Text LewistonNYEdwinMellenPress2004

PetcherDonldquoCalvinismandSciencerdquoInCalvin and Culture Exploring a Worl-dviewPhillipsburgNJPampRPublishing2010162-91

PitkinBarbaraldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheGospelofJohnrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006164-98

PolmanADRldquoCalvinontheInspirationofScripturerdquo InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926291-307alsofoundinJohn Calvin Contemporary ProphetGrandRapidsMIBakerBooks195997-112

PostemaGeraldJldquoCalvinrsquosAllegedRejectionofNaturalTheologyrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927135-46

PotgieterPC ldquoCalvinasScripturalTheologianrdquo InCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and SocietyPotchefstroomPotchefstroomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982127-30

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 190

PoythressVernSldquoAMisunderstandingofCalvinrsquosInterpretationofGenesis16-8and15andItsImplicationsforIdeasofAccommodationrdquoWestminster Theo-logical Journal76(2014)157-66

PraamsmaLouisldquoCalvinonScripturerdquoThe Outlook59no11(December2009)5-8

PrudenEH ldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquo PhD thesisUniversityofEdinburgh1931

PrussicTimldquoTheDoctrineofScriptureinCalvinandTurretinAPersonalJourneyrdquoWestern Reformed Seminary Journal162(August2009)1-8

PrustRichardCldquoWasCalvinaBiblicalLiteralistrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Cal-vinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926380-97

PuckettDavidL John Calvinrsquos Exegesis of the Old Testament LouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1995

RaynalCharlesedJohn Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Calvin Stud-ies X and XI Papers Presented at the Tenth and Eleventh Colloquiums of the Calvin Studies Society at Columbia Theological SeminaryGrandRapidsMICRCServices

ReymondRobertLldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineofHolyScripturerdquoA Theological Guide to Calvinrsquos Institutes Esssays and Analysis PhillipsburgNJ PampRPublishing200844-64

RossouwHWldquoCalvinrsquosHermeneuticsofHolyScripturerdquoInCalvinus Reformatur His Contribution to Theology Church and Society PotchefstroomPotchefst-roomUniversityforChristianHigherEducation1982149-80

RussellSH Calvin and the Messianic Interpretation of the Psalms InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926261-72

SawyerFrank ldquoJohnCalvin1509-1564 TheWorldas theTheatrum Deirdquo InPhilosophical Perspectives from the Renaissance to Postmodernism vol 2HungaryHernadPublisher109-25

ScheldStefanldquoCanScriptureInterpretItselfThoughtsontheRelationshipbetweentheInterpretationofScriptureandChurchMinistryinCalvinrsquosTheologyrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrichMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark2013141-51

SchreinerSusanldquoCalvinasanInterpreterofJobrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkCambridgeUniversityPress200653-84

______ldquoThroughaMirrorDimlyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Sermons on Job InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926231-49

November 2015 91

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

SchulzeLudolfFldquoCalvinandBiblicalInspirationmdashACaseStudyrdquoInCalvinrsquos Books Festschrift Dedicated to Peter DeKlerk on the Occasion of his Seventieth BirthdayedbyWilhelmHNeuserHermanJSelderhuisandWillemvanrsquotSpijkerHeerenveenJJGroen1997189-96

SelderhuisHermanJldquoCalvinrsquosViewoftheBibleastheWordrdquoReformed World 57no4(2007)270-85

StanglinKeithDldquoAdoptedinChristAppointedtotheSlaughterCalvinrsquosInter-pretationoftheMaccabeanPsalmsrdquoInBiblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMuller GrandRapidsMI ReformationHeritageBooks201469-93

StarlingDavid ldquoTheAnalogyofFaith in theTheologyofLuther andCalvinrdquoReformed Theological Journal 72no1(2013)5-19

SteinmetzDavidCldquoCalvinandthePatristicExegesisofPaulInThe Bible in the Sixteenth CenturyedDavidCSteinmetz DurhamNC DukeUniversityPress1990100-18

______ldquoJohnCalvinasanInterpreteroftheBiblerdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006282-91

______John Calvin on Isaiah 6 A Problem in the History of Exegesis InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926174-88

______ldquoLutherandCalvinontheBanksoftheJabbokrdquoInLuther in Context GrandRapidsMIBakerAcademy2002156-88

StroupGeorgeW ldquoNarrative inCalvinrsquosHermeneuticrdquo InJohn Calvin amp the Church A Prism of ReformedTimothyGeorgeLouisvilleKYWestminsterJohnKnoxPress1990158-71

ThomasJohnNewtonldquoThePlaceofNaturalTheologyintheThoughtofJohnCal-vinrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927147-76alsofoundinJournal of Religious ThoughtXV(Spring-Sum-mer1958)107-36

ThompsonJohnLReading the Bible with the Dead What You Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Canrsquot Learn from Exegesis Alone GrandRapidsMIWmBEerdmans2007(NumerousreferencestoCalvin)

______ldquoTheImmoralitiesofthePatriarchsintheHistoryofExegesisAReas-sessmentofCalvinrsquosPositionrdquoCalvin Theological Journal 26(1991)9-46

TinkerMichaelldquoJohnCalvinrsquosConceptofDivineAccommodationAHermeneu-ticalCorrectiverdquoChurchman118no4(2004)325-58

TorranceThomasFldquoCalvinandtheKnowledgeofGodrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19927222-25

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 192

TruemanCarlRldquoTheGodofUnconditionalPromiserdquoInThe Trustworthiness of GodedPaulHelmandCarlRTruemanGrandRapidsMIWmBEerd-mans2002175-91

TsanTsong-shengldquoTheBiblicalInterpretationofJohnCalvinrdquoTaiwan Journal of Theologyno31(2009)31-55

vandenBeltHenkldquoCalvinrsquosInstitutesrdquo InThe Authority of Scripture in Reformed Theology Truth and TrustBedfordshireUKBrillAcademicPub200813-70

______ldquoHeinrichBullingerandJeanCalvinontheAuthorityofScripture(1538-1571)rdquoJournal of Reformed Theology 5no3(2011)310-24

VanderKolkJustinldquoARe-ExaminationofCalvinrsquosDoctrineofScripturerdquoThesisUniversityofChicago1951

VerhoefPieterAldquoLutherrsquosandCalvinrsquosExegeticalLibraryrdquoInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926467-82

WallaceRonaldSldquoRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoldquoRevelationUndertheNewCovenantrdquoldquoUnityofRevelationmdashUnityofSubstancerdquoldquoUnityofReve-lationmdashUnityofFormrdquoldquoTheUniquenessofRevelationrdquoandldquoThePlaceandFunctionofWordandSignintheEventofRevelationundertheOldCovenantrdquoInCalvinrsquos Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament EugeneORWipfampStockPublishers19971-81SeealsoldquoTheWrittenWordastheWordofGodrdquo96-114andldquoManrsquosOpennesstoRevelationrdquo123-32

WarfieldBenjaminBldquoCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheKnowledgeofGodrdquoinCalvin and the ReformationedWilliamParkArmstrong131-214alsofoundinCalvin and Augustine WhitefishMT LiteraryLicensingLLC201129-130

WendelFrancoisldquoTheKnowledgeofGodandofRevelationrdquoInCalvin Origins and Development of His Religious ThoughtGrandRapidsMIBakerAca-demic1995150-65

WenkelDavidldquoTheLogicandExegesisbehindCalvinrsquosDoctrineoftheInternalWitnessoftheHolySpirit totheAuthorityofScripturerdquoPuritan Reformed Journal3no2(2011)98-108

WhitfordDavidNldquolsquoForgettinghimselfeafteramostfilthieandshamefulsortersquoMartinLutherandJohnCalvinonGenesis9rdquoInCalvin and Luther The Con-tinuing RelationshipedRWardHolderGoumlttingenGermanyVandenhoeckampRuprecht201338-50

WilcoxPeteldquoCalvinasCommentatorontheProphetsrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress2006107-30

November 2015 93

JohnCalvinResearchBibliography

WilsonDouglasldquoTheSacredScriptintheTheaterofGodCalvintheBibleandtheWesternWorldrdquoInWith Calvin in the Theater of God The Glory of Christ and Everyday LifeedJohnPiperandDavidMathisWheatonILCrossway201083-95

WoltersAlldquoCalvinrsquosLecturesonZechariahTextualNotesrdquoInBiblical Interpre-tation and Doctrinal Formulation in the Reformed Tradition Essays in Honor of James A De JongedArieCLederandRichardAMullerGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks201451-68

WoudstraMartenHCalvin Interprets What ldquoMoses Reportsrdquo Observations on Calvinrsquos Commentary on Exodus 1019InArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926189-212

WrightDavidFldquoCalvinrsquoslsquoAccommodationrsquoRevisitedrdquoInPeterDeKlerkedCalvin as Exegete Papers and Responses Presented at the Ninth Colloquium on Calvin and Calvin Studies 1993 GrandRapidsMICalvinStudiesSociety171-90

______Calvinrsquos Pentateuchal Criticism Equity Hardness of Heart and Divine Accommodation in the Mosaic Harmony CommentaryInArticles on Calvin amp Calvinism NewYorkNYGarlandPublishing19926213-30

ZachmanRandallCldquoCalvinasCommentatoronGenesisrdquoInCalvin and the BibleedDonaldKMcKimNewYorkNYCambridgeUniversityPress20061-29

______ldquoContemplatingtheLivingImageofGodinCreationrdquoInCalvin Today Reformed Theology and the Future of the ChurchedMichaelWelkerMichaelWeinrichandUlrickMoumlllerLondonBloomsburyTampTClark201333-47

______ldquoGatheringMeaningfromtheContextCalvinrsquosExegeticalMethodrdquoThe Journal of Religion 82no1(2002)1-26

______ldquoOraclesVisionsandOralTraditionCalvinontheFoundationofScrip-turerdquoInterpretation 63no2(2009)117-29l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 194

Review ArticleReformed Thought on Freedom The Concept of Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology EdWillemJvanAsseltJMartinBacandRoelfTteVeldeGrandRapidsBakerAcademic2010Pp261$3200(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

ThoseReformedpreacherstheologiansandlaymenwithaphilo-sophicalbentmdashandtherearesomemdashwillenjoythisbookimmensely Thosewithouttraininginandinclinationtowardsphilosophywillprofitfromplowingthroughthissometimesdenseanddifficultwork Thesubjectisthefreedomofthewillespeciallyofthefallenunregeneratedsinneraccordingtoearlypost-ReformationReformedtheologyThebookexaminesthephilosophicalandtheologicalthink-ingonthesubjectofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoorOfgreatinterestandvaluearetheextensivequotationsofthesesignificantReformedtheologiansonthetopicofthefreedomandbondageofthewill

A Certain Freedom of the Will ThepurposeofthebookasitwasalsotheconcernoftheearlyReformedtheologiansistodemonstratethatReformedtheologydoesnotdenyorevenweakenacertainfundamentallyimportantsenseofthefreedomofthehumanwillThisfreedomisnotgainsaidbyReformedtheologyrsquosdoctrinesofpredestinationprovidenceandtheinabilityofthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnertochoosethegood ThebookthusdefendstheReformedfaithagainstthechargeofldquodeterminismrdquolodgedagainstitbyRomeandtheArminiansAtthesametimethebookprovesthatfullhumanresponsibilityespeciallyfor thesinofunbelieforchoosingagainstGodandHisChrist isorthodoxReformeddoctrine From the treatmentof thedisputed issueby the sixprominentrepresentativesofReformedChristianitymentionedabovethebookdemonstratesthattheReformedfaithhasalwaysmaintainedthefree-domofthehumanwillincludingthewilloftheunregeneratedsinnerinoneimportantindeedessentialrespectThesinnerchoosesagainst

November 2015 95

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

GodandforiniquityfreelythatiswithoutcoerciononthepartofGodThesinnerisnotforcedagainsthiswilltorejectGodandtochoosehislifeoflawlessness NeitheristheelectsinnerforcedagainsthiswilltobelieveonGodandtochoosealifeofobediencetothelawThespontaneousfreedomofthewilloftheelectsinnerthatGodhasliberatedfromthebondageofsinisbeautifullyconfessedbytheCanonsofDordt

WhenGodaccomplisheshisgoodpleasureintheelectorworksinthemtrueconversionhehellipinfusesnewqualitiesintothewillwhichthoughheretoforedeadhequickens frombeingevildisobedientandrefractoryherendersitgoodobedientandpliableactuatesandstrengthensitthatlikeagoodtreeitmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions(CanonsIIIIV11)

Article12ofCanonsIIIIVadds

WhereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluencedbyGodbutinconsequenceofthisinfluencebecomesitselfactiveWhereforealsomanishimselfrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived

Nohintofcoercionhere CoercionisneitherthemeaningnortheimplicationofReformedtheologyrsquosconfessionofthesovereigntyofGod Zanchicalledthisfreedomthesinnerrsquosldquonaturalfreedomrdquo(67)Heexplainedldquofreedomfromcoercionispropertothehumanwillandinseparablefromitrdquo(70) ZanchirsquosdefinitionofldquofreechoicerdquowasReformedorthodoxyonthesubject

Freechoiceisthefacultyofthesoulfreefromallcoercioncalledldquowillrdquowhich following the judgmentof the intellect out of itselfeitherlongsfororrejectsallthingsproposedtoitboththedesirableandtherejectable(73)

TurretinagreedThechoiceofthesinnerasthechoiceofthehumanineverypossiblestatewhetherthatofunfallenAdamoroftheregeneratedchildofGodwhostillhasadepravednatureorof

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 196

theperfectedsaintingloryischaracterizedbyldquoanimmunityfromcoercionandphysicalnecessityrdquo(185) deMoordescribedthisfreedomofthehumanwillafterthefallasldquorationalspontaneityrdquo(208)deMooraffirmedthisfreedominthecontextoftheReformedconfessionoffallenmanrsquostotaldepravityThustheReformedtheologianindicatedboththattotaldepravitydoesnotimplycoercionandthatthisaffirmationofacertainfreedomofthewilldoesnotweakenthedoctrineoftotaldepravity

Althoughmanin[his]fallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinstillhedoesnotstopsinningmostfreelyandwiththegreatestwillingnesshellipwhichissufficienttospeakoffreedomItcanthusbeaffirmedintruththateverymanalwayshasfreechoicealsointhefallenstate(209)

NottobeoverlookedasindeedthemostimportantelementofthecontroversyoverthefreedomofthewilliswhatdeMooraddedimmediatelyldquoNeverthelesswithrespecttothespiritualgooditcanbeaffirmedthatfreechoiceiswoundedandlostwhilewillingthatgoodisnotfreeforthesinnerrdquo(209)

Unintended Testimony to the Genuine Reformed Faith ThepurposeoftheeditorsofthebookistoprovethatReformedtheologyinitsearliestproponentsdidnotdenythiscarefullydefinedandrestrictedfreedomofthehumanwilldespitetheirconfessionofdivinesovereigntyinpredestinationandprovidenceanddespitetheirconfessionalsooftotaldepravity Nevertheless thebookiseverybitassignificantonaccountofitsdemonstrationthatearlyReformedtheology confessedGodrsquos sovereignty in providence regarding allhumanactionsincludingsinfulactionsGodrsquossovereigntyinpredes-tinationregardingsalvationanddamnationandthetotalinabilityoftheunregeneratedsinnertochooseordothegood ThefreedomofchoicethatReformedtheologyhasalwaysinsisteduponisnoweakeningoftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyoroftheconfessionoftotaldepravity ThisunintendedmessageofthebookisasimportantforReformedchurchesandtheologianstodayasistheintendedmessagethatthefallensinnersinswithoutcoercionIndeedinviewoftheweakening

November 2015 97

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

oftheconfessionofdivinesovereigntyandoftheconfessionoftotaldepravity inReformed churches today the unintendedmessage ismoreimportant ZanchispokeforalltheReformedtheologianscitedinthebookwhenhestatedthat

althoughthey[ourwills]canbecoercedbynobodytowillsomethinginvoluntarilyhellipstillbecausetheydependonGodthereisnothingtheycanwillornotwillbutwhatbyGodrsquoseternaldecreewasdeterminedthat theywouldwillornotwillnothing theycanwillornotwillunlesswhenbythehiddenactionandhandofGodtheyarebentandmovedtowardswillingorrejectingit(6465)

JuniusaffirmedthatGodldquoordained[thefallofAdam]hellipaccordingtohiseternaldecreeandcounselrdquo(104) AstheyallconfessedthesovereigntyofGodwithregardtoallhumanwillingsoalsodidalloftheserepresentativeReformedtheo-logiansconfesstotaldepravityastheconditionofthefallensinnerThistotaldepravityrendersthefallenunregeneratedsinnerutterlyincapableofchoosingthegoodandenslaveshimtothewillingoftheevil Zanchideclaredthattheunregeneratedsinnerldquocannotactother-wisethantosinrdquoActingincludeswillingManldquoaftertheFallhellipismadehellipslaveofsinrdquo(67) LikewiseGomarus taught the spiritualandmoralnecessityoftheunregeneratedhumantosinldquotheunregeneratearenotabletodoanythingbutsinrdquo(132) ThatthesinnersinsfreelythatiswithoutcoercioninnowiseforTurretinderogatesfromthetruththatldquothesinnerissoenslavedbyevilthathecannotbutsinrdquo(180)IndeedaddsTurretinmanrsquoschoiceparticularlyhischoiceofevilldquoisdeterminedbyGodandhellipisalwaysundersubjectiontohimForthisfreedom[thatisessentialtohumannature]isnotabsoluteandindependentoruncontrolledhellipwhichbelongstoGodalonebutitislimitedanddependentrdquo(180) deMoordeniedthatthesinnerrsquoswillischaracterizedbyldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquothatisthatitisnotdeterminedeitherbyGodorbyitsowndepravitybutissovereignlyfreetochoosethegoodortheevilasthesinnerhimselfdecidesSuchadoctrineofthewillmdashldquoabsolute

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 198

indifferencerdquomdashisthatofPelagiusRomanCatholicismandArminians(206) AccordingtodeMoorthefallensinnerrsquosldquorationalwillingnessrdquothat is freedomfromcoerciondoesnot ruleoutldquothenecessityofdependenceonthedivinewillrdquoortheldquomoralnecessitytosinrdquothatisthetotaldepravityofhisnaturewhichmakeshimaslavetosin(208209) FromtheverybeginninginitsearliestrepresentativesReformedtheologyhasrejectedthedoctrinethatfreedomofchoiceldquoconsistsinabsoluteindependencefromGodrdquoldquoThefreedomofmanisnotsoabsoluteastomakehimindependentofGodrdquo(218)

Implicit Repudiation of Common Grace Whattheeditorsofthebooknevernoticemuchlesscallattentionto is that theearliest representativesofReformedorthodoxywhoevidentlyareacknowledgedauthoritiesfortherightunderstandingoftheReformedfaithrepudiatethecontemporarydoctrineofcommongraceasithasbeenadoptedbytheChristianReformedChurchandasitiswidelyheraldedbymanyReformedchurchesandtheologiansasabrightandshiningjeweladorningthecrownofReformeddoctrine TheReformedorthodoxyofthisbookutterlyrepudiatescommongraceinthetwomainfeaturesofthiscontemporaryheresy FirsttheReformedorthodoxyofZanchiJuniusandtheotherscondemnstheteachingthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerisabletoperformgoodworksReformedorthodoxyascitedandanalyzedinthebookclearlyandemphaticallyjudgesthattheunregeneratedsinnerisaslavetosinisincapableofanygoodandnecessarilysinswithaldquomoralnecessityrdquoinallthathethinkswillsandperforms Zanchidoesnotallowforanygoodonthepartoftheunregener-atedldquoTheimpioushellipcannotactotherwisethantosinrdquo(67) Juniusstates that theeffectof thedisobedienceofAdamuponthehumanraceisthatldquotheimageofGodwastotallyobliteratedandwasfollowedandreplacedbyanincredibledisorderandcorruptionofhumannaturerdquoTheeffectuponfallenunregeneratedmankindisaldquonecessitytowardsthebadrdquo(104)Thedepravedconditionofeveryhumanwhoisnotregeneratedissuchthatldquotheunregeneratenecessarilysinsnotevenbeingabletowillortodoanything[else]untilbythe

November 2015 99

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

graceofregenerationhedoessomethingthatisnotpollutedbysomefaultrdquo(105) WithappealtoRomans1423(ldquowhatsoeverisnotoffaithissinrdquo)Juniusjudgesthattheyldquoerrwhogranttonaturalmansometimeinwhichheisablenottosinrdquo(105) TheeditorscorrectlyexplainJuniusrsquojudgmentthattheunregen-erate canonly sin ldquoAll that he [the unregenerated sinnermdashDJE]doesmdashthoughfreelychosenmdashisnotdirectedtoGodrdquo(122) Onlyregenerationenablesandempowerstheelectsinnertowillandtodowhatisgood(123ff) Gomaruswasonewithhiscolleaguesconcerningthetotaldeprav-ityoftheunregeneratedsinnerassurprisesnoonewhoisfamiliarwiththethirdandfourthheadsofdoctrineoftheCanonsofDordtInanacademicthesisexpressinghisdoctrineGomarusconfessedthefollowing

SincebeforetheFalloriginaljusticewasthesourceandprincipleofeveryspiritualandtrulygoodactthis[source]beingtakenawaynoactsflowfromthereanymoremdashunlesssomebodywoulddaretoclaimthataneffectcanexistwithoutacauseAndsinceacontraryhabitsucceededitthereisnodoubtthatwhatevercorruptedhumanbeingdoeswithoutgraceitishostileandadversetoGodBecauseldquothemindofthefleshhellipisenmityagainstGodforitisnotsubjecttothelawofGodneitherindeedcanberdquoRom87ldquoeveryimaginationandthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinuallyrdquoGen65ldquoThenaturalmandoesnotreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritofGodfortheyarefollytohimandheisnotabletounderstandthembecausetheyarespirituallydiscernedrdquo1Cor214InEph21andCol213theHolySpiritdeclaresthatallhumanbeingsaredead by natureandas there is inadeadmannopotencytoactunto lifesoneither isintheunregenerateanaturalpotencytoperformanygoodspiritualworkunlessthatwhichisaboveitsnaturefashionsanewintellectandheart(132)

Againstthecontemporarycavilofthedefenderofcommongracethatbyspeakingofldquospiritual workrdquoGomarusimpliesthattheunre-generatedsinnerisabletoperformatrulygoodworkofanotherkindforinstancegoodintherealmofcivilsocietytheresponseisthatbyldquogoodspiritual workrdquoGomarusreferstoanyandeveryworkthatis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1100

trulygoodinthejudgmentofGodwhethertheworkisperformedintherealmofthechurchorinthesphereofcivilsocietyThecontrastisnotbetweenagoodworkintherealmofthespiritualandagoodworkintherealmofcivilsocietyButthecontrastisbetweenaworkthatistrulygoodbecauseitisspiritualandaworkthatisnotgoodbecauseit isnotspiritualbutcarnaleventhoughinthesphereofeverydaylifetheworkmeetswiththeapprovalofhumans TheChristianrsquosgivingacupofcoldwatertothethirstyinChristrsquosnameisaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoAnunbelievingphilanthropistrsquosgiv-ingthousandsorevenmillionsofdollarstocharitywithnoregardforJesusChristwhetheroutofanignobledesireforgloryorfromanoblenaturalhumanfeelingofpityfortheneedyisnotaldquogoodspiritualworkrdquoTheactoflovetowardsneedyhumansonthepartofthephilanthropistisnotagoodworkbecauseitisnotspiritual Gomarushimselfappliesthetruthoftotaldepravitythathehasjustconfessed to theseeminggoodworksof theldquonobleheathenrdquoThisistheveryexampleappealedtobythedefendersinourdayoftheperformanceofgenuine if inferiorgoodworksbyvirtueofacommongraceofGod

Sincegoodworksfollowjustificationandpresupposeaninfusedfaithandloveitisclearhowthegloriousdeeds(astheyarecommonlyentitled)ofScipio[alsquonoblersquoRomanpaganmdashDJE]andotherheathensmustbejudgedFortheylackthepuresourcehellipnamelyfaithhellipandtheirgoalhellipnamelythehonorofGod(132133)

Anticipatingtheobjectiontothisconfessionof totaldepravityparticularlyregardingtheseeminggoodworksoftheldquonobleheathenrdquothatisinfacttheobjectionoftheChristianReformedChurchofthecommongracesynodof1924GomarusthenimmediatelyaddsthischallengeldquoHowcananyonedignifythese[works]Iasktocallthemgoodrdquo(133) Thisquestionnotof theProtestantReformedChurches in thetwenty-firstcenturybutof GomarusintheseventeenthcenturytheChristianReformedChurchandallotheradvocatesofthetheorythatwithout justification and sanctification the ungodly performgoodworksanswerattheirleisurethatisnever Turrettintoodeniedthatthefallenunregeneratedsinnerhasany

November 2015 101

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

abilitywhatevertodesireordowhatisgoodldquonopowerstodothegoodareleftrdquothatisintheunregeneratedsinner(199) BernardinusdeMoorthelastoftheorthodoxearlyReformedtheologianssurveyedinthebookisifanythingmorevehementthantheothersinconfessingtotaldepravityastheutter inabilityof theunregeneratedsinnertoperformgoodworksldquoManinfallenstateissosoldtoevilthathecannotnotsinrdquo(209)

Implicit Rejection of the ldquoWell-meant Offerrdquo Thesecondprominentfeatureofthemoderndoctrineofcom-mongraceenthusiasticallyespousedbyalmostallReformedandPresbyterianchurchesandtheologiansthatthebookunintentionallyexposesascontrarytotheReformedtraditionisthenotionofthedependenceofthegospeluponthewillofthesinnerThisnotionisthenecessaryinescapableimplicationoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoTheideaoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoisanessentialaspectofthetheoryofcommongraceasthetheoryisheldbymostReformedchurchesinthetwenty-firstcenturyMostboldlyproclaimandstoutlydefendtheofferThedefenseismostlytheslanderthatthosewhorejectthedoctrineofaldquowell-meantofferrdquoareldquohyper-Calvinistsrdquo ButifGodisgraciousinthegospeltoallhearersalikesincerelydesiringthesalvationofallandinthisgracewell-meaninglyofferssalvationtoalltheefficacyofsalvationisthewillorchoiceofthesinnerAndallsinnersmustpossestheabilitytoaccepttheofferasalsotheabilitytorejectitThisispreciselytheheresyofthesupposedldquoabsoluteindifferencerdquoofthewillofthefallensinnerwhichalltheearlyReformedtheologianscitedinthebookrejectandcondemnasthefalsedoctrineofPelagiusandArminius ConcerningthisallegedabilityofthewillofthefallensinnertochooseChristandsalvationZanchitaughtaccordingtotheeditorsthemselvesldquoBytheonedecisivechoiceforsinbyAdamthepossi-bilitytochoosethegoodwaslostonceandforallManasasinnerisconsideredaslaveofsinrdquoldquoAftertheFallmanisonlyabletochoosethebadoutofhimselfrdquo Carefully tobeobserved iswhatZanchiaddedinconcludingtheprecedingsentenceldquohellipandtochoosethegoodonlyduetotherenewingworkofGodrdquo(91)TheonlypowerthatenablesandeffectsthesinnerrsquoschoosingofChristandsalvation

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1102

isGodrsquosldquorenewingrdquoworkthatisregenerationmdashtheparticularsavinggraceofGodinJesusChrist JuniusldquostatesthatmaninthestateofcorruptioncannotdobutevilbecausethesourceofhisdeedsisnotgoodrdquoInfallenmankindthereisnocapabilityforchoosingthegoodldquobecauseonlythingsdonewithawilldirectedtoGodareultimatelygoodrdquoOnlyregenerationrestorestothehumanwilltheabilitytochoosewhatisgood(125) Twoimportanttruthsareevidentinthetheologyoftheserepresen-tativesoftheearliestReformedorthodoxyFirsttheunregeneratedsinnerhasnoabilitytochoosewhatisgoodThisgoodisGodHisChristandsalvationSecondonlyregeneratinggracebestowstheabilitytochoosethegoodAndsuchisthenatureofthisgracethatiteffectuallycausesthefallenbutnowregeneratedsinnertochoosethegoodGracedoesnotmerelyputthesinnerinthepositionofbeingabletochoosefororagainstGod ItisincontrovertiblyevidenttoallthathereisnoroomwhatevernotonlyforanynaturalabilityofthefallensinnertochoosethegoodbutalsofortherestorationoftheabilitytochoosethegoodbyanypowerotherthanregeneratinggraceNoristhereanyroomfortheteachingthatGodrsquosrestorationoftheabilityofthewilltochoosethegoodisagracethatmerelyenablesthesinnertochoosebetweenthegoodmdashGodmdashandtheevilmdashSatanmdashasthesinnerhimselfsovereignlypleasesanddecides AsforthetheologyofGomarusontheissueinquestiontheeditorsacknowledgethatGomarustaughtthatafterthefallldquoregardingfreechoiceinspiritualmatters[andtheallegedchoiceofthelsquowell-meantofferrsquoissurelyconcerningalsquospiritualmatterrsquomdashDJE]nothingatallisleftrdquo ldquoNofreechoiceisleftatallconcerningspiritualmattersrdquo(140141)ldquoFreechoicerdquoforGomarusldquoisonlyanidlenamerdquo(141)ThereforeldquoGomarusisveryclearabouttheinabilityofahumanbeingtofreehimselffrombeingasinnerrdquo(142) Turretinwrotethatldquoalthoughhumanfreechoiceisalwaysinmanasanessentialpropertynopowers todo thegoodare leftrdquo (199)ldquoFreechoicerdquoinTurretinisfreedomfromcoercionAnddoing the goodincludeschoosing thegood InfallenmankindaccordingtoTurretinisabsolutelynopowertochoosethegoodthatisGodandanythingandeverythingelseforGodrsquossakeAccordingtotheeditors

November 2015 103

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

intheseviewsTurretinldquoisatruerepresentativeoftheGoldenAgeofReformedscholasticismrdquo(200) ThedoctrineofdeMoorwasthatldquomorallyandespeciallywithregardtospiritualgoodshe[fallenmanmdashDJE]isaslaveandhesinsnecessarilyrdquo(209)deMoorwrotethatldquointhestateofsinmanismorallyboundtodoingevilrdquo(228) SummingupthetheologyofalltheearlyReformedtheologiansstudiedinthisbooktheeditorsdeclare

after theFallhellipmancanno longerdo thegoodor loveGodhellipTheReformedauthorstreatedinthisvolumetakepains[toconfess]hellipthedisastrousslaveryofsinbywhichmanrsquoswillisbound(accountingforthefactualimpossibilityofdoingthegoodsincewecanonlydothegoodbylovingandobeyingGod)(235)

TheReformedtraditionassetforthinthisbookhasalsothisagainstthetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquoofthegospelThetheoryoftheldquowell-meantofferrdquohasGodwillingtwocontradictorythingsInHisdecreeofpredestinationHewillsthedamnationofsomesinfulhumansbyHissinceredesireofcommongraceHewillsthesalvationofthesesamesinfulhumansThewillofGodiscontradictory ReformedtheologyinitsldquogoldenagerdquorejectedthedoctrinethatGodrsquoswilliscontradictoryAccordingtoJuniusasexpoundedbytheeditorsofthebookldquoGodisnotfreetowillcontradictorythingsatthesamemoment(ForexamplehecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsickandIamhealthy)rdquoTheexamplecouldjustaswellhavebeenldquohecannotwillthatatthesametimeIamsavedandIamlostrdquo InadaringstatementexposingthemselvestotheferociouschargebythecontemporaryReformedcommunityoftheologiansthattheyareldquorationalistsrdquotheeditorsimmediatelyaddldquoFromalogicalpointofviewitisimpossibletowilltwo[contradictory]thingsatoncerdquo(119) Logical DoestheReformedtraditionactuallyholdthattherevelationofGodintheBibleislogical TheReformedtradition

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1104

The Reformed Tradition regarding Common Grace TheconclusionisthattherejectionofacommongraceofGodwhichbothweakenstheconditionofthetotaldepravityoffallenman-kindandempowerstheunregeneratedsinnertoacceptaldquowell-meantofferrdquoatthesinnerrsquossovereignpleasureistheReformedtraditionThe rejection ofthiscommongraceistheReformedtraditionThisrejectionofacommongraceofGodisnotonlybiblicalandcreedalItisalsothetraditionofZanchiJuniusGomarusVoetiusTurretinanddeMoor WhentheChristianReformedChurchinitssynodof1924ground-editsnoveldoctrineofcommongraceintheReformedtraditionldquoofthemostflourishingperiodofReformed theologyrdquo ldquofromancienttimesrdquoandldquoourReformedFathersfromancienttimesrdquothesynodlied When todayReformed churches institutions and theologianshaughtilydismisstheProtestantReformedobjectiontothetheologyofcommongracebyanappealtotheReformedtraditioninthetimeofitsldquogoldenagerdquotheyeithershowtheirignoranceordemonstratethattheyarethelegitimateoffspringoftheirprevaricatingfathers Bythesametokenintheirdefenseofthedoctrineofparticularsovereigngraceandofthetotaldepravityoftheunregeneratedsinner(whichverymuchincludestheutter inability towill thegoodthatissupposedlypresentedinaldquowell-meantofferofthegospelrdquo)theProtestantReformedChurchesmayandshouldaddtotheirclaimtobebiblicalandcreedalthewordsldquowhileitalsoappearsfromthecitationsmadefromReformedwritersofthemostflourishingperiodofReformedtheologythatourReformedwritersfromthepastfavoredthisviewrdquo That iswhat theProtestantReformedChurchesconfess is theReformed tradition going back to the ldquogolden agerdquo ofReformedtheology

Weaknesses of the Book Valuableas thework is for the reasons indicatedaboveandhonestastheeditorsareinacknowledgingthattheReformedtra-ditiondenies the abilityof the fallen sinner inhisunregeneratedconditiontochoosethegoodwhoisGodneverthelesstheeditorsdisplayandpromoteseriousweaknessesForonethingtheyare

November 2015 105

ReviewArticleReformedThoughtonFreedom

critical ofMartinLutherrsquos greatworkThe Bondage of the Will RegardlessthattheyseemtocountenanceLutherrsquosldquoreligiousmoti-vationrdquodirectingtheircriticismagainstLutherrsquosinsistenceonGodrsquossovereigntyregardingthehumanwillsucharethegospel-truthandthesurpassingworthofLutherrsquosgrandbookthatallsuchcriticismisbothmistakenandeventuallyfataltotheessentialtruthsthatthewillofthesinnerismorallyandspirituallyaslaveofSatanandsinandthatthewillofthesinnerisdependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestination TheeditorsleadthechurchesoftheReformationseriouslyastraywhentheystateldquoontheologicalgroundsit isnotrecommendabletherefore to takeLutherrsquospolemicagainstErasmusasanormforproperReformationtheologyrdquo(236) SuchwasthesignificanceofthisbookfortheReformationandsuchwasandistheimportanceofthetruthitdefendsandproclaimsfortheReformationrsquosgospelofgracethatthecriticismofitbytheeditorsofReformed Thought on FreedomisanattackontheReforma-tionitselfandafatalconcessiontoRomeanditsgospelofsalvationbythewillofman InconnectionwiththeircriticismofLuthertheeditorserralsobypositingasignificantdifferencebetweenLutherandCalvinontheissueofthebondageofthewill ThefundamentaltruthsregardingthehumanwillarefirstthatitiscompletelydependentuponthesovereigntyofGodinpredestinationwhetherthedecreeofelectionthatthewillshallbeliberatedbygracetobelieveinJesusChristorthedecreeofreprobationthatthewillenslavedinsinbytheordinationofGodshallremainintheslaveryofsinandindeedbeevermoredeeplyenmeshedinthisslaveryThesecondfundamentaltruthregardingthehumanwillisthatthewillofeveryunregeneratedchildofAdamisaslaveofSatanandinbondagetosinincapableofchoosingGodandthegood InthesetwofundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwillLutherandCalvinwereoneasCalvinhimselfwhoshouldhaveknownacknowledgedmorethanonce TotheircreditdespitetheirhavingwarnedthatitisldquonecessarytodistinguishbetweenLutherandCalvinonthismatterrdquonamelythematterofthebondageofthewilltheeditorsneverthelessacknowledge

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1106

theonenessoftheReformersregardingatleastoneofthefundamentaltruthsconcerningthehumanwill

LutherandCalvincombatedtheideathatmanisfreetoworkouthisownsalvationalthoughwithdivinehelp ThemoralandspiritualconsequencesofsinareatstakeandinthisrespecttheReformersrightlyteachthetotalcorruptionofman(236)

AthirdcriticismoftheeditorsistheiranalysisoftheteachingoftheReformedtraditionregardingthewillasallowingforindeedpro-poundingldquocontingencyrdquo(241242)ldquoContingencyrdquoisconditionalityldquoContingencyrdquoissomedependencyofGoduponthewillofmanInthesphereofsalvationwhichisthesubjectofthebookcontingencyaffirmsadependenceofGoduponthewillofthesinnerinthematterofsalvation Reformed theology denies contingency Reformed theologydeniescontingencynotonlyinthematterofsalvationbutalsowithregardtotheentiretyoftherelationshipofGodandhumans Thewritersquotedandanalyzedinthisbookrejectcontingency ItisonethingtoaffirmthatGodrsquossovereigntydoesnotonlynotnegatehumanresponsibilitybutalsoexercisesitselfinsucha(mys-terious)mannerastoestablishandmaintainmanrsquosfullresponsibility Itisanotherentirelydifferentthingtoaffirmthatdivinesover-eigntyiscontingentuponmanrsquoswillandactionAcontingentsov-ereigntyisnotsovereigntyatallIfGodrsquoswilliscontingentmanrsquoswillissovereign Reformed theology affirms the former Thebook establishesexplainsanddefendsthisaffirmation Reformedtheologydeniesthelatter Italwayshasl

November 2015 107

BookReviews

Ancient Israelrsquos History An Introduction to Issues and Sources edBillTArnoldandRichardSHessGrandRapidsMIBakerAcademic2014Pp560$4499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDouglasKuiper]

WhenI readabook intend-ed forwritten review I aim toreceive some personal benefitfromreadingthebookandtofindreasonswhytorecommendittomyaudienceTodothisIbeginwith every intention of readingthebookfromcovertocover Occasionally I find thatneither of these goals will beachievedInthecaseofthevol-umeunderreviewbythetimeIwashalffinishedIdecidedthattocontinuereadingwouldbetotaketimeawayfrommoreprofitabletaskssoIlaiditaside

The titleAncient Israelrsquos HistorycatchestheeyeofanyoneinterestedinOldTestamenthisto-ryPutmeinthatcategoryWhenIselectedthisbooktoreviewandbeganreadingitIdidsoeagerlyBut the subtitleAn Introduction to Issues and Sources is intend-edtoinformthereaderthat thisbookisnotastudy of the history of ancient Israel but a study of the study of the history ofancientIsrael

Theeditorsrsquogoalisldquotopro-vide a current state of researchonissuesrelativetothehistoryofancientIsraelrdquo(v)Thebookisaldquoportal intothestudyofancientIsraelrsquos historyrdquo inwhich is setforththeldquomajorsourcesrelevantto ancient Israelrsquos historyrdquo andan evaluation of ldquokey issues ofinterpretationrequiredofacriti-calstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4)Inotherwords each chapter facesthesequestionswhatarescholarssayingaboutIsraelrsquoshistoryOnwhatbasisorfromwhatsourcesaretheysayingthesethingsAndiswhattheyaresayingreasonableandrelevantinlightofevidencethatwehavetoday Whythehistoryofancient Is-raelOnecouldhopethereasonwouldbe that thishistory is thechurchrsquos historyredemptive his-torycovenantal historyRatherldquoit is theessentialstartingpointfor discerningmore than twothousandyearsofhumancultureandhistory forperceivingwhatremainstodaythatismostimport-antandforpreservingwhatwe

Book Reviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1108

darenotforgetasweprepareforthefuturerdquo(4)BecausebothJu-daismandChristianityfindtheirrootsinancientIsraelitshistoryisfoundationaltoWesternhistoryandthoughtsocietyandculture FourteencontributorsleadthereaderthroughdifferenterasofIs-raelrsquoshistoryfromthebeginningofbiblicalhistoryasrecordedinthebookofGenesisthroughtheintertestamentaryperiod Somechapters treatmaterial that cov-erscenturies-suchaschapter1ldquoTheGenesisNarrativesrdquochapter2 ldquoTheExodus andWildernessNarrativesrdquoandchapter5ldquoTheJudgesandtheEarlyIronAgerdquoOthers treat a smaller historicaltimeframe chapters 10-12 eachtreat periods of nomore thana century And others such aschapter3(ldquoCovenantandTreatyin theHebrewBible and in theAncientNearEastrdquo)treatatopicratherthanahistoricalera Asthereaderwouldimagineeachcontributorhasldquodemonstrat-edexpertiseonthesubjectmatterofthatchapterrdquoThecontributorsare all professors in seminariessuchasAsburyAshlandDenverandSouthwesternBaptistTheo-logicalSeminariesorincollegessuch as theUniversity ofParisColoradoChristianUniversityPointLomaNazareneUniversity

NorthwesternCollegeandWhea-tonCollege One who wants to knowwhat scholars are saying aboutthehistoryofancientIsraelandare interested about this historybecause it is foundational toWesternthoughtwillfindthistobeascholarlytomethatachievesitsintendedpurpose

For two basic reasons thisbookhasnovalue tome and IjudgeitwillhavenovaluetothereadersofthePRTJ Firsttheintendedpurposeofthebookisnotrelevanttome Idoenjoyandprofitfromthestudyof theOldTestament andintertestamentary period Suchstudy requires one both to readthe Scriptures and to read thewritingsofothermenwhohavestudied theOldTestament andintertestamentaryperiod But to studywhatmen aresaying as they study the OldTestament andwhat difficultiesthey encounter in that study isnotmyinterestInmyjudgmenttheeditorsandcontributorsofthisbookapproachthestudyofIsra-elrsquoshistoryasapurelyacademicmatterratherthanasacredmatterTheirinterestisnotinredemptive history SecondIrejectseveralpre-sumptions which underlie the

November 2015 109

BookReviews

scholarshipreflectedinthisbookThesepresumptionsarenotinci-dentaltothebookrsquospurposetheyare its foundation To engagein the kind of scholarship thatthisbookreflectsrequiresonetomake these presumptions I donotchargeeverycontributorwithmaking thesepresumptionsper-sonallybecausethatwouldbetosaymorethanIcandemonstrateHowever the scholarship aboutwhich every contributorwritesrests on these presumptionsThesepresumptionsgive rise totheldquokey issuesof interpretationrequiredofacriticalstudyofthathistoryrdquo(4) ThefirstpresumptionisthathighercriticismoftheScripturesislegitimateAmongotherthingsthismeansthatonemustnotas-sumethattheeventsrecordedinScripture actually happened asScriptureindicatesIfonecannotprovebyarcheologicalevidenceand the historical documents ofthe nations surrounding Israelthat Scripturersquos presentation isaccurateonersquosskepticismisjus-tified(in themindof thehighercritic)AsaresultthehistoricityofGenesis 1-11 is undermined(30-35)thefloodofNoahrsquosdayis said to havebeen a localizedflood in southernMesopotamia(33) thequest for thehistorical

Abraham continues (39) thatIsraelrsquos settlement in Canaanwasindeedduetoaconquest isdenied(127-128)thedestructionofJerichorsquoswalledfortressbyanunskilled army is explained byoddtheories(possiblyerosionofthewalls after all Jordanwasflooding its banks 143ff) anditisassertedthatSaulandDavidweretribalchiefsratherthanna-tionalkings(190)andthatDavidused deviousmeans to take thekingdomfromSaul(201) I am uninterested in thisTheOldTestament Scripturesarenotmyththeyarenotmerelyhistorical in the sense that theygiveinsightsintoJewishcultureandthoughtatthetimeTheyaredivinelyinspiredhistorypartofthe inerrant and infallibleWordof God whichmust be takenseriously ThesecondpresumptionthatIrejectisthatGodhascovenants Chapter3usesthepluralthusde-nyingthatGodhasonecovenantFurthermoreIrejecttheideathatGodrsquosonecovenantisadivinelynegotiated treatywith humansthatsoresemblestheagreementsmadebymenwithmenandthetreaties ratified by nationswithnationsthatwecanstudythoseagreements tounderstandGodrsquoscovenant

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1110

The third presumption re-gardsthemannerofdatinghistor-icaleventsTodayldquoBCErdquoisthepoliticallycorrectwaytodateOldTestament events But throughthehistoryofancientIsraelGodispreparingthewayforJesustocomeastheMessiahWhycanwenotuse the traditionalldquoBCrdquoinabooklikethisAndIhavenouse for a dating system thatincludes a LateBronzeAge aMiddleBronzeAgeanEarlyIron

AgeandalaterIronAgeallofwhichpresupposethattheworldevolved This dating system isnotincidentaltothebookitun-derliesthearcheologicalevidencethatthescholarsarestudying(cf143ffasoneexample) Those who approach theScripturesasthedivinelyinspiredrecord ofGodrsquos redemption ofHis covenant people havemoreprofitablethingstodothanreadthisbookl

Federal Vision A Canadian Reformed Pastorrsquos PerspectivebyWesBredenhof GrandvilleMI ReformedFellowship2014 Pp43$499(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

This booklet is a vain andmisleadingattemptbyaCanadianReformedminister to dissociatehis churches and ldquoliberatedrdquoReformed theology in generalfromthecontemporaryheresyoftheFederalVision ldquoVainrdquo andldquomisleadingrdquoareeuphemisms Theattemptisvainforseveralreasons First the leadingpro-ponentsofthecovenanttheologythatcallsitselfldquofederalrdquothatiscovenant ldquovisionrdquo themselvesinform theReformed churchesthat their covenant theology issimply the development of thecovenant theology of the ldquolib-

eratedrdquoReformed theologiansKlaasSchilderBenneHolwerdaCVeenhof and others of theCanadianReformedChurchesandoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedChurchesintheNetherlandsandelsewhereintheworld SecondcriticsoftheFederalVisionwhothemselvessharethecovenant theologyof theldquoliber-atedrdquoandtheFederalVisionandthereforearefavorablydisposedtowards theFederalVision rec-ognizeandpubliclyacknowledgethattheheartoftheFederalVisionisthecovenanttheologyofKlaasSchilderandtheldquoliberatedrdquo

November 2015 111

BookReviews

SuchafriendlycriticisCarlRobbins At a high-poweredconferencemdashtheldquoKnoxColloqui-umrdquomdashthepurposeofwhichwasthe examination of the FederalVisionRobbinsannounced

Irsquove finally grasped that he[JohnBarach a leading ad-vocate of the Federal Vi-sionmdashDJE]issimplyre-stat-ing the distinctive [covenanttheology]of the ldquoLiberatedrdquoReformedChurches There-foreitmustfairlybepointedoutthatPastorBarachcannotbechargedwithldquotheologicalnoveltyrdquo for his viewswerefirst propounded by KlaasSchilder in the 1940s and(beforehim)CalvinSeminaryProfessorWilliamWHeynsfromtheearly1900sInfactPastor Barach has simplyandfaithfullyre-statedthosecovenantal understandings(The Auburn Avenue Theol-ogy Pros amp Cons Debating the Federal Vision KnoxTheologicalSeminary20043132)

ThirdascholarlyexaminationoftheFederalVisionrevealsthatthe fundamental theologyof theFederalVision is its doctrineofthecovenantandthattheFederalVisionrsquosdoctrineofthecovenantisessentiallythatoftheldquoliberatedrdquo

WhattheFederalVisiondoesthatmakessuchldquoliberatedrdquotheo-logiansasWesBredenhofanxiousbefore theworld of Reformedchurches isdevelop ldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theology to its logicalconclusionwhichconclusionwasalwaysclearlyimpliedbringoutwithhonestyintotheopenwhatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheologyinthepastlikedtoobscurenamelythatldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheolo-gyisinherentlythedenialofallthedoctrinesofgraceconfessedbytheCanonsofDordtwith re-gard specifically to salvation by and in the covenantandexpressthe inescapable implications ofldquoliberatedrdquotheologyrsquosdenialthatelection applies to and governsthecovenantanditssalvation The FederalVision is therightnecessaryinevitabledevel-opmentofthecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberatedrdquoReformedTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantmdashnot fundamentally adoctrine of theonomy of post-millennialismorevenofjustifi-cationbutofthecovenantasthenameofthedistinctivetheologyinforms everyone ldquoFederalrdquomeanslsquocovenantrdquoThetheologythat Bredenhof is supposed tocritiqueinhisbookletisacertaindefinitedoctrineofthecovenant Any legitimate worthwhile

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1112

honest critique of the FederalVisionmustexamineand judgeitsdoctrineofthecovenant SuchacritiqueoftheFederalVisionwill recognize that thecovenantdoctrineoftheFederalVision is thatof theldquoliberatedrdquoReformed in its thoroughly de-velopedformTheFederalVisionisadoctrineofthecovenantthatcuts the covenant the covenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationloosefromGodrsquoseternaldecreeofelection TheFederalVisionis a covenant doctrine that hasGod graciously promisingHiscovenantanditssalvationtoallbaptized children of believersalike and establishingHis cov-enantofgrace insomemannerofotherwhetherldquoexternallyrdquoorldquolegallyrdquowith all the childrenalike The FederalVision is acovenantdoctrinethatmakesthecovenantthecovenantpromiseandcovenantsalvationcondition-al that is dependent upon thechildrsquosfaithas a condition that he must fulfill All of this is distinctiveldquoliberatedrdquo covenant theologydeveloped by Klaas SchilderandotherReformedtheologiansin theNetherlands against notonlyAbrahamKuyper but alsotheprevailingcovenantdoctrineoftheReformedchurchesofthe

Secessionof1834Allofthisisdistinctivelyldquoliberatedrdquocovenanttheology as refined anddefend-ed in controversy first by theheretical preachers Pieters andKreulenintheDutchReformedChurches in the 1800s then bytheldquoliberatedrdquointheNetherlandsintheearly1940sandfinallybytheproponentsofldquoliberatedrdquocov-enant theology in theProtestantReformedChurchesin theearly1950sresultinginschisminthesechurches AccordingtotheldquoliberatedrdquoinbaptismGodgraciouslyprom-isesHiscovenantanditssalvationtoall the infants alike But therealizationofthepromiseiscon-ditioned upon the childrsquos faithInbaptism there isabeginningoftheestablishmentofthecove-nantwithandinsomesenseabeginningofthegraciousgiftofcovenantsalvationtoallthechil-drenalikeDifferentldquoliberatedrdquotheologianshaveexhaustedboththeDutchandEnglishlanguagestoexpresshowthesacramentofbaptism isabeginningofcove-nantsalvationwhilemaintainingasemblanceofReformedortho-doxy which orthodoxy limitssavinggracetotheelectwhetherinthecovenantoronthemissionfieldButallagreearecompelled by their doctrine of covenant

November 2015 113

BookReviews

grace that is universal in thesphereofthecovenanttoagreethatbaptismisinsomesensethebeginningofcovenantsalvationforallthechildrenalike Where the FederalVisiondevelops and advances this ba-sic ldquoliberatedrdquo theology is theopen acknowledgment that theestablishmentatbaptismofthecovenantwithalltheinfantsalikedefinitelymeans the beginningof the salvation of all the chil-drenalike in thebestowaluponandwithin the childrenof suchbenefitsasunionwithChristthegiftoffaithandtheblessingofjustificationWheretheFederalVisiondevelopsldquoliberatedrdquotheol-ogyistheFederalVisionrsquosfrankhonestadmissionthatldquoliberatedrdquocovenant theologymeans thelossofsalvationand the fallingaway to perdition of some ofmanywho once shared in thesavingbenefitsthatbaptismsig-nifiesWheretheFederalVisiondevelops ldquoliberatedrdquo covenantdoctrine is theFederalVisionrsquosboldproclamationthatthiscov-enantdoctrineincludestheheresyof justification by faith and byworksthechiefworkbeingfaith Wes Bredenhof loves thecovenant root and essence ofFederalVision doctrine He isnot so happywith the Federal

VisionfruitThereforeheexertshimselftodissociatehimselftheCanadianReformedChurchesandldquoliberatedrdquotheologyfromtheFederalVision HiseffortinthisbookletisnotonlyvainItisalsomisleadingldquoMisleadingrdquo is a judgment ofcharityonmypart Theeffortismisleadingbe-causethereisnothoroughcom-parisonofthecovenantdoctrineof the FederalVisionwith thecovenanttheologyoftheldquoliberat-edrdquoasthesubjectofthebookletdemands indeed cries out forandinfactpromises There is not even a chapterwiththeheadingldquoTheCovenantDoctrineoftheFederalVisionrdquoOtherissuesthatBredenhofsup-poses are germane to his studyare statedbluntly in thechapterheadings for example ldquoPaedo-communionrdquoButnottheissueofthecovenantwhichisthe issue The chapter inwhichBre-denhofdoestakesomevagueandunsubstantial notice of the doc-trineofthecovenantisstrangelyandblandly titledldquoContinuitiesandDiscontinuitieswithKlaasSchilderampCordquo (5) Not ldquoAConditionalCovenantwithAllthe Baptized ChildrenAlikerdquoNot ldquoTheCovenant ofSavingGraceDivorcedfromElectionrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1114

Not ldquoACovenantDependentupontheChildrenrsquosFulfillingtheConditionofFaithrdquo IncrediblyindiscussingthefundamentaldoctrineoftheFed-eralVisionmdashthedoctrineof thecovenantmdashBredenhofmanagesnevereventomention the issueoftheconditionalityoruncondi-tionalityofthecovenantanditspromiseandnevereventomen-tion thewordldquoelectionrdquomuchlesstreattheissueoftherelationornon-relationofcovenantandelectionIfthewordldquoelectionrdquoevenoccursinthefirstandmostimportantchapterImissedit Oneaccomplishessuchfeatsonlyifheisdeterminednottoad-dresstheveryheartoftheFederalVisionbecausedoingsowouldidentify the covenant doctrineoftheFederalVisionwiththatofWesBredenhofandtheldquoliberat-edrdquoTosaynothingofrequiringreference to the covenant doc-trineoftheProtestantReformedChurchesasamatterofscholarlyintegrityifnothingmore Bredenhof does have thegrace at the very end to omit(thoughwithoutexplanation)fromtheldquopointsofdifferencerdquobetweentheFederalVisionandtheldquoliber-atedrdquothedoctrineofthecovenant The bulk of the booklet ismerewindow-dressingBreden-hofcandistinguishseveralother

tenetsoftheFederalVisionfromthe theology of the ldquoliberatedrdquothus distancing the ldquoliberatedrdquofromtheFederalVisionmdashtheon-omy justification (even thoughthe federal vision theologianscontendrightlythattheirdenialof justification by faith aloneis implied in the doctrine of aconditionalcovenant)theactiveobedienceofChrist paedocom-munion and postmillennialism(towhichBredenhofisopen) AsapolemicagainsttheFed-eralVisionandasadefenseofhischurches from this popular andspreadingheresythebookletisanutterfailureTheissuebeforetheReformedhouseatthebeginningof the twenty-first century is aconditionalcovenantgraciouslypromisedtoallbaptizedchildrenalikebutcutloosefromelectionand therefore dependent uponthe childrsquos fulfilling the condi-tionoffaithThisistheissueofArminianismappliedtocovenanttheologyThisissueBredenhofstudiouslyavoidsforreasonsthatareobvioustoallreadersfriendlyand critical alike His bookletis as if theSynodofDordt hadsubjectedtheArminiantheologyto critical examination whilecompletelyignoringthedoctrineof freewill and its relation ornon-relationtoelection Asacritiqueofacontempo-

November 2015 115

BookReviews

rarygrievousdoctrinalthreattotheReformedfaithandReformedchurchesmdashthemostseriousthreatinrecenttimesmdashthebookletisacase-studyintheignobleartsofglossingoverdoctrinalerrorand

obfuscation in the treatment ofdoctrinalerrorintheinterestsofkeepingthepeacewherethereisnotandoughtnotbepeaceandprobablyofecumenicityfalselyconceivedl

Unveiling Islam An Insiderrsquos Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ErgunMCanerandEmirFCanerGrandRapidsMIKregelPubli-cations2012Pp251(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

TheCaner brothers are for-merMuslimswhoarenowAr-minianSouthernBaptistsInthisbooktheyprovideasimpleguidetoIslamforthelaypersonOneoftheirchiefconcernswiththisworkistohelpChristiansavoidinadvertentlyoffendingMuslimsby transgressingcertainculturalorsocialnorms

AguyquotesScriptureatthetopofhislungsinthestandsof a football game At a dinner party aman casuallytellshiswealthyhostthatheisgoingtohellloudenoughthateverypersonatthepartyhearsit AChristianvisitsaJewishhouseholdandbringsabakedhamforamealAnurbanmissionary inadver-tently wears warring gangcolorstoaprisonWersquoveallheardofthesetaleswhereinaChristianmotivatedtosharethegospelwithacertainpeo-plegrouporculturenegateshis or herwitness by some-

how offending the cultureheritage or practices of thatgroup Although the personiswell-intentionedheorsheruinstheopportunitybysomeoversightormisstatementandmustbeginagainbyapologiz-ingandrebuildingtrust(223)

Forexampledonotoffertheleft hand in greeting (it is usedfor personal hygiene) do notofferaMuslimporkshellfishoralcoholdonotspeaktoaMuslimwomanwithoutthepermissionofher husbandor othermale rela-tiveavoidarguingaboutpoliticsordefendingapatrioticpositiondonottrytodefendtheCrusadesandavoidconfusing theologicalterminology such as ldquoask Jesusinto your heartrdquomdashwhich wewouldneversayanywaybecauseitisgrosslyunbiblicalandArmin-ian The bulk of the book is anexplanation of the origins andbeliefs of Islam aswell as an

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1116

explanationofthemodernthreatofIslamicjihad Afewchapterheadingswill give a flavour ofthe book ldquoMuhammad TheMilitantMessengerrdquo(chapter2)ldquoTheStoryofIslamATrailofBloodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoTheQurrsquoanlsquoMotherofBooksrsquordquo(chapter4)ldquoSunnah andHadith TheOth-erBooksrdquo (chapter 5) ldquoAllahNamesofTerrorNamesofGlo-ryrdquo(chapter6)ldquoTheBloodshedofJihadrdquo(chapter13)ldquoClashofCultures ChristianityThroughtheEyes of aTypicalMuslimrdquo(chapter14)andldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo(chapter15) IhavereadtheQurrsquoanwhichissomethingthatIadviseChris-tians todo Books likeUnveil-ing Islam offer some help inunderstanding theQurrsquoan Forexample the book provides alistofhelpfulexamplesofwheretheQurrsquoancontradictstheBiblewhere it contradicts itself andwhereitsimplycontains bizarre teachings (89-93) ThemosthelpfulchaptersfortheChristiandesiring tounderstand thebasictheology of Islam are chapter7 (ldquoFundamentals The FivePillarsrdquo) chapter 9 (ldquoSalvationMathematical Righteousnessrdquo)andchapter15(ldquoJesusAccordingtotheQurrsquoanrdquo) Islam is a legalistic grace-

lessreligionwithoutanyconceptofredemptionfromsin

InIslamsinisnotpaidforitisweighedonabalancescaleIslam has no understandingthatatrulyholyandjustGodcannotsimplymeasurethesinandthrowitasidewithoutanypunishment(150)

Islam has a completelyskewedviewoftheTrinityMus-lims(rightly)rejecttheteachingthattheTrinityconsistsofAllahJesus andMary andMuslimsalso (rightly) reject the notionthat Jesus is the Son ofAllahfrom a carnal relationshipwithaconsort (wife) OfcoursenooneinthechurchhasevertaughtthatTermssuchasldquoonlybegot-ten Son ofGodrdquo are confusingfor theMuslim andneed to beexplained carefully The strawmanargumentsoftheQurrsquoanareallthemoreinexcusablebecausetheQurrsquoanwas allegedly giventoMohammed(whosupposedlyreceivedrevelationsfromGabrielbetweenc610-632AD)after all themajorTrinitarianandChristo-logicalbattlesoftheearlychurchhad been fought (AD325AD381AD451) How could theldquoomniscientrdquoAllah have gottentheteachingoftheChristiansontheGodheadsowrong In additionMuslims have

November 2015 117

BookReviews

been taught thatChristianity isa corruption of Islam and thatthe Bible (especially theNewTestament) has been corruptedovertimeHowevertheQurrsquoanitself commandsMuslims tohonour the Injil (Gospel)but iftheGospelwasalreadycorruptedinMohammedrsquosdayhowcouldanyoneobeythatcommandInfactthechurchpossessesmanu-scriptsoftheNewTestament(nottomention theOldTestament)thatpredateMohammedandtheQurrsquoanWecandemonstratethattheNewTestamenthas notbeencorruptedbothfrommanuscriptevidenceandpatristicsources(thechurchfathersquotedextensivelyfromtheGreekNewTestament)In contrast afterMohammedrsquos

deathhisfollowersgatheredupall the fragments of theQurrsquoantheycouldfindmadeoneldquooffi-cialrdquo copy andburnedall otherextantmanuscripts Unveiling Islam is not themost useful book on Islam ItdevotestoomuchtimetoIslamicterrorismmdashan important subjectin its own right but not a sub-ject one needs to discusswhenwitnessing to aMuslimmdashand itispermeatedbyArminiantheol-ogywhichmaybeoff-puttingtosomeReformed readers Inmyestimation amuch better bookonthesubjectisJamesRWhitersquosWhat Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qurrsquoan(BethanyHousePublishers2013)l

The Message of Daniel the Kingdom Cannot Fail DaleRalphDa-visDownersGroveILInter-VarsityPress2013Pp169(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

I enjoy theOldTestamentcommentaries of Dale RalphDavis He haswritten quite anumbermostlyonOldTestamentnarrative texts (Joshua Judges1-2Samueland1-2Kings)HehasalsowrittenontheprophetsMicah andDaniel all ofwhichcommentariesIhaveread This new commentary onDanieldoesnotdisappointItisvintageDavis

Davis interactsmdashonlywhennecessarymdashwiththehighercriticsinordertodefendtheinspirationandauthorityoftheWordofGodAshewritesintheintroductionldquowehavetofaceitbecauseothershavemadeabigdealofitrdquo(15)The fundamental problemwithcriticsisnottheirscholarlyacu-menItistheirunbelief

The main problem withpredictive prophecy is not

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1118

theological or practical butpresuppositionalabuilt-inan-tipathytotheverypossibilityofpredictiveprophecy Thelast thing peoplemdashincludingsomebiblicalscholarsmdashwantisarealGodrunningaroundlooseandhavingthechutzpahtoorderhistoryaheadoftime(22)

Davisrsquostyleisquiteldquoquirkyrdquowhichsometimesmakesforhu-morousreadingThatcomesoutinsomeofthechapterheadingsldquoSaintsinthehandsofasavingGodrdquo(chapter3)ldquoThestrutstopshererdquo (chapter 5) ldquoThe case ofMrHydeandMrHyderdquo(chapter13)Aquirkywritingstylealsomakesawriterquotable AndIlikequotesforthebulletin The book expounds theprophecy of Danielmdashboth itshistoricalnarrativeandapocalyp-ticprophecymdashveryskilfullyandDavishastheknackofmakingthehistorycomealivebythrowinginintriguingandsearchingillustra-tionswhilehecarefullyanalysestheHebrewand thestructureofthepassages(butwithoutbecom-ingtootechnical)Davisexcelsat literary analysiswithout everbecomingboring Davis is Presbyterian andamillennial Hisamillennialismisespeciallycrucialforaproperinterpretationof theapocalyptic

portionoftheprophecychapters7-12ForexampleDaviswritesabout the little horn ofDaniel7 ldquo[He is] the one Paul callsthe lsquoman of lawlessnessrsquo in 2Thessalonians21-12andwhomJohnwouldcalltheAntichrist(1John218)rdquo (104) On the dif-ficult and controversial seventyweeks (Dan 9) Davis rejectsthe literalistic dispensationalistviewldquoTimetobitthebulletIhavedecidedagainstmynaturalpreference that I cannot takethelsquoweeksrsquoasweeksofyearsIsupposethatmeansthatIdonottakethelsquoweeksrsquoliterallyinsteadItakethemschematicallyrdquo(134)WhileIdonotagreewitheverydetailofDavisrsquoexpositionoftheseventyweeksmdashitisaverychal-lenging portion ofGodrsquosWordfortheexegetemdashIagreewithhisconclusionldquoYouarecalledtoalongobedienceyourpeoplewillbe sustained even in distressingtimesandthegreathaterofGodrsquospeople sits in theLordrsquos cross-hairswiththedateofhisdemiseclearlymarkedonGodrsquoscalendarYoumayhavewished formorethanthatbutthatrsquosmostlywhatDaniel 924-27 is about Andthatrsquosnotbadrdquo(138) ThemainthemeofDanielisthe triumph ofGodrsquos kingdomover all the kingdoms ofmen

November 2015 119

BookReviews

Charles Hodge Guardian of American OrthodoxybyPaulCGut-jahrOxfordOxfordUniversityPress2011Ppxl+477$4195(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma] Inhisdaywhichwasmoreanage(acomparisonwhichHodgewould appreciate)mdashmuch ofthenineteenthcenturymdashCharlesHodge was a towering figurein the Presbyterian Church inAmericaHewastheinfluentialprofessorofthousandsofaspiringPresbyterianministers andmis-sionaries Especially by virtueofhislargethoroughandmainlysound three-volumeSystematic Theologymdashthe publication ofhis class lectures his severalcommentariesonNewTestamentbooksoftheBibleandhiseditor-shipofaninfluentialtheologicaljournalHodgewasthedominanttheologianoftheChurch Hodgewasalsoaprominent

powerfulchurchmanwhotookaleadingroleinthedebatesattheGeneralAssemblyofthePresby-terianChurch In thesedebatesandbyhiswritingsaswellasbystrategic public lecturesHodgewas a vigorous controversialistregardingimportantdoctrinalis-suesthataroseinthePresbyterianChurch These issues includedthe conflict of CalvinismwithArminianism in various formsand the attack on theChristiandoctrineof creationbyDarwin-ian evolutionary theorywhichsurfacedduringHodgersquoscareer` In his lifetimeHodgewasdubiouslyhonoredas the ldquopopeofPresbyterianismrdquo(p3) Thisbiographythereforeis

Davis develops illustrates andappliesthatthemetothecomfortofGodrsquospeopleldquoWhathasnotchanged even thoughwe havebeencartedofftoBabylonAndthetextofDaniel1answersGodGodhasnotchangedrdquo(27)ldquoBab-ylon the hairy-chestedmachobruteof theworldhasdroppedwithathudintothemausoleumofhistoryhelliptheservantsofGodwillsimplyout-endurethekingdomsofthisagerdquo(37) ldquoHerulesthe

kingdomofmensmellysinfulselfish schemingmen TherersquosnothingmorelsquodowntodirtrsquothanthatInourdarkermomentswemaylosesightofthiscomfortingassurancerdquo(65) Manyotherquotescouldbeoffered but read the book foryourself AsDavissaysldquoYoucanwalkinto the futurewith aGod likethatrdquo(45) l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1120

ofboth interestand importancenotonlyforconservativePresby-teriansbutalsoforallwholovetheReformed faith and have aregard for its history especiallyinNorthAmerica GutjahrrsquosbiographyofHodgeisonlythesecondoftherenownedPresbyteriantobepublishedItisthefirsttobepublishedinmorethanonehundredthirtyyearsItis far and away themore thor-ough Hodge devoted his entireministerial career to teachingtheology atPrincetonTheologi-calSeminaryinNewJerseyHetaughtforsomefifty-eightyearsfrom1820untilhisdeathin1878During that timeHodge took atwo-yearsabbaticaltostudythe-ologyinFranceandGermanyInGermanyhestudiedundersuchtheological luminaries asTho-luckHengstenbergandNeander UponhisreturntoPrincetonHodgewasayoungercolleagueofPrincetonrsquos famous foundersArchibaldAlexanderandSamuelMiller Unlikemost seminary pro-fessorsHodgeneverservedasapastor Byallaccounts includ-inghisownhewasnotagiftedpreacher Of special interest and ofgreat significance for Presbyte-rians and Presbyterianism still

today is the bookrsquos recountingofHodgersquos controversies bothwithin the PresbyterianChurchandagainstenemiesofthetruthwithouttheChurchHencethebookrsquossubtitle ProminentinHodgersquosminis-trywashisbattleagainstArmin-ianism as this heresy appearedearlyandoften inHodgersquosownChurch Suchwas thebattle inthe conflict known as the ldquoOldSchoolNewSchoolrdquocontroversyTheOldSchooltowhichHodgebelonged ofwhich hewas theleading representative and forwhichhewasthemostaggressivecontenderconfessedtheCalvin-ismof theWestminsterConfes-sionofFaith TheNewSchoolembraced and promotedwithinthePresbyterianChurchthethe-ologyofArminianismTheNewSchoolwas influenced by theemotional revivalistmovementsofthedayofwhichCharlesFin-neywastheforemostproponentandpractitioner AninfluentialadvocateoftheArminianismoftheNewSchoolwithin the PresbyterianChurchwasAlbertBarnes a pastor ofa prominent Presbyterian con-gregation This is the BarnesofthecommentariesbearinghisnamethatarestillfoundinsomeReformed households BarnesspreadhisPelagianandArminian

November 2015 121

BookReviews

theology in a series of popularNewTestament commentariesEspeciallyBarnesrsquo commentaryon Romanswas influential inseducing Presbyterians ThiscommentaryoccasionedHodgersquosowncommentaryonRomansasan antidote toBarnesrsquo hereticaltheologyparticularlywithregardtotheexplanationofRomans5 In1837findingthemselvessomewhat unexpectedly in themajorityattheGeneralAssemblyofthedenominationthedelegatesadheringtotheOldSchoolpurgedfromtheChurchlargenumbersincludingentiresynodsholdingtherevivalistArminiantenetsoftheNewSchoolTheOldSchoolldquocleaned houserdquo by tactics thatwere ecclesiastically high-hand-ed stretching the Presbyterianchurchordertoitsfurthestlimits By 1869 themood of thePresbyterianChurchinthenorthhad changed EcumenicitytrumpeddoctrinalorthodoxyasisaperennialdangerThenorthernchurchdecidedon reunionwiththeNewSchoolPresbyteriansre-gardlessoftheadvancedavowedArminianismoftheNewSchoolTohiscreditHodgeopposedthereunionontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblybuttonoavail Upon the accomplishmentof the reunionhoweverHodgedisplayed seriousweakness re-

gardingthemergerNotonlydidhesubmittothedeadlydecisionwithoutprotestbuthealsosup-portedthedecisionandpromotedthefellowshipofthechurches The result of the reunionalthoughtheauthordoesnotnotethiswasthesteadyrapiddeclineof thePresbyterianChurch intosheer liberalism InevitablyArminianism leads to outrightunbelief or what is the samething theologicalmodernismIndeedArminianism inherentlyistheologicalmodernismIftheGodofHolyScriptureisnotthesovereignGodinthesalvationofsinnersHe is notGod And ifthegodpreached and taughtbyachurch isnotGodnothingoftheChristianreligionremainsasundoubtedtruth Bythetimeofthedeathintheearly1920sofBBWarfieldthelastinthesuccessionofconserva-tivePresbyteriantheologianswhofoundedandmaintainedPrince-tonSeminaryasasoundldquoschoolof the prophetsrdquo Princeton hadbecome asWarfield gloomilypronouncedonhisdeathbedtoJGreshamMachenldquodeadwoodrdquowhich it is impossible even tosplit Although he abandonedPrinceton and foundedWest-minsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia to be the spiritual

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1122

continuationof thePrincetonofAlexanderHodgeandWarfieldneither did JGreshamMachenappreciate the seriousness ofArminianism as gospel-deny-ing heresy In hisChristianity and LiberalismMachen judgedArminianism lightly asmerelya tolerable deviation from thegospelofReformedChristianityandthereforeapotentialallyinMachenrsquoswaragainstliberalismortheologicalmodernism Although the differencebe-tweenReformed theology andArminianism is according toMachen not an ldquounimportantmatterrdquoitisintheendmerelyldquodifferenceofopinionrdquo There-foreldquotrueevangelicalfellowshipis possible between thosewhoholdrdquo the Reformed faith andthosewhohold the theologyofArminianism (Christianity and LiberalismNewYorkMacmil-lan19245152) The weakness of HodgeMachen and the old PrincetonSeminarygenerallywithregardtoArminianismgoesfartoexplainWestminsterrsquospresent-dayardentdefenseofthetheoryoftheldquowell-meant gospel-offerrdquomdasha savinggrace of God for all humansdesiring the salvationofall andin this desiremaking salvationavailable to all but a grace de-pendent for its efficacy on the

sinnerrsquosacceptanceof theofferThedoctrineofauniversalsavinggrace ofGodwell-meaninglyofferedbyGodtoallalikeandthereforenecessarilydependentfor its saving effect upon thewill of the sinner himself isfundamentalArminiantheologyin starkest contrast to the Re-formed orCalvinistic doctrineof particular efficacious savinggrace efficaciously given (notmerely inefficaciously offered)totheelectaloneAccordingtotheldquowell-meantgospel-offerrdquothesavinggraceofGodiseminentlyresistiblemdashan explicit contra-dictionofoneoftheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquowhichevenlittlechildrenknowtobefundamentaltotheReformedfaith PresbyterianismrsquosweaknessregardingArminianismalsohelpsto explainWestminster Semi-naryrsquostoleranceofthecontempo-raryheresyoftheFederal(cove-nant)VisionasopenlytaughtatWestminster formanyyears byProfessorNormanShepherd Hodge himself taught thatGodestablishesHiscovenantof(saving) gracewith all baptizedinfantsofbelieversalikesothatallaresaveduntilabouttheageoftwelveAtthisageeachmust(inthelanguagenowoftheFed-eralVision) fulfill the conditionofbelieving Failure tobelieve

November 2015 123

BookReviews

results in the loss of salvationHodge taught that ldquochildren oftrue believers enjoyed the samegrace as their parentsuntil theycomeof age tomake their ownfaith decision (Hodge agreedwithmanyothersofhisdaythattheageofreligiousaccountabilitywastwelve)rdquo(285) InsuchacovenantdoctrinetheldquofivepointsofCalvinismrdquoarecompromisedInthesphereofthecovenantmdashamong the childrenof believersmdashelection does notgovernthegiftofsavinggraceorsalvationitselfthesavinggraceofGodinJesusChristissuccess-fully resisted bymany childrenat the age of twelve andmanysavedholychildrenofbelieversdonotpersevereintheirsalvationbutloseitandperisheverlasting-lyImpliedisthattheatonementofthecrossisuniversalwithre-gardtothephysicaloffspringofbelieversatonementforEsauaswellasforJacobatleasttotheageoftwelvealthoughunavail-ingregardingfinalsalvationinthecaseofmany AsforPrincetonTheologicalSeminary todayArminianismhavingwreaked its havoc uponthatseminarytheschoolistotallyandthoroughlyliberalthatisun-believingandungodlyNothingof theCalvinismofAlexanderMillerHodge andWarfield re-

mains NothingofChristianity is to be found there With thenamethatitlivesmdashtheseminaryofHodgeandWarfieldmdashitisinfactspirituallydeadThisistheincontrovertible judgment uponPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryonitsbicentennial(inAD2012)which publicists supposed thebiographyofHodgewouldhelptocelebrate It is worthy of note thatHodge opposed an ecumenicalvision and proposal thatweresimilartothoseofWRobertGod-freyafewyearsagoconcerningtheunionofReformedchurchesOnbehalfofldquoaFederalUnionofallEvangelical denominationsrdquoministers includingPresbyteri-ans inHodgersquos day envisionedldquothateachmemberoftheUnionmight be able to retain its owndistinctive character and spiri-tual institutionsbut inaUnitedNations-type fashionmemberswould also submit all questionsarisingfromconflictingintereststoasupremepanel representingtheUnionasawholerdquo(336337) RightlyHodgersquoscontrastingconception of ecumenicitywasthatPresbyterianchurchesuniteonthebasisofunqualifiedadher-encetotheWestminsterConfes-sionofFaiththatisonenessintheuncorruptedReformedfaithldquoTohavetrueunityPresbyterians

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1124

had to acknowledge the impor-tanceofacommonvisionwhenitcametocentralissuesofdoctrinerdquo(338) Yet another important con-troversy in which Hodge en-gagedwas that overDarwinianevolutionary theory HodgersquosdefenseoftheChristiandoctrineofcreationwaspatheticallyweakAttempting to bringGenesis 1into harmonywith the apparentfindingsofsciencethattheworldis billions of years oldHodgeproposed the ldquodayagerdquo theoryof interpretation of the openingchapter of theBible (here notetheopening sentenceof this re-view)anditsinspiredaccountofthe origin of theworld Everybiblical day inGenesis 1 is infactaccordingtoHodgeanageofmillionsorbillionsofyearsIntheendHodgeopenedldquothedoortotheadoptionoftheincreasinglypopular view of theistic evolu-tionrdquo(371)Theauthoriscorrectin observing that many haveldquowalkedthroughrdquothisdoorButthisdooropensupontheabyssofatheisticevolution A fundamental f law inHodgersquos apologetics or defenseofthefaithwashiscommitmenttoaphilosophyknownasScottishCommonSenseRealism Basi-callythisphilosophywastheideathatallhumanshaveaknowledge

of the truth ofGod and ofHisworksandalsotheabilityifnotthepredilectiontoaffirmthetruthwhen it is capably presented totheminargumentonbehalfoftheChristianreligionOnthefoun-dation of this agreement of theunbelievertocertainbasicsoftheChristianfaithasrevealedinna-turethedefenderofthefaithcanbuildinthesouloftheunbelievermoresubstantialelementsofthefaithandthusleadtheunbelievertoembracetheChristianreligioninitsfullness In defense of the truth ofthe Christian faith thereforeparticularly in controversywithunbelievers one should appealnottoScripturebuttotheunbe-lieverrsquosnaturalknowledgeofandabilitytoaffirmthetruthThisnatural knowledgeof and evensusceptibility to the truthwasproposed by ScottishCommonSenseRealismasGodrsquosldquonaturalrevelationrdquo Theauthorremarks

theinherenttensionsbetweenScottishCommonSenseReal-ismrsquosnotionofamoralsenseandCalvinismrsquos doctrine ofthe Holy SpirithellipScottishRealism put a tremendousemphasisonhumanityrsquosmor-al intuition and its ability todetectandbemovedbytruthCalvinismwithitsdoctrineof

November 2015 125

BookReviews

total depravity held amuchlower viewof humanmoralability In its eyes humanshad no hope of detectingtruthunlessfirsttouchedandregeneratedbytheworkoftheHolySpirit

Gutjahr then observes thatldquoinhisownwritingsHodgevacil-latedbetweenthesetwopositionsdependingonthesettingandthepurposeofhisworkrdquo(203) The effect of this denial oftotaldepravitybysuchadvocatesandpractitionersofScottishCom-monSenseRealism asCharlesHodgewasareadinesstoaccom-modatethetruthtotheunbiblicaljudgmentoftheunbelieverSix-day creation forHodge couldbe andwas accommodated toDarwinianevolutionbytheldquodayagerdquotheory Creationcouldbeandwasaccommodatedtoevo-lutionarytheorybythetheoryoftheisticevolution Theeffectinshortwascom-promisecompromisethatisfataltobasicdoctrinesoftheChristianreligion One does not defend thefaithagainstpagansandhereticsbyappealtoorargumentonthebasis of the unbelieverrsquos sup-posedknowledgeofandabilitytoagreewithanaturalrevelationofGodcommontobelieverandunbeliever alike One contends

forthetruthoftheChristianreli-gionanddefendsitonthebasisoftheinspiredtestimonyofHolyScripturewhichonlythebelieverknowsandsubmitstoandagainstwhich the unbeliever is and isrecognized as being opposedbecauseoftheperverserebellionofhisdepravednature EventheldquocommonsenserdquooftheunbelieveristotallycorruptedbysinItaffordsnostartingpointfordevelopmentuntofaithItisnottheagreed-uponbasisofdoc-trinalcontroversyItisnojudgeofthebiblicalwitnesstothetruthItdoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheldquodayrdquoofoneeveningandonemorninginGenesis1intoanldquoagerdquoofmillionsofeveningsandmornings Ifhisldquocommonsenserdquocouldincline the unbeliever towardanybiblicaltruthatallthattruthwouldbethatthisorderedmar-velousworldof theheaven andtheearthincludingespeciallythehumancreaturewithhisamazingphysical andmental intricaciesandpowersisnottheaccidentaleffect of the blindworkings ofevolutionary processes but isthe handiwork of the all-wiseomnipotentCreator-GodldquoCom-mon senserdquo does not indeedcannotperceivethisatleastnotinsuchawayastoacknowledgethisbecauseldquocommonsenserdquois

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1126

senselessbyvirtueofthecorrupt-ingpowerof sinunder the justjudgmentofGod Withregardtoitserroneousdoctrinal nature its mistakenapologeticalpurposeanditsdel-eteriouspracticaleffectsScottishCommon SenseRealism bearsan uncanny resemblance to thepopulartheoryofcommongracein Reformed and Presbyterianchurches todayAlthough theywillnotpresent-dayproponentsandbelievers of commongraceoughttostudyHodgersquosScottishCommonSenseRealismand itseffects upon the PresbyterianChurchverycarefully Hodgersquos debate with theoutstanding southerner JamesHenleyThornwellonthepropergovernment of the church andon the relation of politics andreligionagainstthebackgroundoftheloomingwarbetweenthestatesin1860wasamonumentaleventForeightdaysthesetwotheologicaltitansdebatedonthefloor of theGeneralAssemblyTheauthordescribes thedebateasldquooneof thegreatest confron-tations to occur in theGeneralAssemblysincethesplit[ofOldSchoolandNewSchool]of1837rdquo(288) On the issueof the govern-ment of the churchThornwellwas certainly right andHodge

wasseriouslywrongThornwellcontendedthatldquoGodhadindeedsetdowntheformofthechurchand scripturemade it clear thatformwas Presbyterianrdquo (288)EventhoughThornwellrsquosapplica-tionthatthebiblicalformofthechurchprohibitedldquoboardsofgov-ernancerdquowasmistaken if suchboardsorcommitteesarestrictlyand truly subservient to the au-thorityoftheGeneralAssemblyorSynodhiswarningthatsuchbodies pose ldquoa great threat toPresbyterian purity and autono-myrdquooughttobetakenseriouslyby allReformedchurches at alltimes(288)WithreasonalaterReformed theologianonpurelypractical grounds exclaimedldquokilltheboardsrdquo Onewouldgladlyhavetrav-eledhundredsofmilesonhorse-back and paid a substantialentrance fee to havewitnessedthe debate betweenHodge andThornwell CharlesHodgewasatheolo-gianmdashatheologianrsquostheologianHewasalsoamanAfteranine-year romance extended so thatHodgecouldcompletehis theo-logicaleducationHodgemarriedthebeautifulSarahBachein1822whenHodgewas twenty fiveCharlesandSarahhadeightchil-drenTohischildrenHodgewasanexemplaryChristianfatherthe

November 2015 127

fruitofwhichundertheblessingofGodwasthegodlinessofhismanychildrenandgrandchildren No doubt his deep love ofhis own children strengthenedHodgersquoscovenantconvictionthatthechildrenofbelieversoughttobetaughtinChristiandayschoolsAlreadyintheearly1800sHodgesaw that the nationrsquos ldquocommon[public]schoolsystemisrapidlyassumingnotamerenegativebuta positively anti-Christian char-acterrdquo (224) Hodgeurged thatPresbyterianChristianschoolsbeldquodevelopedalongsideeveryPres-byterian church in the countryrdquo(224)Withregardtothiscauseand callingHodgewas disap-pointed To thisday regardlessthatthestateschoolsaggressive-ly show themselves ldquothe greatgatesofhellrdquoevenconservativePresbyterians are generally der-elict in the calling of believingparents to rear their children ingoodChristian schools TheirdistinctivelyReformedbrothersandsisterswhoserootsareintheDutchReformedcovenanttheol-ogyofAbrahamKuyperHermanBavinckandothersputthemto

shame and show them the rightwayofthecovenant Achildofhis timesHodgeowned a couple of slaves formuchofhis life Herefused toallyhimselfwiththeradicalabo-litionistsoftheNorthwhowereenthusiasticforacivilwar Charles Hodge is an infor-mativebiographyof an import-ant Presbyterian theologian Itis alsoahistoryof a significantPresbyterianChurch especiallyitsseminaryandofacrucialtimeofPresbyterianisminAmericaAfascinatingbonusissixteenpagesofthepicturesofpersonsmainlytheologianswhofiguredsignifi-cantlyinHodgersquoslifeandminis-tryEachpictureisidentifiedbyabriefbiographical sketch Aninstance

CharlesFinney (1792-1875)wasoneof themost famousrevivalist preachers of hisdayHelaterbecameafacultymember atOberlinCollegein Ohio Hodge stronglydisagreedwithhismechanistapproach to revivalism andArminian-inflected theologi-calstancesl

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1128

Christian Reconstruction R J Rushdoony and American Religious ConservatismbyMichaelJMcVicarChapelHillUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress2015Ppxiii+309$3495(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

lecture Rushdoony raised thevital if not burning questionwhatthecallingoftheReformedChristianwasinviewoftheomi-nousdevelopmentsinoursociety Not yet having readmuchofRushdoonyandbeingacom-mittedamillennialistas theRe-formedcreedsrequireIanticipat-edastirringcalltoprepareforthecomingpersecutionofthechurchby grounding ourselves on theWordofGodandbyalivelyhopefor thesecondcomingofChristandthegloriousinheritanceofthenewworldinwhichrighteousnessshalldwell How jarringwasRushdoo-nyrsquos answer to his questionldquoSave your gold and silverStockpileweaponsrdquoHisthink-ing as everyone familiarwithChristianReconstructionknowsand as this book confirmswasthat gold silver and gunswillenabletheirpossessorstosurvivethe coming collapse ofWesterncivilizationandtoemergecapableofexercisingearthlypowersoasto establish postmillennialismrsquoscarnal kingdom in this presentworldupontheruinsofourpres-entgodlesssociety

OnbehalfoffulldisclosureIacknowledgethatthisbookaboutChristian Reconstruction andRousasJRushdoonyisofspecialinteresttome Myfirstpersonalencounterwith Rousas Rushdoony wasinfluential if not decisive inturningmeagainst themanhistheologyandhismovementAsayoungpastorinLovelandCol-oradojustbeginninghisministrywithanumberofsmallchildrenandwithoutanextradimetohisfinancialaccountmuchlessgoldbullionandsilvercoinsoreventheremotestprospectoftheminthemiddleorlate1960sIattendedapubliclecturebyRushdoonyinnearbyFtCollinsThetopicofthespeechwasthepresentstateoftheworldparticularlythesocietyofNorthAmericaandthecallingoftheChristianchurchinlightofthiswretchedstate Rushdoony painted a darkpicture of theworld At handhe prophesiedwere hard timesforthechurchandhermembersToallofthisaReformedamil-lennialist such asmyself couldand did respondwith a heartyldquoAmenrdquoTowardstheendofthe

November 2015 129

BookReviews

ThenandthereRousasRush-doonyexposedhimselftomeasafalseprophetThenandthereI rejected the kingdom that heandhisChristianReconstructionmovementwerepromotingThenandthereChristianReconstruc-tionbecameasobnoxioustomeasthedelusionsofdispensationalpremillennialism Whoeverpreaches thecom-ingofthekingdomofheavenbythe quite unheavenlymeans ofgold silver andguns is a falseprophet The book echoes thatspeech by Rushdoony Rush-doonywarnedofthecollapseofcivilizationldquoriotsmasskillingsgovernment-sponsored torturefoodshortagesrdquoandmore HispurportedlyChristian advice tohisChristianaudience ldquoRush-doony advised readers to buysilverandgoldcarefullyselectedparcelsoflandcapableofsupport-ingcropsandlivestockandothergoodswithinherentvaluesuchasgunsalcoholandtobaccordquo(104105) Later as editorof theStan-dard Bearer I had exchangeswithRushdoonyrsquos disciples andcolleaguesoverthenatureofthekingdomwhether the postmil-lennial dreamof earthly peaceprosperityandpowerofChristianReconstructionortheamillennialrealityofthespiritualkingdomof

Scripture and creedalReformedChristianity One of thosewithwhom IcrossedswordswasRushdoonyrsquosson-in-law Gary North Thelast Iheardof thisboldwarrioronbehalfofpostmillennialismrsquoscarnalkingdomhewashunkereddown in some remote southernhideaway towhich he hadfledinfearofthecollapseofWesterncivilizationattheterrifyingthreatofY2KIfthereaderasksldquoWhatin theworldwas this terrifyingY2Krdquotheanswerisldquonothingrdquo Icametothisbookthereforebothwith lively interest and adefinitely formed judgment ofRushdoonyandChristianRecon-struction Nothinginthebookchangesorsoftensthejudgment EverythinginthebookwhichisnotanattackonChristianRe-constructionbutanattempttobeas objective an examination aspossible confirms and hardensthejudgment Thebookisawell-researchedexaminationofthemovementthatcallsitselfldquoChristianReconstruc-tionrdquo Thismovement intendsto reconstruct the cultureof theentire world beginning withtheUnitedStates asChristianldquoChristian Reconstructionismcalledforcapturingentiresocialandcultural systemsforChristrdquo

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1130

(181)Thepowertoaccomplishthis ambitiousmdashldquohopefulrdquo theChristianReconstructionistwouldsaymdashgoalistheimpositionuponthewayoflifefirstoftheUnitedStatesandthenoftheworldofthelawofGodThisreconstructinglawofGod forRushdoony andhisdisciplesisbynomeansonlythetencommandmentsItisalsotheentirebodyofOldTestamentlaws including those that theReformedfaithconsiderstohavesobeenfulfilledbyJesusChristasnolongertobebindinguponNewTestamentChristiansmdashthoseclassifiedascivilandceremonialindistinctionfromthemorallawldquoWebelievethattheceremoniesandfiguresof the lawceasedatthecomingofChristandthatallthe shadows are accomplishedso that theuseof themmustbeabolishedamongstChristianshelliprdquo(BelgicConfessionArt25) Thefundamentalerrorofthemovement however is not itsresuscitating and re-impositionofOldTestamentlawsthathavebeen fulfilledbyChrist ldquoso thattheuseofthemmustbeabolishedamongstChristiansrdquogrievousanerrorasthisisThefundamentalerrorsofChristianReconstructionare three So fundamental arethey that they exposeChristianReconstructionasun-Reformedheretical andschismatic First

thepowerofdestroyingtheking-domofSatanthatnowdominatesearthly life particularly in theWest and of establishing andpromotingthekingdomofChristisnotthelawnoteventhemorallawofGodbutthegospel Onepracticalimplicationofthis truth is thatRousasRush-doony erred greatly when heabandonedhisofficeofpreacherof thegospel tobecometeacheroflectureruponandproponentofthelawOnlythepreachingofthegospelofthegraceofGodinthecrossandresurrectionofJesusChrist destroys the foundationsof thekingdomofdarknessandestablishesandadvancestheking-domoflightWieldingthelawashisweaponagainstthekingdomofSatanRushdoonymadehim-self impotentwith regard to thecomingofthekingdomofChrist ThesecondfundamentalerrorofChristianReconstructionisitspostmillennialismChristianRe-constructionoperatesonthebeliefthatGodpurposestoperfectthekingdomofChristnotatChristrsquoscomingbutduringafuturemil-lenniumof earthlyhistorypriorto the secondcomingofChristChristianReconstructionispost-millennialthroughandthroughOne implication of this grosseschatologicalerroristhatonthethroneofpowerandgloryduring

November 2015 131

BookReviews

Andthirdinclosestconnectionwith its error of postmillennial-ism Christian ReconstructionconceivesthekingdomofChristasmaterial and earthly that iscarnal In truth the kingdomof Christ is spiritual As theHeidelbergCatechismteachesinQ 123 the kingdomofGod inChristJesusthatcomesthrough-outhistoryespeciallythehistoryofthenewdispensationandthatwill be perfected at the comingofChrist isChristrsquos rulebyHiswordandSpiritItisnotChristianReconstructionrsquos rule by policeandgunsTheeffectofChristrsquosrule byHisword and Spirit inhistory isnot that thecultureofearthly nations is reconstructedphysicallybutthatelectbelieverssubmittoGodTheirldquoculturerdquoorwayoflifeinawickedworldis radically changed spirituallyTheir lives are governedby thelaw of the ten commandmentsasalsobytheabidingldquotruthandsubstancerdquooftheOldTestamentlawsthathavebeensofulfilledinJesusChristthattheuseofthemisabolishedamongChristians(seeBelgicConfessionArt25) Itbelongstothetruthofthespirituality of the kingdom ofGod that thiskingdomdoesnotdisplace or evendisparage thechurchmdashthechurchinstitutemdashasistheimpressionleftbothbythe

thetimeof thegrandestrealiza-tionofthekingdomofGodwillbenotJesusChristbutRousasJRushdoony or dependingonthesuccessoftherevolutionthatissuretofollowthecoronationofKingRushGaryNorthorGaryDeMarorJamesJordanoroneof the other leading ChristianReconstructionists IwriteldquotherevolutionthatissuretofollowrdquoforgoodreasonAsthehistoryofthemovementofChristianReconstructiondemon-strates specifically thewarfarebetweentheVallecitoCAandtheTylerTXcampsandtheself-de-vouring and self-destructive de-bacleoftheTylerTXgroup(allofwhich the book exposes) ifChristianReconstruction comestopowerinafuturemillenniumtheinternalstrifeofthatkingdomwillmake theWarof theRosesinGreatBritaintheFrenchRev-olutionandtheCivilWaroftheUnitedStates look like SundaySchoolpicnicsLawandlustforpowermakeforaheadybrewofrevolution If postmillennialismmdashthesecondmain error ofChristianReconstructionmdashis falsemdashaldquoJewishdreamrdquoasIoncepublic-lydescribedittotherageoftheproponents ofChristianRecon-structionandasitismdashChristianReconstructionistherebyrefuted

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1132

life and teachingofR JRush-doony(Iincludethelifeofthemanbecauseforyearshehimselfshowedlittleornointerestinorfaithfulnesstothechurch)Onthecontrary the kingdomofChristtakesformintheeraoftheNewTestamentas the true instituted churchThechurchistheking-dom as is the official doctrineof theReformedchurches inQ123oftheHeidelbergCatechismand inArticle 27 of theBelgicConfession The latter teachesthat ldquoChrist is an eternalKingrdquooftheldquochurchrdquoTodismissthechurch as thegloriouskingdomofGodinNewTestamenthistoryin favor of the ldquoJewish dreamrdquoof the carnal culture of aworldofnationsdominatedbymainlyOldTestamentlawisasradicalanattackonthegenuinekingdomofGodasisimaginable Nordoesthefullperfectionofthekingdomtakeplaceinamil-lenniumofearthlyhistorypriortothecomingofChristRatherthekingdomwillbeperfectedwhenGodisldquoallinallrdquothatisatthesecond coming of JesusChrist(Q123oftheHeidCatICor1524-28) Nevertheless the influenceofChristianReconstructionuponmany reputedly conservativeevangelicalChristiansanduponmany conservativemovements

andorganizations in theUnitedStates has been considerableIncluded are the home-schoolmovement JohnWayneWhite-headandhisRutherfordInstituteDavidCGibbsandhismovementofoppositionby legalmeans tocompulsoryeducationinthestateschoolsFrankySchaefferandhisefforts toChristianizeAmericancultureandmanymoreSomeofthesemenandmovementswerereluctant to acknowledge theirindebtedness toRushdoony andhismovement ofChristianRe-constructionThisdidnotendearthemtoRushdoony Appropriately if not neces-sarily this study of themove-mentofChristianReconstructioncenters on the life andwork ofRousasRushdoony The bookapproximatesabiographyoftheinfluentialfounderof themove-ment As it outlines the life ofRushdoonythebookshedslightalso on a number of hismostnotable disciples and co-work-ers includingGaryNorthGregBahnsenDavidChilton JamesBJordanRaySuttonGaryDeMarandothersThelightisbynomeansalwaysflattering Although informative andsignificant the accounts of thedissensionsandsplitsinChristianReconstructionranksaresordidFirsttherewastheangrydivision

November 2015 133

BookReviews

betweenthatpartofthekingdomwhose base of operationswasVallecito CA with patriarchRushdoonyastheleadingfigureand the break-away faction inTylerTX includingNorthJor-danChiltonSuttonandothersThehostilitiesbetweenthesetwogroupswerefierce Then therewas the self-de-structionoftheTylerTXfactionYears ago there came intomyhands a tape onwhichDavidChiltonparticipantintheactionfrankly exposed the ungodlygoings-on inTyler TX as theprinces of theChristianRecon-structionmovementwentabouttoestablishandexpandtheirearth-ly kingdomofGod Althoughhe is not as detailedMcVicarsubstantiatesChiltonrsquos chillingaccount (182ff) TheChristianReconstructionleaderscouldnotreconstructtheirownsmallking-dominandaroundthechurchinTyler WithadisgracefulabuseofthekeyofChristiandisciplinethesepower-hungrymenfelluponeach other deconstructing anddestroying Thisinternecinewarfarewasnot a judgment only upon themen themselves all of whomasself-proclaimedlordsof theirkingdom aspired to the highestseat in their earthly kingdomButitwasalsodivinejudgment

upontheirmovementatitsveryfoundation Law exercised asthepower tobuild thekingdomofGoddividesandscattersonlythe gospel of grace builds thekingdomofGod and unites itscitizensincludingitsprinces OneironyloomslargebothinthelifeofRushdoonyandintheChristianReconstructionmove-mentmorebroadly Theauthorof the book notes the fact butnottheironyofthefactFunda-mentaltothesocialandculturalphilosophyofRousasRushdoonyostensibly his theology is theimportanceofthefamilyFamilyis the fundamental agent of thedominion thatChristianRecon-structionintendstoexerciseoveralltheworldldquoTherelationshipbetweenbiblical lawdominionand the family ledRushdoonytoanimportantconclusion thefamilyisthelsquomostpowerfulinsti-tutioninsocietyrsquohellipBiblicallawhellipestablishesthefamilyasthepro-ductiveinstitutionresponsibleforusheringinthefutureKingdomofGodrdquo(134)Rushdoonyldquoworkedto convince Christiansmdashespe-ciallytheologicallyconservativefundamentalist and evangelicalProtestantsmdashthattheyneededtorethink their political activismandrefocusitoncreatingaproperChristianfamilyrdquo(93) ButRushdoonyhimselfwas

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1134

a divorced and remarriedmanHeremarriedawomanwhowasherselfdivorcedwithalivingfirsthusband (44 57) Divorcewasprominent and accepted amongthe leadership ofChristianRe-constructionNotonlydidnoneof the leaders condemnRush-doonyrsquosremarriageafterdivorcebutalsoothersinorcloselyasso-ciatedwith themovementweredivorcedGregBahnsenwidelyregardedastheleadingtheologianofthemovementwasdivorcedDougPhillipswhowithhisVi-sionForumministrywascloselyalliedwithChristianReconstruc-tionwas exposed as unfaithfultohiswife ldquoPhillipsmdashhusbandofBeallPhillips fatherofeightchildrenandsonofRushdoonyrsquosclose friend and political confi-danteHowardPhillipsmdashranthepopularpatriarchalministryuntilthefallof2013whenhepubliclyacknowledged an inappropriaterelationshipwithawomanotherthanhiswiferdquo(223) The Rev Ray Sutton oneof themost glittering satellitesrevolving aboutRushdoony atleastforawhileandpastorofthechurchoftheTylerTXfactionofChristianReconstructionwrotewhathasthedubiousdistinctionofbeingthemostlawlessbookonmarriagedivorceandremarriageeverwritten under the auspices

of Christianity in all the longhistoryofdespicablenominallyChristianconcessiontotheadul-terous lusts of the unregenerateheart or of the oldman of aChristian The book isSecond Chance Biblical Principles of Divorce and Remarriage The titlepageofthislicentiousworkaccurately gives as the bookrsquossub-titleBiblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage (formyexposeof thebook seemyMarriage the Mystery of Christ and the Church3rded224-228)For Christian ReconstructionChristianmarriageisaldquochancerdquolike the lottery If theldquochancerdquoproves disappointing and theoddsIsupposeare5050Suttonoffers ldquoblueprintsrdquo for divorceand remarriage Not blueprintsformarriageButfordivorce and remarriageBlueprints No Christian Reconstruc-tionist has repudiated Suttonrsquosenthusiastic promotion of sheerantinomismwith regard to theseventhcommandmentandwithregardtothefamily Surely Christian Recon-struction recognizes the impor-tanceofmarriageforfamilyandthereforeaccordingtoChristianReconstruction for the recon-structionofsocietybymeansoffamily How its aggressive assault

November 2015 135135

BookReviews

Galatians A Mentor Commentary byDavidBMcWilliamsRoss-shireGreatBritain ChristianFocusPublications2009Pp240$2499(hardcover)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Presbyterianpastorandtheo-logianDavidBMcWilliamshelps the Reformed preacherwith a sound incisive concisecommentary on a book of theBible that is both fundamentalto the Protestant understandingofthegospelofgraceandatthecenter of theological debate inourdaymdashasithasbeensincethesixteenth-centuryReformation AstheNewTestamentbookthat proclaims and defends thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithGalatians has always been andis still todaywith the book ofRomansoutstandingasthereve-lationofGodrsquosgracioussalvationofguiltysinners As the content of the bookwascrucialintheReformationrsquoscontroversywith Rome in thesixteenth century so is it againtodayintheconflictofProtestantandReformedorthodoxywiththetheologyoftheNewPerspectiveonPaulandoftheFederalVision Inviewoftheimportanceofthemessageof thebook and in

view of the determined attackson thatmessage in every ageMcWilliams justifies his com-mentarywithanaptquotationofLuther himself the author of amagnificent commentaryon thebook ldquothis doctrine can neverbediscussedandtaughtenoughrdquo(11) Theworthofacommentaryconsistsof itsspiritualanddoc-trinal insight into the text itssoundnessanditsapplicationoftheWordofGod inaparticularbooktothelifeandcallingofbothchurchandbelieverOnalltheseaccountsMcWilliamsrsquoGalatians isaworthycommentary Whatmakesthiscommentaryofexceptionalworthtoboththepreacher forhis sermonson thebookandthelaymanreadingforedification is the bookrsquos conci-sionThecommentaryisonly223pagesofexplanationThecom-mentator strikes to the heart oftheverseorpassageanddisclosesthat heart in a fewwell-chosenwords

onmarriage inboth theoryandpractice serves to promote thefamily which is fundamental

to itsworld-changingmissionChristianReconstructionhasyettoexplain l

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1136

Themethod of the authorthroughouttheexpositionofGa-latiansalsolendsitselftotheuseof the commentary by both thepreacherandthelaymanThereisfirstMcWilliamsrsquoownfreshcleartranslationofthetextorpas-sageAsuccinctsummaryoftheteachingofthetextorpassagefollows Then comes themoredetailedldquocommentrdquoonthetextorpassage The flow of the expositionis not disturbed by numerouscontroversial interactionswithothercommentatorsQuotationsare usually for the purpose ofright explanationof the text byanother clarification or supportofMcWilliamsrsquoexplanationofacontroversial passage or rejec-tionofanexplanationthreateningthetruthofthepassage Mostquotationsarerelegatedtofootnotes The soundness of the com-mentarymay be illustrated byMcWilliamsrsquo comment on thecrucialthirdchapterofthebookspecificallyverses15-25 ldquoThelaw cannot provide righteous-nessthelawshowstheneedforrighteousnessrdquo (122) ldquohelliptheunconditional character of thepromiserdquo(125) Indicatingdoctrinal insighttheologicalsoundnessandprac-tical power is the comment on

the apostlersquos ldquoAbba Fatherrdquo inGalatians46ldquohellipInthiscontextinwhich redemption from sinandthelawisthethemethatcrycanbenothing less thanoneofexultant joy God isnotdistantor remote but theSpirit of thelivingLordindwellsusandexultsinGodrsquosredemptionrdquo(157158) Often the phrasing of boththefreshtranslationandthecom-mentary is vigorous andmem-orable ExplainingPaulrsquossharpwordsinGalatians512thathewilledthatthehereticstroublingtheGalatianChristianswereldquocutoffrdquoMcWilliamswrites ldquoHe[Paul]issoconcernedoverthosewhoagitatetheGalatiansthathewishestheknife[ofcircumcision]wouldsliprdquo(185)McWilliamsrsquotranslationofthetextisldquoIwishthoseagitatingyouwouldemas-culatethemselvesrdquo(183) My one criticism is thatMcWilliams does not bring theFederalVisionanditsadvocatesunderthehammerofhisandtheapostlersquos condemnation ThebookofGalatiansisapolemicalbook demanding polemics ofpreacherbelieverandespeciallycommentatorMcWilliamsdoesnot avoid polemics includingcontroversy with certain con-temporaryformsoftheGalatianheresy Denying that themainmessageofGalatians isecclesi-

November 2015 137

asticalandinsistingthatthebookis soteriologicalMcWilliamsnamesandexposesNTWright(7778) ButthereisnotawordabouttheFederalVisionacontempo-rary heresy asmuch a threat tothegospelofjustificationbyfaithaloneasistheteachingofNTWrightAndthisheresybedevilsthe conservative Presbyterianchurches inwhichMcWilliamsisaministerandamongwhichhemovesmdashthePCAandtheOPC Increasing the unease overthis omission isMcWilliamsrsquofrequent and always favorablecitationofDrRichardBGaffinGaffinistheimpenitentdefenderand supporter of arch-FederalVisionhereticNormanShepherdInadditionGaffinhaswrittenthatRomans213acriticallyimport-anttextintheattackbytheFeder-alVisionupontheProtestantandReformedgospelofjustificationby faith alone likely teachesjustificationby thedoingof the

lawmdashblatantcontradictionofthegospelofGalatiansAndGaffinhas proposed anddefended thishereticalinterpretationofRomans213intheverybookfromwhichMcWilliams extracts favorablecitationsofGaffinBy Faith Not by Sight(188) If the theology ofNormanShepherd the FederalVisionandRichardBGaffinisrightmdashorthodoxmdashthetheologyofDavidMcWilliamsrsquocommentaryandoftheapostlePaul inGalatians iswrongmdashheterodox In truth the apostlersquos sharpcondemnation of the hereticstroubling theGalatian churchesapplies to Norman ShepherdalltheproponentsoftheFederalVision andRichardBGaffinwho are troubling the churchesofJesusChristinthe21stcenturyandaswasthecasewiththeGa-latianhereticswithsomesuccessldquoIwouldtheywereevencutoffwhichtroubleyourdquol

BookReviews

Faithful Witness A Sesquicentennial History of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church Holland Michigan 1865-2015 RobertPSwierenga(HollandMIVanRaaltePress2015)Ppxx+526$2000(paper)[ReviewedbyDavidEngelsma]

Ordinarilya500-pagebookcelebratingthe150thanniversaryofaparticularcongregationisof

littleinteresttoanyoneexceptamemberof the congregation orofthedenominationtowhichthe

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1138

congregationbelongsevenifthecongregationisReformed Faithful WitnessmaybetheexceptionThisisthecasefortworeasons One is the author thenoted prolific giftedReformedchurchhistorianRobertPSwie-rengaSwierengahaswrittenoth-er interesting instructive booksof thedoingsanddevelopmentsofDutchReformedchurchesandchurchmembers including thefascinatingDutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Eerdmans2002) RegardingDutch ChicagoperhapsonlyaDutchmanappre-ciatesthetypicalDutchhumorinthisexchangebetweentwoDutchscavengers in theChicagoarealdquo`Howrsquos businessrsquoDirk askedSiert lsquoPicking uprsquo replied theproverbialChicago scavengerrdquo(576)ButsurelyothersbesidesDutchwhohavelivedforyearsinthevicinityofChicagothrilltothevictory of the toughDutchgar-bagemenoverthemobwhotriedunsuccessfully to take over theChicago garbage business fromtheHollandersbythreatsandvi-olenceAsSwierengaconcludeshis account of the garbagewarldquoTheChicagomobhadmettheirmatchintheDutchgarbagemenDavidhadslainGoliathrdquo(618) AndsurelyothersbesidestheProtestantReformed readerwill

despise theworldly cowardlybetrayalbyaprominentChristianReformedministerof theDutchReformed garbagemen in theirstruggle against theTeamstersUnion everybit asgodless andviolent as themob when theTeamstersUnionwasattemptingtotakeoverthegarbagebusinessinChicago In themidst of acampaignof intimidationof theDutch Reformed garbagemenwhowereresistingtheunionongroundsof principle aswell asof practice theRev JohnVanLonkhuyzen pastor of aChica-goChristianReformedChurchproclaimed the righteousnessif not the spiritual necessity oflaborunionmembershipthatissurrendering to theTeamstersThusVanLonkhuyzen and hiscommongracealliescutthelegsoftheChristianopponentsoftheunionoutfromunderthem Swierenga notes that thisChristianReformedministerwasanardentdiscipleoftheAbrahamKuyperofcommongraceandthathisdefenseofunionmembershipwassupposedlyanimplementingofKuyperrsquos theorywithaviewto the ldquoChristianizingrdquo of thethoroughlyworldlyTeamstersUnion In factVan Lonkhu-yzenrsquosbetrayaloftheReformedChristian life into the clutchesof the godlessTeamstersUnion

November 2015 139

was a concrete instance of thegeneraltruththatcommongracehasneverldquoChristianizedrdquoisnotnowldquoChristianizingrdquoandneverwill ldquoChristianizerdquo theworldRather common grace alwaysandnecessarilymakesthechurchworldly This conflictwith the laborunionwas raging in the early1900sandlikelyinfluencedHer-manHoeksema who lived inChicago during these years asalivelymemberoftheChristianReformedChurchinthatcitytocondemntheunionsandtoteachthatmembershipintheunionsisincompatiblewiththeReformedChristian life This stand theProtestant ReformedChurchesmaintaintothisdayfightingthegood fightwithout craven sur-renderwilling tosuffer ifneedbeinthewarfareofthekingdomofChristagainstthekingdomofSatan Faithful Witness makesknownthatdespitetheweaknessofVanLonkhuyzenandhismin-isterialilkCentralAveChristianReformedChurchwasopposingmembership in labor unions aslateas the1940s Thestandofthe churchwas that ldquoChristiansshouldnotbelsquounequallyyokedrsquotounbelieversrdquo(170) Theacceptanceoflaborunionmembershipafterthe1940swas

a symptom and instance of thegradualdepartureof theCentralAvechurchfromitsoriginalor-thodoxywithorthodoxyrsquosatten-dantgodlinessoflifeaslippagethatisalsoevidentinotherdevel-opmentsthatthebookrecordsAchangethatindicatesthechurchrsquosweakeningwasthedecisionintheearly1980s tomovefromclosecommuniontoopencommunion And this already leads intothe second reasonwhyFaithful WitnessisofinteresttoReformedChristianswhoarenotmembersofCentralAveoroftheChristianReformed denomination thehistory itself of the congrega-tionbeginninginthenewworldalreadyaboutthetimeoftheendoftheCivilWar CentralAve ChristianRe-formed Church was the firstChristianReformed congrega-tioninHollandMichigan Thechurchwasfoundedin1865Atits largest in1910 ithadsome1800membersItisthemotherchurchofmany if notmost oftheChristianReformedchurchesintheHollandareaAvisitortoHollandperhapsatTulipTimecannotmisstheimpressivechurchbuildingin theheartof thecityfacingCentennialPark Theorigin of the congrega-tionwastheseparationofseveralDutchimmigrantchurchesfrom

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1140

theReformedChurchinAmerica(RCA)in1857toformtheTrueHollandReformedChurchnowtheChristianReformedChurchTheCentralAve congregationitselfwasorganizedin1865byagatheringoffourteenmen Theoriginal members of the con-gregationcamemainlywhetherphysicallyorspirituallyorbothfromthenorthoftheNetherlandswherewhatSwierengacalls theldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockandVanVelzenwasthenormThisldquostern orthodoxyrdquo continued inthecongregationformanyyearsandmanifesteditselfrepeatedlyinrecenttimesinthecontroversyofthechurchsuchasitwaswiththeapostatizingChristianReformeddenominationofwhichthecon-gregationisamemberchurch The ldquosternrdquo gloriousortho-doxy ofDeCockVanVelzenandtheSecessionof1834gener-allycametoexpressionwithinayearofCentralAversquosorganiza-tionEldersofthecongregationbroughtobjectiontoameetingofclassisin1866againstavisitingministerrsquos assertion thatGod isglorified only inChrist that isonlyinthesalvationofthechurchbyChristandnotintheldquodestruc-tion of the ungodlyrdquo CentralAversquos elders affirmed thatGodisglorifiedalsointhedamnationofthewickedClassisupheldthe

objectionoftheeldersofCentralAve Throughtheyearstoalmostthe present day theCouncil ofCentralAve has raised objec-tion formally and informallytofalsedoctrinesandunbiblicalpractices appearing in and tol-erated if not approved by theChristianReformedChurchTheCouncilsent lettersofobjectionto variousChristianReformedandCalvinCollege authoritiesagainsttheteachingofevolutionthe denial of the historicity ofGenesis1-11HowardVanTilrsquoshereticalbookThe Fourth DaywomeninchurchofficechildrenpartakingofthesacramentoftheSupperthereducingofQ80oftheHeidelbergCatechism to anunauthoritative footnote in theinterests of brotherly relationswiththeRomanCatholicChurchandmore WhatCentralAveChristianReformedChurchhasnotdonehowever isofficiallyandforce-fullyprotestthesefalseteachingsand evil practices to synod andsupport much less effect orevenencourageseparationfromadenominationincreasinglylos-ingthemarksofatruechurchofChristanddisplaying themarksofthefalsechurch Swierenga notes theweak-ness of one such protest that

November 2015 141

of theminister ofCentralAvein 1988 against ldquothe teachingsof [Howard]VanTil and twocolleagues for advocating evo-lutionrdquoldquoThistoothlessoverturewas the classicway for churchbodies to deflect hot issues foryears and let emotions coolrdquo(295) This failure indeed refus-al to protest vigorously and tocarry through on the protest byseparating fromadenominationshowing themarks of the falsechurchoughttobetheoccasionofaseriouscalltothechurchtorememberitsrootsmdashitsoriginsmdashinseparationin1834andagainin1857forthesakeofGodandHistruthfromdenominationsguiltyof the very same apostasy thatnow characterizes theChristianReformedChurch What a sorry and forebod-ingstateofaffairs thatbeforeacongregation can proceedwithcalling a ministerwithin its own fellowship a committee oftheconsistorymustobtain frompossible candidates their viewsonwomeninofficeabortionthehistoricityoftheBibleespeciallycreationthefallandAdamandEveandthepastorrsquosroleinfam-ilyvisiting(279) For all its commendableconcern for the truth CentralAve apparently is ignorant of

the reality thatmembership inan apostatizing denominationrenders every congregation andeverymember responsible forthe denominationrsquos transgres-sionsTheresultwillbethatintime every congregationmustalso suffer the judgment that aholyGodinflictsonadepartingdenomination This judgmentincludesGodrsquosgivingtheentiredenominationovertoheresyandungodlinessoflifeCentralAversquosfuture generations the childrenand grandchildren of the adultmembershipofthecongregationwillhavenoheartfortheldquosternorthodoxyrdquoofDeCockVanVel-zenandthefoundingfathersandmothersofCentralAveChristianReformedChurch Of particular interest to theProtestant Reformed reader isSwierengarsquosobservation that theRevGeert (Gerrit)HoeksemapastoroftheCentralAveChurchfrom 1879-1881 was accusedofpreachingldquouniversal redemp-tionrdquoAlthoughclassisacquittedhimrejectingtheaccusationthatHoeksemadidindeedpreachuni-versalredemptionitisworthyofnotethattheissueofauniversalsavinggraceofGodinJesusChristaroseveryearlyinthehistoryoftheChristianReformedChurchThe readermaybepardonedforsuspectingthattherewasalwaysa

BookReviews

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1142

strainofsympathyintheChristianReformedChurchfortheuniver-salityof savinggracebefore thedecisionofthesynodof1924andforuniversalatonementbeforethepublicteachingofProfHDekkerinthe1960s Bynomeans is the sole in-terestoftheReformedChristianthebookrsquosaccountsofdoctrinalcontroversy Bymeticulousresearchintoandthoroughstudyof theminutesof theconsistorymeetingsandotherrecordsSwi-erengaopensupsympathetical-ly the ordinary and sometimesextraordinary life and work-ingsofaconservativeReformedchurchincludingitsactivitiesinaReformeddenomination overthe course of 150 years fromitsbeginningin1865 This lifeand theseworkings include thepastors their families and thedefining characteristics of theirministry the disciplinary labors

oftheelders(firmerintheearliertimes than later) including thecensureofamarriedcouplewhosoldmoonshine duringProhibi-tionthehelpbestoweduponthedestitutebydeaconsthepromo-tion by the church ofChristianschools (CentralAve shines inthisregard)musicinthechurchincludingorganistsandchoirsaswell as the lusty singingby thecongregation (in the beginningonly thepsalms)witness to thecommunity andmuch muchmore Appendices l ist al l thechurchrsquosofficebearersthroughoutthechurchrsquos longhistoryeldersanddeaconsaswellasministers Aworthwhileadditiontotherecordofthehistoryofthechurchand an interesting rewardingworkforallwhoesteemand par-ticipate intheexistenceministryand struggles of theReformedchurchintheworldl

The Crucified King Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Sys-tematic Theology JeremyRTreatGrandRapidsMIZondervan2014Pp304(paper)[ReviewedbyRevMartynMcGeown]

SincethecrossisthewholeofoursalvationtherearedepthstotheworkofChristthatcannotbeexpressedinonesimpletheolog-icalphraseInthechurchthere

havebeentwomainldquotheoriesrdquooftheatonementvyingforsuprema-cyTheoneweholddeartheonethatwe emphasize and the onethatprocuresoursalvationfrom

November 2015 143

BookReviews

thecrossadefeatforthedevilandavictoryforChristItistruethatbythecrossChristsatisfiesGodrsquosjusticewith respect to our sinsbut how does this relate to thekingdom Treatrsquoscontentionisthattheseconceptshavebeeninadequatelyrelated in the past Much hasbeenwritten on the atonementandmuchasbeenwrittenonthekingdombutseldomhavethetwoconceptsbeen integrated Treatidentifiestheologicalreasonsforthis FirstwhileitistruethattheMediator undergoes two statesthestateofhumiliation(HisbirthtoHisdeathburialincludingHisdescentintohellwhichoccurredbeforeHis physical death) andthestateofexaltation(Hisresur-rection ascension session andHisreturnasjudge)thishasledtotheerroneousnotionthatpriortoHisexaltationJesuswasonlyldquoking inwaitingrdquo and not yetldquokinginrealityrdquoThereforethecrossaspartofHishumiliationwasonlypreparatory toHisbe-comingkingnotpartofHisworkaskingldquoThekingshipofChristonthecrosshasbeendownplayedby the overcategorization oftenused in the doctrine of the twostatesrdquowarnsTreat (149) Inotherwordswemustbelievethat

sinispenalsubstitutionTheBi-bleteachesthatJesusChristborethepenalty(penal)foroursinsinourplace(substitution)AnotherpopulartheoryoftheatonementisonedevelopedandpopularisedbyGustafAuleacuten (1879-1977)aSwedishbishopwho in 1930publishedaworkcalledChristus Victor The Christus VictortheoryoftheatonementpresentsChristas the victor or conquerorwhohasdefeatedthepowersofdark-ness byHis death on the crossBythatcrossJesusdeliversmanfromthepowerofSatanbut not by satisfying Godrsquos justice against sin Oneview thepreferenceoftheological liberals emphasizesthe ldquokingdomrdquo and downplayspersonal guilt and sin decryingsubstitutionary atonement asldquobloodtheologyrdquoTheotherviewthe preference of evangelicalsemphasisestheldquocrossrdquoandper-haps neglects the kingdom andChristrsquos victory over Satan andthepowersofdarknessBotharetrueaspassagessuchasColos-sians215teachus JeremyTreataimstointegratethesetwotheoriesbyintegratingthecrossandthekingdomorbyrelatingthecrosstothekingdomItistruethatbythecrossChristdefeatsSatanbuthowHowis

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1144

Jesuswas king throughoutHislifeof sufferingnotmerely thesuffering servantwhowouldbekingonly afterHerosefromthedead ldquoJesusrsquoway to the crosswas a royal processionrdquo (106)ldquoJesus reveals his kingdomnotbycomingdownfromthecrossto save himself but by stayingonthecrosstosaveothersJesusreignsbysavingandhesavesbygivinghisliferdquo(107)ldquoToMarkthe empty tomb represents notChristrsquos resurrection in order to bekingbuttheresurrection of the kingrdquo (110) ldquoJesusrsquo baptism ishisanointingtokingshipandhiscrucifixion is his enthronementoverthenewcreationrdquo(151)OrasMichaelHortonwrites in theforewordldquoJesusChristembracedhiscrossasamonarchgraspsasceptrerdquo(18) Second some evangelicalandReformed theologians haveoveremphasized the distinctionbetween thedifferentaspectsofChristrsquosthreefoldofficeofproph-etpriestandkingwiththeresultthatChristisonly a prophetinHispublicministryonly a priestonthecrossandonly a kinginHisexaltationwhen in realityHeexercisesHispropheticpriestlyandkingly throughoutHismin-istryandespeciallyonthecrossThese traditional presentations

of the threefold office and thetwostatesofChristhaveledtoaseparationbetweentheatonementandthekingdomorbetweenthecrossandtheking IsthiseventrueintheHeidelbergCatechismLD12TreatarguesratherthatChrist is king on the cross andthatChristrulesfrom thecross Treat divides hismaterialintotwopartsbiblicaltheologywherehepresents an exegeticaldevelopment of the two themesof kingdom and cross (victorythrough sacrifice the kingdomestablished by the cross) andsystematic theologywhich is atheological development of im-portantChristologicalthemesofthethreefoldofficeofChristthetwostatesofChristthecrossandthekingdom(theldquocruciformreignofGodrdquo)andaldquoreconciliationrdquoofChristus Victorandpenalsubsti-tution Treatrsquos integrationofChris-tus Victorandpenalsubstitutionis important for traditionallyliberal theologians have em-phasizedChristrsquos triumph overSatan (Christus Victor) whiledownplaying or denying penalsubstitutionTheideathattheSonofGodshouldpaythepenaltyforsinmdashldquobloodtheologyrdquomdashisoftenrepugnanttotheologicalliberalsOn the other hand evangelical

November 2015 145

BookReviews

theologians have gloried in thecrossaspaymentforsinaspro-pitiationandredemption(substi-tutionary atonement)while ne-glectingtheBiblersquosteachingthatbythecrossChristhasconqueredSatanandhiskingdomofdark-nessBoth are truemdashChrist hasconqueredSatanby atoning for sinCriticizinghisownevangel-icalandReformedtraditionTreatwrites ldquoIn spite of ScripturersquosinsistencethatJesusChristcametodestroytheworksofthedevil(I John 38) systematic theolo-gians of theReformed traditionhave largely ignored thataspectofChristrsquosworkrdquo(189)Liberalshave swung the pendulum theotherwayldquoTheeageracceptanceofallthebiblicalmetaphorshasoften strangely pairedwith therejection of penal substitutionrdquo(182)Treatoffersanintriguingmetaphor

If penal substitution is theheart oftheatonementpump-inglifeintotheotheraspectsthenperhapsChristusVictoristheheelcrushingtheheadof the serpent and reversingthe curse barring humanityfrom the Edenic kingdom But letusnot forget thatweneed a heartand a heel A heartwithoutaheelstandsnochance inbattle Butaheel

withoutahearthasnopowertoconquer(223)

Inthefirsthalfof thebookTreat exegetespassages suchasGenesis315 thecovenantpas-sages inGenesis (his definitionofcovenantasldquoabindingagree-mentbetweenasuzerainkingandsubordinatevassalkings[servantkings]thatissealedbyasacrificerdquo[60-61] leavesmuch to be de-sired)passagesonthesufferingandreignofDavidpassagesfromthepsalmsandthesufferingser-vantpassagesfromIsaiahThisis followed by amore detailedtreatmentofthesufferingservantinIsaiahoftheGospelaccordingtoMark andpassages from theEpistlesandRevelationTreatrsquossummary is that thekingdom isestablishedby the cross InthesecondhalfofthebookTreatexaminessystematictheolo-gyTounderstandthecrossoneneedstounderstandthepowerofSatanHowandwhydoesSatanhavepowerovermantoenslavehiminhiskingdomofdarknessAndrelatedtothatwhatisnec-essarytodelivermanfromthedo-minionofSatanintothekingdomofGodrsquosSon(Acts2618Col112-14214-15)ThepowerofSatanissinandifwearedeliv-eredfromsinweareatthesametime delivered from the devil

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1146

ldquoThereignofSatanisparasitictothereignofsinrdquo(197)ManrsquossingaveSatananoccasionorafoot-holdldquoHumansareinbondagetoSatan becausetheyhaverejectedGodaskingtheyareintheking-domofSatan because theyhavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomofGodrdquo(199)SinceSatanrulesbysinnoChristus Victortheoryof the atonementwhich deniesthe satisfactionofGodrsquos justicefor sin can explain howChristis victorious in the cross andnosuchtheorycanexplainhowwewhoaresinnerscanbeciti-zensofthekingdomofGodandpartakersofthekingdomrsquosprivi-legesldquoChristdestroysthedevilby depriving him of his powerthrough his sacrificial deathrdquo(205) ldquoHis accusatoryword isrendered ineffective byChristrsquossubstitutionarydeathrdquo(211)ldquoIfoursinshavenotbeendealtwiththecomingofGodrsquoskingdomis

not goodnewsChristrsquos victoryoverSatandemonsanddeathisa glorious accomplishment butifoursinshavenotbeenatonedforweremainunderGodrsquoswrathandoutsidehiskingdomhellipEvenwithSatandefeatedandshacklesbrokenonlythosewhosepenaltyhasbeenpaidcanentertheking-domofGodascitizensrdquo(225)ldquoIfyou losepenal substitutionyoulosethekingdomrdquo(226) InsummaryTreatwrites

Godrsquoskingdomwaspresentin Jesusrsquo life proclaimedin his preaching glimpsedin his miraclesexorcismsestablishedbyhisdeathandinaugurated through the res-urrection It is now beingadvancedby theHolySpiritandwill be consummated inChristrsquosreturn(250)

This is a well writ tenthought-provokingbookl

The Gospelrsquos Power and Message PaulWasherGrandRapidsMIReformationHeritageBooks2012Pp288$2000(paper)[Re-viewedbyDouglasKuiper]

Many professingChristianstoday are ignorant of themostbasicgospeltruthsmanychurch-esareactivitydrivenratherthanChrist-centeredmanywho are

engagedinevangelismandmis-sionsaimtobeculturallyrelevantratherthantopresentthescandal-ousmessage of the gospel andconsequentlytoooftenGoddoes

November 2015 147

BookReviews

response Noting that manylackpassionforthegospeltodaybecausetheyhaveheardwatereddownversionsof thegospelorheardmany sermons that con-tained no gospel instruction orhavea lowviewof thatgospelWasher emphasizes that thisgospel saves and therefore isparamountThechurchiscalledtohandthegospeldownitcandothisonlywhenitunderstandsthenecessityimportanceandvalueof the gospel Chapters6-9treatthepowerof the gospel taking Romans116astheirtextThatthegospelofwhichPaulspeaks is theonegospel thatChrist taught that itcontainsamessagethatthefallenworldwillfindoffensivethatitistheonly wordofsalvationandthatitsproclamationisthemeans thatGodhaspreparedtosaveallbelieversWasheremphasizes Part three (chapters 10-26)isentitledldquoTheAcropolisoftheChristianFaithrdquo Basedonvar-ious passagesRomans 323-27beingtheheartofthemWashertreats the fundamentals of theChristianfaith Washerdevotesfivechapterstotherealityofsinandsinrsquoseffectonthehumanraceand our relationshipwithGodTwochapterscontainacommend-abletreatmentofGodrsquosrighteous

not receive the glory thatHe isduefrompeoplewhoprofesstobeHis Noneof this is lostonPaulWasher who rises in defenseofGodrsquos glory by insisting thatChristianpastorsmake thegos-pel central in their preachingand teachingand thatChristianlaymenascribeduehonortothegospelInhisthree-volumeseriesentitledldquoRecoveringtheGospelrdquoheputsinprintedformthesub-stance of sermons he preachedthat dealwith themes central tothegospelThisreviewtreatsthefirstvolumetheothersareenti-tledThe Gospelrsquos Call and True Conversion (RHB 2013) and Gospel Assurance and Warnings (RHB2014)EachisavailableforadiscountedpriceonRHBrsquoswebsiteandisalsoavailable inebookformat

Summary Thisfirst volume is dividedintothreesectionsThefirstfivechapters expound1Corinthians151-4Washeremphasizesthatthegospelisthemessagethatwemust hear from pulpits quaintstoriesmoralantidotesandper-sonal reflections have no placethere At length he treatswhatit is toreceive thisgospelmdashthatiswhat characterizes a proper

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1148

indignation anger and hatreddirectedtowardmenandthewarthatHedeclaresagainstsinnersFivechapterstreatthequalifica-tions of Jesus asMediatorHiswork on the cross andGodrsquosgracious justificationof sinnerstwo treat Christrsquos resurrectionandthreedealwithHisascensionintoheavenasHighPriestofHispeopleandasLordandJudgeofall

Commendable precision Washerispreciseanddistinc-tiveinpresentingthefundamentaltruthsofthegospelHegivesasatisfactoryexplanationofldquosalva-tionrdquo(61)providessolidexplana-tionsofGodrsquosholiness(87)andrighteousness(88)andcarefullyexplainssinastransgressionre-bellion insubordination law-lessnesshostilitytreacheryandabomination(chapter12)WasherisnotembarrassedbyreferencestoGodrsquoshatredintheScripturesHe sees correctly that ldquothe loveofGodistheveryreasonforHishatredrdquo (135) and that ldquoGodrsquoshatredexistsinperfectharmonywithHisotherattributesrdquo(136)The doctrine of justification isnicely developed (147ff) andWasherconnectsitwithbiblicaltermssuchasredemption(154)propitiation(163)andimputation

(174)notingthatinmanifestingHisloveGodcannotsimplydenyHisjusticebecauseldquotherearenocontradictions inHis characterrdquo(163) He notes the distinctionbetweenChristrsquosactiveandpas-siveobedience (173) He takesissuewiththosewhosuggestthatwhenChristhungonthecrosstheFathercouldnotstomachseeingthesufferingswhichwickedmeninflictedonChristandemphasiz-esratherthatGodturnedHisfacefromChristbecauseChristboreour sins (188) and thatChristsufferedGodrsquoswrathforus(189) Thisefforttobepreciseanddistinctive is underscored by acareful explanation at crucialpointsofaGreekwordorphraseand by dozens of footnotes ineverychapter fewofwhicharescholarlyandalmostallofwhicharereferencestoBiblepassagesWashertreatstheScriptureswiththerespectitdeserves ToreadabookintendedforawideChristianaudienceinwhichbook substantive theologicaltermsareusedwithoutapologyIfoundrefreshing Onesignofthe doctrinal apathy of our dayisthedesireofmanytodoawaywith theological terms as beingtooprecise ThoughWasher did all thiswell at times he did not go far

November 2015 149

BookReviews

enoughWasherexplainedGodrsquosholiness as beingHis transcen-denceovercreationandasbeingHistranscendenceoverthemoralcorruptionofcreation(87)Buttheotheraspectofholiness-thatHe isdevoted toHimselfas thehighest goodmdashdid not receivemuch attention In explainingGodrsquos loveWashermoved tooquicklytospeakofGodrsquosmercygracecompassionandlongsuf-feringCertainlyhedidnothingwrongbyrelatingtheseattributestoGodrsquoslovebuthesaidmuchabouthowGodrsquosloveisshownalmostnothingaboutwhatGodrsquosloveisandleftthereaderwon-deringwhetherGodrsquosloveisfortheworldinanorganicsense(cre-ationattheheartofwhichistheelectinChrist)orforeverymanandcreatureheadforheadWhentreatingjustificationWasherem-phasizedGodrsquosgrace(152)butearlierwhendealingwithGodrsquosattributesHedidnotexplaintheconceptgrace Perhaps I ammaking toomuchofthisWasherclearlywasnotintendingtowriteasystematictheologyYetIwishhehaddevel-opedthesectionsontheattributesofGodmorethoroughly

Inconsistent on thedoctrines of grace AtsignificantpointsWasher

shows that his doctrine and ter-minologyarenotconsistentwiththedoctrinesofsovereigngraceIn a book entitledThe Gospelrsquos Power and Message inwhichtheauthordefendsthenecessityand richness of the gospel overagainstthelowviewofthegospelsocommontodayaninconsistentpresentation of the doctrines ofgraceandawrongviewofthosedoctrinesatkeypointsisnosmallweakness Washer is familiarwith thedoctrinesofsovereigngraceAtlengthhetreatsthedoctrineofto-taldepravitydefendingitagainstmisrepresentationsHecallsthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsldquooneofthemostprecioustruthstothebelieverwhounder-stands itrdquo (20) This is enoughevidenceformetosaythatheisfamiliarwiththesedoctrines One could wish that hisinconsistencieswere limited tohis viewof theproclamationofthegospelasaldquofreeofferrdquo(71258) andhis viewof ldquocommongracerdquo(110258)Anyonewhoheartily disagreeswith him onthesepoints andmaintains thattheseviewsunderminethegospelofgraceshouldstillexpectsuchterminologyinabookpublishedbyReformationHeritageBooks More serious are his errors

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1150

regardingtotaldepravityWasherassertsthatldquototaldepravitydoesnotmeanthattheimageofGodinmanwastotallylostinthefallrdquo(116)andconcludesbyexplain-ing total depravity asmeaningldquothatmancannot submithimselftoGodbecausehewill notandhewillnotbecauseofhisownhostil-itytowardGodrdquo(italicsWashers117)SoemphaticisWasheronthis lastpoint thathe repeats ittwopageslaterAstomanrsquoswillitisfreebutnotgoodsothatmancanchoosewhathepleasesbutispleasedtochooseevil(120)AtthispointthereaderhasaquestionthatWasherdoesnotanswerifman cannot submit because hewill not and if hiswill is freeis man inherently capable ofchanginghiswillForasWasherpresentsitifmanwouldwill to submitthenhecould submit ThatGodtestifiesofHisexis-tencetoeveryhumanbycreationno Reformed believer deniesHoweverWasher understandsRomans119toteachthateverymanrsquosinherentknowledgeofGodisduetomanldquobeingmadeintheimageofGodrdquo (265) ThenhemisquotesRomans 215whichsaysthatldquotheworkofthelawrdquoiswrittenintheheartsoftheheathenGentilesmakingitteachthatldquothelawofGodhasbeenwrittenupon

theheartsofeverymanandservesasamoralguiderdquo(266)Ifthelaw itselfwaswritten upon theheartsofeverymantoserveasamoral guide and ifman retainstheimageofGoddoesmannothavetheinherentabilitytokeepthelawButRomans215doesnot teach that Godwrites Hislawineverymanrsquosheart(thatisa saving grace) but that evenheathen unbelievers can distin-guishbetweengoodandevilandunderstandthatGodlovesthosewhodogoodandcursesevildoersThisisnotthesameassayingthatthelawisamoralguidetothemtheunregeneratehavenopowertokeepthatlaw Two issuesWasher neverfacedheadon One is the question of theextent of Christrsquos atonementClearlyWasherdoesnotsupposethateveryhumanwillbeinheav-enandhemakesplainthatChrististheHighPriestofldquohispeoplerdquo(chapter 24)At the same timehe is ready to ldquodeclarewithoutreservation thatChristrsquosatoningwork has benefited the entireuniverseandthateventhosewhorefuseHisofferofsalvationhavealreadybenefitedfromitfarmorethanwordscantellrdquo(258)Thattheldquoofferrdquoofthegospelwithitscall and promise is universal

November 2015 151

BookReviews

ldquoshouldbeenoughtosecuretheallegianceof allmenrdquo (258) IunderstandthattomeanthatmanhasthecapacityinhimselfifhewillbuthumblehimselftoacceptthisldquoofferrdquoTheclearimplicationisthatChristrsquosatonementwasnotlimitedinitsbenefitstotheelectbutisforeachandeveryhuman Theotheristhematterofirre-sistiblegraceAlthoughnotfac-ingthisheadonhispresentationofmanrsquostotaldepravityleavesthereaderwholovesthedoctrinesofgraceasconfessionallysummedintheCanonsofDordtwonderingaboutWasherrsquos positionon thispoint Imention theCanons ofDordt Of course Scripture ismy touchstone but every con-fessingReformedbelieverviewstheCanonsasafaithfulsummaryofScripture on the doctrines ofsovereigngraceNowheredoesWasherclaimthathepersonallysubscribestotheCanonsoreventhatheisReformedorPresbyteri-aninhisconvictionsButIthinkthe editors atRHB could haveinsistedonmoreaccuracyhere MuchofwhatWasherwritesabout the gospel is rightmuchofthebookisasoliddefenseofthegospelrsquospowerandmessageButwhereWashergoeswrongheunderminestheverymessageof

thegospelheistryingtodefend

A Wide Audience WasherintendsthebookforpreachersandlaymenalikeandwellheoughtTotheextentthatthisbookdefendsthepowerandmessageofthegospelallinthechurchneedtotakeheed Laymen need to take heedThey led by their sessions andconsistoriesmust insist that thetruegospelbepreachedandthatthe preaching of that gospel besubstantivemeaty and distinc-tive Missionaries need to takeheedAsaformermissionaryinPeru and founder of theHeart-CryMissionarySocietyWasherhimself understands this Howis theChristianmissionarywhopresents a culturally relevantldquogospelrdquoofmanrsquosabilitytohelphimselfimprovehislotinlifeanybetterfromaHinduorBuddhistmissionaryLetourmissionariessetforththegospelofgracedis-tinctively And pastors need to takeheedAptisWasherrsquosremindertouswhoarecalledtopreachthegospelthatldquowemustalsodiscardtheideathatthereissomewaytopreach thegospelwithout scan-daloroffenserdquo(272)thatifwepreachthegospelasChristwould

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal

Vol 49 No 1152

haveusdoldquowewillbeasignofdivisionamongourpeoplesrdquoandsomust prepare ourselves ldquoforgreatoppositionrdquo(272) Doctrinal errors notwith-standing I do recommend thisbookIfounditbestnottoreaditquicklybutachapterortwoatatimeInfactIreadtwoorthreechapterseachweekasaSundaydevotional and found it servedthe purposewell to remindmeofwhatIwastopreachanden-couragemetopreachthegospeltoGodrsquosgloryl

November 2015 153

Contributors for this issue are

John BoltprofessorofSystematicTheologyinCalvinTheologicalSeminaryGrandRapidsMichigan

Ronald L Cammenga professorofDogmatics andOldTestamentStudiesintheProtestantReformedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

David J Engelsma professoremeritusofDogmaticsandOldTestamentStudies in theProtestantRe-formedSeminaryWyomingMichigan

Juumlrgen Burkhard Klautke professorintheAcademyforReformedTheologyinMarburgGermanyandaleader of theConfessingEvangelical-ReformedCongregationinGiessen

Douglas J KuiperpastoroftheEdgertonProtestantReformedChurchinEdgertonMinnesota

Martyn McGeown missionary-pastoroftheCovenantProtestantReformedChurchinNorthernIrelandstationedinLimerickRepublicofIreland

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