Die PRTJ van November 2022 is aanlyn hier beskikbaar met, soos gewoonlik, baie leersame artikels. Die ‘book reviews’ alleen maak hierdie teologiese tydskrif die moeite werd om te lees, terwyl die langer diepsinnige artikels ook help om verder in die lig van God se Woord (Hand. 17:11) te peins en te besin oor die onderwerpe wat aangeraak word, wat die kerk van Christus verder toerus in hul roeping en dienswerk in sy koninkryk midde hierdie wêreld.
Hier is die ‘Editor’s Notes‘:
I write on a beautiful October day. The trees are a glorious spectacle of color, and the sun makes the colors vibrant. The leaves are beginning to fall. The glory of God, our Creator, is on display for all to see! And who can but worship and praise?
By time you receive this issue of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal, fall will have changed to winter, and perhaps snow will have fallen. Again, the sun will dazzle on the snow: how pure the righteousness God has given us in Christ Jesus!
This issue will provide you with lovely reading material for a cold winter evening. The issue opens with an installment by our newest faculty member. Prof. Cory Griess notes that John Calvin, although zealous in encouraging the church to practice church discipline, did not consider church discipline to be a distinct mark of the true church.
Making this more striking is the fact that other reformers of his day did consider it a third mark.
Undersigned submits the second installment of the history of the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, covering the years 1940-1959. During these years World War II was raging, and the PRCA had to battle internal controversy regarding the conditions in God’s covenant. Both of these events, directed by the hand of God, had direct effects on the seminary.
While researching in the denominational archives this summer, I found the written version of a speech that Herman Hoeksema, one of the PRCA’s founding pastors, gave for the Christian Psychopathic Hospital Association (now Pine Rest) in Cutlerville, MI. The archives are a treasure trove of historical artifacts that remain hidden unless brought to light. While some archived material should remain hidden (details of past discipline cases, for instance), many unpublished or long-forgotten speeches and articles are worthy of being brought to light. This speech is one of those.
What was a find for me was not new to Prof. Barry Gritters, our practical theology professor. Not only was he aware of this article, but he also references it in his pastoral care class. Graciously, he agreed to write an introduction to Hoeksema’s article, in which he points out the article’s main value: it argues the Reformed faith alone is able properly to minister to the mentally distressed church member and their families” (page 61 below).
Prof. Gritters also presents an article-length critical review of the popular book The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk.
This issue concludes with reviews of seven other books of doctrinal or historical value.
I thank every contributor for the time devoted to publishing this issue. I thank every reader for your interest in both this publication and the seminary. And I thank our covenant God for His abiding faithfulness, constant love, and wonderful grace to us sinners. – DJK
Book Reviews:
– Reformed Ethics, Volume 2: The Duties of the Christian Life, by Herman Bavinck. Ed. John Bolt Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2021. Pp. xx + 522. $43.25. Hardcover. ISBN: 978-801098222. Reviewed by David J. Engelsma.
– Arminius and the Reformed Tradition: Grace and the Doctrine of Salvation, by John V. Fesko. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2022. Pp 152. $25.00. Softcover. ISBN 978-601789341. Reviewed by Douglas J. Kuiper.
– A Biblical Case Against Theistic Evolution, ed. Wayne Grudem. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022. Pp. 248. $16.00. Softcover. ISBN: 978-1433577031. Reviewed by Daniel Holstege.
– The Klaas Schilder Reader: The Essential Theological Writings, ed. George Harinck, Marinus De Jong, & Richard Mouw, transl. Albert Gootjes and Albert Oosterhoff. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2022. Pp. xvi + 608. $49.99. Hardcover. ISBN: 978-1683595939. Reviewed by David J. Engelsma.
– The Concise Marrow of Theology, by Johann Henrich Heidegger, transl. Casey Carmichael. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019. Pp. 256. $40.00. Hardcover. ISBN: 978-1601786005. Reviewed by Marco Barone.
– Exalted Above the Heavens: The Risen and Ascended Christ, New Studies in Biblical Theology, Volume 47, by Peter C. Orr. Downers Grove, IL: Apollos-Intervarsity Academic, 2018. Pp. 252. $28.00. Softcover. ISBN: 978-0830826483. Reviewed by Marco Barone.
– The Doctrine of Scripture: An Introduction, by Mark D. Thompson. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022. Pp. 206. $17.99. Softcover. ISBN: 978-1433573958. Reviewed by David J. Engelsma.
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