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Writing

Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.

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Galatians

Getting the Galatian Heresy Right

Misunderstanding “Galatianism” has caused several problems in the Reformed church. Because circumcision is at issue in the Galatian epistle, some have fallen into thinking that ritual per se, rather than anything uniquely Mosaic or Jewish, is the object of Paul’s critique. Likewise, his polemic against “works of the law” is…

by Rich LuskJune 6, 2003
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Romans

Jewish Rejection of the Gospel

Many texts in the NT become more perspicuous if we keep in mind the possibility — and indeed ubiquity — of Gentile God-fearers in the Old Covenant. After the special covenant with Israel is set up, Gentiles are not altogether excluded from the hope of salvation. Israel’s special status in…

by Rich LuskJune 6, 2003
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Ephesians

An X-File

I was once trying to get a sermon out of Ephesians 1.12-14 and it seemed obvious that I should look for two parallel statements both ending with the phrase, “to the praise of his glory.” Paul here begins talking about two groups of people (“you” and “we”), and he later…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2003
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New Perspective on Paul

The PCA and the New Perspective on Paul

WHY A DENOMINATION WITH SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN ROOTS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE “NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL” In my denomination, the PCA, we are continually haunted by the sins of our racist Southern past. It has become an annual rite at General Assembly for the issue to be addressed one way or…

by Rich LuskJune 5, 2003
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Justification

The Centrality of Justification

Recent debates over whether or not, “justification is central” to Paul’s theology have reminded me of a sermon I once heard by a Presbyterian seminary student. This African American student challenged his audience on the sin of racism and the ways it might manifest itself among us. Like any good…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2003
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Ecclesiology

Charles Hodge’s Deficient Idea of the Church

In Charles Hodge’s 1853 article, “Idea of the Church,” his stated aim is to analyze the idea of the Church proposed in the Apostles’ Creed, in which, “the Church is declared to be “the Communion of the Saints.” He writes: The conception of the Church as the communion of saints…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2003

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Literature

Austen’s faith

The following is taken from an essay by Michael Wheeler in Jane Austen in Context (Cambridge). He points out that growing up in a clergyman’s house, and with two clergyman as brothers, Austen’s life was intertwined with the church and Anglican faith. The “moderate Anglicanism” with which she was most…

May 2, 2007
Literature

Austen’s faith

The following is taken from an essay by Michael Wheeler in Jane Austen in Context (Cambridge). He points out that growing up in a clergyman’s house, and with two clergyman as brothers, Austen’s life was intertwined with the church and Anglican faith. The “moderate Anglicanism” with which she was most…

May 2, 2007

God and Law

All theology is theology proper. Michael Horton says that human beings are created “wired” for the law: “It belongs to us by nature in creation, while the gospel is an announcement of good news in the event of transgression. It has to be preached, whereas the law belongs to the…

May 2, 2007
Literature

Austen’s prayers

There are three evening prayers of Austen herself extant. According to Michael Wheeler, they are written in a standard form: “a plea for grace, a petition for mercy on the day’s sins, thanksgivings for blessings, a petition for protection this night and a petition for a heightened awareness of God’s…

May 1, 2007
Literature

Austen’s prayers

There are three evening prayers of Austen herself extant. According to Michael Wheeler, they are written in a standard form: “a plea for grace, a petition for mercy on the day’s sins, thanksgivings for blessings, a petition for protection this night and a petition for a heightened awareness of God’s…

May 1, 2007
Philosophy

Overcoming Metaphysics

Metaphysics is making a comeback, but Merold Westphal ( Modern Theology , April 2007) thinks that the project of overcoming metaphysics is still worth the trouble. His article examines Kant, Heidegger, Marion, and Milbank. Along the way he says the following about Kant: On Westphal’s reading, Kant’s effort to overcome…

May 1, 2007

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