ÒOne of the most able Old Testament scholars of the twentieth century, Meredith Kline has done pathbreaking research and has opened new doors of understanding to the Scriptures. If you want to interpret the Bible accurately, you cannot afford to ignore the writings of Meredith Kline. ÒThis volume is an appropriate tribute to the distinguished career and scholarly contributions of Meredith Kline.Ó Luder Whitlock, former President Reformed Theological Seminary
Much is at stake in evangelical Christian theology when considering "the covenants"--Old Testament and New Testament. Theologically, how do we align the concerns of a popular conservative Christian culture that may rightly worry about the place of the Ten Commandments in the public square with a message that often seems to stress that those same commandments have all been nailed to the cross? Is it all really so simple as "Old Testament = law" versus "New Testament = grace"? Between whom are these two covenants made? How are the two covenants the same? And ultimately, are they really different? These are not new questions in reformed theology and among evangelicals. But their answers are best found, not in the traditions of theological interpretation, but in a careful Scriptural analysis of salvation history itself. Thus, in this important new contribution to covenant theology, Hans LaRondelle chronologically traces through salvation history the footsteps of the Creator Redeemer in progressively revealing His covenant promises and His judgments. From a "redemption-historical" perspective, based on careful exegesis, the author outlines the unity and continuity of God's covenants with His chosen people.
Jeon's Biblical Eschatology explores the pattern of covenant eschatology, demonstrated and revealed in the Bible throughout redemptive history. In a sense, it is a revolutionary method to freshly examine and look at the entire redemptive history from the perspective of covenant eschatology because the Bible itself is the covenantal canon. Readers will marvel at how the author unpacks the pictorial pattern of covenant eschatology progressively revealed in the Bible. As we live in the Global Mission Age under the grace of God, it is vitally important and necessary to have a proper view of eschatology. Jeon's book will guide believers to a biblically balanced understanding of eschatology and properly equip them with a biblical, covenantal, and eschatological worldview to live their lives for the glory of God, actively participating in the Global Mission under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we eagerly wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The Reformed Two-Kingdom project has generated a great deal of literature. However, this literature is often characterized by inflamed rhetoric. Further, though it is standard fare to assume that Kline was the architect of the project, in reality, there has been very little scholarly examination of this point. In response, Kline’s system is analyzed through the means of a dialectical discourse with three differing models within the Reformed tradition—the Theonomist, Perspectivalist, and Dooyeweerdian schools. Through this means, the study keeps away from surface-level polemics and instead directs readers to the critically important substructural level of current discussions. While clarifying some of the key differences between Kline and his interlocutors, often-overlooked points of nuance are also highlighted. These points are shown to be important in that they present the potential to lessen frustration and impasse in the ongoing dialogue.
Dr. Jeon's Biblical Theology is a timely must-read for church leaders, seminarians, pastors, and missionaries in the Global Mission Field. It examines God's redemptive history in creation, fall, redemption, and consummation as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Jeon delves into the grand redemptive drama, progressively demonstrated through the divine covenants, as well as the manifestation of the eschatological Kingdom of God. This book provides not only a proper redemptive historical vision of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation but also key ideas for the formation of a solid biblical worldview. Dr. Jeon demonstrates the intersection and union between biblical and systematic theology while exploring redemptive history. Dr. Jeon also emphasizes that we currently live in the eschatological age, inaugurated after Jesus Christ's death and resurrection as the Mediator of the New Covenant. This inaugurated eschatological Kingdom of God will be consummated after the Second Coming of Jesus. Meanwhile, the present age is occurring during the last days, in which we live in the era of Global Missions by God's grace. The community of the New Covenant church should humbly respond by participating in evangelism and missions, demonstrating to the world that God's final judgment is coming.
J. Mark Beach untersucht die Bundestheologie Francis Turretins und entdeckt dabei einen Strang in der reformatorischen Theologie des 16. Jahrhunderts, der sich grundlegend von seiner Ausprägung im 17. Jahrhundert unterscheidet. Die jeweilige Interpretation lässt bedeutende Rückschlüsse auf die Bundestheologie zu.
C. S. Lewis was a man of many talents: a literary critic, a Medieval and Renaissance scholar, a stimulating lecturer, a prolific writer, a perceptive critic of Western civilization, and the author of highly acclaimed children's books. But he is perhaps best known as the "unorthodox defender of orthodoxy," the most popular and influential Christian apologist of his time. His literary skill, his brilliant and wide-ranging mind, and his multi-layered imagination made him a master of communication and gave him insight into what should be communicated. This study of his work inquires what it is about his faith, his view of the world, and his apologetic methods that strikes such a responsive chord in the hearts of unchurched people; and it shows how he made the old ideas of traditional Christianity "glimmer and glow with simplicity and attractiveness." Lewis took up his apologetic pen because he felt that most theologians are talking jargon. "Any fool can write learned language," he said. "The vernacular is the real test. If you can't turn your faith into it, then either you don't understand it or you don't believe it." His books are unusual because he believed that "reason is the organ of truth; imagination is the organ of meaning." In the infernal correspondence of Screwtape, the haunting myths of his trilogy of space fiction, and the allegories of the Narnia books, he tries to bring the reader suddenly face to face with transcendental values and existential questions. Richard Cunningham evaluates the different kinds of literature Lewis uses as apologetic instruments, studies the devices and techniques of debate he employs to communicate his faith to unbelievers, and deduces some pertinent principles to help others define and understand the Christian faith.
In this book Ralph Smith delves deeper into the discussion at the intersection of covenant and trinitarian theology that he began with 'Paradox and Truth.' Though many Reformed theologians have recognized an agreement between the Father and the Son for the salvation of the human race, few have explored the vast theological possibilities of an eternal covenant that involves all three persons of the Trinity. Instead, covenantal soteriology has focused on the so-called covenant of works between God and Adam, which turns out to be problematic both biblically and theologically. Smith places the eternal covenant in the position it deserves - the keystone of biblical and systematic theology - with profound consequences for the Christian worldview.
The author of Ephesians shows an interest in the Isaianic new exodus (INE) in facilitating his focus on the present triumph of the people of God. The recipients required both insight and confidence, especially in regard to the certainty of their salvation, its mysterious nature, Jewish-Gentile relations, and their former manner of life. In the face of these challenges the author maintains that victory is secured through God's choice of them and the working of his redemptive program--which inevitably leads to triumphal blessings. As with the exodus-era Hebrews, the readers participate in paschal redemption, now embodied in Christ, along with his resurrection and ascension as the triumphant new exodus warrior over principalities and powers. In addition, and as predicted by OT writers, Gentile proselytes share the blessings of the new exodus, but now on equal footing and access as Jewish Christians--creating a new eschatological temple. Triumphant Christ distributes gifts, facilitates Spirit-endowed living, and enables Christian warfare that mirrors Yahweh and his servant. The recipients of the epistle appear to be called to view INE triumph as above, below, now and not yet, while not discarding current applications on earth.
