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Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Julius T. Medenblik, John W. Cooper, Jeffrey A.D. Weima, Arie C. Leder Oct 2015

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Julius T. Medenblik, John W. Cooper, Jeffrey A.D. Weima, Arie C. Leder

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Biblical and Hermeneutical Reflections on Same-Sex Relationships

Articles

3 - Entering the Conversation by Jul Medenblik
5 - Not Like Women in Office: Scripture, Hermeneutics, and Same-Sex Relations by John W. Cooper
9 - Same-Sex Activity: What Does the New Testament Say? by Jeffrey A.D. Weima
13 - Until my Body Finds its Rest in You, O Lord by Arie C. Leder
17 - From Dream to Forum Editorial from the Inaugural Issue by David E. Holwerda

Called to Serve
18 - Calvin Seminary’s Certificate for Hispanic Ministry Program
19 - 2015 Convocation Address excerpts from Professor Mary Vanden Berg …


Inscrutable Providence: The Doctrine Of Divine Concurrence And The Theology Of Charles Hodge., Nathan J. Archer Jan 2015

Inscrutable Providence: The Doctrine Of Divine Concurrence And The Theology Of Charles Hodge., Nathan J. Archer

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation will discuss the doctrine of concurrence within the larger doctrine of providence. Although concurrence was once a key component of the doctrine of providence, it was difficult to maintain in a post-enlightenment theological and philosophical context, even for a Reformed thinker such as Charles Hodge. Although Hodge labored to explain the older formulation of this doctrine—especially as articulated by Francis Turretin—Hodge found concurrence problematic and did not commend its use. In addition to shifting philosophical sensibilities, concerns regarding pantheism were a significant reason why some nineteenth-century American Calvinists distanced themselves from concurrence. Nonetheless, Hodge’s theology stands largely in …


Calvin's Eschatology In Its Historical And Exegetical Context., Takashi Yoshida Jan 2015

Calvin's Eschatology In Its Historical And Exegetical Context., Takashi Yoshida

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This study reveals both the variety and complexity of Calvin’s eschatology by way of a historical and contextual approach. Against an ahistorical and dogmatic approach to Calvin, it discusses the necessity of locating and examining his eschatology in several contexts: theological and exegetical traditions, both his predecessors and contemporaries; variety of genre of his own works, from catechism to polemical treatise and biblical commentaries; and their chronological developments. Calvin’s eschatology is basically traditional and owes much to the theological and spiritual heritage in the past. It is definitely, among others, in the Augustinian tradition though strongly characterized by his biblical …


Do Not Strike Hands In Pledge: Comparative Perspectives On Surety For Debt In Proverbs., Doren G. Snoek Jan 2015

Do Not Strike Hands In Pledge: Comparative Perspectives On Surety For Debt In Proverbs., Doren G. Snoek

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

Six proverbs on surety for debt present unique difficulties for interpreters of the Hebrew Bible. Because surety for debt is only occasionally mentioned, the inner-biblical data is hard-pressed to resolve the many differences of opinion. There is a large body of primary texts from the ancient Near East that indicates that surety was a widespread practice in a vast historical period. There is also a large body of secondary literature focused on these texts. The primary and secondary literature is sufficiently robust as to warrant a closer look from biblical scholars. This thesis argues that the extra-biblical texts elucidate the …


Magic And Christianity In The Acts Of The Apostles: The Confrontation., Chandra Han Jan 2015

Magic And Christianity In The Acts Of The Apostles: The Confrontation., Chandra Han

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

Magic is an intriguing topic in the New Testament but compared to other topics of discussion in New Testament Studies, the significance of the theme of magic has been unjustly undermined as indicated by David E.Aune. From the all eight occurrences of magic in the New Testament, four are found in the Acts of the Apostles. Therefore, the Acts of the Apostles is the most significant source to understand magic. The purpose of this thesis is to figure out the understanding of magic and Christianity in the Acts of the Apostles. Since Christianity flourished in the Greco-Roman era, the understanding …


Elements Of Cultic Prophecy In Psalm 75., Nielsen A. Tomazini Jan 2015

Elements Of Cultic Prophecy In Psalm 75., Nielsen A. Tomazini

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

This work defends the thesis that Psalm 75 is the result of the participation of cult prophets in the worship of Israel. We argue that Gunkel’s form critical method and Mowinckel’s cult functional approach provides the necessary features to satisfactory explain the switches in speakers and addressees in this psalm. Additionally, we conclude that cultic prophecy is a valid approach to interpret the so-called “prophetic psalms” in the Psalter and, consequently, to interpret Psalm 75. In search for more arguments in defense of our thesis we use 2 Chronicles 20 as an example of the participation of prophets in a …


The End Of The Natural Law: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christological Ethics., Jordan J. Ballor Jan 2015

The End Of The Natural Law: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christological Ethics., Jordan J. Ballor

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) has often been understood as articulating an occasionalistic, divine-command theory of ethics. In this regard, he is often seen as aligned with Karl Barth (1886-1968). This study challenges this view by demonstrating that Bonhoeffer’s own ethical project was aimed at resuscitating and reviving a distinctively Protestant form of natural-law thinking. Bonhoeffer’s approach was characterized by an emphasis on the origin, formation, and goal of natural mandates in, by, and toward Jesus Christ. Bonhoeffer’s early teaching concerning orders of preservation and laws of life was developed into a mature doctrine of divine mandates in his Ethics, which are …


Revelation As Primal Sensing: A Theological Investigation Into The Interaction Between Christian Faith And African Religious Traditions., Philip M. Wandawa Jan 2015

Revelation As Primal Sensing: A Theological Investigation Into The Interaction Between Christian Faith And African Religious Traditions., Philip M. Wandawa

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation fills a gap in African Christian thought regarding the relationship between Christian faith and African traditions. The gap is that—notwithstanding the light shed on the relationship by the debate within the threefold typology (exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism)—there is ambivalence in African Christian thought regarding the value of African religious traditions for Christian faith. This ambivalence is sometimes expressed in complaints by theologians against what appears to be either “syncretism,” “divided loyalties,” “religious schizophrenia,” or “double-mindedness” in African Christian religious experience and expression. In the view of this dissertation, the ambivalence in African Christian thought stems from the inability of …


The Pactum Salutis In The Theologies Of Witsius, Owen, Dickson, Goodwin, And Cocceius., Byunghoon Woo Jan 2015

The Pactum Salutis In The Theologies Of Witsius, Owen, Dickson, Goodwin, And Cocceius., Byunghoon Woo

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

The doctrine of the pactum salutis (covenant of redemption) offers the idea of a covenant between the very persons of the Trinity for the redemption of humanity. The doctrine received most of its attention in seventeenth-century Reformed theology, but has been criticized and almost totally forgotten in dogmatics since the eighteenth century. Most of recent Reformed dogmatics, with very few exceptions, tend to ignore the doctrine or disparage it from biblical, trinitarian, christological, pneumatological, and soteriological perspectives—namely, the doctrine lacks scriptural basis; it is tritheistic; it leads to subordination of the Son; it omits the role of the Holy Spirit; …


Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Arie C. Leder, Michael J. Williams, John M. Rottman, Carl J. Bosma Apr 2014

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Arie C. Leder, Michael J. Williams, John M. Rottman, Carl J. Bosma

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Old Testament: God’s Word for Today

Articles
3 - Reading the Bible Backwards by Arie C. Leder
5 - Christ in the Old Testament by Michael J. Williams
8 - Preaching Old Testament Texts by John M. Rottman
10 - Forgiveness—A Key to Happiness by Carl J. Bosma
12 - The Old Testament as a Resource for Christian Discipleship Amanda W. Benckhuysen
15 - Teaching the Language of the Old Testament by Michael J. Williams

Called to Serve
18 - Retirement Tributes by Bruce Buursma
21 - Distinguished Alumni Awards


"A Knot Worth Unloosing": The Interpretation Of The New Heavens And Earth In Seventeenth-Century England, John H. Duff Jan 2014

"A Knot Worth Unloosing": The Interpretation Of The New Heavens And Earth In Seventeenth-Century England, John H. Duff

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Scholars interested in the history of Christian eschatological thought have focused primarily on the theme of heaven or on the various interpretations of the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6. Virtually no attention has been given to past interpretations of the biblical phrase the new heavens and earth. This dissertation uncovers the interpretations of this phrase that were extant in seventeenth-century England. These interpretations fall into two basic camps—those that understood the phrase metaphorically and those that understood the phrase literally. One group of English divines believed the new heavens and earth was a phrase referring to the new age …


"The Loved One Does Not Yet Know All She Shall Become": Mysticism As Eschatology In Medieval Writers., John C. Medendorp Jan 2014

"The Loved One Does Not Yet Know All She Shall Become": Mysticism As Eschatology In Medieval Writers., John C. Medendorp

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

New developments in the study of Western Christian mysticism demand that the mystics be interpreted theologically if we are to accept the mystics on their own terms and take them seriously. This study argues that the medieval mystics in Europe up to the 13th century understand their work to be eschatological in nature, interpreting the mystical experience of union with the Divine as an inbreaking or foretaste of the eschaton. Reading Hadewijch of Antwerp, a 13th century Dutch mystic, together with contributions from Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clarivaux, and Hildegard of Bingen, this study attempts to demonstrate that the …


The Liturgical Use Of Spiritual Gifts: Discerning Next Steps In Contextual Nigerian Practice., Emmanuel Saba Bileya Jan 2014

The Liturgical Use Of Spiritual Gifts: Discerning Next Steps In Contextual Nigerian Practice., Emmanuel Saba Bileya

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

The use of spiritual gifts is a blessing to the Church today, especially when it functions within the liturgical forms in a worship service. Specifically, the liturgical use of spiritual gifts is a great benefit for the edification of both the mainline and the Pentecostal churches. In Nigeria, the use of spiritual gifts is significantly contextual to the African world view. Some Nigerian theologians suggest that the compatibility of spiritual gifts to the African world view is one of the main factors that contributes to the fast growth of Pentecostal and charismatic churches in Africa. Due to its compatibility with …


God Of Friendship: Herman Hoeksema's Unconditional Covenant Conception., Ronald L. Cammenga Jan 2014

God Of Friendship: Herman Hoeksema's Unconditional Covenant Conception., Ronald L. Cammenga

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

This thesis is a study of the doctrine of the covenant of grace as developed by the Protestant Reformed theologian Herman Hoeksema (1886-1965). In the thesis I will focus particularly on Hoeksema's teaching that the covenant of grace is unconditional, both in its establishment and its maintenance. I will demonstrate that already in the early 1920s, while yet a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, Hoeksema's understanding of the covenant was impacted by his convictions concerning election. Throughout his lifetime Hoeksema never wavered from his fundamental view of the covenant of grace in its relationship to God's sovereign, gracious decree …


A Critical Examination Of Justin Ukpong's Inculturation Hermeneutics., Matthew Lanser Jan 2014

A Critical Examination Of Justin Ukpong's Inculturation Hermeneutics., Matthew Lanser

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

The interpretation of the Bible in Africa is a broad and rapidly developing field, and also one that has attracted relatively little attention in the academy. While Justin’s Ukpong’s theory and method of biblical interpretation has generated significant discussion in the field, this study offers the first broad, critical examination of the internal coherence of Ukpong’s inculturation hermeneutics and of its broader usefulness for the theory and practice of interpreting the Bible in Africa. I begin by describing the assumptions, method, and practice of Ukpong’s inculturation hermeneutics. I proceed by using Schreiter’s criteria for contextual theologies to evaluate the coherence …


Symphonia Catholica: The Merger Of Patristic And Contemporary Sources In The Theological Method Of Amandus Polanus (1561-1610)., Byung Soo Han Jan 2014

Symphonia Catholica: The Merger Of Patristic And Contemporary Sources In The Theological Method Of Amandus Polanus (1561-1610)., Byung Soo Han

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation intends to answer, by investigating the merger of patristic and contemporary sources in the theological method of Amandus Polanus, a significant question concerning the way in which the intellectual and methodological eclecticism of the Reformed was able to establish a coherent “system” of thought capable of defense as not only confessional but also orthodox in its theology and broadly catholic, drawing both on the thought of the Reformers and on the resources of the great tradition of Christian thought that extended back to the church fathers. From a methodological perspective, Polanus’s development from the Ramistically-organized doctrinal framework of …


From The Fathers To Trent: An Examination Into The Patristic Grounds For Transubstantiation, Klaas Walhout Jan 2014

From The Fathers To Trent: An Examination Into The Patristic Grounds For Transubstantiation, Klaas Walhout

Beets Paper Contest

No abstract provided.


Revelation 13 And The Imperial Cult, Chang In Sohn Jan 2014

Revelation 13 And The Imperial Cult, Chang In Sohn

Beets Paper Contest

No abstract provided.


Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Michael W. Goheen, Calvin P. Van Reken, Kevin Adams, Carl J. Bosma Apr 2013

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Michael W. Goheen, Calvin P. Van Reken, Kevin Adams, Carl J. Bosma

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Engaging the Church
Articles
3 - The Church: Who and Whose Are We? by Michael W. Goheen
5 - Why Join a Church? by Calvin P. Van Reken
7 - What Attracts People to the Church? (and what puts them off) by Kevin Adams
9 - Church Engagement A Roundtable Discussion
11 - Vision for the Seminary’s Institute for Global Church Planting and Renewal (IGCPR) by Carl J. Bosma

Departments
14 - Distinguished Alumni
15 - New Staf


Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Stan Mast, John W. Cooper, John Bolt, Lyle D. Bierma Jan 2013

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Stan Mast, John W. Cooper, John Bolt, Lyle D. Bierma

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Engaging the Forms of Unity
Articles
3 - Preaching Sound Doctrine in a Time of Itching Ears by Stan Mast
5 - The Pros and Cons of Confessions by John W. Cooper
7 - The Belgic Confession (1561)—Testimony of an Oppressed Church by John Bolt
9 - Engaging the Heidelberg Catechism by Lyle Bierma
11 - The Canons of Dort by Richard Muller
13 - The Confessions in the Church

Departments
14 - Mentored Ministries by Al Gelder
14 - New Staf


The Semantics Of Hebrew Na' In The Pentateuch And Former Prophets., Stephen Kline Jan 2013

The Semantics Of Hebrew Na' In The Pentateuch And Former Prophets., Stephen Kline

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

Beginning with a discussion of face-based linguistic politeness, this thesis investigates the etymology of the particle נָא as well as its meaning in the Pentateuch and Former Prophets. Though always associated with requests, the function of נָא varies according to its syntactical usage. With the particles הִנָּה and נָא ,אִם indicates that a request is about to be made; the interjections נָא and אַל־נָא are found too rarely to draw certain conclusions, but even in the few attested occurrences, a request follows. With the third-person jussive, נָא indicates that the hearer is being asked to do something, either to engage …


Christ And The Clue Of History: Lesslie Newbigin's Christocentric Philosophy Of History As The Central Thread Of His Thought., Kyle Brooks Jan 2013

Christ And The Clue Of History: Lesslie Newbigin's Christocentric Philosophy Of History As The Central Thread Of His Thought., Kyle Brooks

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

As early as his 1941 Bangalore Lectures, “The Kingdom of God and the Idea of Progress,” Newbigin took a hard look directly at history itself and its various interpreters. In those four lectures at the age of 32, Newbigin laid the foundation for all of his critical theological thinking for the next half century. While Newbigin scholarship is still relatively fresh, it appears that expositors of his work have neglected a, if not the, central motif in his immense corpus: his philosophy of history. I will attempt provide a systematic account of Newbigin’s incredibly consistent thoughts on the topic of …


Jeremiah And Feelings: A Non-Identity Crisis., Brenda Kronemeijer-Heyink Jan 2013

Jeremiah And Feelings: A Non-Identity Crisis., Brenda Kronemeijer-Heyink

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

As indicated by Jeremiah’s title, “the weeping prophet,” the book of Jeremiah is full of a wide range of feelings. The agent of these feelings is not only Jeremiah, but also his community (the people of Judah) and the LORD. These feelings expressed in the book can be seen as part of the prophetic message. In fact, Jeremiah’s feelings are not only his own but are also representative of his community and the LORD. This representational nature of Jeremiah’s feelings is hinted at through the ambiguity of the emotional agent, is shown in the paralleled feelings and incitements thereof for …


The Son Of God Beyond The Flesh: A Historical And Theological Study Of The Extra Calvinisticum., Andrew M. Mcginnis Jan 2013

The Son Of God Beyond The Flesh: A Historical And Theological Study Of The Extra Calvinisticum., Andrew M. Mcginnis

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the doctrine that the incarnate Son of God was not limited to fleshly, human existence but continued to exist etiam extra carnem (“even beyond the flesh”), a doctrine that has come to be known as the extra Calvinisticum. The study argues that the doctrine had a significant role in the thought of three important theologians of the patristic, medieval, and Reformation eras—namely, Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444), Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), and Zacharias Ursinus (1534–1583)—and explains how each of these theologians employed the doctrine. In general, however, the extra dropped from the theological scene by the end of …


Antoine De Chandieu (1534-1591): One Of The Fathers Of The Reformed Scholasticism?, Theodore Gerard Van Raalte Jan 2013

Antoine De Chandieu (1534-1591): One Of The Fathers Of The Reformed Scholasticism?, Theodore Gerard Van Raalte

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

The present work is the first dissertation to study any of Antoine de Chandieu’s prodigious output of scholastic theological works. Chandieu was a French Reformed pastor and theologian who lived from 1534 to 1591. He had a fascinating life as a French nobleman with extensive land holdings in France who was Protestant in the time of the Wars of Religion. His role in the church polity of the French Reformed Churches was crucial in the period 1559-1572. After this he resided in Lausanne and Geneva and in time taught theology at their academies, with a break from 1585-1588 while he …


Covenant Of Redemption In The Theology Of Jonathan Edwards: The Nexus Between The Immanent And The Economic Trinity, Reita Yazawa Jan 2013

Covenant Of Redemption In The Theology Of Jonathan Edwards: The Nexus Between The Immanent And The Economic Trinity, Reita Yazawa

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Contemporary trinitarian theologies tend to hold that the doctrine of the Trinity, especially the immanent Trinity, became impractical, speculative, and abstruse over the years in the history of Christian theology. In response, the recent theologies of the Trinity explore various practical implications of the doctrine of the Trinity with emphasis on God’s economic work of redemption in history. However, the Reformed idea of the covenant of redemption helps us to reconsider whether the doctrine of the Trinity, even of the immanent Trinity, has been really so impractical. In this study, I argue that the Reformed idea of the covenant of …


Religious Images Through Protestant Eyes, Julia Laplaca Jan 2013

Religious Images Through Protestant Eyes, Julia Laplaca

Beets Paper Contest

No abstract provided.


Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Scott Hoezee, John Bolt, Carl Bosma, John Rottman Apr 2012

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum, Scott Hoezee, John Bolt, Carl Bosma, John Rottman

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

A Week at Calvin Theological Seminary
6 - The Ministry Theorem: Science for Ministry by Scott Hoezee
7 - Classic Reformed Theology: Still Serving the Church by John Bolt
8 - CTS: Serving Global Church Planting and Renewal by Carl Bosma
9 - Visiting, Learning and Serving in Angola Prison by John Rottman
10 - Preaching God’s Word in Classis Red Mesa by Jeff Weima
11 - International Conversation on the Gospel in Latin America by Mariano Avila
12 - Admissions Department Update by Matt Cooke
13 - A CTS Classroom in Your Own Context by Peter Choi
14 - …


Re-Visioning Reason, Revelation, And Rejection In John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding And John Toland's Christianity Not Mysterious., Jonathan S. Marko Jan 2012

Re-Visioning Reason, Revelation, And Rejection In John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding And John Toland's Christianity Not Mysterious., Jonathan S. Marko

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Histories of philosophy that cover the rise of natural religion in England will inevitably move from John Locke to John Toland. The typical account portrays Locke as sincerely Christian and trying to balance the demands of faith and reason. His rationalistic epistemology in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Essay) even defends doctrines that are “above reason.” Toland is portrayed as a disciple of Locke whose modified Lockean epistemology in Christianity Not Mysterious (CNM) results in a subordination of revelation to reason and a dismissal of doctrines that are above reason. More detailed treatments note that CNM is the catalyst of …


The Antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48) In The Sermon On The Mount: Moral Precepts Revealed In Scripture And Binding On All People, Amos Winarto Oei Jan 2012

The Antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48) In The Sermon On The Mount: Moral Precepts Revealed In Scripture And Binding On All People, Amos Winarto Oei

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

While many may agree that the Sermon on the Mount is the epitome of Jesus' ethics, many also recognize that the Sermon is often a riddle. The vastness and variety of literature demonstrates that the interpretation of the Sermon is subject to many disagreements. At the heart of the Sermon of the Mount, the antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48) become one source of polemics in the study of the Sermon. The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the scholarship of the Sermon on the Mount by addressing two problems in the study of the antitheses. The first concerns the nature …