Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Johannes Piscator (1526-1625) And The Consequent Development Of The Doctrine Of The Imputation Of Christ's Active Obedience, Heber Carlos De Campos Júnior

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Though the forensic understanding of imputation of Christ's righteousness was consistently asserted by the Reformers, the discussion around what constituted this imputed righteousness was a Post Reformation debate. However, secondary literature is often unaware of the development of such doctrine when they assert that early Reformed figures such as John Calvin, Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus were either in favor or opposed to the doctrine of the imputation of Christ's active obedience. These labels are preferable if attributed to those who responded to Johannes Piscator's disagreement with Theodore Beza's theology of imputation of righteousness, this being the debate which sparked …

John Edwards (1637-1716) On The Freedom Of The Will: The Debate On The Relation Between Divine Necessity And Human Freedom In Late Seventeenth Century And Early Eighteenth Century England., Jeongmo Yoo

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines John Edwards’ (1637-1716) doctrine of free choice, focusing on his understanding of the relation between divine necessity and human freedom as an illustration of the way Reformed theologians of the late seventeenth and the early eighteenth century developed their ideas of human free choice. Even though free choice is an important theme in the history of Reformed theology, Reformed teaching on free choice has gained much less attention by modern scholars than other Reformed themes such as faith, grace and predestination. Moreover, the traditional Reformed doctrine of free choice has been frequently criticized as metaphysical or philosophical …

Called Into Communion: A Paradigm Shift In Holiness Theology, B. Susan Carole

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation argues that current problems in Nazarene holiness theology can be traced to a person-centered theological approach, which was introduced into theological reflection and practice during the Nineteenth Century Holiness Movement. Subjectivism has resulted in articulations of holiness doctrine that over-value the human role in religious experience and obscure the primacy of grace. These problems can be overcome by an articulation of holiness doctrine from the standpoint of its transcendent goalfullness in divine-human communion. Fullness of communion is divine-human fellowship characterized by the full actualization of divine Lordship and wholehearted human devotion, through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. …

Covenant In Conflict: The Controversy Over The Church Covenant Between Samuel Rutherford And Thomas Hooker, Sang Hyuck Ahn

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the mid-seventeenth-century controversy over the church government between Samuel Rutherford (Presbyterian) and Thomas Hooker (Congregationalist) focusing on its theological underpinnings. The church covenant played a significant role: For Hooker, it constitutes the theological and logical foundation of his systematic defense of the New England Way—particularly in the issues of the nature of the visible church, church membership, the power of the keys, sacraments, and church discipline. Rutherford considers the church covenant as a human invention because it is unknown to Scripture. In reply, Hooker argues both that the concept of church covenant is warranted by God’s word, …

As Good As It Gets: A Review And Consideration Of "Healing Prayer", Its Theological And Ministry Implications, And The Hope For Change It Evokes., Henry Kranenburg

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

If healing is possible, and Christian prayer is a means to achieve it, how do Christians 'make it happen'? The answer to this question has had renewed and increasing interest for Christians in Reformed circles (Chapter I). While different healing 'ministries' have claimed to unlock (some aspect) of healing, there has been limited assessment of these ministries in both their methodologies and their claims. This paper reviews four of these ministries, first looking at aspects of their teaching and methodology (Chapter 2). It then reflects on these from a behavioural-psychological perspective by asking a number of questions (Chapter 3) before …

Kees Van Til Als Nederlandse-Amerikaanse, Neo-Calvinistisch-Presbyteriaan Apologeticus: An Analysis Of Cornelius Van Til's Presupposition Of Reformed Dogmatics With Special Reference To Herman Bavinck's Gereformeerde Dogmatiek., Laurence R. O'Donnell Iii

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that Cornelius Van Til’s (1895–1987) presupposition of Reformed dogmatics is largely a presupposition of Herman Bavinck’s (1854–1921) Gereformeerde Dogmatiek. The argument proceeds in three steps. First, by situating Van Til’s life and work in the neo-Calvinist intellectual milieu within which he operated throughout his career, the prevailing Copernican interpretation of Van Til’s thought is challenged on the grounds of historical abstraction. Second, his formal, material, and polemical appropriations of Bavinck’s Dogmatiek are analyzed in order to show not only that Van Til appropriates Bavinck’s thought pervasively, but also that his apologetics cannot …

Buried Treasure?, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 45 No 2 - November 2010), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: From Zurich or From Wittenberg? An Examination of Calvin's Early Eucharistic Thought by Richard A. Muller - 243 / The Exegetical Context of Calvin's Loci on the Christian Life by David S. Sytsma - 256 / Charles Finney and John Nevin on Selfhood and Sin: Reformed Anthropologies in Nineteenth-Century Religion by Derek R. Nelson - 280 / Preaching the Old Testament from a Christian Pulpit by S. D. (Fanie) Snyman - 304 / Reading Paul's kai outos pas Israel sothesetai (Rom. 11:26a) in the Context of Romans by Dongsu Kim - 317 / Facing Cancer: The Spiritual Dangers …

The (Re)Turn To The Person In Contemporary Theory-A Review Essay, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2010, Mariano Avila, Lyle D. Bierma, John Bolt, John W. Cooper

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Belhar Confession
3 - Confession of Belhar
5 - Making Shalom: The Belhar Confession by Mariano Avila
6 - Adopting the Belhar: Confession or Testimony? by Lyle D. Bierma
8 - Necessary Testimony—Flawed Confession? by John Bolt
10 - Context and Confusion: What Does the Belhar Confess? by John Cooper
12 - The Belhar Speaks Today by Ronald J. Feenstra

Departments
14 - Formation for Ministry

The "Ecclesial" Critique Of Globalization: Rethinking The Questions, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Good: A Reply To Richardson, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2010, John W. Cooper, Scott Hoezee, Calvin Van Reken, Ronald J. Nydam

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Death and Dying
3 - What Happens When We Die? by John W. Cooper
5 - “As in Adam …” by Scott Hoezee
7 - A Hard Waiting for the Lord by Calvin Van Reken
9 - The Fear of Facing Death by Ron Nydam
11 - Growing Through Grief An interview with Robert C. DeVries and Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge

Departments
14 - Formation for Ministry
15 - News

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 45 No 1 - April 2010), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Editorial - 7 / Articles: Herman Bavinck, "Foreword" to the First Edition (Volume I) of the Gereformeerde Dogmatiek, translated by John Bolt - 9 / The Bavinck Recipe for Theological Cake by John Bolt - 11 / Herman Bavinck and Geerhardus Vos by George Harinck - 18 / Herman Bavinck and Benjamin B. Warfield on Apologetics and the Autopistia of Scripture by Henk van den Belt - 32 / Bavinck's Philosophy of Revelation by Gordon Graham - 44 / Bavinck's Organic Motif: Questions Seeking Answers by James Eglinton - 51 / Herman Bavinck and Karl Barth on Christian …

Two Cheers For Worldview: A Response To Elmer John Thiessen, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Desiring The Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, And Cultural Formation By James K.A. Smith, Todd C. Ream, Perry L. Glanzer, David S. Guthrie, Steven M. Nolt, David Wright, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

"You Alone Are God" A Canonical Reading Of Psalm 86., Elizabeth Kao Holmlund

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

Canonical readings of the biblical psalms have become increasingly popular of late and represent a positive trend away from fragmentation of the Psalter into its "original" and component parts and towards greater recognition of the value of the Psalter's final form and its theology. However, the methods and parameters of a canonical approach to the psalms require further definition. An exegetical methodology incorporating a wide variety of methodological tools alongside a canonical approach was thus proposed and subsequently tested on Psalm 86. The unique features of Psalm 86—its attribution to David (in a book of the Psalter with no other …

Baptist Sacramental Theology: A Covenantal Framework For Believer Baptism, Brandon C. Jones

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

A recent resurgence of Baptist works that defend sacramental theology has revived the mid-twentieth-century debate among Baptists over the meaning of baptism. Just as the mid-twentieth-century generation of Baptist sacramentalists struggled to get other Baptists to accept their views, the problem remains today that most Baptists do not and will not seriously consider Baptist sacramental theology. The purpose of this dissertation is to help solve this problem by presenting a historically informed systematic theological defense of covenantal sacramentalism, which uses covenant theology to enhance a sacramental theology of baptism. This dissertation argues that the covenantal view of Baptist baptismal sacramentalism …

Emil Brunner's Theological Contribution To The Concept Of Divine Action., James Norman Mayer

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Through a careful examination of Emil Brunner's theology, this dissertation shows that when the concept of divine action is be examined in the context of the nature and work God the idea that God acts can better understood. After a brief introductory chapter, chapter 2 argues that contemporary discussions surprisingly fail to consider what God does and what God is like as possible resources for making sense of problems associated with the concept of God's activity. This chapter also suggests that a model of divine action should take into account the means, manner, effect, purpose, extent, and degree God's activity. …

The Doctrine Of The Holy Spirit In The Major Reformed Confessions And Catechisms Of The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries, Yuzo Adhinarta

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

With the rise of Pentecostalism in the early twentieth century and the charismatic movement from the middle of the century until recently, a resurgence of interest in the Holy Spirit and Christian spirituality in both theology and the church's life has become evident. Along with the increase of interest in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the twentieth century, there are criticisms of the treatment of the doctrine in church history, including in the Reformed tradition, for having neglected the Holy Spirit in both theology and the church's life. These criticisms have helped to incite a burgeoning interest in …

Things Hold Together John Howard Yoder's Trinitarian Theology Of Culture, Branson L. Parler

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

Theologies of culture often focus on either Christ or creation as their primary source, to the exclusion of the other. At best, this approach is incomplete because it does not account for the continuity between creation and redemption. At worst, it posits a divide not simply between Christ and creation, but between persons of the Trinity, presuming contradictory moral and cultural norms issuing from different persons of the Trinity. John Howard Yoder is often depicted as a representative of a Christocentric and creation-deficient approach to culture. Against that faulty representation, this dissertation argues that Yoder advocates a Trinitarian theology of …

Herman Bavinck's Contribution To Christian Social Consciousness., John Bolt

CTS Faculty Publications and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Calvin's Defense And Reformulation Of Luther's Early Reformation Doctrine Of The Bondage Of The Will, Kiven S. Choy

CTS PhD Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation finds that Calvin's reformulation of the doctrine of free choice reflects his convictions of the early Reformation heritage, his learning of the tradition from the early church fathers and especially from Augustine, the influences generated by his continuous dialogues with the development of the formulations among the Reformers in the second phase of the Reformation, and his personal theological convictions. Calvin formulated his defense as a Reformer of the second phase of the Reformation defending the early Reformation formulation set by Luther. The early Reformers used various necessitarian arguments to argue their cases. The Reformers in the second …

The Stromata Vol. 51, No. 1, Calvin Theological Seminary

Stromata (1956-2020)

Inside This Issue

1- The Guys by Walter Miedema

3- A Fool’s Race by Jennifer Holmes

9- Irresponsible Grace by Ruth Lemmen

17- Via Media or Tertium Quid?: A Critical Examination of Meredith G. Kline’s Interpretation of rûaḥ elōhîm in Genesis 1:2 by Laurence R. O'Donnell III

37- History and Theology: A Reflection on Ernst Troeltsch’s Historical Critical by Method Reita Yazawa

46- Finding Freedom in Forgiveness: Exploring the Cost of Miroslav Volf’s Free of Charge by Heather Stroobosscher

54- John Calvin’s Commentary on Seneca’s De Clementia: A Reception Study by Kory Plockmeyer

70- The Meaning of “A Kingdom of …

Week 10 - The Hidden Secret / Closing Thanks And Greetings, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 06 - On Timothy / On Epaphroditus, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 01 - Paul's Reason For Thanks, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 09 - Celebrate In The Lord!, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 08 - Chasing On To The Finish / Citizens Of Heaven, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 07 - Warning: Don't Trust In The Flesh / Gaining The Messiah, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.