Theology Central
Theology Central exists as a place of conversation and information for faculty and friends of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Posts include seminary news, information, and opinion pieces about ministry, theology, and scholarship.Best Books on Tolkien
Joseph Pearce offers his picks of the best books on J. R. R. Tolkien at The Imaginative Conservative.
Catholic Hospital Sued for Refusing Sex Reassignment Surgery
The suit has been filed by Lambda Legal. The hospital is St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Paterson, New Jersey. The patient was a transgender “man” who wanted her uterus removed. The suit alleges that the hospital’s decision is illegal under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. See Lambda Legal’s story here.
Alexander on Justification
In most cases we should think it unnecessary and inexpedient to contend about the meaning of a word, when they who used it, explained the sense in which they take it; but, here it is exceedingly important, to ascertain the scriptural meaning of the word justification; for this is the point from which men’s opinions are most apt to diverge from the dictates of divine revelation. And if we put a wrong sense on the word, it will be sure to favour the dangerous doctrine of human merit.
We would, therefore, lay it down as a truth, capable of the clearest proof, that justification, as used in Scripture, does not mean any change wrought within us, but a change of our relation or standing under the law. As condemnation does not signify the making a man wicked, but declaring him guilty; so justification, which is the very opposite of condemnation, does not mean the infusion of holiness or justice into the hearts of men; but, it is the sentence of a judge, declaring that the person to whom it appertains, is acquitted from every charge, and stands right in the view of the law. It is then the act of the Judge of the universe, by which it is declared, that all condemnation is removed, and that the sinful man is accepted as righteous in the eye of the law.
Archibald Alexander, A Brief Compend of Bible Truth, 120-121
What to Do with an Altoids Tin?
The Art of Manliness suggests “22 Manly Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin.” Some are pretty good. I use mine for small reloading tools and parts.
John Sailhamer Enters Eternity
Back in the 80s I did doctoral work under John Sailhamer. His theology of the Pentateuch was still in the works. I got to read his commentary on Genesis in draft. He was a kind and articulate individual, and a phenomenal scholar besides. His work was genuinely creative. I still owe certain aspects of my thinking to his influence, though we disagreed (sometimes rather pointedly) in other areas. Working with John was a genuine privilege.
On one occasion he wanted a debate in class between an advocate of Dispensationalism and an advocate of Covenant Theology. Nobody else was willing to argue for Covenant Theology, so I drew the assignment. I think I could have won the debate, except for the fact that my opponent was Jim Lytle–now the president of Clarks Summit University. Lytle had the arguments down cold. I think I made a better case for Covenant Theology than most Covenant Theologians would, but Lytle demolished it anyway.
In those days Sailhamer was on a binge of watching old TV shows. He would apply their titles to sections of his lectures. For example, his treatment of Ham, Shem, and Japeth was called “My Three Sons.” He wasn’t trying to be cute; it was just the way his mind worked.
Zondervan Releases Online Greek Course
It’s taught by Dan Wallace, and it may be alive option for some students who would like to go to seminary. Here at Central Seminary we offer Greek, but you don’t have to take your grammar and syntax from us. We’ll test you, and if you pass the exam you get the standing.
MLA Refuses to Boycott Israeli Academics
The Modern Language Association has rejected a resolution that would have endorsed a boycott of Israeli institutions. In fact, the association adopted an alternative resolution rejecting a boycott of the Israelis. See the story at Inside Higher Ed.
Mark Snoeberger on Conservative Worship
Dr. Snoeberger offers certain observations, then says what he would like to see. It’s all at Detroit Seminary’s blog.
The Infinite Value of Christ’s Sufferings
The sufferings of Christ, being those of a divine person, have an infinite value; it follows, therefore, that although the punishment of the sinner was everlasting, yet Christ could exhaust the penalty of the law in a limited time; that is, his sufferings and death, though limited to a short period, were more than an equivalent for the eternal sufferings of those for whom he laid down his life. And in making this vicarious atonement, it was not at all necessary that the Mediator should be the subject of remorse and despair; for these are not essential to the penalty of the law, but merely incidental, arising from the circumstances and moral character of the sufferer. But it was necessary that our substitute should suffer a painful and accursed death, for this was specifically threatened. Some have supposed that Christ endured something of the torments of the damned after his death, as the creed says, “he descended into hell;” but the word hell here signifies no more than the place of departed spirits, or the grave. Christ’s sufferings were finished on the cross; and on that very day his spirit entered into paradise.
Archibald Alexander, A Brief Compend of Bible Truth, 113.
Stonestreet on Tolkien, Eliot, and Stories
“Don’t lecture, inspire.” So says John Stonestreet in “Tolkien, Eliot, and the Power of Story.”
Christian musician and novelist Andrew Peterson says, “If you want someone to hear the truth, you should tell them the truth. But if you want someone to LOVE the truth, you should tell them a story.”
ASOR on Philistine Religion
Jeffrey P. Emanuel writes on Philistine religion for the blog of the American Schools of Oriental Research. Emanuel believes that the biblical perspective needs correcting; nevertheless, he summarizes important archeological evidence about the Philistines.
Alexander’s Counsel for the Lord’s Day
Let the whole day be consecrated to the service of God, especially in acts of worship, public and private. This weekly recess from worldly cares and avocations, affords a precious opportunity for the study of God’s word, and for the examination of our own hearts. Rise early, and let your first thoughts and aspirations be directed to heaven. Meditate much and profoundly on divine things, and endeavour to acquire a degree of spirituality on this day which will abide with you through the whole week.
Archibald Alexander, A Brief Compend of Bible Truth, 191.
Atonement Efficient and Sufficient
If it be asked for whom did the Redeemer bear all this, he has given the answer, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” He loved his church and gave himself for it. But his atonement, considered in its intrinsic value and suitableness, is infinite, and sufficient if applied, to save the whole world.
Archibald Alexander, A Brief Compend of Bible Truth, 113.
Over 90% of Congress is “Christian”
91% of the 115th Congress claims to be Christian, according to the Pew Research Center. That number compares with 95% in the early 1960s.
Is that evidence of a Christian congress? Or is it evidence that the term “Christian” is nearly meaningless in the United States?
A PDF of the full study is available here. A PDF showing congressional member religious affiliations can be downloaded here.
In the Nick of Time
This week’s Nick: “Ending of the Year, Beginning of the Year,” by Kevin T. Bauder.
Dorothy Sayers, The Mind of the Maker
The Kindle version is on sale at Amazon to day for $1.99.
![The Mind of the Maker by [Sayers, Dorothy L.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HKiDCRfCL.jpg)
Tozer on Divine Simplicity
Whatever God is, He is. When we talk about the unity of God and His attributes, we sometimes think of all of the parts of God working together harmoniously. That is an inadequate picture of God. God is not made up of parts. God is God. A man of God wisely once said that God’s attributes are numberless. We can know a few of God’s attributes; and an attribute, as I have explained many times, is what God has revealed about himself to be true.
Tozer, A.W. Delighting in God (Kindle Locations 694-697). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Is Black Conservatism Dying?
With the retirement of Thomas Sowell, Anthony Bradley expresses concern over “the end of black conservatism.” He does not see another generation of conservative Black thinkers who will be able to follow the generation of Sowell, Walter Williams, Shelby Steele, and other great voices.
Frankly, what Bradley articulates is not simply a problem for Black conservatism. It is a problem for conservatism in general. During the past decade we’ve lost such luminaries as William F. Buckley, Jr., and Richard John Neuhaus. As their generation vanishes, we have fewer and fewer thinkers and writers of a similar stature.
UW Madison, Feminism, and Masculinity
David French of the National Review offers his critique of the new “men’s project” at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The program aims to “create a sense of security in vulnerability.” French argues that teaching men to be vulnerable is no solution to the problem of male aggression. His essay is entitled, “Dear Feminists, Male ‘Vulnerability Isn’t a Virtue.”
There are good reasons why generations of fathers have taught their sons to “man up,” and it’s not because young boys are blank canvases on which the patriarchy can paint its oppression. It’s because men in general have essential natures that are different from women. We tend to be more aggressive, more energetic, and less nurturing than women, and the fundamental challenge of raising most boys is in channeling that nature in productive ways, not in denying or trying to eradicate its existence. In other words, we need to make men more purposeful, not more vulnerable.
Surefire Predictions?
Over at the Acton Institute Power Blog, Joe Carter lists “14 can’t-miss predictions for 2017.” A couple of my favorites will give you the flavor of the whole list.
• Iraq will officially change the country’s name back to ‘Babylon’ in a successful attempt to freak out pre-millennial dispensational Evangelicals.
• Peter Jackson will announce he’s begun filming a 12-hour version of The Silmarillion in order to complete his lifelong ambition of ruining every book written by J. R. R. Tolkien.
A joke is still good, even if it’s aimed at you.
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