Salvation as Spiritual Health in 1 Corinthians
Robert N. Wilkin Executive Director Grace Evangelical Society I. INTRODUCTION There are nine uses of the Greek verb sōzein, to save, in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 1:18, 21; 3:15; 5:5; 7:16, twice; 9:22; 10:33; 15:2). There are no uses of the related noun sōtēria, salvation. There are five uses of the Greek noun sōtēria in […]
Doing Theology with the Reformers
Doing Theology with the Reformers. By Gerald L. Bray. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2019. 277 pp. Paper, $23.99. Bray is a professor at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. In this book, he discusses how the various strands of theological thought in the Reformation of the sixteenth century were the basis of the different […]
Jacob’s Eternal Salvation and Genesis 32
Kathryn Wright Columbia, SC I. INTRODUCTION The Book of Genesis records many events in the life of Jacob. Two of the most prominent are found in Genesis 28 and Genesis 32. The first describes the Lord’s appearing to the patriarch at Bethel, with angels ascending and descending on a ladder. At this time, the Lord […]
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God. By Skye Jethani. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011. 121 pp. Paper, $14.99. This book is a rather skillfully disguised presentation of contemplative spirituality. Jethani cites Henri Nouwen a lot (pp. 119, 120, 161, 162, 165, 168, 193). He also cites other contemplative teachers, including Dallas Willard (p. […]
Is Faith Even a Tiny Part of God’s Gift (Ephesians 2:8-9)?
John H. Niemelä Message of Life Ministries Aurora, Colorado I. INTRODUCTION Is faith the gift of God? John MacArthur gives a standard Reformed statement that it is: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no […]
Paul & the Gift
Paul & the Gift. By John M. G. Barclay. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015. 656 pp. Cloth, $117.99. Barclay’s work will be foreign to those who are not familiar with the new perspective on Paul (hereafter, NPP). Barclay’s discussion of NPP (esp. pp. 151-182) presupposes that one is quite familiar with it. The book is […]
Jesus’ Intervention in the Temple: Once or Twice?
Allan Chapple1 Part-time Senior Lecturer in New Testament Trinity Theological College Australia The Gospel of John has Jesus intervening dramatically in the Temple (John 2:13–22) before he begins his public ministry in Galilee (John 3:24; 4:3; cf. Mark 1:14). However, the only such event reported in the Synoptics occurs at the end of Jesus’ ministry […]
The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism
The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism. By Ken Wilson. NP: Regula Fidei Press, 2019. 121 pp. Paper, $14.99. I have known Ken Wilson for many years, having been his professor for five or six online classes, including four semesters of Greek (second- and third-year master’s level). He showed himself to be an outstanding student and researcher. He […]
Jonathan Edwards: An Introduction to His Thought
Jonathan Edwards: An Introduction to His Thought. By Oliver D. Crisp and Kyle C. Strobel. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018. 232 pp. Paper, $21.42. Oliver Crisp is a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and Kyle Strobel is a professor at Talbot School of Theology. Both are clearly experts on the topic of this book. It […]
The State of the Evangelical Mind: Reflections on the Past, Prospects for the Future
The State of the Evangelical Mind: Reflections on the Past, Prospects for the Future. Edited by Todd Ream, Jerry Pattengale, and Christopher Devers. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2018. 180 pp. Hardcover, $23.87. This book is comprised of eight essays by scholars in various fields, including journalism and philosophy. It is not an exegetical or […]