November 2016 Ordained Servant

From the Editor. Christian liberty is often reduced to the things adiaphora (indifferent). And these things are often believed to be free from any spiritual considerations. But, while they do not directly involve the moral absolutes of Scripture, is it true that God’s Word offers no wisdom in the use of the things indifferent? Are they indifferent in every respect? That is the question Andy Wilson addresses in “Exercising Wisdom in ‘All Things.’” While you may not agree with the conclusion in Wilson’s example of exercising biblical wisdom in the use of tattoos, there is much useful food for thought here.

Don’t miss the second chapter of Danny Olinger’s biography of Vos, “Geerhardus Vos: Education in America and Europe, 1881–1888.”

David Booth reviews a very thoughtful book by David VanDrunen in an important new series on the five solas of the Reformation with the series motto, “What the Reformers Taught . . . and Why It Still Matters.” God’s Glory Alone covers profound theological and historical territory and offers insightful aspects of living for God’s glory today.

Reviewing Os Guinness’s new book Impossible People: Christian Courage and the Struggle for the Soul of Civilization, William Edgar writes that “Guinness brings bright, new insights into both the causes and cure for the malaise of our day.” Guinness offers trenchant cultural analysis, which is always helpful and interesting, even if his plea is often as much to reform Western civilization as it is the church. Fortunately he puts the church first in our reforming priorities.

John Fesko reviews Christopher Holmes’s new work, The Holy Spirit. This is the first of a series of new studies in dogmatics. “As series editors, Allen and Swain have lined up a formidable roster of contributors for their New Studies in Dogmatics,” writes Fesko, “and this first installment bodes well for the rest of the series.”

Stephen Migotsky reviews Joel Beeke’s and Terry Slachter’s Encouragement for Today’s Pastors: Help from the Puritans. The Puritans were remarkable pastors as well as formidable theologians. Here they bring pastoral wisdom and encouragement to pastors themselves, which is as relevant today as it was in the seventeenth century.

Finally, our poetry this month is “The Leaves below My Town,” a reflection on a famous poem by Dylan Thomas, “Poem in October.”

I would like to know if you find the “From the Archives” feature useful. It also appears that no one is using the subject and author indexes on the OS page. Please let me know if you have ever found these indexes helpful.

Blessings in the Lamb,
Gregory Edward Reynolds

Ordained Servant exists to help encourage, inform, and equip church officers for faithful, effective, and God-glorifying ministry in the visible church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Its primary audience is ministers, elders, and deacons of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, as well as interested officers from other Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Through high-quality editorials, articles, and book reviews we endeavor to stimulate clear thinking and the consistent practice of historic, confessional Presbyterianism.