August–September 2008 Ordained Servant

From the Editor. Inquiring minds that trust their own logic more than Scripture have made a mess of the doctrine of God throughout church history. This is not a fault to which we are immune. It is precisely because the Bible is our final authority that we submit to the mysterious doctrine of the Trinity. I shall explore this theme in my editorial.

Furthermore, no doctrine should ever be assumed. Debate rages over justification, inspiration, and now the Trinity. Robert Letham explores ways in which church officers can help develop a Trinitarian mind in our congregations. Don't miss his recent, important treatment of the Trinity, The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship.

We will always face the accusation that doctrines such as the Trinity are purely speculative, perhaps the fruit of philosophy rather than biblical exegesis. So Post-Reformation theologians are often pitted against Calvin as if he were a pure exegete, while his followers lapsed into neo-scholasticism. John Fesko demonstrates that the princes of Post-Reformation theology—the Puritans—sought to be rigorously biblical in their theologizing, but not without interacting with a wide range of other minds, including those with whom they would staunchly disagree in the end. Richard Muller has been making this case for many decades, in what is proving to be a monumental contribution, not only to historical theology, but to theological methodology.

Also this month, Professor VanDrunen reviews a new popular commentary on the Belgic Confession.

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 will endeavor to stimulate clear thinking and the consistent practice of historic Presbyterianism.