Reformed Theological Review

The Original Garden of Eden

Charles Bruce Riding — 2021-02-19

At present, all creation stories from cultures and religions all round the World are considered to be local adaptions of some original myth that is now lost to us. These debates and research have been beclouded by dogmatic assumptions and beliefs. In particular, whether one starts from the fundamental belief that the Old Testament is the Word of God containing infallible truths revealed to humans, or from the opposite dogmatic belief that it is only a fallible human document with not even the possibility of supernatural input, has influenced the study of the Old Testament and which theories of its formation may be considered admissible, and which are to be discounted a priori.

Currently, the vast majority of scholars hold that none of them can claim any sense of priority or uniqueness. A few maintain that the earliest surviving myth is the Enuma Elish of ancient Babylon ca.1900 BCE. A minority of scholars make a further claim that it is the original myth from which all others descended. Similarly, some people believe that the Old Testament account in Genesis 1–3 is the archetype from which all others were cloned.

This investigation will endeavour to build its case ‘from the ground up,’ by looking afresh at the evidence presented in actual creation stories themselves. Then this data can be collated, and theories proposing how the plethora of creation stories were formed can be appraised, and reformulated if necessary. Finally, any faith statements based on them may be re-examined.

Prophets, Priests, and Kings

Jonathan Pratt — 2021-02-19

Within the Reformed Tradition, it has been common to describe the work of Christ by reference to three Old Testament offices: Prophet, Priest and King. Since at least the 16^th Century, Reformed theologians have drawn upon these offices to provide a theological basis for ministry by all Christians, as well as church leaders. In recent years, some scholars have been critical of the application of this framework to church leaders on the basis that it lacks biblical support. This paper reviews the biblical and theological basis for applying the munus triplex to Christians and church leaders by engaging with the Scriptures, other Reformed scholars, and the Reformed doctrine of the general and special office.

Called and Sent by God

Mark Powell — 2021-02-19

The contribution of the Old and New Testaments to the understanding of the Lord’s role in involving people in His saving purposes in the world is considered. This is done by considering how both the Old and New Testaments describe people being specially commissioned to serve Him, as well as how the term 'call' is variously used. The concept of being 'called' to Christian service as a valid expectation for believers today is then considered. Finally, a number of practical applications for what difference this understanding might have on the nature of one’s ministry is explored.

Book Reviews

2020:3 book reviews — 2021-02-19

2020:3 book reviews