The Fall 2024 issue of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal is has now been published and is available both in print and digital formats.
The November issue (v.58.1) contains, among other things, the second part of Dr. J. Bolt's treatment of the CRC Synod of 1924 ("Unfinished Business on Common Grace"), Prof. C. Griess' lecture on "Sexual Abuse in Calvin's Geneva," Dr. N. Willborn's lectures on "Old Princeton," a sermon warning of drunkenness (and other addictions) from Prov.23:29-35 by Prof. Kuiper, and ten book reviews.
Prof. D. Kuiper pens these words in his introductory "Editor's Notes":
"Some issues of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal are intentionally united by a theme. For instance, the April 2025 issue, the Lord willing, will contain written versions of the speeches given at the PRCA’s 100th Anniversary Seminary Conference, entitled “‘By Grace I Am What I Am’: The PRCA’s Rejection of Common Grace.” This conference was held October 31-November 2, 2024.
"Articles in other issues of the PRTJ are united by ideas or doctrines, but the thematic unity was not planned; it was a happy providence. Again, some issues are a mix of various articles unrelated in thought. The present issue falls into this last category.
"In light of the centennial of the PRCA, we reprint the second installment of John Bolt’s article, published a year ago in the Calvin Theological Journal. In this installment Bolt argues that the Christian Reformed Church Synod Kalamazoo 1924 did not really engage the views of Henry Danhof and Herman Hoeksema. He then notes the irony that Synod 1924 opened itself up to the very danger that it warned against—a compromising of the spiritual-moral antithesis. Bolt notes that the CRC Synod 1967 vindicated Danhof and Hoeksema regarding their position on the well-meant offer. See the conclusions that he draws, and his suggested rewording of the First Point of Common Grace at the end of his article.
"Cory Griess submits a written version of a speech he gave a year ago, “Sexual Abuse in Calvin’s Geneva: Lessons for Today’s Consistory.” Sexual sins, including that of sexual abuse, is not new in the church. Perhaps it was not prevalent in Calvin’s Geneva, but it did exist. Prof. Griess offers ten lessons that consistories and congregants can learn from how the consistory in Geneva addressed sexual sins, sinners, and victims.
"Nick Willborn gave two guest lectures at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary in May 2024. Having earlier addressed Southern Presbyterianism (see his submissions in the April 2020 and November 2020 issues), he now turned our attention to Old Princeton, the bastion of orthodoxy in the north. God used men like Archibald Alexander Samuel Miller, Charles Hodge, B. B. Warfield, and J. Gresham Machen,
not only to prepare men for pastoral ministry and missions, but also to defend sound doctrine against liberalism. Perhaps the reader wonders why, in a journal that promotes Dutch Reformed theology and history, we need turn our attention to Presbyterians. In part, the answer is that Presbyterian theology is Reformed. Even more, the answer (though Willborn does not explore it) has to do with the influence of Princeton in Dutch Reformed circles in the early twentieth century.
"In all the PRCs in West Michigan, the undersigned preached a sermon from the graphic text, Proverbs 23:29-35, warning against drunkenness. Encouraged by one who heard the message to put it in written form, I have done so. It is, admittedly, even longer in print form than it was in spoken form. May God use it not only as an example of exegesis and homiletics, but as a pointed, loving warning to all who abuse substances, as well as an encouragement to consistories to labor with such individuals for the salvation of their souls.
"Ten book reviews round out the issue. Their topics are also varied. They regard matters of doctrine (dispensationalism) pastoral ministry and worship, church historical figures (Ulrich Zwingli, J. N. Darby, Gordon Clark, and numerous French Reformed theologians), and exegesis (the Psalms and Revelation). Read the review; then, if so inclined, read the book!
"Finally, do not overlook Luther’s advice to the discouraged—advice that we all do well to take to heart: be sure to have plenty of fellowship with other Christian believers, and go have fun (see page133)! Which is to say, whether eating, or drinking, or whatever you
do, do it to God’s glory (1 Cor. 10:31)."
Now that you know what this Fall issue holds, dig in and read!
If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Bethany Engelsma, the seminary secretary (seminarysecretary@prca.org) or call the seminary at 616-531-1490.