Journal of the GES – Autumn 2019

Racism, Southern Seminary, and the Perseverance of the Saints
Kenneth W. Yates Editor I. INTRODUCTION In December 2018, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, released its “Report on Slavery and Racism in the History of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary”(hereafter RSR).1 As the title suggests, the RSR deals with how in its past Southern Seminary and its leaders were involved in the issues
A Review of Matthew C. Hoskinson’s Assurance of Salvation: Implications of a New Testament Theology of Hope
Robert N. Wilkin I. INTRODUCTION There have not been many books written on assurance of salvation. Assurance of Salvation (hereafter AOS) is a revised version of Hoskinson’s 2005 doctoral dissertation at Bob Jones University.1 Most of AOS fails to examine NT texts dealing with assurance of salvation, with Hoskinson focusing primarily on “a New Testament
A Review of Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Part 2
Brad Doskocil Chairman GES Board I. INTRODUCTION In the previous edition of the JOTGES, I began a review of Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.1 In that article I covered the first eight chapters of the book. It was concluded that in those chapters, which deal with various spiritual disciplines,
John 4:10: A Promise to the Samaritan Woman
Frank W. Tyler Evangelist Sequim, WA I. INTRODUCTION Jesus’ testimony to Nicodemus reveals God’s chesed or loyal covenantal love in giving His Son for the salvation of the world, both Jew and Gentile.1 As a teacher of Israel and a Pharisee, Nicodemus might well have been taken aback with Jesus’ promise: “For in this manner,
Dortian Calvinism Is Dead Wrong on Ephesians 2: A Review of Timothy R. Nichols’s Dead Man’s Faith
John H. Niemelä President Message of Life Ministries Aurora, CO I. INTRODUCTION1 Dortian Calvinism is known by the acronym T-U-L-I-P. The first point is the T, which stands for total inability. The following sermon by Brian Anderson is typical of those who hold to this theological view. It deceives many into imagining that the unregenerate
Muslim Conversions to Christ: A Critique of Insider Movements in Islamic Contexts
Muslim Conversions to Christ: A Critique of Insider Movements in Islamic Contexts. Edited by Ayman S. Ibrahim and Ant Greenham. New York, NY: Peter Lang, 2018. 532 pp. Hardcover, $77.17. Ibrahim was raised in Egypt and is a professor of Islamic studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Greenham is a professor of missions and Islamic
Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism
Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism. By Elijah Hixson and Peter J. Gurry, Editors. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2019. 372 pp. Paper, $40.00. While in seminary, I became very interested in NT textual criticism. Initially I held to the eclectic approach, which is basically a Critical Text (CT) approach. Later I became
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith. By Gregg R. Allison. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018. 426 pp. Paper, $29.99. This is a condensed book on systematic theology. Its purpose is to guide in teaching theology to others. Each chapter contains an outline to help in that goal. The audience in mind is the
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. By Tony Evans. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019. 1440 pp. Hardcover, $44.99. Dr. Tony Evans is founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. He is also the founder and president of The Urban Alternative, an evangelical outreach ministry. He is on radio and has
Spiritual Gifts: What They Are & Why They Matter
Spiritual Gifts: What They Are & Why They Matter. By Thomas R. Schreiner. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2018. 172 pp. Paper, $16.99. This book is very irenic in nature. Thomas Schreiner says that the issue of spiritual gifts is not a “first-order” doctrine (p. 2). Devout Christians can have different opinions. He was at
Shepherd the Flock
Shepherd the Flock. By Donald Norbie. Port Colborne, CO: Gospel Folio Press, 2010. 38 pp. Paper, $1.59. This booklet summarizes the NT teaching about the roles of elders in the local church. Norbie has four chapters, “The Motivation,” “The Qualifications,” “The Work,” and “The Discipline of the Elders.” For the most part, Norbie’s observations are
The Assurance of Salvation: Biblical Hope for Our Struggles
The Assurance of Salvation: Biblical Hope for Our Struggles. By Robert A. Peterson. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019. 191 pp. Paper, $16.99. Robert Peterson was a Professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Seminary for over twenty-five years. He has written or edited thirty books. There is much to like about this book. The tone is
The Hospitality Commands
The Hospitality Commands. By Alexander Strauch. Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1993. 64 pp. Paper, $6.99. What kinds of spiritual practices should Christians emphasize? In this short, but powerful, booklet, Alexander Strauch explores what the NT says about hospitality. Unlike popular spiritual disciplines that do not have clear Scriptural bases, Strauch shows that hospitality
Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World
Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World. By Andy Stanley. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018. 332 pp. Hardcover, $24.99. Normally when I review books, I am confident that I understand the author’s main point. In the case of Irresistible by Andy Stanley, I am confident I understand at least a few of