CTR 12/2 (Spring 2015): Issues in Pauline Studies

There continues to be no shortage of discussion among biblical scholars about the theology of Paul. Monographs, articles, and substantial volumes continue to be published as thinkers engage such important topics as Paul’s view of justification, the law, Israel, Christ, and eschatology. This is why the Spring 2015 edition of CTR is solely devoted to topics in Pauline Studies.

Our lead article is by Andrew D. Clarke who serves as Senior Lecturer in New Testament in the School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Clarke examines the nature of Paul’s apostolic authority as it initially functioned in his own ministry and how it is still expressed through his writings within the Christian canon.

CTR 12/1 (Fall 2014): Open Theme

Occasionally CTR provides academic forums that are not devoted to a specific theme so contributors can provide specialized essays on a broad spectrum of topics. And this Fall 2014 edition serves as such a volume. Herein, readers can engage two articles pertaining to New Testament studies as well as individual essays devoted to Christian spirituality, the history of evangelicalism, philosophical theology, and systematic/historical theology.

Our lead article is by Nathan A. Finn who serves as Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Baptist Studies and is the director of the Center for Spiritual Formation and Evangelical Spirituality at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Finn engages the various factors and complexities that are intrinsic to any attempt at constructing a robust taxonomy of spiritual disciplines within the context of the Baptist tradition.

CTR 11/2 (Spring 2014): Christianity and Economics

The subject of economics receives attention from a broad spectrum of voices including political journalists and specialized analysts as well as biblical scholars and theologians. The main reason for such an array of interested parties is because the topic touches upon so many issues related to the big contours of everyday life such as work, business, government, health care, and foreign relations. This being the case then, the Spring 2014 volume of CTR is primarily devoted to the subject of Christianity and Economics.

The first four articles are written by evangelicals who are participating in the conversation about what a Christian view of economics should look like. At some levels, their positions have some discernable continuity. But in other ways, some of their proposals are in conflict, thereby highlighting the diversity of thought that Christians exhibit when talking about how economic theory should be fleshed out in the context of biblical convictions.

CTR 11/1 (Fall 2013): The Meaning of the Millennium

For centuries, the millennium that is mentioned in Revelation 20 has been a source of spirited discussion among Christians. So in recognition of the potential for robust scholarly engagement about such an important topic, on October 12, 2012, Criswell College hosted a conference on The Future Kingdom: Perspectives on the Millennial Reign of Christ.

The intent of this forum was to allow attendants to hear presentations from scholars who represented differing viewpoints on the theological spectrum of the millennial debate. In doing so, because the leadership of Criswell College is committed to the premillennial view of the return of Christ, three variations of premillennialism were represented by distinct advocates of traditional dispensational premillennialism, progressive dispensational premillennialism, and historic premillennialism.  Likewise, the conference welcomed proponents of opposing viewpoints including amillennialism, postmillennialism, and even full preterism. Altogether the presentations were rich in content and elicited fruitful dialogue among the presenters and with the audience.  Therefore, this edition of CTR intends to provide the material that was shared at the conference.

CTR 10/2 (Spring 2013): The Significance of the Historical Adam

Did Adam (and Eve) actually exist? Historically, the general confession among believers of all Christian traditions has been a resounding yes.  Likewise, the faculty and administration here at Criswell College unequivocally affirm that Scripture teaches this truth.  However in recent years certain advancements in scientific research have persuaded some evangelical scholars that this conviction needs to be revisited.  As a result, there is now a growing polarization between evangelicals who believe in an historical Adam and a growing consortium that does not.

CTR 10/1 (Fall 2012): Open Theme

The Fall of 2012 marks a new transition in the life of the Criswell Theological Review.  For approximately a decade, Dr. R. Alan Streett has served as editor and successfully maintained a high standard of scholarship for this publication.  Scholars from numerous backgrounds have contributed to previous volumes with the byproduct being a healthy colloquial setting.    Now as a colleague of Dr. Streett, I humbly step into the role as editor with the determination to maintain the same standard of quality so that our readership can continue to benefit.

That being said, the Fall 2012 edition includes a compilation of articles on numerous topics.  Our first two articles are lectures that were presented in the Fall of 2011 at the annual Criswell Theological Lectures Series at Criswell College.  The speaker was Dr. Andreas Kӧstenberger, who serves as Professor of New Testament at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.  The lead article is a lecture wherein Kӧstenberger presented his reflections on the nature of biblical hermeneutics which were based on a current book that he co-wrote with Richard D. Patterson entitled Invitation to Biblical Interpretation.  The second article was a subsequent lecture in which Kӧstenberger admonished young seminarians to pursue character as well as academic excellence.  This lecture was also based upon a current volume Kӧstenberger had written entitled Excellence: The Character of God and the Pursuit fo Scholarly Virtue.

CTR 9/2 (Spring 2012): Jewish Studies

The Spring 2012 edition of Criswell Theological Review features several articles on the theme of Jewish Studies, including essays on Jewish and Gentile identity “in Christ.”  As our readers know, this issue is the focus of much debate among scholars of all theological persuasions.

Our lead article, “Romans 11 and Christian-Jewish Relations,” is contributed by Mark Nanos, the Soebbing Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at Rockhurst University (MO).  Based on his careful exegesis of the text, Nanos challenges translation committees whose English word choices has led many to conclude erroneously that God’s people (Jews) as natural branches have been severed from the Olive tree, had their hearts hardened, and thus have become enemies of the gospel.  Nanos then suggests that alternative translation options, based on contextual and historical considerations, which will lead to a more accurate interpretation of this well-known passage.

CTR 9/1 (Fall 2011): Open Theme

The Fall 2011 edition of Criswell Theological Review offers our subscribers several articles dealing with biblical and theological studies. Rusty Osborne, editor and moderator of lawprophetssandwritings.com, examines Ezekiel’s use of irony in Ezekiel 20:1-44 as a means of maximizing prophetic rhetoric.  This is an important article for those teaching through the Book of Ezekiel.

In his article, “‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, With His People’: Paul’s Intra-Jewish Rhetoric in Philippians 3:1-9,” Chris Zoccali challenges the traditional scholarly view that this text represents an anti-Jewish polemic and offers an alternative view that it is actually concerned with Gentile Christ-followers retaining their own ethnic identity.

Glenn Kreider, Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, contributes “God’s Humility: Reflections on an Unappreciated Attribute of the father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”  In this provocative article Kreider explores the implication of Christ’s incarnation, especially as it relates to his human obedience and submission to his heavenly Father through the power of the Spirit.

CTR 8/2 (Spring 2011): Open Theme

This edition of CTR features the contributions of six scholars.  Of these, three deal specifically with issues related to the General Epistles.

In the lead article, “The Authorship of Hebrews,” David Allen, Dean of the School of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX) makes a survey of historical literature that supports his position that Luke was responsible for penning Hebrews.  With an abundance of evidence, Allen presents a compelling case for his position.

Respected NT scholar Peter H. Davids, Professor of NT at St. Stephen’s University (Saint Stephen, NB), examines the “larger theology” of the Epistle of James.  Breaking new ground, he shows that James has much to say about God and the human situation in the context of the Roman Empire.

CTR 8/1 (Fall 2010): Open Theme

Herbert Benson, M.D., Associate Professor at Harvard medical School, is known as the “Father of the Relaxation response,” a method used to cope with stress and its results, e.g. elevated blood pressure.  Since the mid- 1970’s Benson has been on the cutting edge of mind body medicine.  His most recent book, The Relaxation Revolution, co-authored with William Proctor, J.D., presents the latest scientific data that validates the effectiveness of relaxation as a therapeutic tool.   

In our lead article, “The Coming Relaxation Revolution: Introducing Evangelical Christians to the Science and Genetics of Mind Body Therapy,” Benson and Proctor make a case that relaxation techniques are compatible with the Christian belief system and suggest ways that evangelicals can practice the Relaxation Response to attain better health.  An informative interview with the authors follows the article.