Broken Wharfe and the editor of the Journal of International Reformed Baptist Seminary (JIRBS) graciously granted us permission to publish “In Defense of Classical Theism: In Defense of Classical Theism: A Review Article of Jeffrey Johnson’s The Revealed God” (click title to see PDF) in full on Baptist Dogmatics. We are grateful for their generousity and encourage our readers to support Broken Wharfe.
In Defense of Classical Theism: Participation and Conclusion
The creature’s existence may only be explained in light of God’s communication of his own life to the creature, which can only be a caused and derived existence received by a finite being who has existence by the free will of God.
Read moreIn Defense of Classical Theism: Analogy
Analogical language may be metaphorical or literal. Both yield true knowledge of the incomprehensible God. The sufficiency of Scripture remains uncompromised by analogical language, which is simply a feature of language.
Read moreIn Defense of Classical Theism: Simplicity (Part 2)
The accusations against Aquinas implicate Owen, Turretin, and Gill as well. Johnson employs these Reformed theologians solely to criticize pagan philosophy, but they fail to appear as he discusses simplicity, eternality, immutability, and divine freedom. I suggest that Johnson disregards their views of simplicity and divine freedom because he cannot substantiate his doctrine of God from their writings.
Read moreIn Defense of Classical Theism: Simplicity (Part 1)
No competition exists between the doctrine of simplicity and the doctrine of the Trinity. The undivided divine essence subsists in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is important to note that the persons of the Trinity are really distinct from each other, albeit only conceptually distinct from the divine essence. The persons are not really distinct from the divine essence.
Read moreIn Defense of Classical Theism: Minor Critiques
But Johnson never suggests how creatures know the Creator in this life apart from knowing what has been made. Scripture, like the cosmos, is a created medium of revelation that finitely reveals the infinite God. Since the mediums of revelation are not the infinite God and the knower possesses a finite mind, what uncreated medium or mode of knowing would Johnson suggest?
Read moreIn Defense of Classical Theism: An Analysis of Jeffrey Johnson's Work (Part 2)
He pulls Turretin and Gill off the bench to show how they rejected pagan philosophy, using Colossians 2:8 as a supporting text. His use of these theologians gives the false impression that they agree with him. Johnson associates certain views with PCT, labels them “philosophy,” and then argues that Turretin and Gill disparage philosophy. However, Johnson fails to show that men like Gill agree with his own description of philosophy and PCT.
Read moreIn Defense of Classical Theism: An Analysis of Jeffrey Johnson's Work (Part 1)
Over the next several weeks, we will publish excerpts from Drew Sparks’ recent article, “In Defense of Classical Theism: A Review Article of Jeffrey Johnson’s The Revealed God.” This article was originally published in the 2024 Journal of International Reformed Baptist Seminary (JIRBS). The editor and Broken Wharfe graciously granted Baptist Dogmatics permission to publish the article on our site.
Read moreConfessional Perspectives Review: Before the Foundation of the World
Before the Foundation of the World provides a concise introduction to the doctrines of God’s free grace. This book may serve as a helpful entry point to Reformed theology for those unfamiliar with these doctrines or persuade those who know these teachings but disagree. We hope with Riddle that a greater appreciation for the doctrines of grace will naturally lead individuals and churches to a robust confessionalism.
Read moreConfessional Perspectives Review: Green Pastures
Davidson provides readers with an excellent primer on the means of grace. He clearly and succinctly explains the means and how they are used by Christ in the church while warding off errors that either turn the means into an avenue of justifying grace or strip them of their nourishing efficacy. He faithfully directs readers to Scripture, wisely incorporates the Confession, and judiciously employs historical sources.
Read moreTrinity, Christology, and James White: Practical Concerns (4)
Since theology is an act of worship, it may be considered proper when it rightly conforms to its end. When our theology conforms to the mind of God and leads to worship, the primary purpose has been fulfilled.
Read moreTrinity, Christology, and James White: Theological Concerns (3)
How the two natures relate to one another and how it might be said that the omniscient Son lacked knowledge is at question. As well as how this confession, this truth he and we both believe, affects our ability to read the Scriptures.
Read moreTrinity, Christology, and James White: Exegetical Concerns (2)
We continue our series of articles on the recent Trinity and Christological discussions occurring in Reformed Baptist circles– although we are aware of their presence elsewhere.
Read moreTrinity, Christology, and James White: Methodological Concerns (1)
At Baptist Dogmatics, we thought it would be beneficial to engage some of the recent debates concerning the Trinity and Christology, specifically found in our own Reformed Baptist circles. As pastor-theologians, we are compelled by the love of Christ to provide sound doctrine for those God has entrusted in our care.
Read moreAuthority of Scripture: Illumination
Throughout these articles on the authority of Scripture, we have distinguished between the reason why we believe, and the thing believed; or, the testimony and the thing testified to. The formal object of faith is the testimony of God which is presented to us in the material object of faith, the things revealed. The Spirit’s work upon the believer is neither the formal nor the material object of faith.
Read moreThe Authority of Scripture: Motives
If we reason from motives to the divine origin of Scripture, then our assurance rests upon our natural capacities rather than the great testimony of God. However, because Scripture is self-authenticating, the motives for faith provide sufficient evidence that Scripture is the Word of God.
Read moreThe Authority of Scripture: Grounds and Motives
The marks of divinity, according to the Confession, serve as “arguments whereby [Scripture] doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God.” Yet, these lines of evidence serve as motives rather than as the ground of our faith upon which the authority of Scripture rests.
Read moreThe Authority of Scripture
Since Scripture is inspired, the Confession contends that Scripture is to be received on the authority of the One who gave it. Neither the creature nor a created institution supplies the authoritative testimony needed for one to accept Holy Scripture.
Read moreCanon: Exegetical Grounding
God’s speech and intention warrant a book's canonical status and ground the creature’s ability to recognize the canon on God’s authority.
Read moreCanon: The Contents of Holy Scripture
Discourse about the canon is inherently theological such that what we say about Holy Scripture reveals what we think about its Author. Scripture is the very speech of God and, as such, we recognize that everything we say about Scripture says something about the One to whom it belongs.
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