R Scott Clark

There was a meeting of the TSG reading group at the John Owen Centre yesterday (June 2010). Mostyn Roberts of Welwyn was in the chair and we were looking at R Scott Clark's book Recovering the Reformed Confession. A group of six Reformed Baptist ministers, we were generally appreciative of the book (which is written for an American, chiefly Presbyterian audience) but far from sure that he's got it all right. What Professor Clark seeks to do in the book is to show where Reformed theology, show more piety and practice is going wrong.
As a professor of historical theology he knows his history well and gives many a fascinating insight. He is also scholarly and well read - though he knows it and that could be off putting.
I particularly appreciated his explanation of archetypal and ectypal theology (143-145) and of the various forms of confessional subscription that have prevailed down the years (Chapter 5).
He begins negatively by criticising QIRC and QIRE (the quest for illegitimate religious certainty and experience). In his sights are certain creationists, reconstructionist/theonomists and the federal vision people plus any form of pietism or revivalism. Jonathan Edwards, Dr Lloyd-Jones and most post-17th Century Christians are gunned down at this point. It is quite a blood bath.
Positively, he calls for a recapturing of the Creator/creature categorical distinction and a return to the confessions. Chapter 6 The joy of being confessional gives further arguments. The final chapters are on worship and the second service. It has an index which is helpful.
We really enjoyed discussing such an interesting book. One fun moment - when Jeremy Walker spoke quite unconsciously of standing in Clark's shoes - would we wear any other? show less

This is one of the more challenging books I've read recently, and parts will stick with me. I found Clark's QIRC (Quest for Illegitimate Religious Certainty) and QIRE (Quest for Illegitimate Religious Experience) to be really useful models with broader applicability. I'm still thinking through his arguments about the confessional boundaries pertaining to e.g. creation, but appreciated the case he builds for both the demands and freedoms of confessional adherence.

I'm not sure I followed all show more his arguments about the Regulative Principle, but came away with a burden for how much of our heritage we've set aside with seemingly little forethought (especially when it comes to the psalms).

He contrasts with medieval mystics the Reformed tradition's "rather modest mysticism [located] in Word and sacrament" (334), which I loved. show less

Festschrift to honor Dr. Godfrey, Professor of Church History at Westminster Seminary, California. Dr. Godfrey has served as President of Westminster, California, since 1993. I knew Dr. Godfrey and took his M.Div courses (Ancient Church and Reformation courses) when Dr. Godfrey was at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia, prior to the start of the California campus. Dr. Godfrey's classes were well-liked and well-attended. Dr. Godfrey knew how to graciously, but clearly, answer the contentions show more of the anti-paedobaptist students!

The Festschrift divides into 3 sections of essays, Historical, Theological and Ecclesiastical. I have read the first 2 essays in the theological section. "Christology and Pneumatology: John Calvin, the Theologian of the Holy Spirit" by Sinclair B. Ferguson
"Make War No More? The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of J. Gresham Machen’s Warrior Children" by D. G. Hart

If these are indicative of the quality of the remaining essays, this is truly a stellar volume. This volume will come to be known as a fitting tribute to Dr. Godfrey and as the source for a number of informative essays. show less

This book is truly wonderful. I am somewhat biased since I attended Westminster and had all of the contributors as professors. This book really helps clarify many of the issues at stake in the debate with the New Perspective on Paul. I think that every Christian should read Dennis Johnson's chapter entitled, "Simul iustus et peccator: The Role of Justification in Pastoral Counseling." This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.