Foundations 86 (Summer 2024)

Issue 86 of Foundations: An International Journal of Evangelical Theology, published by Affinity, is now available from here (now requiring an email address for a link to a downloadable pdf) which includes the below essays.

Donald John MacLean

Editorial

Jonathan Bayes

Review Article: Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction

Steve Bishop

Abraham Kuyper: Inspiration, Revelation, and Scripture

This paper examines Kuyper’s view of the Scriptures. It stresses Kuyper’s organic and pneumocentric view of the Scriptures. These emphases serve to show that Scripture is both of divine and human origin.

Lee Gatiss

John Owen and Relating to God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

This article presents the foundational importance of the Trinity for the Christian life. Considering the teaching of John Owen, and his context in the seventeenth century, helps us see that the great blessing of the Christian life is that we have fellowship with the one true and living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And, in particular, that we have distinct communion with him as Father, as Son, and as Holy Spirit.

Roger Fay

John Wesley and Aldersgate

This article considers the significance of John Wesley’s experience on 24 May 1738 when his heart was “strangely warmed”. It argues against attempts to dilute the evangelical significance of this experience.

Ian Shaw

Slavery, the Slave Trade and Christians’ Theology – Part 1

In this article I explore the different positions taken by Christians in America and Britain, through the 17th to 19th Centuries, regarding slavery and the slave trade. In a second article I will reflect on the theological themes that framed how they thought, spoke and acted.

Thorsten Prill

Missionary – What’s in a Word? A Critical Discussion of a Disputed Term

This article discusses the meaning of the word “missionary” and its use in today’s church. It looks at the biblical, historical and contemporary understandings of a phrase which triggers a variety of responses even among Christians. Some insist that “missionary” has become a discredited term and others hold that it no longer reflects their broader understanding of mission. However, those who still use it find support both in the Scriptures and mission history. Given the similarity of the phrase “missionary” and the biblical term “apostle” one can argue that missionaries are followers of Christ who are sent to continue with the apostolic task without claiming the same authority as the Twelve or the Apostle Paul. Therefore, the preaching of the gospel, the planting of churches and the training of church leaders lie at the heart of their mission. This work might be accompanied by other activities, such as social, educational or medical programmes, but, as demonstrated by the early representatives of the Protestant mission movement, it should always be carried out with sensitivity, respect and humility.

Book Reviews