August–September 2019 Ordained Servant

From the Editor. Very early in my Christian life, while still considering a call to the ministry, I came across a little booklet first published in 1962 by Eerdmans entitled A Little Exercise for Young Theologians by Helmut Thielicke (1908–86) (see my editorial, Ordained Servant Online, February 2012; Ordained Servant 21 (2012): 12–14). Douglas Felch’s “The ‘Peter Principle’ of Church Leadership” is another little exercise, not just to tame the hubris of young ministers, but to remind all church officers and members that humility is one of the chief virtues of a disciple, and must be exemplary in church leaders. This fundamental attitude is essential to the gospel of our crucified Savior and thus to the ministry of that gospel.

David C. Noe offers the final part of “Beza on the Trinity, Part 6.” This reminds us how much more central the doctrine of the Trinity should be in our worship and lives. In October Noe will offer Beza’s theses on the Trinity.

Meredith M. Kline reviews two books on Ecclesiastes. The first is a review article, “Ecclesiastes: Musings of an Unfaithful Solomon?” on an important new commentary, Ecclesiastes, by Richard P. Belcher Jr. Kline expands the meaning of his title: “The commentary consistently supports its overall interpretative approach to Ecclesiastes of understanding Qohelet’s ‘under the sun’ perspective as a presentation of deviant ‘speculative wisdom,’ which is corrected in the epilogue (12:9–14).” Kline’s interpretive approach is that Qohelet is looking through the eyes of a biblical realist, an important difference.

Meredith M. Kline also reviews Randy Jaeggli’s Embrace Life Under the Sun: God’s Wisdom for Today from Ecclesiastes. This topical treatment also suffers from the same problem in Belcher’s commentary: a failure to understand Qohelet as a biblical realist.

Charles Wingard reviews Chad Van Dixhoorn, God’s Ambassadors: The Westminster Assembly and the Reformation of the English Pulpit, 1643–1653. The assembly’s creation of doctrinal standards often eclipses their focus on the reformation of preaching. Van Dixhoorn’s detailed description and analysis of their work on this topic will help fortify a high view of Scripture and the way it is communicated.

Gordon Cook reviews a very practical aid to pastors in Bill Davis’s Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision Making at the End of Life. This is a book on advanced directives for healthcare and will provide an up-to-date guide on dealing with practical matters surrounding death.

Finally, Henry Vaughn’s (1621–1695) “The Star” rekindles a youthful sense of wonder at the beauty of nature, combining it with mature faith. The best of the Metaphysical poets achieved this with great skill.

Blessings in the Lamb,
Gregory Edward Reynolds

FROM THE ARCHIVES “LEADERSHIP”

Subject Index

• “Reflections about Ministerial Authority.” (T. David Gordon) 28 (Feb. 2019).
• “Lessons in Leadership from Nehemiah.” (Gregory E. Reynolds) 27 (2018): 13–18.
• “A Little Exercise for Young Theologians.” (Gregory E. Reynolds) 21 (2012): 12–14.
• “John Calvin: Servant of the Word.” (Glen J. Clary) 18 (2009): 77–92.

Ordained Servant exists to help encourage, inform, and equip church officers for faithful, effective, and God-glorifying ministry in the visible church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Its primary audience is ministers, elders, and deacons of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, as well as interested officers from other Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Through high-quality editorials, articles, and book reviews, we will endeavor to stimulate clear thinking and the consistent practice of historic, confessional Presbyterianism.