Category Archives: American Theology

Boersma on Hospitality, 1

Posted on December 2, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Notes on chapter one from Boersma’s Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross: Reappropriating the Atonement Tradition. Hans Boersma uses concepts like violence and hospitality, particularly in their recent philosophical venues, as a set of ciphers to explore the atonement.  He succeeds brilliantly. … Continue reading →

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Review: Jonathan Edwards among the Theologians (Crisp)

Posted on November 16, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Crisp, Oliver. Jonathan Edwards Among the Theologians. Grand Rapids, MI: 2015. Oliver Crisp paradoxically expands and summarizes key elements of his previous research. By contrasting Edwards with several Reformed thinkers, Crisp highlights some of Edwards’ unique (and sometimes bizarre) views. … Continue reading →

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Edwards and the metaphysics of Sin, God, and Creation

Posted on November 15, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

This is a review of two of Oliver Crisp’s works on Jonathan Edwards.  They are quite technical but open the door for more reflection on Edwards.  In other words, almost everything you have heard from the Young, Restless, and Reformed … Continue reading →

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The Lost World of Genesis 1 (John Walton)

Posted on October 29, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Like the other “Lost World” books, this is written in proposition format, which makes the arguments easy to follow.  Walton is very clear, even on points where I disagree. There are some flaws in this work, but it is a … Continue reading →

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Review: Powers of Darkness (Clinton Arnold)

Posted on October 9, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Arnold, Clinton. Powers of Darkness: Principalities and Powers in Paul’s Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsityPress, 1992. In many ways this is a shortened version of his dissertation. But it can also function as a supernaturalist, evangelical response to the then (and … Continue reading →

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The Divine Stapler

Posted on September 22, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

I believe in inspiration.  I believe the original mss are inerrant.  But we have to be careful how we gloss inspiration, not only because it is open to rebuttals, but also because there are instances of when the inspired writers … Continue reading →

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Horton: People and Place–A Covenant Ecclesiology

Posted on July 24, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Horton finishes his unique project by examining the role that “covenant” plays in ecclesial discussions, yet the book is not simply another exercise in “how covenant theology proves infant baptism.” It is much more nuanced and detailed. Horton has demonstrated … Continue reading →

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Horton: Lord and Servant–A Covenant Christology

Posted on July 24, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

This is Mike Horton’s second installment in his Covenant series. He reframes Christology around “covenant” and is stunningly successful. His genius is in using the covenant to contrast two ontologies: overcoming estrangement (classical metaphysics) and meeting a Stranger. Horton shows … Continue reading →

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How not to be secular (review)

Posted on June 29, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Smith gives us a roadmap of Charles Taylor’s analysis of modernity. On most accounts, Smith’s treatment excels and the reader is well-equipped to analyze both Taylor’s work and (post)modernity in general. The book suffers from an unfocused conclusion and Smith’s … Continue reading →

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Concupiscence in Shedd

Posted on June 15, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

With the PCA har forces of George Soros, and from a number of conversations I’ve had with the Revoice crowd, the question that keeps coming up: are sinful desires sinful?  The more you reflect on this, the harder a simple … Continue reading →

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