Journal Offers Insights to Biblical Interpretation, Current Issues

Journal Offers Insights to Biblical Interpretation, Current Issues

BJU Seminary has released the Fall 2021 issue of the Journal of Biblical Theology & Worldview, the Seminary’s flagship publication highlighting the institution’s next-level scholarship and thought leadership along with world-class research from guest contributors, offering in-depth insights into biblical interpretation with application to critical contemporary issues.

Articles and contributors in this edition include:

  • “Theological Foundations for Counseling Addicted Believers” by Jim Berg, professor of biblical counseling at BJU Seminary. Berg’s article examines three passages of Scripture that lay a strong biblical foundation for approaching addictions: Romans 6:15-23; James 1:1-8; James 1:12-15. The conclusion of this nationally recognized expert on the subject is that while all addictions have physical effects, the greatest pull towards addiction springs from the sinful heart, not the human body; therefore, the war against addiction is a spiritual one.

  • “Bruising, Crushing, or Striking: The Translation of שׁוף and the Promise of Victory in Genesis 3:15” by Jonathan M. Cheek (PhD, BJU Seminary, 2019). This article analyzes the Hebrew word translated “bruise/strike/crush” in Genesis 3:15, exploring how its translation impacts the understanding role of God’s promise in the verse in biblical theology, specifically whether it should be understood as a promise of ultimate victory.

  • “The Futurist Interpretation of Revelation: Intertextual Evidence from the Prologue” by Brian C. Collins, biblical worldview lead specialist at BJU Press. Collins argues that, taken together, the allusions to the Old Testament in Revelation 1:1-8 point readers to interpreting Revelation in a futurist manner that understands the apocalyptic writing to be primarily about the ultimate Day of the Lord.
  • “A Comparison of 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians as a Means of Gaining Insight into Church Ministry in a Particular Historical and Spiritual Moment” by Brian Hand, BJU Seminary professor of New Testament interpretation — Hand, a specialist in New Testament interpretation, brings out thematic similarities between Paul’s letters to Corinth and Thessalonica that provide insight into the setting and situation of each church, thereby suggesting ways to shape ministry proclamation in diverse church circumstances.

  • “A Review of the Historical Arguments in The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Timothy E. Miller, associate professor of New Testament at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Miller considers the three historical arguments made in the recent best-selling book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood and demonstrates their failure to establish the case that complementarianism is a modern construction designed to subjugate women.

  • “Bringing Many Sons to Glory: The Theological Intersection of Sonship and Resurrection in Redemption and Christology — Part 2” by Andrew T. Minnick, director of academics and enrollment at BJU Seminary and adjunct faculty for BJU’s School of Religion. The continuation of Minnick’s article from the previous edition considers on what scriptural ground interpreters stand when they say that the second Person of the Trinity is “begotten” and how the term relates to His resurrection and preeminence — and consequently believers’ resurrection and sonship.

Books reviewed include:

  • Black Fundamentalists: Conservative Christianity and Racial Identity in the Segregation Era by Daniel R. Bare — reviewed by Mark Sidwell, professor in BJU’s Division of History, Government and Social Science

  • Reading Revelation in Context: John’s Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism edited by Ben C. Blackwell, John K. Goodrich, and Jason Maston — reviewed by Brian C. Collins

  • Understanding Old Testament Theology: Mapping the Terrain of Recent Approaches by Brittany Kim and Charlie Trimm — reviewed by Ken Casillas, professor of Old Testament interpretation at BJU Seminary and managing editor of the journal

  • Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor by Jared C. Wilson — reviewed by Pearson L. Johnson III, director of student care and discipleship and faculty for BJU’s School of Religion

Casillas stated, “The Journal of Biblical Theology & Worldview is exactly what the name implies: a compendium of in-depth research and scholarship approaching theological questions and controversies — and examining current research and literature — from a position of faithfulness to the authority of Scripture and authors’ intent, and then applying that approach to contemporary issues.”

Dr. Neal Cushman, dean of BJU Seminary, said, “The journal fulfills our commitment to ‘Proclaim the Word, Serve the Church and Advance the Gospel’ by providing both the ‘basic’ and ‘applied’ research that can be used by apologists and theologians who in turn can equip pastors to ensure biblically faithful teaching and practice in the church. Advancing the ability to handle God’s Word in this manner strengthens these pastors in facing what they have characterized in Barna surveys as ‘watered-down Gospel teachings,’ ‘culture’s shift to a secular age’ and the challenge of ‘addressing complex social issues with biblical integrity.’”

About BJU Seminary

BJU Seminary is a conservative graduate school of theology and ministry in Greenville, South Carolina. Part of Bob Jones University, BJU Seminary features a world-class faculty of 25 full-time and adjunct professors recognized as specialists in fields ranging across theology, ministry, apologetics, counseling and missions — fulfilling a commitment to equip leaders to effectively proclaim the Word, serve the church and advance the Gospel.

The Seminary is pursuing a 500 x 5 x 5 strategic vision of putting 500 pastors on the path to the pulpit in the next five years — and every five years after that — through a 5P Plan of innovation and investment in the areas of program, partnerships, people, plant and profile.

BJU Seminary offers full-time, flexible graduate programs and certificates in areas including biblical counseling, theological studies, expository preaching, ministry studies, intercultural studies, biblical language and literature, Bible teaching, chaplaincy and master of divinity.