Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 08:1 (Fall 2021)
Article: From Rutherford Hall
Author: Barry J. York

From Rutherford Hall

Barry J. York

President and Professor of Pastoral Theology and Homiletics Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

The Psalmist declares, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Ps. 18:2, ESV). Over recent weeks, the wondrous truths of God’s unchanging nature and way of salvation, pictured as a rock in this verse, have served as a great comfort to myself and others. For young people transitioning into a new phase of life, for dear friends grieving over the tragic death of a son, for pastors taking on new callings and responsibilities, for congregations struggling through difficult issues–knowing that the Lord is our Rock gives us a solid place to stand when things are changing all around us.

At Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I have especially recalled and prayed over this promise numerous times since becoming the president. We have come through many changes in my short tenure here that began just over three years ago. Three new faculty members. A new librarian. Numerous staffing and personnel changes. A third of our board members are new just this year.

Yet even as the Lord has brought these changes, one thing has remained constant at RPTS through them all. He has maintained the same spirit of Christian love, the same high regard for academic and theological rigor, and the same level of service to our students and constituents. Only the Lord who is our Rock can do such things!

His steadfast love toward us was seen in this year’s Westminster Conference held in September. The RPTS faculty was joined by our longtime friend, Dr. John Tweeddale of Reformation Bible College, as we addressed the theme “The Spirit Bearing Witness by and with the Word in Our Hearts.” We were overjoyed to see many gather that weekend and respond eagerly, including over twenty young people who are graduates of the Theological Foundations for Youth program which we host at RPTS every summer. These six messages, along with some other wonderful contributions, are found in the pages of this issue of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal.

Even during these difficult, changing times, let us continue to take refuge in the Lord and proclaim along with the psalmist, “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” (Ps. 18:31).