Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 11:1 (Fall 2024)
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

Our modest journal at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary is based primarily on papers delivered at our annual Westminster Conference held in the fall of each year as classes resume. The conference, hosted in the lovely facilities of our friends at Providence Presbyterian Church in McKees Rocks, is a wonderful way to begin our school year.

Each of our professors typically develops a talk on the theme based on their particular area of study, seeking to combine the academic with the pastoral and practical. Students and friends from the seminary come from near and far to learn and fellowship with fellow believers. For this year’s conference, we had the “ABC’s” of publishers with us, as our friends at the Alliance for Confessing Evangelicals, the Banner of Truth, and Crown & Covenant all had displays where they offered quality books often at discounted prices. The RPTS staff were also present, eagerly serving the participants during the time. With over two hundred joining us this year, we enjoyed a surge in attendance that we hope continues.

Our theme this year was “Making All Things of Nothing: God Executing His Eternal Decree of Creation.” As I listened to my fellow RPTS professors address this subject, I noted their scholarly work. From Dr. C.J. Williams tracing the historical meaning of the Westminster Confession’s phrase “in the space of six days,” to Dr. Rick Gamble’s look at creation through the covenant of works established with Adam, to Dr. Jeff Stivason having us think again about the common (mis)perception of B.B. Warfield being sympathetic to evolution in his creationary views, I was grateful for the sharp, learned minds on display.

However, yet another observation I witnessed truly made my heart rejoice. As a seminary committed to training pastors to shepherd their congregations faithfully, I was thankful to hear our professors upholding the historic, confessional, and perspicuous reading of the opening pages of Genesis. Evolutionary interpretations based on modern interpretations, such as the framework hypothesis or day-age theory, were absent except to be critiqued.

Instead, our professors led those attending the conference to reflect on the glory of God seen in creating this world ex nihilo in six days. As I grow older and am now a grandfather, knowing that pastors are being trained to go to local churches and uphold the truths of God’s Word regarding creation and redemption gives me great comfort that the coming generations sitting under RPTS-trained ministers will be faithfully taught.

The Lord asked Job when He appeared to him in the whirlwind, “Wh...