Introduction -- By: Benjamin L. Merkle

Journal: Southeastern Theological Review
Volume: STR 08:2 (Fall 2017)
Article: Introduction
Author: Benjamin L. Merkle


Introduction

Benjamin L. Merkle

STR Editor

This volume of STR is dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany (October 31, 1517). Although many other factors were involved in igniting the Protestant Reformation, Luther’s nailing his 95 Theses is viewed as the landmark action that both solidified and catapulted the Reformation. For Luther (and others), his protest against the Roman Catholic Church was not based on his desire for power or prestige. Rather, it was a longing for a return to the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the apostle Paul. But there always remains the question for us: Did the Reformers go far enough?

The first essay in this issue is by Ray Van Neste, Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of the R. C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies at Union University. In his essay, “The Mangled Narrative of Mission and Evangelism in the Reformation,” Van Neste disputes the notion that the Reformers had no concern for missions. This view, originally promoted by Gustav Warneck, has found its way into many missions textbooks but is largely unfounded. Van Neste demonstrates through the works of Martin Luther, Martin Bucer, and John Calvin that, although their concern for missions may not be as robust and we might hope, these Reformers show significant concern for the spread of the gospel to the nations.

In the second essay, Nathan Finn, Professor of Theological Studies and Dean of the School of Theology and Missions at Union University, relates Baptist identity to the five solas of the Reformation and the priesthood of all believers. He argues that using retrieval theology in relation to the Reformation will help Baptists solidify who they are in relation to (1) regenerate church membership, (2) believer-only baptism, (3) congregational polity, (4) local church autonomy, and (5) religious liberty.

In the third essay, Malcolm Yarnell, Research Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Center for Theological Research at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, discusses the development of Baptist ecclesiology in relation to the churches of the English Reformation. In particular he explains the ecclesiology of Southern Baptist churches in relation to (1) their people (structures), (2) their God (activities), and (3) to others.

The next essay is somewhat of a departure from what might be expected in STR. This essay, by Stephen Eccher, Assistant Professor of Church History and Reformation Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a reflective account of an eleven-day study tour to ...

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