Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 74:1 (Spring 2012)
Article: The Rev. Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.: Sancti Libri Theologicus Magnus Westmonasteriensis
Author: Peter Alan Lillback

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The Rev. Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.:
Sancti Libri Theologicus Magnus Westmonasteriensis

Peter A. Lillback

Peter A. Lillback is President of Westminster Theological Seminary. This article is an expansion of a tribute written for Ordained Servant in 2011 in honour of Dr. Richard B. Gaffin upon his 75th birthday.

While Scripture forbids us to venerate any mere mortal (Rev 19:10), Paul in Rom 12:7 declares, “Pay to all what is owed to them . . . respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” There are many reasons that warrant a tribute to the Rev. Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., in 2011, the seventy-fifth year of his fruitful life. These reasons include his godly and gentlemanly character, his extensive academic contributions, his faithful and scholarly churchmanship, and his gracious humility that permeates his productive writing. Here we honor Dr. Gaffin in the spirit of Heb 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

I. Summary Of The Impact Of The Ministry Of Dr. Gaffin

The ministry of Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., is interwoven with Westminster Theological Seminary1 and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.2 Indeed, 2011 is the seventy-fifth birthday of both the OPC and Dr. Gaffin. Further, 1965 is the year of Dr. Gaffin’s ordination in the OPC as well as his first teaching year at Westminster. And January 1, 2012, is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the death of J. Gresham Machen,3 the founder of Westminster4 and the moving

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force for the establishment of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.5

Dr. Gaffin was born in 1936 in Peiping, China, modern-day Beijing, to parents serving as missionaries with the Independent Board of Foreign Missions and soon thereafter until their retirement with the Committee on Foreign Missions of the newly formed Orthodox Presbyterian Church.6 His father-in-law was the accomplished Westminster Old Testament professor, Dr. E. J. Young.7 As a Westminster Seminary student and the twenty-second professor to have signed the Faculty Book at Westminster, he knew five of the original faculty: Van Til, K...

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