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8 August 2025
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Journal Article
8 August 2025
Book Review: "Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus's Death"
Book Review for Andrew Remington Rillera's Lamb of the Free.Current Articles
Journal Article8 August 2025
Editorial Board & Table of Contents
Table of Contents for Volume 9 Issue 1 of Liberty Theological Review (formerly Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal).Journal Article8 August 2025
A Bilingual Jesus: Assessing Evidence in the Gospels
This article examines issues of the historical Jesus’ linguistic proficiency, particularly in Greek, while providing an analysis of the use of other languages as well. Looking at recent studies on language use in Greco-Roman Palestine and new conceptualizations of multilingualism, the analysis seeks to clarify the languages used by Jesus. This study examines several case studies from the Gospels including the Aramaic sayings of Jesus, found primarily in Mark, a section of the Beatitudes in the Q material found in Lk 6:20–21, and the Lord’s Prayer in Q, with these theoretical frameworks in mind. It concludes that Jesus likely used Aramaic when addressing those who did not understand Greek. In addition, a sample of Jesus’ teaching in the Q double tradition material was analyzed to ascertain the possibility of its origin in Greek. This analysis concludes that there is no reason to assume that the material in Q was not composed in Greek originally, as there is no evidence of Semitic interference, whereas other parts of Jesus’ teaching, such as the Lord’s Prayer, were most likely uttered in Aramaic originally and translated into Greek.Journal Article8 August 2025
Deuteronomy and ANE Worldview Apologetics in a Postmodern Context
Postmodern Christianity seeks to divorce the miraculous and divine elements from Scripture and shape biblical morality in a way that relates to postmodern culture. Responding to Postmodern Christianity’s errors requires a consistent literal hermeneutic in one’s exegesis and a sound biblical framework in one’s apologetic method. The message of Deuteronomy presents a possible paradigm for this task, as its contents present a culturally-relevant polemic against false maxims and errant religion that God’s people faced within their own milieu. Moses’ polemic in Deuteronomy 4 presents a paradigm that would be employed by the prophets to counter the faulty syncretistic worldview that had crept into the nation. In addition to the command to remain distinct from pagan practices, the recipients of the message of Deuteronomy were commanded to impact the next generation by teaching their children. In Deuteronomy, this command to teach one’s offspring included answering their children’s questions, instilling a sense of cultural sanctification, and instructing them to uphold divine directives. This paper will evaluate a major polemical format that was employed in the Book of Deuteronomy, while gauging its viability for apologetics and ecclesiastical use in a postmodern context.Journal Article8 August 2025
The Problem of Selective Miracles
The problem of evil designates an umbrella of similarly related arguments linked together by family characteristics. Within this larger genus, the problem of selective miracles stands apart as a particularly underdeveloped species of argument that analytical and philosophical theologians have failed to adequately reckon with. By contextualizing this peculiar argument within an adequate metaethical framework, this article synthesizes a deontological framework with the elucidating work of John Peckham and his cosmic warfare theodicy. It further repudiates alternative approaches to the problem of selective miracles proffered by consequentialists and process theologians. In sum, the article contends that Peckham's cosmic warfare theodicy paired with a deontological foundation offers the most promising avenue in addressing the mystifying problem of selective miracles.Journal Article8 August 2025
God and Indiana Jones
This article explores the implications of the divine authorial analogy in relation to theological determinism, offering in place of the divine authorial analogy the divine playwright analogy. The divine playwright analogy brings into conversation issues regarding informed consent in conjunction with the problem of involuntary suffering. Understanding God in terms more akin to a playwright than an author thereby bestows greater dignity and autonomy upon God's creatures, allowing for improvisation within the broad parameters of God's providence. Hence, the divine playwright analogy maintains the beneficial aspects of the divine authorial analogy, such as the commitment to God's ontological priority over creation, whilst also dispensing of the more problematic elements of the analogy.Journal Article8 August 2025
The Tabernacle Hermeneutic: Mosaic permission from Ex 25:40 to behold Christ
Ex 25:40 is a hermeneutic used by Moses which gives the reader permission to behold Christ and “heavenly things” (τῶν ἐπουρανίων) in the tabernacle instructions (Ex 25-40). This Mosaic hermeneutic is highlighted by the author of Hebrews (Heb 8:5). The overwhelming textual and thematic connections between the tabernacle instructions and the creation account (Gen 1-3) demonstrates that this tabernacle hermeneutic (Ex 25:40) may be useful in other contexts in the Pentateuch. This tabernacle hermeneutic should be used on passages that share words, plot, and ceremonial practices with the tabernacle instructions. The use of “horn” (qeren) is analyzed in each major genre of the Pentateuch: law code, narrative, and poetry. Employing the tabernacle hermeneutic in these “horn” texts demonstrates several areas where Moses gives the reader permission to behold Christ and heavenly things just as in the tabernacle instructions. The three delimitations of shared words, plot, and practices are analyzed demonstrating weaknesses to consider and strengths to improve upon. The tabernacle hermeneutic of Ex 25:40 should be used on other Old Testament texts that meet the delimitations. This grants the reader Mosaic permission to behold Christ in the Pentateuch.Journal Article8 August 2025
The Marriage Metaphor of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: A New Interpretative Reading of John 4:1-45
This paper explores the marriage metaphor in John 4:1–45, arguing that Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman is a symbolic representation of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Through an exegetical analysis of the text, the study examines key elements such as the double entendre of the well motif, living water, and the concept of worship. The results of this study reveal the depth of John's narrative strategy in intentionally presenting Jesus as the Messianic Bridegroom, illustrated through his explicit use of Old Testament marriage motifs. The study concludes that the episode of Jesus and the Samaritan woman functions as a theological microcosm in God’s salvific plan.Journal Article8 August 2025
Biblical Church Governance: Returning To Plural-Elder Congregationalism from Policy-Based Governance Models
This paper critiques the growing adoption of policy-based governance models in local church contexts and argues for a return to plural-elder congregationalism as the most biblically faithful and historically rooted model of church government. While policy-based governance, derived from John Carver’s framework for nonprofit leadership, offers administrative strengths such as consistency, accountability, and efficiency, its application within the church often results in the diminishment of biblically mandated roles—particularly the deacon—and fosters a corporate rather than ecclesial culture. The author contends that such models misunderstand and misapply the New Testament offices of elder and deacon, violating the biblical pattern of shared spiritual leadership and practical service. In response, the paper presents a theological and ecclesiological defense of plural-elder congregationalism, grounded in the doctrines of the priesthood of all believers and the corporate nature of the body of Christ. Drawing on scriptural exegesis and historical examples, this model is proposed as one that re-centers authority within the local congregation while maintaining biblical leadership structures, thereby promoting unity, mutual accountability, and active participation in the life of the Church.Journal Article8 August 2025
Visio Dei, Vision Pro: Beatific Vision and Technological Singularity
This paper offers a retrieval of the classical Christian theology of beatific vision. The reason behind this is the challenges posed by the progress of digital technology, including Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and robotics, which are prevalent today. This rapid progress somehow threatens the classical view of beatific vision with its version of technological singularity. Hence, the retrieval of the beatific vision, which is grounded in divine ontology, is much needed. The paper is divided into three parts: (1) Visio Dei, which discusses the doctrine of beatific vision, (2) Vision Pro, which discusses technological singularity, and (3) conclusion, which offers several theological criticisms on technological singularity.Journal Article8 August 2025
Book Review: "Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus's Death"
Book Review for Andrew Remington Rillera's Lamb of the Free.Journal Article8 August 2025
Review of Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When the Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems Lost
This review of Good News at Rock Bottom offers a summary and critical analysis of Ray Ortlund’s work on suffering, betrayal, entrapment, loneliness, and death within the context of Isaiah 57:15.Most Popular Articles
Journal Article
20 December 2021
The Prophecy of Prophecies: Correcting Harold Hoehner’s Interpretation of Daniel’s 70 Weeks
Attacks against the Bible’s divine inspiration are rampant in today’s society. One of the most popular apologetic methods used to defend the doctrine of inspiration is messianic prophecy. Though many predictions fulfilled by Jesus Christ have been identified, no prediction found in the Old Testament is quite as precise or as controversial as the prophecy of Daniel’s 70 weeks. While various interpretations of Daniel 9:24-27 have been promoted, this article defends the interpretation popularized by Harold Hoehner as the most convincing. Though Hoehner may have provided the most accurate interpretation historically, the purpose of this article is to correct mistakes present in Hoehner’s calculations and thus provide a completely accurate position on the subject.Journal Article
1 May 2015
Redeeming Rhetoric: Augustine's Use of Rhetoric in His Preaching Ministry
The art and practice of rhetoric occupied a fundamental place in the ancient Roman world. It is thus not surprising that Augustine (354-430 AD) was deeply committed to the art of speaking well. He spent his youth mastering the theory of rhetoric, putting into practice what he had learned during a preaching career of almost forty years. This essay examines elements of rhetoric in Augustine’s preaching, arguing that he purposely appropriated common rhetorical elements in his preaching for the purpose of making Scripture both plain and compelling to his audience. Augustine’s training in rhetoric is summarized, followed by an overview of the context, Scriptural basis, and style of his preaching. His thoughts on the use of rhetoric in preaching are discussed, primarily by summarizing his arguments from Book Four of his treatise On Christian Doctrine. The essay concludes by offering several examples of rhetorical devices used by Augustine in his preaching.Journal Article
1 October 2010
Alessandro Valignano and the Restructuring of the Jesuit Mission in Japan, 1579-1582
When Alessandro Valignano arrived in Japan in 1579, the Society of Jesus had been working in the country for thirty years. However, despite impressive numbers and considerable influence with the feudal lords, the mission was struggling. The few Jesuit workers were exhausted and growing increasingly frustrated by the leadership of Francisco Cabral, who refused to cater to Japanese sensibilities or respect the Japanese people. When Valignano arrived, he saw the harm Cabral was doing and forcibly changed the direction of the mission, pursuing policies of Jesuit accommodation to Japanese culture and respect for the Japanese converts who were training to become priests. These policies were based in respect for Japan’s culture and love for its people. Under three years of Valignano’s leadership the fortunes of the Jesuit mission changed and the Society’s work in Japan began to flourish once again. Indeed, Valignano set the course for the next thirty years of the Japanese mission.Journal Article
1 June 2011
Hans-Georg Gadamer: His Philosophical Hermeneutics and Its Importance for Evangelical Biblical Hermeneutics
Hans-Georg Gadamer’s influence on hermeneutics can hardly be understated. This article offers an evangelical perspective on the importance of his work and how it can be used to interpret the biblical text more faithfully. It discusses his influences and some of the major aspects of his work and offers suggestions for applying his work to biblical hermeneutics. The article concludes that his work is vitally important and should be utilized by the biblical interpreter, though not without caution.Journal Article
1 February 2012
Perichoresis In Gregory Nazianzen and Maximus the Confessor
The doctrine of perichoresis applied to Trinity is the mutual coinherence or interpentration of the Persons of the Godhead. Applied to Christology, perichoreo is, first, the reciprocal passing of characteristics and titles between the divine and human natures hypostatically united in Yeshua. Secondly, it also describes the distinct but intimate union between Christ's natures. Historically, the Trinitarian use of perichoresis grew out of the christological use of perichoreo first developed by Gregory Nazianzen (A.D. 4th century) and then, subsuquently, explained by Maximus the Confessor (A.D 7th century). Maximus, often directly commenting on Gregory's use of perichoreo, seeks to expound upon the union of the divine and human nature in Christ. This essay begins with an investigation into Gregory's use of the term and concept of perichoreo followed by a summarization of the findings . After this, Maximus' use of the concept and term of perichoreo/perichoresis in his Quaestiones Ad Thalassium, Ambigua 1-5, and the 2nd Letter to Thomas will be analyzed and summarized . Lastly, this essay demonstrates how Maximus follows and advances Gregory's use of perichoreo in said works as well as notes the discontinuity between Maximus' use and Gregory's.Journal Article
1 February 2012