EDITORIAL

This is the inaugural issue of The Reformed Baptist Theological Review (RBTR). A word of explanation, therefore, is fitting. RBTR finds its roots in a desire to have contemporary Reformed Baptists, who are committed to the Second London Confession of Faith of 1677/89 (2^nd LCF), articulate their beliefs in a scholarly, yet pastoral manner. A survey of the theological literature of our day finds little confessional Reformed Baptist literature available at this level. Many fine books have been written by contemporary, confessional Reformed Baptists, for which we are grateful. Scholarly and critical works, however, are far and few between. RBTR is designed to help fill that gap from a journal standpoint.

The genesis of RBTR occurred when two men committed to the 2^nd LCF put their minds and hearts together concerning their common burdens. The two men began discussing the need for a confessional Reformed Baptist theological journal. Because of their commitment to the centrality of the church for the theological enterprise, the idea was submitted to the elders of Palmdale Reformed Baptist Church, where I?ve ministered since 1990. The elders supported the idea enthusiastically and agreed that a board of confessional Reformed Baptist pastors and theologians ought to be formed for administrative purposes. The board was carefully selected to fairly represent confessional Reformed Baptists.

RBTR makes no claims to represent all confessional Reformed Baptists on all details of doctrine and practice. We fully realize that there are differences on some secondary issues and even some differences on what would constitute primary issues and their articulation. RBTR will, at times, take on some of these issues to provide a public forum for theological discussion. This is, in our view, something that has been lacking in confessional Reformed Baptist circles, and we are not the better for it. Though we do not pretend to be the answer to that void, we do hope that RBTR will be used to help fill the gap.

Our first issue covers a wide variety of subjects relevant to Reformed Baptists and others. The first article is my attempt at a detailed exegetical and theological analysis of 1 Timothy 1:8-11. This passage is very relevant to our confessional standards and the issues related to the utility of the Decalogue. The second article, by Dr. Robert P. Martin, is a biblical-theological approach to Pentecost and its importance and function in light of redemptive history. He gives special attention to Pentecost as it relates to the blessings of the New Covenant. The third article, by Dr. James M. Renihan, deals with historical theology and issues related to hyper-Calvinism, Andrew Fuller, and the promotion of missions. It is a very timely study and worthy of our attention. Many lessons are worth our consideration from this crucial period. Dr. Renihan?s second contribution deals with Thomas Collier, an important figure of seventeenth-century Particular Baptist history. He discuses Collier?s descent into error and how his contemporaries dealt with him. Samuel E. Waldron?s article on Martin Luther and sola fide is a very timely study on the vital issue of justification by faith alone?a doctrine receiving much attention, some helpful and some not, in our day. Dr. Fred A. Malone?s article is a study of the New Perspective on Paul in its various forms as it relates to justification by faith alone. He closes with a very helpful critique of Hyper-covenantalism, ?New Covenant Nomism,? which is currently being debated among some Westminster Confession of Faith Presbyterians. It too is a very timely study and serves as a warning to all that theological ideas have practical consequences. The last article is a reprint of an ordination sermon by Nehemiah Coxe, one of the original editors of the 2^nd LCF.

The final section is comprised of relevant book reviews and notices. This section is added to help confessional Reformed Baptist pastors stay current with the flow of literature relevant to them and the people they pastor.

It is our sincere desire that many will be assisted by RBTR and their hands strengthened in the work of the Christian ministry. May the Lord be pleased to use RBTR to that end and may His word rule our thoughts and lives.

Richard Barcellos, RBTR Managing Editor