Editorial – Issue 88
DJ is the Editor of Foundations. He is also an Elder at Cambridge Presbyterian Church and Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Westminster Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
It is a privilege to introduce this edition of Foundations. It is my final as editor, and I can only say that the past five years have been a pleasure. This is entirely due to the quality of the contributions and reviews over that time. So, I thank the writers during my time as editor for continuing the excellent tradition of Foundations – combining academic rigour and commitment to the Affinity basis of faith.
The contributions to this edition continue that same standard. They comprise the “lightly edited” papers that were presented at the 2025 Affinity Theological Study Conference. The theme was “the doctrine of God”, an area of significant contemporary theological reflection. The papers did not disappoint, and much discussion from various perspectives ensued! As ever in Foundations, further articles on this important theme will, no doubt, be very welcome.
To turn to the articles themselves, Mostyn Roberts considers “The Power and Personhood of God.” Mostyn provides a helpful theological analysis of God’s power and practically relates this to the weakness of the cross and the church.
Next, Robert Letham considers the area of apologetics in “Faith and Reason: Reflections on Belief in God.” Letham focuses on Aquinas and Anselm, surveying and interacting with their reflections. As ever with Bob, we are treated to historically informed and theologically enriching reflections
Thomas Brand leads us through the deep waters of the doctrine of impassibility and classical theism. He interacts with theology, ancient and modern, and offers a trenchant critique of possibility and a corresponding defence of impassibility. Perhaps the “heaviest” of the articles, it repays careful reading.
Steven Duby turns to the area of Christology and its relation to the doctrine of God. Often, critiques of historic teaching on theology proper highlight a lack of interaction with Christology. Steven’s paper prevented that charge being one that could be addressed against the Affinity Theological Study Conference. He makes the case that in Christ, “God did not choose simply to stay above the fray” and focuses on the meaning of the human weakness and sufferings of Christ.
Michael McClenahan reviews recent trinitarian theological reflections in the light of historical and creedal teaching on these subjects. Michael makes a strong case for robust adherence to credal teaching and the danger of straying from it.
There are, as usual, a number of book reviews to close out this edition. And, with this, I hand over to Rev. Dr. Malcolm MacLean (no relation!), who I have no doubt will carry the work of Foundations forward with great skill.
Donald John MacLean
Editor of Foundations
Elder, Cambridge Presbyterian Church and President and Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Seminary (UK)
June 2025
Book review: Numbers 1-19
Book review: Intimately Forsaken
Book review: Worshiping on the Way
The Trinitarian Resurgence?
The Weaknesses of Christ: Their Theological and Pastoral Significance
The God of Unchanging Glory: From Nicaea to Hegel and Back[1]
Faith and Reason: Reflections on Theistic Proofs
The Power and Personhood of God
Editorial – Issue 88