Confessional Presbyterian Journal

The Confessional Presbyterian Journal is an annual, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to Presbyterian doctrine and practice, produced by Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Each volume features scholarly articles, biblical studies, and critical reviews grounded in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

McLeod Campbell, Edwards and Atonement

Jeff Stivason ⬩ 2014

Critique of J. McLeod Campbell’s rejection of Edwards’ penal substitution and his non-penal reconstruction of the atonement to address assurance and universal forgiveness.

An Extraordinary Case of the Use of the Extraordinary Clause

Barry Waugh ⬩ 2014

Study of the ’extraordinary clause’ in Presbyterian church orders—its history, misuse, and a case study of N. J. Holmes—arguing for cautious, limited application.

Stephen Charnock’s Christological Knowledge of God in a Discourse of the Knowledge of God in Christ

Jae-Eun Park ⬩ 2014

Argues Charnock’s A Discourse of the Knowledge of God in Christ uses a threefold epistemology (natural, legal, evangelical) to defend Puritan Christology and praxis.

De Jure Divino Presbyterianism

Benjamin Shaw ⬩ 2014

Defends de jure divino Presbyterianism: Scripture mandates a presbyterial, connectional, elder-led church government, argued from Old Testament continuation and Christ’s authority.

The Practice of Lent and the Reformed Tradition

Roland S. Barnes ⬩ 2014

Argues from Reformed convictions and the Westminster standards against mandating Lent. Affirms biblical fasting but rejects extra-biblical, conscience‑binding seasons in the church.

The Liturgical Nature of Ecclesial Ministry

Glen J. Clary ⬩ 2014

Argues that church ministry is inherently theological and liturgical (leitourgia): every ecclesial act aims to glorify God. Worship grounds the church, believer’s office, and pastoral ministry.

Reviews and Responses

2014

Reviews: Beeke & Jones’s A Puritan Theology praised for clear treatment of covenant, law/gospel, and pastoral relevance; Frame’s Systematic Theology receives a critical appraisal.

J. Gresham Machen and LeRoy Gresham: Cousins, Confidants, and Churchmen

Barry Waugh ⬩ 2014

Profiles J. Gresham Machen and cousin LeRoy Gresham—childhood companions turned confidants—using their 1921–1935 letters to explore their ministries, Machen’s writings, and 1920s Presbyterian issues.

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them—A Timely Admonition from an Ancient Narrative: A Sermon on Genesis 9:18–29

Joseph E. Rolison ⬩ 2014

Examines Machen’s defense of core doctrines and the necessity of the new birth, critiques liberal and Federal Vision errors, and expounds Genesis 9:18–29 on Noah’s sons.

The Gospel Work of the Diaconate: A Ministry “Proportioned in Number”

C.N. Willborn ⬩ 2014

Argues for an active, biblically-shaped diaconate proportioned to membership to care for saints and lead local missionary outreach. Proposes dividing membership into manageable groups.

Anti-Sabbatarian Scold: Thomas Rogers’ Letter to Nicholas Bownd, April 29, 1598

Chris Coldwell ⬩ 2014

Examination of Thomas Rogers’ 1598 letter to Nicholas Bownd that illuminates the first English Sabbatarian controversy and the Puritan shaping of the Lord’s Day under Elizabethan conformity.

Westminster Seminary California Distinctives?: Law and Gospel (Part 2)

Mark Garcia, Michael S. Horton ⬩ 2014

Argues that the gospel intrinsically includes obedience and God’s commandments; defends justification by faith while critiquing a broad law–gospel hermeneutic in Reformed debate.

Westminster Seminary California Distinctives?: The Reformed Two Kingdoms Doctrine (Part 2)

Jeffrey C. Waddington, David VanDrunen ⬩ 2014

Argues that natural law (general revelation) was never meant to function apart from special revelation; it relates to the covenant of works and the dual kingship of Christ.

Psallo: Psalm 57:1–11

Todd L. Ruddell ⬩ 2014

Expository devotional on Psalm 57:1–11 examining its titles and Hebrew terms, David’s flight from Saul, and the themes of refuge, divine grace, steadfast faith, and praise.

In Translatiōne: Nicholas Bownd’s Sabbathvm veteris et Novi Testamenti: Commendations by Andrew Willet and William Jones

William Jones ⬩ 2014

Translations of Andrew Willet’s and William Jones’s commendations of Nicholas Bownd’s True Doctrine of the Sabbath, defending the Puritan view of the Lord’s Day and Sabbath observance.

Antiquary: Nicholas Bownd’s Sabbathum Veteris et Novi Testamenti: or the True Doctrine of the Sabbath

Chris Coldwell ⬩ 2014

Examines Nicholas Bownd’s 1595 Doctrine of the Sabbath—two-book defense of the fourth commandment and practical Lord’s Day observance—and its polemic with Thomas Rogers.

Volume 9

2013

Carolina Scots, the Westminster Confession, and a Deceased Wife’s Sister

Barry Waugh ⬩ 2013

Historical account of Archibald McQueen’s 19th-century near-kin marriage dispute in the PCUSA (Old School), adjudicated under the Westminster Confession and Leviticus 18–20.

Systematic Theology and the Preaching of Samuel Davies

Breno Macedo ⬩ 2013

Examines Samuel Davies, an 18th-century Presbyterian revival preacher in Virginia. Surveys his life, confessional commitment, and learned, Spirit-dependent preaching.

William Swan Plumer’s Defense of the Impeccability of Jesus Christ

Caleb Cangelosi ⬩ 2013

Article recovers William S. Plumer’s 1876 defense of Christ’s impeccability, arguing his fuller, overlooked case surpasses later defenders like Shedd.

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