Editorial

Trinity Journal, Fall 1997 by Moo, Douglas

As we promised in our last editorial, this fascicle has a particular focus on environmentalism. But rather than devote one fascicle entirely to this matter, we have elected to spread our treatment of the Christian and the environment over our Fall 1997 and Spring 1998 issues.

Our two articles on the environment in this fascicle are written by prominent figures in the evangelical environmental movement. But, as you will discover, they take divergent approaches to the subject. Fred Van Dyke, Assistant Professor of Biology at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, wants evangelical Christians to become more committed to environmental concerns and suggests ways that we can become involved. Covenant College's E. Calvin Beisner, on the other hand, raises a biblicaltheological challenge to one of the most central tenets of mainstream environmentalism: the danger of population increase.

In two other articles, we move away from environmental issues to more general historical and biblical issues. Contesting a line of thinking emanating especially from Fuller's Richard Muller, Ron Frost suggests that Luther's program of reformation involved a rather decided rejection of certain anthropological assumptions in Aristotle. His argument, if valid, has important implications for our understanding of what the reformation, and reformation theology, is all about. And finally, Trinity Ph.D. student (and veteran missionary) Gene Smillie shows how knowledge of historical context can bring a very relevant practical perspective to a familiar passage.

The Spring fascicle will continue our focus on environmental issues in two articles: an important history and survey of evangelical attitudes by Ray Grizzle, Paul Rothrock, and Chris Barrett and an exploration of the biblical basis for a "green" orientation by Trinity

Homiletics professor Michael Bullmore. Look also for a fresh evaluation of Erasmus's position on free will and a fresh look at the significance of Psalm 51:13 for pneumatology.

With this issue we say farewell to R. Jay Sappington, one of our student editors. We have greatly appreciated his fine work and assistance. As he leaves, we welcome two new student editors to our Board-Chris Gearhart and James Dvorak. We look forward to their input in the coming years.

To God alone be the glory forever and ever.

Douglas Moo