Reviews and Resources
Check back for theology book reviews and highlighted ministry resources by your fellow alums. If you would like to submit something to consider being published on this page, please email it as an attachment to Bethany Hardwig at bhardwig@rpts.edu. This page will only be as helpful as it is used and developed by you and our other alums. It is here for you. Please contribute. Thank you! (Submissions will be posted upon approval and published for a limited time in most cases to keep the page current and worth revisiting.)
Westminster Shorter Catechism MP3s
CLICK HERE to download the MP3 files of the Westminster Shorter Catechisms. Thanks to RPTS Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies, Dr. Jonathan Watt (RPTS '82) for voicing these recordings. Thanks also to Mike Howard (RPTS 2009) and Mark LaRoi (RPTS M.Div. Candidate) at WORD-FM for producing them.
Book Reviews
A Theology of John's Gospel and Letters
Article by Anthony Selvaggio (RPTS '2002) January 2010
A Theology of John's Gospel and Letters
By: Andreas J. Kostenberger
652p.
Publisher: Zondervan (2009)
Review for reformation21.org of The Rule of Love: Broken, Fulfilled, and Applied
Article by Anthony Selvaggio July 2009
The Rule of Love: Broken, Fulfilled, and Applied
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
Author: J.V. Fesko
152 p.
Review for reformation21.org: Minority Report by Carl Trueman
Article by Anthony Selvaggio May 2008 Minority Report: Unpopular Thoughts on Everything From Ancient Christianity to Zen Calvinism
Review by Rev. Anthony T. Selvaggio (RPTS '2002)
Publisher: Christian Focus (2008)
Author: Carl R. Trueman
Pages: 221
Ministry Resource Highlights
Hearing the Voice of Jesus in the Epistle of James
Article by Anthony Selvaggio June 2009
James D.G. Dunn once referred to the epistle of James as "the most Jewish, the most undistinctively Christian document in the New Testament." [1] We all know that Martin Luther had serious concerns about the content of the epistle of James referring to it as "an epistle of straw" and noting that it contained "nothing of the nature of the gospel." [2] The epistle of James has been saddled with accusations of being "sub-Christian" and bereft of Jesus. On top of all this, the epistle has to be continually defended against charges that it conflicts with the Pauline doctrine of justification by faith alone. READ MORE
Article by Anthony Selvaggio (RPTS '2002) July 2008 for reformation21.org
During my seminary days I was overly enamored with Biblical Theology and Redemptive-Historical interpretation. While I continue to appreciate and employ the significant insights of these interpretive approaches to Scripture, I now realize that I went a bit overboard in my application of them, particularly with regard to my interpretation of the Old Testament. I frequently fell into the all too common "cookie-cutter" approach of ending every sermon on the Old Testament with the some connection to Jesus, even if I had to force it a bit. I sadly acknowledge that I often failed to let the Old Testament text speak for itself first before lunging forward into the New Testament fulfillment.
While I am still convinced that the entire Bible ultimately connects to, and speaks of, the person and work of Christ (Luke 24:44), I am much more careful, nuanced and respectful regarding how I connect the dots from the Old Testament to Christ. So when it came time for me to write a book on Proverbs[1] I was inevitably faced with the question of how this book legitimately speaks of Jesus. I had to ask myself the question, "Does Proverbs speak of Jesus?" ...
Online Websites and Blogs by RPTS Alums
Led by Mike Howard (RPTS '2008), K and D Ministries promotes the "Preaching" and "Teaching" of God's Word. "K" comes from the first letter of the Greek New Testament word for "Preaching"; kerusso, while "D" comes from the first letter of the Greek New Testament word for "Teaching"; didasko. The ministry's main offering is "BIBLE BURGH", a one hour show about the Bible as the foundation for Pittsburgh, heard each Lord's Day evening at 9pm on WORD FM, 101.5 in Pittsburgh, PA. You can also hear it online by clicking on wordfm.com, then "advertisers" at the top left, scroll down to Bible Burgh and click on the links by "part". K &D Ministires also organize conferences, seminars and "pulpit fill" needs. Its "flagship" endeavor was the Pittsburgh Bible Conference, held April 20-21, 2007, and its "follow up" was the Tri State Bible Conference, November 17th, 2007, in Wheeling, WV. It also has partnered with the Reformation Society of Pittsburgh.
Dear Young Shepherd is a library of biblical information prepared by Pastor Edward A. Robson (RPTS '61), Th.M., Ph.D., over the past 40 years. This is a compilation of his sermons, lectures, presentations, and written works from his ministry as a Pastor and Professor at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. It also makes his book by the same title availble for purchase.
Additional Resources For You and Your Congregation
There are quite a few ways that you can get to know more about RPTS, our faculty and staff and everything we do here!
Seminary Update
Mark Sampson, Director of Development, is available to join your congregation during your Sabbath School hour and bring news from RPTS. Learn more about the faculty, mission, students and history of the Seminary.
Bulletin Inserts
Looking for a way to share the thoughts and teachings of RPTS professors with your friends or congregation? The Seminary is making available a variety of writings for use as bulletin inserts. Please contact Bethany Hardwig at bhardwig@rpts.edu if you are interested in these resources. Formats include 8.5x11 (letter) or 5.5x8.5 (half-letter).
Estate Planning 101
Why do you need a will? How do I honor God and protect my family at the time of my death? How does one plan for the future while trusting in God's providence? RPTS Director of Development, Mark Sampson, will help educate your congregation in this important area of estate planning. Mark can be reached by email at msampson@rpts.edu or by phone at (412) 731-6000.
