When History Teaches Us Nothing, Second Edition
The Recent Reformed Sonship Debate in Context
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
136 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.27 in
- Paperback
- 9781666795141
- Published: January 2022
$22.00 / £20.00 / AU$35.00
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Tim J. R. Trumper draws on his decades of historical, biblical, and theological research into the doctrine of adoption to offer a unique reflection on the Sonship debate--one with lasting implications for the Reformed tradition.
Much the buzz in confessional Presbyterian circles around the turn of the millennium, the debate concerned the discipleship course developed by practical theologian John C. ("Jack") Miller (1928-1996) and his wife Rose Marie. Whereas some attested to God's use of Sonship in their spiritual rejuvenation, others questioned its Reformed credentials.
Setting the debate, in pioneering fashion, against the backdrop of the historical theology of adoption, Trumper offers an assessment that is enlightening, evenhanded, and constructive. His fresh portrayal of the history of the Reformed tradition teaches the value of pausing before rushing to judgment, and is a reminder that the meeting of spiritual needs requires more biblical exposition not less of it.
While addressing the points of debate, When History Teaches Us Nothing is, above all, a call to the church to recover the doctrine of adoption, and to the Reformed community to revive her creative orthodoxy, to recapture Scripture's balance of the juridical and familial aspects of the faith, and to do so with grace.
Tim J. R. Trumper is Founder and President of From His Fullness Ministries (www.fromhisfullness.com). Previously, he served as Senior Minister of Seventh Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan (2007–2017). He is married to Brenda.
“When History Teaches Us Nothing has been invaluable . . . a remarkable book.”
—D. Clair Davis, Westminster Theological Seminary, emeritus
“Tim J. R. Trumper’s When History Teaches Us Nothing: The Recent Reformed Sonship Debate in Context provides an irenic scholarly critique of Jack Miller and The Sonship Course. Trumper’s earlier research in “An Historical Study of the Doctrine of Adoption in the Calvinistic Tradition” along with his faculty position at Westminster Theological Seminary uniquely qualified and equipped him to address the then-current theological and historical debates surrounding Scripture’s important teaching on sonship and adoption.”
—Michael A. Graham, author of Cheer Up! The Life and Ministry of Jack Miller
“We are never too big to fail or too weak to prevail—this is the feeling that overwhelmed me as I read Dr. Trumper’s remarkable analysis of long forgotten and yet highly topical controversies concerning the sonship of believers. When History Teaches Us Nothing reminds us, in discussing the Millers’ Sonship Discipleship Course, that whereas the Father’s gift of Christ humbles us, since the Son’s accomplished redemption pro nobis is necessary for our adoption, the Father’s gift of the Spirit strengthens us by applying redemption in nobis.”
—Levente Horváth, Pastor, President, “Bonus Pastor,” Reformed Rescue Mission,
Romania
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