In this issue
Other Notes
Register for Fall Classes: Fall registration has begun. Click here to see the Fall Course Schedule.
Donate Online: You can donate to RPTS securely online! Click here.
Planned Giving Calculator: Explore how a planned gift to RPTS could work for you with our online planned giving calculator.
Bicentennial: Learn more about our 200th Anniversary in 2010, including a bicentennial video, here!
Professor Videos: Watch professors sharing their vision for their respective departments here.
Scripture Verse: --
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you
all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
-- Galatians 3:1-13 (NKJV)
Quote:
Question: Why is the Son of God called "Jesus," meaning "savior"?
Answer: Because he saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
Question: Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only savior Jesus?
Answer: No. Although they boast of being his, by their deeds they deny the only savior and deliverer, Jesus.
Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation
-- Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer numbers 29 and 30
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Dr. Gamble Releases First of Three-Volume Biblical Theology
This summer, P & R Publishing released the first of a three-volume Biblical theology entitled The Whole Counsel of God by Dr. Richard C. Gamble, RPTS Professor of Systematic Theology and a world-renowned Calvin scholar.
Dr. Gamble’s first volume just released, entitled God’s Mighty Acts in the Old Testament, unveils Old Testament theology within the organic, progressive, and historical development of the Bible. Topics thoroughly span the canon, days of creation, faith and reason, covenants, the Ten Commandments, Old Testament ecclesiology, the nature of God, justification, and Old Testament apologetics.
“Nothing comparable in scope has been done in the last hundred years within the circles of Reformed orthodoxy,” said Dr. John M. Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando.
>>READ MORE, LISTEN TO INTERVIEWS ABOUT THE NEW BOOK, AND PURCHASE IT ONLINE>>
RPTS Pirates Night at PNC Park
All alums and friends of RPTS in the Greater Pittsburgh area are invited to enjoy a group sales discount and attend a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game together at PNC Park on Friday, September 18, at 7:05 p.m. The Pirates will be playing the San Diego Padres.
Seating is assigned as you order your tickets in the Outfield Grandstand section 301-303, which is closest to the children's playground. Tickets are $8, and children under 32 inches (and can sit on a parent's lap) get free admission.
Call the Pirates RPTS group sales contact, Eric Ridenour, at 412-325-4792, or email him at eric.ridenour@pirates.com. Be sure to mention you want to be seated with the other RPTS friends.
BCI Updates
The RPTS BIblical Counseling Institute will open this fall. Here is a quick list of updates:
- This summer's $15,000 matching gift challenge to support start up costs was a wonderful success. Thanks to all who participated with a new or special gift!
- Renovations of the new bulding (seen above) are coming along wonderfully. Please pray for its completion in time for fall classes and for further funds to help with the costs of the renovations.
- Dr. Scipione will be speaking and preaching for pastors and laymen at First Baptist Church of Clarion, PA, November 6 - 9 on the theme of Biblical counseling and discipleship. Visit http://www.clarionfbc.com.
- A new Church Partnership program with BCI has been established. Visit here if you think your church might feel called to help BCI with its Annual Operations.
- April 16 & 17 is slated for the Inaugural RPTS Biblical Counseling Institute's Annual Conference
. Speakers are Dr. George C. Scipione, Director of the RPTS Biblical Counseling Institute, and Dr. Richard Ganz, Senior Pastor of the Ottawa Reformed Presbyterian Church and President and Professor of Biblical Psychology and Counseling for Ottawa Theological Hall. The theme of the conference for 2010 will be, "Discipleship in the 21st Century". Mark your calendars now. More Details are to follow.
Fall Conference with Rev. Donnelly on "The Mystery of the Kingdom"
The Reformation Society of Pittsburgh will host its Fall Conference at RPTS again this year on Saturday, October 17. The popular Rev. Edward Donnelly of Northern Ireland (RPTS '68) will speak on "The Mystery of the Kingdom".
Click here for more information and to regsiter online.
October 20 Webinar, "New Perspective on the New Perspective on Paul"
The next online webinar for RPTS alums and friends is slated for Tuesday, October 20, at 3 p.m. Dr. Jack Kinneer, Adjunct Professor of New Testament Studies and RPTS Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, will give a PowerPoint presentation entitled "A New Perspective on the New Perspective on Paul".
To participate in this webinar, log in the day of the event at 3 p.m. at http://www.infiniteconferencing.com/join. The Participant Entry Code is 998991. You will need audio speakers on your computer and choose “audio stream” to listen, but you also can phone in to a special number for audio at 1-800-935-3856, and enter 998991 for the participation code.
Thanks to RP Missions for sponsoring these webinars!
RPTS Oral History Video Now Online
The RPTS Oral History Video, which was originally shared at the Reformed Presbyterian International Conference in 2008 to celebrate the upcoming bicentennial in 2010, was just uploaded for online viewing. Click here to watch the video.
Library Volunteers Needed!
Everyone at RPTS would like to praise and thank Mr. John May for working as a Library volunteer for ten years as of this September! When John first came to the Seminary looking to help nearly a decade ago, he worked five full-time days a week, and then for four days a week as he continues to do so today. He is a member of Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church (EPC), in Mount Lebanon, PA.
John will be "retiring" and moving away from the Pittsburgh area this October. His time volunteering for the RPTS Library has saved the Seminary over $200,000 in salaries and benefits. John (seen above) was specially honored for his contribution to the Seminary at the Annual Support dinner in March, 2007.
Thankfully, Alexa Howald of Grace RPC in Gibsonia has been volunteering since April of this year one day a week for the Library. We do not have the money to hire someone to do the rest of the work that John has contributed, and there will be a significant void upon his departure. All members of the Library staff are part-time, although Librarian Tom Reid works full-time as Registrar and instructor as well as Librarian. If you or someone you know might be able and willing to help a day or so a week (at least a half day) with the RPTS Library, please let us know!
Types of work to be done as a volunteer in the Library include:
- Shelving
- Processing library materials
- Repairing library materials
- Shifting the collection
- Preparing and moving into the Library Storage facility in the Willson Center
- Supporting the regular Library staff
Training will be provided. To learn more, please call Librarian Tom Reid at 412-731-8690, Ext. 104, or email him at treid@rpts.edu.
Calvin500 RPTS Trip Photos
RPTS President Dr. Jerry O'Neill was among the RPTS contigent attending Calvin500 in Geneva, Switzerland, this July. He is seen here leading prayer in Calvin's pulpit at St. Pierre Cathedral. Visit www.rpts.edu/calvin.php to see photos taken by RPTS friends while on the trip.
Save the Date for 200th Anniversary Celebration!
RPTS will host its 200th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, June 24, with a dinner at 5:30 p.m., and a program from 7:30 to 9 p.m. that includes messages from keynote speakers Dr. Derek Thomas and Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. The event will be held at the Heinz History Center
in Pittsburgh, PA. Bring the whole family! Food and activities are being planned for children through adults. Much of the museum will be open to you, and there will be RPTS history vignettes and alumni mystery cards that will highlight the Seminary's first 200 years! Sponsorships are available - contact the Development Office for details.
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