On behalf of Reformed Forum, I am pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Lane G. Tipton as Fellow of Biblical and Systematic Theology. While he was already a member of our faculty, in this new role, Dr. Tipton will be devoting more of his time to theological writing and teaching through Reformed Forum. Dr. Tipton is well-known in our community, and I know many have been blessed by his unique and incisive scholarly gifts. We eagerly anticipate his greater contribution to the mission of Reformed Forum to support the Church in her charge of presenting every person mature in Christ (Col. 1:28).

We are also aware that there are questions regarding Dr. Tipton’s transition to Reformed Forum. It is our desire to promote truth and offer more clarity for the sake of the peace and purity of the Church. Therefore, we encourage you to read the statement posted below from Dr. Tipton.

In Christ,

Camden M. Bucey
Executive Director

I am most pleased that Reformed Forum has welcomed me into an increased role in its mission to promote and elucidate Reformed theology to a world in need of it. I have many friends here and am looking forward to doing what I can to be helpful in this ministry. As many who are acquainted with Reformed Forum may know, Westminster Theological Seminary yesterday announced that my tenure as a faculty member for the past fifteen years has been ended. That announcement denies that my employment was ended for theological or ecclesiastical reasons, but rather asserts that it was because I allegedly violated “standards of conduct required of all professors” at the Seminary. Although the accusation is unspecific, I am sufficiently aware of my own conduct, as are others inside and outside the Seminary, to say that the announced allegation is not true.

I am grateful for a second announcement from the Seminary yesterday that eliminates much of the darker innuendo of the previous one by posing and answering three “FAQs” (Frequently Asked Questions). The Seminary’s answer to the first of those questions appears to deny any connection between the decision to end my employment and my efforts to express my concerns regarding the theological formulations of Dr. Scott Oliphint with respect to the doctrine of God. However, I see it very differently. There were no complaints about my conduct during my fifteen year tenure at Westminster, at least none of which I was ever made aware, until after charges were brought against Dr. Oliphint in the courts of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and my name appeared as a potential expert witness regarding the theological issues that were raised by those charges. The first complaints about me to the Board of Trustees, as least insofar as I was told, were raised by Seminary leadership in May, after the charges against Dr. Oliphint had been dismissed. According to what I was told, those complaints began as pertaining to purported administrative inefficiencies on my part, but soon expanded to include dissatisfaction over how I responded to a series of Seminary inquiries regarding my connection to the ecclesiastical charges against Dr. Oliphint. The cumulative effect of these complaints led to the ending of my time at Westminster.

Although my service at Westminster Theological Seminary ended unpleasantly, my experience there, until the end, was joyful and rewarding for me, and I hope my efforts there will bear Kingdom-honoring fruit through the ministries of the many wonderful students it has been my privilege to teach.

The Lord is just in all his ways and kind in all his works (Ps 145:17). May brighter days be before us as we labor in the Kingdom for the glory of our King.

In Christ,

Lane G. Tipton

We are pleased to welcome Theology Simply Profound. Rob McKenzie and Bob Tarullo address issues of Reformed theology in an accessible manner. If Christ the Center is an advanced course, this is your prolegomena. Think of it as Reformed meat and potatoes, a foundation.

Participants: Camden Bucey

In this quick video update, we speak about short form serial content and how it fits in with our plans for developing educational resources on Reformed theology.

It’s a fact: our drink ware makes a statement. And so it only makes sense that Machen’s Warrior Children would want to drink from something that suits their Reformed tastes. To help solve this significant problem, we ordered a small batch of suitable coffee mugs. These handsome Aztec flare mugs are dark gray with a red interior and bear a white Reformed Forum logo. They’ll hold 10 oz. to the brim. This is surely a fine vessel for confessional coffee, tea, or other favorite Reformed beverages. While supplies last, we will send a mug anywhere in the United States as a thank-you for a donation of at least $51 USD. International donors, please contact us to see if we can accommodate you. Reformed Forum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. According to IRS guidelines, U.S. taxpayers who receive a thank-you mug will be able to deduct the full amount of any donation meeting or exceeding $51. In two weeks, we will make these mugs available for sale. But keep in mind, it just so happens that we only have 51 mugs available. They may not last that long! Join the 51Club and Donate Now. 11/14/2013 UPDATE: a limited number of mugs are now available for sale at store.reformedforum.org.

Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Sheboygan, Wisconsin will be hosting a Reformation Conference October 26-27, 2013. Dr. David P. Murray will be speaking about several topics, including John Knox and a Reformed view of Scripture. More information is available at the Grace OPC website.

September 26

• Houston Reformed Theology Conference, “The Christian Devotional Life”
• Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Houston, TX
• Speaker: David P. Murray
• More information

October 4-6

• “Learning Discipleship in the Psalms”
• Location: Ortega PCA, Jacksonville, FL
• Speaker: Rick Phillips
• More information

October 25-26

• Reformation Conference, “Can We Trust the Bible?”
• Location: Shiloh OPC, Cary, NC
• Speakers: Derek Thomas, James Anderson, Rosaria Butterfield
• More information

November 1-2

• Reformed in America, “An Exploration of the History of Reformed & Presbyterian Christianity in the States”
• Location: Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Des Moines, IA — hosted by Grace Reformed Presbyterian (OPC) and Providence Reformed Church (URCNA)
• Speakers: Darryl Hart and Alan Strange
• More information

Baker Academic has just launched a new blog “in an effort to encourage conversation within the academy and Church as an extension of [its] publishing program.” I anticipate that many of our listeners and readers will want to subscribe to the feed or visit the site regularly, since they plan to feature author interviews and original posts, book announcements, and some giveaways. Visit the new site at blog.bakeracademic.com.

William Boekestein’s latest, The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort, is now available from Reformation Heritage Books. Like Faithfulness Under Fire and The Quest for Comfort, this volume is illustrated by Ryan Hughes—bringing to life this rich history. I’ve read The Quest for Comfort to my infant son numerous times. Even though he can’t understand much of anything I’ve read, I’ve benefited greatly myself. Here is an excellent way for children and adults alike to be encouraged by the history of an important Reformed confession and its resolve to teach salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

To attain this goal, we need to purchase a new multitrack mixer, several decent quality webcams, and components for a video-switching computer. We can purchase the necessary equipment for approximately $2,500. The chart to the left shows how this goal can be met by breaking the need down into various giving levels. To expand our content and produce video, we need thirty people to donate five dollars, twenty people to donate ten dollars, ten to donate twenty-five dollars, and so on. A donation of any size would be greatly appreciated. We are tremendously thankful for all the prayers and financial support we already receive. All donations go toward operating expenses (web hosting) and capital expenditures such as microphones, computer equipment, and hard drives. No one draws a salary. If you would like to help Reformed Forum provide video content, please make a donation to help us purchase the necessary equipment. To make your gift, simply click the button below, or visit reformedforum.org/support. If you have any questions, please contact mail@reformedforum.org. Blessings.