ETS 2006

Thanks, John, for the link to the summary of my paper at the A-Team blog. I had the pleasure of meeting Roger Overton at the conference, but I didn't know he'd be posting anything about the paper. I'm humbled.

Indeed, the entire conference was a humbling experience. As one might expect, there were lots of godly, brilliant folks there sharing their insights. On Wednesday I heard a paper delivered by Dr. Joel Beeke on "Evangelicalism and the Dutch Further Reformation," in which he sought to correct a view of the Puritans advanced in David Bebbington's Evangelicalism in Modern Britain. Later in the week I had the privilege of introducing myself to Dr. Beeke while he was manning the booth for Reformation Heritage Books and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (see pic above). And yes, while there I did grab a copy of Meet the Puritans at the low, low conference price of $17.50. (I would have bought copies for the rest of you Conventiclers, but the sheer weight of the book and Mrs. Ross's voiced concerns prohibited me -- sorry). I also found some gems at the Banner of Truth booth next door.

On Thursday night John Piper delivered a moving address on the life and work of William Tyndale, contrasting him with Desiderius Erasmus, his Catholic humanist contemporary. Piper urged the attendees of the conference to avoid the heady theological indifference of Erasmus -- a trait he sees in some modern-day 'emerging' proponents -- and to embrace the gospel-induced earnestness of Tyndale. What a timely reminder.

I couldn't help drooling over the book deals on offer in the exhibit hall by the likes of Zondervan, Kregel, Hendrickson and OUP. Before concluding I want to plug one great new IVP release I found, by W. David Buschart. It's a friendly, comparative examination called Exploring Protestant Traditions: An Invitation to Theological Hospitality. Buschart is professor of theology and historical studies at Denver Seminary. In the book he devotes one chapter to each of the eight major branches of Protestantism: Lutheran, Anabaptist, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Wesleyan, Dispensational, and Pentecostal. For each he provides a brief historical background summary and a description of its theological and hermeneutical methods and characteristic beliefs. The concluding chapter addresses the pros and cons of inter-traditional hospitality and dialogue. Exploring Protestant Traditions will be a great resource for church historians and students of theology who want to be able to compare and contrast the doctrinal distinctives of these traditions without having to sift through the confessional polemic that characterizes more one-sided surveys.

It's not too soon to start making plans for ETS 2007 in San Diego!