Call for Papers: The Confessional Presbyterian Journal Vol. 21 (2025)
Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Taylors, SC
The twenty-first volume of The Confessional Presbyterian will feature an interdisciplinary collection of articles and book reviews pertinent to confessional Presbyterians of different denominations. The aim of the journal is to promote greater understanding and academic exploration of the doctrinal standards and convictions of confessional Presbyterianism in historical and current application.
The cover of this volume of the journal will feature a portrait of the notable but underappreciated American Presbyterian John Lafayette Girardeau (1825-98), regarded during his lifetime as “the grandest preacher in all our Southland” and called “the Spurgeon of America.” Dr. Girardeau was a model preacher, pastor, churchman, and father in the Presbyterian Church of his day. He ministered as a local church pastor in Charleston, South Carolina, took special interest in the evangelization and discipleship of slaves, served as a military chaplain, maintained a reputation for firm orthodoxy (he was instrumental for the prosecution in the Woodrow case) and generosity of spirit as a seminary professor, and enjoyed a vibrant family life.
Each issue of The Confessional Presbyterian features not only a commissioned portrait of a figure from Reformed and/or Presbyterian history, but also articles and reviews addressing the life, thought, and influence of the depicted figure. While the editors of the journal are always keen to consider articles treating any subject or topic of interest to confessional Presbyterians, the journal is this year calling especially for articles interacting with the following potential subjects:
- The life and legacy of J. L. Girardeau and his influences, contemporaries, or students
- Scottish Commonsense Realism and its influence on the development of Reformed theology (either through or apart from the particular adoption of it by J. L. Girardeau)
- The doctrine of worship and the regulative principle of worship in response to, or otherwise interacting with J. L. Girardeau’s extended treatise on instrumental music in corporate worship
- A theology of true revival grounded in a biblical understanding of the church
- The doctrine of adoption, interacting with the work of J. L. Girardeau
- The development of Calvinism in nineteenth century Scottish and American theology
- L. Girardeau’s theology of the Diaconate
- L. Girardeau’s theology of the will
- L. Girardeau’s pastoral practices of evangelization and discipleship, especially of slaves during his ministry in Charleston
- L. Girardeau’s preaching and its American Presbyterian setting
- Military chaplaincy
The editors are soliciting contributions from scholars, pastors, and advanced theological students from a variety of denominational backgrounds within the umbrella of confessional Presbyterianism to bring together a range of thoughtful and critical reflections on J. L. Girardeau and/or those subjects which he most frequently engaged. While completed articles are preferred, proposals are encouraged if potential authors would like editorial feedback before dedicating time to research and writing. All final submissions are subject to peer review for approval, regardless of editorial input in the research and drafting process.
To respond to the call for papers, please send your submission with an abstract of no more than 500 words to [email protected]. Submissions will be evaluated on the contribution they could make to the journal, their clarity of style, and their significance for the study of confessional Presbyterian history and theology. Finished articles must be submitted by October 1, 2025 and will be subject to a blind review process. Doctoral students, Divinity students, and junior scholars are strongly encouraged to submit articles for consideration.
Style and length parameters are found online at cpjournal.com/submission-guidelines/.