Steve Lehrer's book is a helpful guide to a way of looking at the bible that has come to be called New Covenant Theology. He gives us some directions on how to interpret the bible and answers objections to this understanding of the relationship between the biblical covenants, between the Old and New Testaments and between Israel and the Church.
Lehrer's approach is to interpret the Old Testament in the light of the New. The aphorisms
The New is in the Old contained
The Old is in the New explained
and
The New is in the Old concealed
The Old is in the New revealed
are not quoted in the book, but they are good summaries of the way that the author makes sense of the Scriptures.
Lehrer's way of looking at the bible is in harmony with much of Reformed theology and the Amillennial understanding of how we are to interpret the Old Testament prophecies. This understanding takes seriously the way the New Testament authors have interpreted the Old Testament. Where the NT authors say that a certain prophecy has been fulfilled [such as in the way Peter's sermon in Acts 2 cites the prophecy in Joel chapter 2], Lehrer does not look for another fulfilment.
He goes to considerable trouble to show the distinctive way Israel is viewed in NCT. While Covenant Theologians think of Israel as the Church in the Old Testament, and Dispensationalists think of that nation as a people of God, separate from the Church, Lehrer points out that the Scriptures present Israel as the unbelieving physical symbol of the Church. The counterpart to the church in the Old Testament is the remnant, which is uniformly presented as a small group within Israel, who believe and obey from the heart.
Consistent with this view, is Lehrer's explanation of the meaning of the passage in Romans 11 which speaks of all Israel being saved. He shows convincingly, that the New Testament does not present a future mass salvation of Israel, but tells us that the true Israelite is the one who is a Jew inwardly, as well as physically and ethnically. Thus the passage "and so all Israel will be saved" speaks of all elect Israelites certainly coming to salvation through faith in Christ, and not automatically because they are Jews.
He patiently explains that we cannot divide the Old Testament law neatly into Moral, Civil and Ceremonial divisions, and takes seriously the New Testament's words that the law of Moses has been abolished through the death of Christ, the new divine lawgiver, who has modified and amplified this law and has made it possible for us to obey it, through the Holy Spirit whom he has given to us.
He shows that living by the law of Christ is in no sense antinomian, and shows that this is not a wishy-washy anything-goes way of living, but is rigorous and is guided by the many commands Jesus gives to us both in his own words and in the words of his apostles and writers of the New Testament.
Lehrer does not say much about the fact that most of the Old Covenant's ten commandments are reflected in this new law, but he does clearly show us that Christian living involves much more than "loving God and doing what you will," to quote Augustine.
Lehrer has clearly shown that the Old Testament is intended to give us physical, earthy pictures of what God was going to fulfil spiritually in Jesus and the Church.
While there is a lot of thought-provoking material in this book, I would have liked more development of the place of the Old Testament for the Christian today, but maybe this is the subject for another book.
I heartily recommend reading Lehrer's short account of this satisfying way of synthesising and integrating the bible's message, and hope that the few NCT writings so far written [such as Wells and Zaspel's New Covenant Theology,] will soon be supplemented by whole systematic theologies and commentaries.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Wikipedia
I enjoy using the user-created Wikipedia. It is usually up-to-date and I often find it to be reliable, realising that I am only sampling a tiny proportion of the articles.
Today I read some statistics on Gun deaths in the United States, compared with other countries. The situation has not changed appreciably since I first saw comparative figures about 25 years ago.
So I was surprised to read in the Wikipedia article on Gun Politics in the United States that
But these figures for homicides from 1998 show that the article is wrong:
This means that in Japan only .15 people were killed by a gun per million people
while in the UK, nearly 1 person per million died by gun death.
Australia had nearly 3 people per million
Canada and Germany lost nearly 5 people per million
but the United States lost 39 people per million.
These figures do not take into account the thousands who ended their own lives using the guns which are so freely available.
It would be wonderful if someone were to write a more balanced, more factual article for the Wikipedia, but I would guess that such an article would not last long.
Today I read some statistics on Gun deaths in the United States, compared with other countries. The situation has not changed appreciably since I first saw comparative figures about 25 years ago.
So I was surprised to read in the Wikipedia article on Gun Politics in the United States that
Homicide rates as a whole, especially homicides as a result of firearms use, are not always significantly lower in many other developed countries. This is apparent in the UK and Japan, which have very strict gun control.
But these figures for homicides from 1998 show that the article is wrong:
373 people in Germany, 82 million
151 people in Canada, 32 million
57 people in Australia, 20 million
19 people in Japan, 127 million
54 people in England and Wales, 60 million
and
11,789 people in the United States, 300 million
This means that in Japan only .15 people were killed by a gun per million people
while in the UK, nearly 1 person per million died by gun death.
Australia had nearly 3 people per million
Canada and Germany lost nearly 5 people per million
but the United States lost 39 people per million.
These figures do not take into account the thousands who ended their own lives using the guns which are so freely available.
It would be wonderful if someone were to write a more balanced, more factual article for the Wikipedia, but I would guess that such an article would not last long.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Reading the ESV Reformation Study Bible
After my fellow elder, Ron, came home from Blackheath in September 2005, armed with Greg Oliffe's plan for reading through the New Testament in 91 days, a few of us in our church had a crack at this project and enjoyed it. I was using the TNIV and after completing the NT, decided I'd better read the Old Testament as well, and read it through from February through to the end of May.
This whetted my appetite for reading the whole bible, and I am following Michael Coley's 52 week bible reading plan, which divides the bible into 7 genres. I prefer reading whole books, and am not following the plan exactly, but find the chart handing for seeing where I'm up to! And what's left.
I began this at the beginning of June and am now 3/4 of the way through. I am using my ESV Reformation Study Bible, edited by R C Sproul, and am reading the book outlines and articles as well, and some of the notes. The ESV is not as easy to read as the TNIV, and is not written in the language people speak, though I'm familiar with the language, having attended church for over 50 years and having read the bible in the KJV, the RSV and the NIV versions during those 50 years.
The translators of the ESV claim that versions such as the TNIV are not using proper English when they use the singular they, seemingly unaware that using a generic plural instead of masculine pronouns has been part of English for hundreds of years.
But it is also used by the article writers in the ESV itself. Here is an extract from the helpful page on The Unpardonable Sin on page 1421 in the edition I'm using:
Note the mixing of plural and singular in the one sentence here! We were taught it was wrong in our grammar classes, but it is the way people speak, and it seems, also write.
This whetted my appetite for reading the whole bible, and I am following Michael Coley's 52 week bible reading plan, which divides the bible into 7 genres. I prefer reading whole books, and am not following the plan exactly, but find the chart handing for seeing where I'm up to! And what's left.
I began this at the beginning of June and am now 3/4 of the way through. I am using my ESV Reformation Study Bible, edited by R C Sproul, and am reading the book outlines and articles as well, and some of the notes. The ESV is not as easy to read as the TNIV, and is not written in the language people speak, though I'm familiar with the language, having attended church for over 50 years and having read the bible in the KJV, the RSV and the NIV versions during those 50 years.
The translators of the ESV claim that versions such as the TNIV are not using proper English when they use the singular they, seemingly unaware that using a generic plural instead of masculine pronouns has been part of English for hundreds of years.
But it is also used by the article writers in the ESV itself. Here is an extract from the helpful page on The Unpardonable Sin on page 1421 in the edition I'm using:
A person who wants to repent, that is, to reverse the sins they may be guilty of, has not suffered this hardening and has not committed this profound act of hatred that God has determined he will not forgive.
Note the mixing of plural and singular in the one sentence here! We were taught it was wrong in our grammar classes, but it is the way people speak, and it seems, also write.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
The Whole Word for the Whole World
Fewer than 10% of the world's languages have the Old Testament, says this article from Christianity Today. Doming Lucasi, a native Balangao translator from the rice-terraced slopes of the northern Philippines, has just launched an Old Testament translation project and says that Having the New Testament without the Old is like having a sword without the handle.
Of the 2,400 language groups with portions of the Bible, roughly 1,115 have the New Testament. Only 426 have a complete Bible.
About a year ago, Ron, one of my fellow elders serving
Bathurst Evangelical Church brought a plan for reading through the New Testament back from a weekend trip to the Blue Mountains. A few of us used the plan to read through the New Testament in 91 days. After completing the project, this inspired me to tackle the Old Testament, which I completed in May, and am now working through the whole bible.
I've read about 65%, and hope to finish this latest read-through some time in November. I think every Christian would benefit greatly from doing this, no matter how long it takes to get finished. I like reading in large chunks, because it helps to give an overview of the whole book you are engaged in.
Of the 2,400 language groups with portions of the Bible, roughly 1,115 have the New Testament. Only 426 have a complete Bible.
About a year ago, Ron, one of my fellow elders serving
Bathurst Evangelical Church brought a plan for reading through the New Testament back from a weekend trip to the Blue Mountains. A few of us used the plan to read through the New Testament in 91 days. After completing the project, this inspired me to tackle the Old Testament, which I completed in May, and am now working through the whole bible.
I've read about 65%, and hope to finish this latest read-through some time in November. I think every Christian would benefit greatly from doing this, no matter how long it takes to get finished. I like reading in large chunks, because it helps to give an overview of the whole book you are engaged in.
Friday, September 15, 2006
New Studies in Biblical Theology
Don Carson has not only written about 30 excellent books: he has also performed a great service in the many books he has edited, not the least of which are the 21 books in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series.
Especially stimulating was From Every People and Nation which was my introduction to J Daniel Hays.
This book will make you think. It may make some people angry, but when reading it, it is worth asking yourself if it is disturbing because the author is challenging the message of the bible, or challenging the way you have always understood what the bible says about race.
Some people may not like it because they want the bible to be racist.
Hays writes from personal expeirence of race issues, and has carefully researched the biblical corpus on this topic.
The New Studies in Biblical Theology series, edited by Don Carson, contains many equally terrific books, and I eagerly await the opportunity to delve into more of them.
At the time of writing there are 21 in the series, including several beauties from fair dinkum Aussie authors.
Another book that complements this one is Yamauchi's Africa and the Bible.
Especially stimulating was From Every People and Nation which was my introduction to J Daniel Hays.
This book will make you think. It may make some people angry, but when reading it, it is worth asking yourself if it is disturbing because the author is challenging the message of the bible, or challenging the way you have always understood what the bible says about race.
Some people may not like it because they want the bible to be racist.
Hays writes from personal expeirence of race issues, and has carefully researched the biblical corpus on this topic.
The New Studies in Biblical Theology series, edited by Don Carson, contains many equally terrific books, and I eagerly await the opportunity to delve into more of them.
At the time of writing there are 21 in the series, including several beauties from fair dinkum Aussie authors.
Another book that complements this one is Yamauchi's Africa and the Bible.
Finding God at Harvard
A terrific collection of spiritual journeys.
It was exciting for me to find this book on my brief visit to Harvard University Co-op Bookshop. We had only half an hour there, so it was great to find such an interesting book in the short time available, and then read it on the train back to my niece's home.
If you like reading other people's stories about their lives and beliefs, you will enjoy this book. The Christian people included come from a variety of denominations and countries.
I enjoyed reading the sermon by Phillips Brooks, the clergyman who penned O Little Town of Bethlehem. The introduction tells us that he rekindled interest in Christ by making chapel attendance voluntary, instead of compulsory, as it had always been.
There are many other fascinating glimpses into people's journeys of faith, but the highlight for me was reading about Harvard's spiritual roots and the efforts to reclaim them.
Warmly recommended
It was exciting for me to find this book on my brief visit to Harvard University Co-op Bookshop. We had only half an hour there, so it was great to find such an interesting book in the short time available, and then read it on the train back to my niece's home.
If you like reading other people's stories about their lives and beliefs, you will enjoy this book. The Christian people included come from a variety of denominations and countries.
I enjoyed reading the sermon by Phillips Brooks, the clergyman who penned O Little Town of Bethlehem. The introduction tells us that he rekindled interest in Christ by making chapel attendance voluntary, instead of compulsory, as it had always been.
There are many other fascinating glimpses into people's journeys of faith, but the highlight for me was reading about Harvard's spiritual roots and the efforts to reclaim them.
Warmly recommended
Showing the Spirit
Great insights into New Testament spiritual gifts teaching
One of the many great qualities of this book is Carson's sharing pastoral insights about preserving church unity in the face of controversy over such things as charismatic teaching and practice.
It is a most helpful exegesis of a controversial part of the New Testament. Everyone will find something to disagree with here, but will also find much sane guidance.
Highly recommended
One of the many great qualities of this book is Carson's sharing pastoral insights about preserving church unity in the face of controversy over such things as charismatic teaching and practice.
It is a most helpful exegesis of a controversial part of the New Testament. Everyone will find something to disagree with here, but will also find much sane guidance.
Highly recommended
From Sabbath to Lord's Day
This book is pricey, but invaluable. It will make you think about the relationship between
the New Testament and the Old Testament
the law of Moses and the law of Christ
the Jewish sabbath and Christian worship
and many other important issues.
The various authors, who were Cambridge post-graduate students, worked together on their book, and have come to quite a close agreement on the issues involved.
Table of Contents
Introduction by D A Carson
The Sabbath in the Old Testament by Harold Dressler
A Summary of Sabbath Observance in Judaism at the beginning of the Christian Era by C Rowland
Jesus and the Sabbath in the Four Gospels
The Sabbath, Sunday, and the Law in Luke/Acts by Max Turner
The Sabbath/Sunday Question and the Law in the Pauline Corpus by D R de Lacey
Sabbath, Rest, and Eschatology in the New Testament by A T Lincoln
The Lord's Day by R J Bauckham
Sabbath and Sunday in the Post-Apostolic Church by R J Bauckham
Sabbath and Sunday in the Medieval Church in the West by R J Bauckham
Sabbath and Sunday in the Protestant Tradition by R J Bauckham
From Sabbath to Lord's Day: a Biblical and Theological Perspective by A T Lincoln
The stance of the book is close to New Covenant Theology. The authors do not regard the sabbath as a creation ordinance or as binding for Christians, either as the seventh or first day of the week.
Highly recommended
the New Testament and the Old Testament
the law of Moses and the law of Christ
the Jewish sabbath and Christian worship
and many other important issues.
The various authors, who were Cambridge post-graduate students, worked together on their book, and have come to quite a close agreement on the issues involved.
Table of Contents
Introduction by D A Carson
The Sabbath in the Old Testament by Harold Dressler
A Summary of Sabbath Observance in Judaism at the beginning of the Christian Era by C Rowland
Jesus and the Sabbath in the Four Gospels
The Sabbath, Sunday, and the Law in Luke/Acts by Max Turner
The Sabbath/Sunday Question and the Law in the Pauline Corpus by D R de Lacey
Sabbath, Rest, and Eschatology in the New Testament by A T Lincoln
The Lord's Day by R J Bauckham
Sabbath and Sunday in the Post-Apostolic Church by R J Bauckham
Sabbath and Sunday in the Medieval Church in the West by R J Bauckham
Sabbath and Sunday in the Protestant Tradition by R J Bauckham
From Sabbath to Lord's Day: a Biblical and Theological Perspective by A T Lincoln
The stance of the book is close to New Covenant Theology. The authors do not regard the sabbath as a creation ordinance or as binding for Christians, either as the seventh or first day of the week.
Highly recommended
Monday, August 07, 2006
ESV Reformation Study Bible
The ESV Reformation Study Bible has been a great help on my second read-through of the bible. I firstly read through the NT and then the Old using the new TNIV bible. That version is easier to read than the ESV, and is a usually reliable update to the venerable NIV. The translators have attempted to show where original masculine language was intended to be inclusive, such as in the use of the Greek word ADELFOI which sometimes means "brothers" but often means "Christian brothers and sisters." Occasionally this use of gender inclusive language smacks of political correctness and spoils an otherwise helpful translation.
The ESV also often uses inclusive language where this was intended in the original, but shrinks from doing this with certain words such as ADELFOI and HUIOI [which normally means "sons" but is often intended to include women as well].
At times the language in the ESV is awkward, which I noticed particularly in my read-through of Hebrews. It would be difficult to read to others some verses of the ESV and convey the sense correctly.
The Reformation Study Bible is an extremely helpful guide to the Scriptures, with excellent introductions to each body of literature in the bible, such as the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Poetic Literature, the Gospels, etc. It includes helpful introductions to every bible book and also has usually helpful notes on specific chapters and verses.
There are also 96 articles on key theological topics which present a Reformed point of view, as would be expected. The editors have shown an awareness of some differences between Reformed Christians and have written the article on baptism, for example, with at least a passing acknowledgment of Baptists who are otherwise Reformed but do not believe that infant baptism is an acceptable application of the bible's instruction on this Christian initiation rite.
The authors of articles and notes include R C Sproul, Keith Mathison, Bruce Waltke, Moises Silva, James Boice, Edmund Clowney, J I Packer, Raymond Dillard, Tremper Longman, Gordon McConville, Ray Ortlund, Willem vanGemeren, Gordon Wenham, Wayne Grudem, Simon Kistemaker and Frank Thielman.
This Australian reviewer would like to mention that there are also several excellent Aussie contributors, including Leon Morris, Bill Dumbrell, Graeme Goldsworthy, Barry Webb and John Woodhouse.
I am disappointed that my hardcover edition has cracked binding: I'm guessing it came this way. But I hope that this is not an indication of poor workmanship in other copies.
I highly recommend this bible as a wonderful help in coming to understand the Word of God more fully.
The ESV also often uses inclusive language where this was intended in the original, but shrinks from doing this with certain words such as ADELFOI and HUIOI [which normally means "sons" but is often intended to include women as well].
At times the language in the ESV is awkward, which I noticed particularly in my read-through of Hebrews. It would be difficult to read to others some verses of the ESV and convey the sense correctly.
The Reformation Study Bible is an extremely helpful guide to the Scriptures, with excellent introductions to each body of literature in the bible, such as the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Poetic Literature, the Gospels, etc. It includes helpful introductions to every bible book and also has usually helpful notes on specific chapters and verses.
There are also 96 articles on key theological topics which present a Reformed point of view, as would be expected. The editors have shown an awareness of some differences between Reformed Christians and have written the article on baptism, for example, with at least a passing acknowledgment of Baptists who are otherwise Reformed but do not believe that infant baptism is an acceptable application of the bible's instruction on this Christian initiation rite.
The authors of articles and notes include R C Sproul, Keith Mathison, Bruce Waltke, Moises Silva, James Boice, Edmund Clowney, J I Packer, Raymond Dillard, Tremper Longman, Gordon McConville, Ray Ortlund, Willem vanGemeren, Gordon Wenham, Wayne Grudem, Simon Kistemaker and Frank Thielman.
This Australian reviewer would like to mention that there are also several excellent Aussie contributors, including Leon Morris, Bill Dumbrell, Graeme Goldsworthy, Barry Webb and John Woodhouse.
I am disappointed that my hardcover edition has cracked binding: I'm guessing it came this way. But I hope that this is not an indication of poor workmanship in other copies.
I highly recommend this bible as a wonderful help in coming to understand the Word of God more fully.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
The King James Only Controversy
I think that the King James Only theory is bizarre and I know this opening won't win me any friends in that camp! I grew up with the venerable King James Version of the bible, for which I have great admiration. The verses in my head are mostly in that version and when I'm trying to track down a verse, I often have to set my BibleWorks program to KJV to find a particular verse. There is much to admire in this version, but it is not the bible, but a good translation of it.
I recently bought James White's book The King James Only Controversy and have enjoyed what I read of it. Don Carson's The King James Version Debate: a plea for realism is 25 years old, but still helpful.
I especially enjoyed One Bible Only? , which is edited by Roy Beacham. This book is written by fundamentalists to fundamentalists. It is well-written and gives an excellent defence of the eclectic approach to textual criticism. It shows clearly that the idea that the King James Version is the only inspired one is unbiblical and illogical.
The authors of the various articles show that all of the arguments for KJV-Onlyism are based on false information.
But the book also contains insights into bible translation and lots of useful information about the manuscripts from which we got our bible, both Old and New Testaments.
The writers write respectfully, with due praise for the King James Version and with courtesy to those who hold different points of view to them.
The three books mentioned are all useful and all should help anyone who is puzzling over this issue.
I recently bought James White's book The King James Only Controversy and have enjoyed what I read of it. Don Carson's The King James Version Debate: a plea for realism is 25 years old, but still helpful.
I especially enjoyed One Bible Only? , which is edited by Roy Beacham. This book is written by fundamentalists to fundamentalists. It is well-written and gives an excellent defence of the eclectic approach to textual criticism. It shows clearly that the idea that the King James Version is the only inspired one is unbiblical and illogical.
The authors of the various articles show that all of the arguments for KJV-Onlyism are based on false information.
But the book also contains insights into bible translation and lots of useful information about the manuscripts from which we got our bible, both Old and New Testaments.
The writers write respectfully, with due praise for the King James Version and with courtesy to those who hold different points of view to them.
The three books mentioned are all useful and all should help anyone who is puzzling over this issue.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
One Salient Oversight: Moments in Reformed Theology (lots of pics)
One Salient Oversight: Moments in Reformed Theology (lots of pics)
These Moments in Reformed Theology are fun. But I wonder if I'm really understanding the author's humour, or missing his point on some of them?
These Moments in Reformed Theology are fun. But I wonder if I'm really understanding the author's humour, or missing his point on some of them?
Saturday, June 10, 2006
A little bit pregnant?
Having just completed reading the bible through in the TNIV translation, I'm now reading it through using my Reformation Study Bible. I find the articles, study notes and references helpful, but am finding that the ESV in some places is harder to read.
But what I'm also finding is that the ESV seems to use a lot of the translation methods which its champions deplore in translations such as the TNIV. For example, in Hosea [which I read through yesterday and today], the translators change the person and number in the original Hebrew to make the meaning clearer.
Hosea 2 verse 6 is rendered
I will hedge up her way with thorns,
but the footnote says that the Hebrew text says your way.
In chapter 4 verse 19 the Hebrew original
A wind has wrapped her in its wings
is changed to
A wind has wrapped them in its wings.
Now this is not a problem to me, but the apologists for the ESV say that when the TNIV changes 3rd person to 2nd or from singular to plural, they are changing the Word of God. When the RSV revisers [which is a more accurate description of the ESV translation team] alter the original are they not also changing the Word of God?
But what I'm also finding is that the ESV seems to use a lot of the translation methods which its champions deplore in translations such as the TNIV. For example, in Hosea [which I read through yesterday and today], the translators change the person and number in the original Hebrew to make the meaning clearer.
Hosea 2 verse 6 is rendered
I will hedge up her way with thorns,
but the footnote says that the Hebrew text says your way.
In chapter 4 verse 19 the Hebrew original
A wind has wrapped her in its wings
is changed to
A wind has wrapped them in its wings.
Now this is not a problem to me, but the apologists for the ESV say that when the TNIV changes 3rd person to 2nd or from singular to plural, they are changing the Word of God. When the RSV revisers [which is a more accurate description of the ESV translation team] alter the original are they not also changing the Word of God?
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Reading the Bible by Genre
I am continuing to read through my ESV Reformation Study Bible, using Michael Coley's 52 week bible reading plan, which divides the bible up into an epistle reading for Sunday, Law for Monday, History for Tuesday, Psalms on Wednesday, other Poetry on Thursday, Prophecy on Friday and Gospels and Acts on Saturday.
I'm doing it eclectically, and now on the second week I've read, 1 John, Hebrews, Galatians in the Epistles column, Genesis 1-7 from Law, Psalms 1-8, Proverbs 1-4, Matthew 1-4, but so far, no History or Prophecy.
The ESV Reformation Study Bible is nicely produced, has a clear typeface, larger than many bibles I've used, and usually has helpful notes. Having just read through the bible using the TNIV bible, it is interesting to compare the two.
At times the language in the TNIV is unnecessarily politically correct: the translators tried to avoid the use of masculine language, and where this language has been imposed on the bible, or where it obscures the meaning, I welcome the use of inclusive language. But, at times, the change to the plural or the rewording of the traditional English rendering is not needed.
I appreciate the way the RSV revisers [which is what you may more properly call the ESV translators] have reworded its masculine language where there is inclusive language in the original Hebrew, Aramiac and Greek. This is a common feature of the ESV and TNIV.
But certain words, such as ADELFOI, are consistently rendered as masculine, despite the revisers inserting footnotes to the effect that the word is intended to be inclusive. This should have come out in the text, perhaps with a footnote that the original word is masculine, but is intended to have an inclusive meaning.
At times the ESV sounds like biblish [biblical English, a throwback to the King James Version and even the versions which preceded it]. A few days ago I read through Hebrews and found some renderings quite awkward. So far I've found the Old Testament passages read more smoothly. But I admit that in looking up a couple of passages, they are difficult to read in many English versions. Hebrews 2:10 is one of those.
I'm doing it eclectically, and now on the second week I've read, 1 John, Hebrews, Galatians in the Epistles column, Genesis 1-7 from Law, Psalms 1-8, Proverbs 1-4, Matthew 1-4, but so far, no History or Prophecy.
The ESV Reformation Study Bible is nicely produced, has a clear typeface, larger than many bibles I've used, and usually has helpful notes. Having just read through the bible using the TNIV bible, it is interesting to compare the two.
At times the language in the TNIV is unnecessarily politically correct: the translators tried to avoid the use of masculine language, and where this language has been imposed on the bible, or where it obscures the meaning, I welcome the use of inclusive language. But, at times, the change to the plural or the rewording of the traditional English rendering is not needed.
I appreciate the way the RSV revisers [which is what you may more properly call the ESV translators] have reworded its masculine language where there is inclusive language in the original Hebrew, Aramiac and Greek. This is a common feature of the ESV and TNIV.
But certain words, such as ADELFOI, are consistently rendered as masculine, despite the revisers inserting footnotes to the effect that the word is intended to be inclusive. This should have come out in the text, perhaps with a footnote that the original word is masculine, but is intended to have an inclusive meaning.
At times the ESV sounds like biblish [biblical English, a throwback to the King James Version and even the versions which preceded it]. A few days ago I read through Hebrews and found some renderings quite awkward. So far I've found the Old Testament passages read more smoothly. But I admit that in looking up a couple of passages, they are difficult to read in many English versions. Hebrews 2:10 is one of those.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Calvin on Sola Scriptura
“Let us not take it into our heads . . . to seek out God anywhere else than in his Sacred Word, or to think anything about him that is not prompted by his Word, or to speak anything that is not taken from that Word.” Cited by Brian Hedges at his terrific Mere Theology blog.
After Darkness, Light
After Darkness, Light is a Reformation motto (originally Post Tenebras, Lux), but it is also the title of a great book of essays on the Five Points of Calvinism and the Five Solas of the Reformation.
The whole book is worth reading, but I particularly appreciated the discussion on Sola Scriptura (the bible alone). Keith Mathison points out that this teaching does not imply that there is no role for tradition and the Church, but that the bible is our supreme authority. It is the only ongoing source of God's revelation (which he did by speaking to humankind through the ages in many and various ways such as by sending prophets and especially through our Lord Jesus Christ and finally inspiring holy men of God to set down this revelation in writing). The bible is perfect (in its original autographs) and thus completely reliable.
The Church submits to the bible's authority, and does not pronounce it to be God's Word, as if the Church were above the bible, but simply recognises it as from God.
But, sitting under this divine Word, the Church has a role to play in teaching us to understand it, as the Scriptures themselves declare. Her historic creeds help us to understand what the Scriptures say. These creeds are helpful and trustworthy, but not infallible. In this limited sense, there is a role for tradition, but it is inferior to the one supreme authority of Scripture.
I found this articulation challenging, thought-provoking and helpful.
Mathison shows that if we say that there is no role for Christian tradition or for the Church, Sola Scriptura degenerates into my interpretation of the bible alone is authoritative, which leads to chaos.
The whole book is worth reading, but I particularly appreciated the discussion on Sola Scriptura (the bible alone). Keith Mathison points out that this teaching does not imply that there is no role for tradition and the Church, but that the bible is our supreme authority. It is the only ongoing source of God's revelation (which he did by speaking to humankind through the ages in many and various ways such as by sending prophets and especially through our Lord Jesus Christ and finally inspiring holy men of God to set down this revelation in writing). The bible is perfect (in its original autographs) and thus completely reliable.
The Church submits to the bible's authority, and does not pronounce it to be God's Word, as if the Church were above the bible, but simply recognises it as from God.
But, sitting under this divine Word, the Church has a role to play in teaching us to understand it, as the Scriptures themselves declare. Her historic creeds help us to understand what the Scriptures say. These creeds are helpful and trustworthy, but not infallible. In this limited sense, there is a role for tradition, but it is inferior to the one supreme authority of Scripture.
I found this articulation challenging, thought-provoking and helpful.
Mathison shows that if we say that there is no role for Christian tradition or for the Church, Sola Scriptura degenerates into my interpretation of the bible alone is authoritative, which leads to chaos.
Monday, June 05, 2006
But Don't All Religions Lead to God?
Michael Green's But Don't all Religions Lead To God? is a great book if you are interested in thinking about the differences between the various religions on offer today [well ... at least the most popular ones], and the unique claims of Christ.
In this book he helps us to think through these popular misconceptions:
1. All religions are much the same.
2. All religions lead to God.
3. It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.
4. Jesus Christ is only one of many great religious teachers.
Having helped us to see that each of these views is not logical, Green then shows us the greatness of Jesus who:
*was the only great religious leader who claimed to be able to bring us to God.
*was the only great teacher who claimed to be able to deal radically with human wickedness.
*came back to life, showing us that what he said is true.
*promises to live within us, empowering us to live fulfilled lives which please God.
In this book he helps us to think through these popular misconceptions:
1. All religions are much the same.
2. All religions lead to God.
3. It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.
4. Jesus Christ is only one of many great religious teachers.
Having helped us to see that each of these views is not logical, Green then shows us the greatness of Jesus who:
*was the only great religious leader who claimed to be able to bring us to God.
*was the only great teacher who claimed to be able to deal radically with human wickedness.
*came back to life, showing us that what he said is true.
*promises to live within us, empowering us to live fulfilled lives which please God.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Keep in Step With the Spirit
Keep in Step with the Spirit is a terrific book. If you are puzzled by the Holy Spirit, or by all the different slants in various Christian circles on his ministry, you will find this book enlightening. Packer writes in a forthright, yet fair way. He does not seek to knock other views for the sake of it, but often shows how they have valuable insights, though they may be emphasising some things too greatly, or omitting other essentials.
His book is not only about the Holy Spirit, and also features important teaching on the trinity, holiness, Christian living and bible reading. I think this book is every bit as good as Knowing God. I'm sorry that I have only recently discovered this book, originally published in 1984.
The new edition includes a 2005 "Preface to the Preface" and a short chapter on assurance, entitled "Heaven on Earth -a Pentecost Exposition." They are worth reading, but maybe not worth the cost of a new book if your copy is still in good nick.
His book is not only about the Holy Spirit, and also features important teaching on the trinity, holiness, Christian living and bible reading. I think this book is every bit as good as Knowing God. I'm sorry that I have only recently discovered this book, originally published in 1984.
The new edition includes a 2005 "Preface to the Preface" and a short chapter on assurance, entitled "Heaven on Earth -a Pentecost Exposition." They are worth reading, but maybe not worth the cost of a new book if your copy is still in good nick.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
The Race Set Before Us
The Race Set Before Us is one of the most helpful Christian books I've read, and it is terrific that Ardel Caneday has set up a blog to discuss it with his readers. There have been some great posts at this blog so far: if you haven't read the book yet, it is well worth your time to read and re-read.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Helpful guide to all those Christian books
I have just completed reading a book that has been helping me to make sense of the many Christian books I read. I began in September, and completed about 15% of it by Christmas, then plowed through the rest from February to the end of May.
The book is the TNIV translation of the Bible. I read the NT using Greg Oliffe's handy guide to reading through the New Testament in 91 days, then simply used the reading plan in the back of my bible for the Old Testament.
I must admit, though, that reading the bible answers some questions, while raising lots of others. But I bore in mind Moses' words in Deuteronomy 29 verse 29:
I enjoyed this read-through so much, I'm doing it again, but it may take longer this time, as I am attempting to read through my ESV Reformation Study Bible, and this time I'm using Michael Coley's 52 week bible reading plan. This innovative plan divides the bible up into 7 genres: one for each day of the week. You have an epistle reading for Sunday, Law for Monday, History for Tuesday, Psalms on Wednesday, other Poetry on Thursday, Prophecy on Friday and Gospels and Acts on Saturday.
I can't promise I'll keep to Michael's exact order, but I hope to use his chart to tick off what I've read somewhat eclectically.
The book is the TNIV translation of the Bible. I read the NT using Greg Oliffe's handy guide to reading through the New Testament in 91 days, then simply used the reading plan in the back of my bible for the Old Testament.
I must admit, though, that reading the bible answers some questions, while raising lots of others. But I bore in mind Moses' words in Deuteronomy 29 verse 29:
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
I enjoyed this read-through so much, I'm doing it again, but it may take longer this time, as I am attempting to read through my ESV Reformation Study Bible, and this time I'm using Michael Coley's 52 week bible reading plan. This innovative plan divides the bible up into 7 genres: one for each day of the week. You have an epistle reading for Sunday, Law for Monday, History for Tuesday, Psalms on Wednesday, other Poetry on Thursday, Prophecy on Friday and Gospels and Acts on Saturday.
I can't promise I'll keep to Michael's exact order, but I hope to use his chart to tick off what I've read somewhat eclectically.
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