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Friday November 6, 2009

Categories: Bible

Friday is for Friends: Rachel Held Evans

RachelEvans.jpgHello, my name is Rachel, and I'm a recovering Bible snob.

I haven't always been this way.  As a child, the stories of the Bible enthralled me. I believed in them the way one believes in dinosaurs, Camelot, Abraham Lincoln, and other magical things that happened once upon a time.

As a teenager, the Bible evolved into a collection of affirmations designed to ease my angst-riddled existence (a hermeneutical shortcut Scot refers to as "morsels of blessings and promises" in The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible ), and in college, it served as my favorite answer book (Scot's "big puzzle" shortcut). 

How has your approach to the Bible changed over the years?  Have you ever found yourself behaving like a Bible snob? How do you engage Scripture analytically without losing your childlike fondness for its stories?

Tuesday November 3, 2009

Categories: Bible, Biblical Studies

Using and Abusing Scripture

Bible.jpgManfred Brauch, now retired from many years of teaching at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer), calls us to a more serious approach to Scripture in order to end the all-too-common abuse of Scripture. 

Scripture is used for everything by everyone ... what I mean is that everyone thinks the Bible is on their side. Which means we've tamed the "blue parakeet" passages.

But I've been thinking of the many who have a great idea, know the texts where that idea is found, and then run everything in the Bible -- and I mean everything -- through that one idea. These folks "use" the Bible and end up "abusing" the Bible. That's why we need more Bible studies that focus on what the Bible does say in its context.

Brauch addresses just that concern and his book is called Abusing Scripture: The Consequences of Misreading the Bible .  I'm not hearing much about this book, even though it deserves a wide hearing and would make an excellent textbook for college students and a good Bible study book for the serious student of the Bible. 

In the process of urging us to take more seriously what we are doing -- and he's smack-on in this appeals -- Brauch illustrates his points. The focus of his illustrations revolve around three biblical themes: the use and justification of force and violence, the relationship of men and women -- home and church and society -- and the concern for justice and the sanctity of life.

After a welcome sketch of the inspiration and authority of Scripture, in which sketch he shows a moderate traditional view, Brauch addresses the following "abuses" of Scripture that can be found on too many church corners:

Which of these abuses do you see the most? Do you see others that concern you?


Sunday November 1, 2009

Categories: Bible, Biblical Studies

Book Comments: Commentary Set of the Year

Walton.jpgI just spent a bundle of time with John H. Walton, who is the General Editor of a brand new series on the Old Testament, and it is a series we desperately need. This new series is a commentary unlike any commentary series ever because, instead of just being a commentary, it is a commentary only and specially-focused on historical background.

John Walton, editor: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Set: Old Testament .

The only way I can put it is this: every church and every pastor and ever seminarian, especially those who are evangelical, will want this commentary series within arm's reach on his or her desk. There is nothing like it -- and we all know commentaries repeat one another endlessly -- and this one doesn't.

We have learned so much about the ancient world -- the Ancient Near East -- in the last fifty years, but more and more it has become increasingly difficult to keep all of this stuff in our heads or within memory's reach. But that has now been partially resolved for us with this new series written by experts on these materials. It's focus is on the backgrounds and historical contexts for each book of the Old Testament.


Thursday October 8, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Bible and Authority Revisited 2 (RJS)

[We've added the captcha text because we were bombarded by a spammer Monday. We hope the captcha text will disappear with the spammer soon.]

Last week I posted a question by a reader asking about categories of biblical literature and their "wooden historicity". There was another aspect to the comment though, and another question well worth consideration.

The original comment continued...

Speaking of that RJS, this reminds me of something that you've said before in response to my question on why you believe a certain thing to be the case. Your response, on occasion, has been to say that this is what has been handed down in Christian tradition, from the early church on. But, following our discussion here, surely the early church and much of Christian tradition thought the weather was directly, and in real-time, controlled by God. So if we so easily question that assumption now, why not others? The tradition argument alone seems rather weak in that regard.

This leads to the question for today.

What role does tradition play in our interpretation of scripture and understanding of the faith?

(The picture above is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the traditional site of the crucifixion and burial. We visited fall 2001 - when the lines were rather short.)

Monday October 5, 2009

Categories: Bible

The Dark Side of Bible Reading: by Jeremy Berg

JBerg.jpg

Jeremy Berg is a youth pastor; he's done some Friday is for Friends for us, but I wanted to get this one up today. 

I have long been irritated by a common critique or complaint people have after listening to a biblical exposition of a passage.  This is especially true of teenagers after hearing their youth pastor unpack a dense portion of, say, Romans. "How does this apply to my life?"  "What does this have to do with me?"  I believe this simple request, which sounds so reasonable and innocent on the surface, has a darker side that has should at least be considered. Before we explore this darker side let me qualify this statement by saying:

  1.   I believe personal application of the Bible's message is critical. Absolutely critical.
  2.  I believe preachers should help hearers of the Word become doers of the Word.  Of course.
  3.  As a youth pastor speaking weekly to teens I really need to work harder at this. I have much room for improvement.  

My irritation with the cult of personal application is the self-centered, self-absorbed posture of many as they approach God's Word. Now it seems perfectly appropriate after hearing one of Jesus' parables to ask oneself how his teaching is personally challenging us. But the operative word there is AFTER.

Thursday October 1, 2009

Bible and Authority Revisited (RJS)

A couple of weeks ago I had a brief post asking why the scientific theory of evolution was a challenge for faith, but a scientific theory explaining weather was not a problem. (See here for the post: God, Science,...

Wednesday September 2, 2009

Categories: Bible, Translations

The TNIV: Express your ideas

If you have not heard, here's the basic scoop: Yesterday Christianity Today wrote a piece, a bit on the sensational side, to say the TNIV was being put to rest because of mistakes. Well, as the story developed yesterday, it...

Tuesday September 1, 2009

Categories: Bible, Translations

From NIV to NIVi to TNIV to the NIV 2011

From Christianity Today .... [Added: I'm confident, as I look over the CT piece now that it has been expanded, that the NIV Committee for Bible Translation will not squash the TNIV into history but will improve the NIV in...

Tuesday August 18, 2009

Categories: Bible

A Blue Parakeet Study Guide (Free)

This study guide, as noted at the bottom of the study, is from Barb Murphy, and I'm grateful for her efforts. Maybe this can be of use to you in using The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible...

Tuesday June 9, 2009

Darwin and the Bible 3 (RJS)

A couple of months ago we had two posts based on a book Darwin and the Bible: The Cultural Confrontation - (first, second). This book was designed (with only modest success) to "help readers understand the nature, history, and passions...

Thursday June 4, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Primacy of Scripture and The Fall (RJS)

In volume one of Essentials of Evangelical Theology (2 Volumes in 1), Donald Bloesch has a chapter entitled The Primacy of Scripture and a section in his chapter on Total Depravity dealing with The Story of the Fall. We have...

Wednesday May 27, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Bible and Authority (RJS)

A few years ago NT Wright published a short book on the authority of scripture: The Last Word: Scripture and the Authority of God--Getting Beyond the Bible Wars. Scot posted on this book when both the book and his blog...

Thursday May 21, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Bible and Knowledge 5 - Inspiration & Incarnation (RJS)

Over the last several posts we have been considering approaches to interpret scripture that take seriously the nature of the text we have, the information from historical and scientific research, and the inspiration of scripture. This is, in my...

Wednesday May 20, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Enns, Sparks, Arnold, and Chapman on the OT: Part 3 (RJS)

Kent Sparks's book God's Word in Human Words (GWHW) was the subject of a session organized by Peter Enns at the Society of Biblical Literature meeting last November. Dr. Enns has made some of this session available to a...

Tuesday May 19, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Bible and Knowledge 4 (RJS)

We have been working through Kent Sparks's book God's Word in Human Words (GWHW).  A couple of posts ago (here) I suggested a way of looking at scripture as light rather than foundation; a change in perspective that I...

Tuesday May 12, 2009

The Bible and Knowledge 3 (RJS)

We continue our discussion of Kent Sparks's book God's Word in Human Words (GWHW) moving into Chapters 2 and 3:  Historical Criticism and Assyriology and The Problem of Biblical Criticism. Before diving into the topic of Biblical Criticism, Sparks considers...

Friday May 8, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Bible and Knowledge 2 (RJS)

I don't ever jump in to introduce posts by RJS. But this post today is a summary and sketch of a very serious proposal for how to understand the doctrine of Scripture and our knowledge of Scripture/theology. Give this a...

Tuesday May 5, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Bible and Knowledge 1 (RJS)

In a post a couple of weeks ago (here) we opened a discussion on Kent Sparks' thought-provoking, and somewhat controversial book God's Word in Human Words (GWHW). Over the next several posts we will delve into this book more deeply.In...

Saturday May 2, 2009

Categories: Bible

Bart Ehrman on the Bible

Bart Ehrman has become the media's darling scholar. Bart is a respected New Testament scholar with both a story to tell and a desire to tell it -- even if he fails routinely to divulge that evangelical scholars do not...

Thursday April 23, 2009

Enns, Sparks, Arnold, and Chapman on the OT: Part 2 (RJS)

A couple of months ago Peter Enns posted on his blog part one of a review and discussion of Kenton Sparks' recent book God's Word in Human Words (GWHW).  Although in writing part one Enns expressed hoped that part two...

Tuesday April 14, 2009

Genesis 4-5 - Biblical Genealogies (RJS)

We discussed the creation narratives in Genesis 1-3 in a series of posts earlier this year.  The questions on the proper interpretation of Genesis don't stop with Genesis 3 however, and I received an e-mail last week with the following...

Tuesday March 24, 2009

Categories: Bible, Paul, Science and Faith

Beginnings 2 (RJS)

In the second chapter of his book Beginnings: Ancient Christian Readings of the Biblical Creation Narratives Peter Bouteneff discusses the uses of the creation narrative in the New Testament. The most important New Testament references are in the Pauline...

Tuesday March 17, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Beginnings 1 (RJS)

I am currently reading a book by Peter Bouteneff, a theology professor at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, entitled Beginnings: Ancient Christian Readings of the Biblical Creation Narratives. This book explores the use of the creation narratives in Second Temple...

Tuesday March 10, 2009

Romans 8: Creation Groans (RJS)

We have spent several posts looking at Gen 1-3 and at Paul's understanding of Genesis and its role in his atonement theology in Romans 5. In the course of this discussion several different people have brought up Romans 8, especially...

Thursday March 5, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

The Garden of Eden? (RJS)

Michael Kruse brought these articles to my attention earlier this week. An ancient temple at Gobekli Tepe in Turkey revolutionizes thinking about ancient human culture and thought. A prehistoric construction, a "temple" dating from some 8000-12000 years ago.  This...

Tuesday March 3, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Romans 5: Part 3 - Sin and its Solution (RJS)

Romans 5:12-21 is a great passage - and at the center of the passage is the achievement of Jesus through his death and resurrection. In his commentary on Romans NT Wright notes:Though the word "cross" is not mentioned, and though...

Thursday February 26, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Enns, Sparks, Arnold, and Chapman on the OT (RJS)

We started a conversation on Tuesday that touched on the subject of the nature of inspiration and the nature of scripture as the inspired word of God.  Many have  serious questions about the intent and interpretation of the Old Testament...

Tuesday February 24, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Romans 5: Part 2 - Adam (RJS)

Romans 5:12-21 proves to be one of the key texts in any discussion of science and faith these days.  We began a discussion of this passage last week with a consideration of the meaning and nature of the death...

Thursday February 19, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Intellectual Integrity and Faith? 7 - Romans 5 (RJS)

Romans 5:12-21 proves to be one of the key texts in any discussion of science and faith these days, and the problem hits full force with v. 12:Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death...

Tuesday February 17, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Genesis 2-3 Part 3 John Calvin (RJS)

John Calvin of course was one of the principal leaders of the reformation in the 1500's.  Calvin got many things right and, like everyone, many things wrong.  In the protestant church in general and in the more reformed branch of...

Thursday February 12, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Genesis 2-3 Part 2 (RJS)

Genesis 3 is one of the cornerstone passages of the Bible.  Bill Arnold in his commentary on Genesis reflects that Gen 3 starts a new subject and introduces a new character, the serpent or snake.  The significance and identity...

Tuesday February 10, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Genesis 2-3 Part 1 (RJS)

Genesis 2 begins another view of creation; another voice; a narrowed focus.First a context: We have discussed the issues of evolution and common descent in several different posts on this blog.  The mounting evidence, most importantly the molecular genetic...

Thursday February 5, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Intellectual Integrity and Faith? 3: Genesis One (RJS)

Genesis 1 has been studied, debated, and expounded as much as any text in world history. Scholars and amateurs alike have poured over this text for twenty-five hundred years, and it continues to demand our attention because of its arresting...

Tuesday February 3, 2009

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

Intellectual Integrity and Faith? 2: Genesis (RJS)

Bill T. Arnold, Director of Hebrew Studies and the Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary has a new commentary out, Genesis (New Cambridge Bible Commentary Series) .  This commentary is described as "an innovative...

Thursday January 22, 2009

Categories: Bible

Best Blogs in Biblical Studies?

I've been asked what are the best blogs in biblical studies. What do you think? Provide links if you can....

Friday January 16, 2009

Categories: Bible

Bible Readers: "Red Letter" Maestros

Recently at Out of Ur blog I posted something about "maestro" Bible readers and I received a letter from a "Red Letter Christian." Here is a clipped paragraph:I understand completely when you say that when Jesus is made Maestro it...

Monday January 12, 2009

Categories: Bible

Bible Readers: Smileys

This is what some folks want when they read the Bible: they open their Bible looking for a good word, but by "good word" they mean a daily habit of reading the Bible in search of a blessing (a quiet...

Thursday January 8, 2009

Categories: Bible

Bible Readers: Puzzlers

A letter from a reader of this blog:I suppose my first question has to do with systematic theology.  Until recently, I would consider myself broadly reformed.  At the moment, I just don't know.  Recently I've grown so tired of trying...

Sunday December 21, 2008

Categories: Bible

The Bible Experience Revisited

We've talked a time or two about Inspired By The Bible Experience: The Complete Bible. I've listened to a number of NT books and most of the Psalms, and I'm wondering what you think of this wonderful tool. You might...

Wednesday December 17, 2008

Categories: Bible, Third Way

Third Way and Scripture

A friend of mine recently said that theologians can say just about anything about anything about Jesus but to say something fresh or innovative or out of the ordinary about Scripture is to invite trouble. I suppose what is said...

Friday November 28, 2008

Categories: Bible

Blue Parakeet Passages in the Bible

Since I was a high schooler I've been bugged by what is commonly called "pick and choose" when it comes to the Bible. 30 years later convinces me that (1) we all do this and (2) we need to talk...

Tuesday November 18, 2008

Categories: Bible, Science and Faith

A Conspiracy of Silence? (RJS)

I was listening recently to a recording of a public conversation between two Old Testament scholars, Dr. Peter Enns and Dr. Stephen Chapman, held at Duke and advertised as Is the Bible Ever Wrong?  It is a fascinating conversation - well...

Tuesday November 18, 2008

Categories: Bible

Translations: How do they do it?

There is no reason here to get involved in all the discussions that linguists and translation theorists get into today. Here are some thoughts we need to consider when we talk about why there are a variety of translations. Again,...

Monday November 17, 2008

Categories: Bible

Translations: Which one is best?

I got a request from an e-mailer to blog on translations. This is the first one of such posts. There are a number of good translations available, and there are advocates for each one, and they use a variety of...

Thursday November 6, 2008

Categories: Bible

Bible Collector

I don't know why I like Donald Brake's wondrous new book, Visual History of the English Bible, A: The Tumultuous Tale of the World's Bestselling Book , the most: Is it because of the rich photography? the story the book...

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About Jesus Creed

Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...

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