DOCSLIB.ORG

Ancient Manuscripts and Biblical Exposition

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ancient Manuscripts and Biblical Exposition TMSJ 9/1 (Spring 1998) 25-38 ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS AND BIBLICAL EXPOSITION William D. Barrick Associate Professor of Old Testament Ancient manuscripts have been the subject of many books, journal articles, and essays, but few have dealt with their relationship to biblical exposition. Yet the expositor has a vital role in preserving what those ancient manuscripts of the Bible contribute to an accurate knowledge of Old and New Testaments. Few works on systematic theology deal with the important doctrine of preservation, yet Scripture itself deals extensively with that doctrine. To do his part in implementing that doctrine, the expositor must examine his text in the original languages, identify the text’s original statement, and expound that original text. He must practice the doctrine of preservation by participating in that preservation. * * * * * Nineteen ninety-seven marked the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The impact of these scrolls on Bible translations, textual criticism, and biblical exposition is still being assessed. The scrolls are part of a larger body of ancient manuscripts that the footnotes and margins of a number of current Bible translations cite in support of their renderings of the OT. The ancient versions to which those footnotes refer include the Samaritan Pentateuch (4th century B.C.1), the biblical manuscripts from Qumran (3rd century B.C.–1st century A.D.), the Greek Septuagint (3rd–2nd centuries B.C.), the Aramaic Targums (1st–4th centuries A.D.2), the Syriac Peshitta (1st–2nd centuries A.D.), and the Latin Vulgate (ca. A.D. 400). Those manuscripts have been subjects of many books, journal articles, and essays. Many of the published items deal with the significance and history of the ancient manuscripts. Various scholarly journals contain a large number of technical 1Dating the Samaritan Pentateuch is not an easy matter. It may date from as early as the fifth century B.C. or as late as the second century B.C. See Emanuel Tov, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress; Assen/Maastricht: Van Gorcum, 1992) 82-83. 2The tradition of the Aramaic translations or paraphrases dates back to the time of Ezra (cf. Neh 8:8). See F. F. Bruce, The Books and the Parchments: Some Chapters on the Transmission of the Bible, 3d rev. ed. (Westwood, N. J.: Revell, 1963) 52-53, 133-45. 25 26 The Master’s Seminary Journal articles on the application of ancient manuscript evidence to the textual criticism of both the OT and NT. One area of application often goes unnoticed, however. That is the area of biblical exposition or preaching. How do the ancient manuscripts affect the exposition of the biblical text? What effect might those manuscripts have upon present-day expositors of God’s Word? What is the expositor’s responsibility in light of those manuscripts? THE EXPOSITOR IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ROLE IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE BIBLICAL TEXT The accountability of biblical expositors goes beyond the integrity they must demonstrate in their interpretation of the Word. It involves the integrity of the Scriptures themselves. The expositor who does a magnificent job of interpreting and explaining the Scriptures may yet sow a seed of doubt about the actual text or may even indulge in unwarranted emendations of the text. The commentaries and modern translations he utilizes in sermon preparation may affect his treatment of the biblical text. Many of those sources have sought to recover the original text so that they might translate or interpret the Scriptures more accurately.3 The Bible expositor’s goal should be the accurate presentation of God’s written revelation. That accuracy relates directly to the degree to which the expounded text conforms to what God originally revealed. Thus the Bible expositor becomes an active participant in the determination, transmission, and preservation of the biblical text. In order to place the expositor’s role in proper perspective, an adequate understanding of the doctrine of the preservation of Scripture is necessary. Biblical Indications of the Doctrine of Preservation Traditionally the church has declared its belief that the preservation of the Scriptures is the result of God’s providential activity. The Second London Confession (1677) made the following declaration: “The Old Testament in Hebrew . and the New Testament in Greek . being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all controversies of Religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.”4 The 3Harold Scanlin, The Dead Sea Scrolls & Modern Translations of the Old Testament (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1993), is a recent evaluation of the effects the Qumran manuscripts have had on a number of English translations. Among the translations evaluated were the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the New English Bible (NEB), the Revised English Bible (REB), the New American Bible (NAB), the Jerusalem Bible (JB), the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), the New Jewish Version (NJV), the New International Version (NIV), the Good News Bible (GNB), and the New King James Bible (NKJV). Individual translation projects have also published explanations of their procedures in utilizing evidence from ancient manuscripts. Cf. Kenneth L. Barker, ed., The Making of the NIV (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991); Bruce M. Metzger, Robert C. Dentan, and Walter Harrelson, The Making of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991). 4William L. Lumpkin, Baptist Confessions of Faith, rev. ed. (Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson, 1969) 251. Ancient Manuscripts and Biblical Exposition 27 belief that God’s written Word has been preserved without undue alteration is the basis for confidence in the teachings of the Bible. Like the Second London Confession, W. Graham Scroggie attributed the preservation of Scripture to the providence of God.5 God must have a role in the preservation of His Word if it is to be kept inviolate. The active preservation of the Scriptures is necessary because the sinful nature of mankind is antagonistic to God and His Word. Such antagonism breeds both contempt for Scripture and the neglect of Scripture. It is fully within the capacity of sinful mankind to allow the Word to perish and to alter its wording intentionally or unintentionally. The Great Omission. Is the doctrine of the preservation of Scripture still a part of the evangelical creed? If so, what is its importance? In his book Christian Theology, Millard J. Erickson entitled the chapter on biblical inspiration, “The Preservation of the Revelation: Inspiration.”6 However, the chapter does not deal with biblical preservation. In fact, Erickson’s volume does not treat the doctrine of the preservation of the Scriptures anywhere. The chapter title indicates that Erickson believes that preservation relates in some way to inspiration. Apparently, he would attribute preservation to divine action. Erickson defined inspiration as the “supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit upon the Scripture writers which rendered their writings an accurate record of the revelation.”7 If preservation is accomplished by inspiration, then it too must stem from divine intervention. Elsewhere, Erickson refers to Scripture’s permanence, citing Matt 5:18 as his proof-text.8 The only mention he gives to biblical passages dealing with addition to and subtraction from Scripture (e.g., Deut 4:2; Prov 30:5-6; Rev 22:18-19) is in the context of a discussion concerning the biblical canon’s composition.9 Lewis Sperry Chafer’s Systematic Theology is among the few theologies to dedicate any space at all to the topic of the preservation of Scripture.10 There it merits a separate, though brief, chapter. Chafer defines the matter in the following fashion: The Bible is eternal in its own right. It abides because of the fact that no word Jehovah has spoken can be removed or shaken. In fact, it is by means of His written Oracles that God announces His binding declarations concerning the “all things” which cannot be shaken. The Scriptures are the legal instrument by which God obligates Himself to execute every detail of His eternal covenants and to fulfill every prediction His prophets 5W. Graham Scroggie, Is the Bible the Word of God? (Chicago: Moody, 1922) 14-16. 6Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985) 199. 7Ibid. 8Ibid., 203. 9Ibid., 211. 10Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology (Dallas: Dallas Theological Seminary, 1947) 1:124-25. 28 The Master’s Seminary Journal have made. The legal instrument which secures this vast consummation must continue, and shall continue, until the last promise, for which it stands as surety, has been realized.11 Chafer quotes Ps 119:89,12 but does not discuss its specific contribution to the doctrine of the preservation of Scripture. Unfortunately, he does not discuss human responsibility or textual criticism as they relate to preservation. The vast majority of the theological resources utilized by pastors fall short in discussing this important doctrine.13 That omission in theological literature is a disturbing reflection on what must be taking place in Bible college and seminary classrooms. When a large body of Christian literature ignores an aspect of biblical theology, one can rest assured that it is also getting short shrift academically. If this omission is not corrected, future expositors may be unable to define the doctrine and unaware of their role in the preservation of God’s written Word. The Biblical Definition. A definition of preservation as it relates to the Scriptures is best derived from the Scriptures themselves. The presentation of the biblical witness concerning preservation in Chart 1 reveals: (1) that God preserves His Word forever, (2) that God preserves His Word unchanged, and (3) that God preserves His Word primarily in heaven.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bibliology the Doctrine of the Written Word
    Bibliology The Doctrine of the Written Word by J. Hampton Keathley III [email protected] Biblical Studies Press www.bible.org 1997 J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. is a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. Hampton currently writes for the Biblical Studies Foundation and on occasion teaches New Testament Greek at Moody Northwest (an extension of Moody Bible Institute) in Spokane, Washington. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION COPYRIGHT © 1997 BY BIBLICAL STUDIES PRESS, L.L.C. AND THE AUTHORS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR FREE US- AGE INFORMATION, PLEASE READ THE BSF WEBSITE COPYRIGHT STATEMENT FOR FAIR USE STATEMENTS. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO THIS MATERIAL THIS MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE FOR USE ON THE INTERNET VIA AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BIBLICAL STUDIES FOUNDA- TION, A NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION AT: WWW.BIBLE.ORG BIBLICAL STUDIES COPYRIGHTED BY INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS AND THE BIBLICAL STUDIES PRESS ARE NOT SHAREWARE OR PUBLIC DOMAIN AND MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED WITHOUT PERMISSION. BSF WEBSITE COPYRIGHT STATEMENT FROM OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.BIBLE.ORG, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION AND PRINT IT FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS AS LONG AS YOU GIVE IT AWAY AND DO NOT CHARGE FOR IT. IN THIS CASE, FREE MEANS FREE. IT CANNOT BE BUNDLED WITH ANYTHING SOLD, NOR CAN YOU CHARGE FOR SHIPPING, HANDLING, OR ANYTHING. IT IS PROVIDED FOR PERSONAL STUDY OR FOR USE IN PREPARATION OF SERMONS, SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES, OR OTHER NON-COMMERCIAL STUDY.
    [Show full text]
  • Theology of the Land: a History of Dispensational Approaches
    Theology of the Land: A History of Dispensational Approaches Stephen R. Sizer Stephen has been vicar of Virginia Water for nine years, is married to a lovely wife called Joanna, has four well adjusted children and a psychotic cat named Tiger. His other writings are accessible from www.sizers.org 1. Introduction: The Dispensational Family Tree Dispensationalism is one of the most influential theological systems within the universal church today. Largely unrecognised and subliminal, it has increasingly shaped the presuppositions of fundamentalist, evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic thinking concerning Israel over the past one hundred and fifty years. John Nelson Darby is regarded as the father of dispensationalism and its prodigy, Christian Zionism. It was Cyrus. I. Scofield and D. L. Moody, however, who brought Darby's sectarian theology into mainstream evangelical circles. R. C. Sproul concedes that dispensationalism is now '...a theological system that in all probability is the majority report among current American evangelicals.' [1] Most of the early popular American radio preachers such as Donald Grey Barnhouse, Charles E. Fuller, and M. R. DeHaan were dispensationalists. Today, virtually all the 'televangelists' such as Jerry Falwell, Jim Bakker, Paul Crouch, Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggart and Billy Graham are also dispensationalists. Other leading dispensationalists include Charles Ryrie, Dwight Pentecost, John Walvoord, Eric Sauer, Charles Dyer, Tim LaHaye, Grant Jeffrey and Hal Lindsey. Notable political proponents include Jimmie Carter and Ronald Reagan. Probably the most significant Christian organisations to espouse dispensationalism have been the Moody Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary and the International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem. 2. Dispensationalism Defined The basic text upon which dispensationalism is based is the Authorised translation of 2 Timothy 2:15, where the Apostle Paul calls upon Timothy to, '..
    [Show full text]
  • The Theology of Evangelism: Introduction and Biblical Principles of Evangelism — Dr
    CTSJ 4:4 (October 1998) p. 28 The Theology Of Evangelism: Introduction And Biblical Principles Of Evangelism — Dr. John C. Beck, Jr.* [*Editor’s note: John Beck earned his B.A. at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), Th.M. at Dallas Theological Seminary, and his D.Min. at Western Seminary. Dr. Beck is the director of Discovery Ministries, which offers seminars that help to equip churches to “do the work of evangelism.” His office number is 310–829-4355. John teaches Systematic Theology at CTS, has been an interim pastor, and frequently does pulpit supply.] Introduction … He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–12). When it comes to telling others about Jesus Christ, many Christians have had an experience similar to that of the following businessman. I would cross the street to avoid meeting someone who might ask me a question about my faith in Jesus Christ. If people started to talk about religion, I did everything I could to change the subject, because I was afraid they were going to ask me a question that I could not answer. Over the years I learned to sidestep witnessing situations because I knew that I was not prepared. The ministry of evangelism takes on special interest when each Christian considers what would have happened to him if someone had not told him about Christ.
    [Show full text]
  • Kingdom-8.Pdf
    The Coming Kingdom Chapter 11 Dr. Andy Woods Senior Pastor – Sugar Land Bible Church President – Chafer Theological Seminary 1. Kingdom Throughout the Bible 1. Eden 6. Offer & Rejection of the King / Kingdom 2. Abrahamic Covenant 7. Interim Age-Kingdom 3. Mosaic Covenant mysteries 4. Theocracy’s Departure 8. Interim Age-Church 5. Old Testament Prophets 9. The Kingdom’s coming THE INTERIM AGE 1. The Inter-advent Age (Matt. 13) 2. The Church Age (Matt. 16:18) The Church Age 1. The definition of the Church 2. The beginning of the Church 3. The purposes of the Church 4. The Church is not the Kingdom 5. The Church is not Israel The Church Age 1. The definition of the Church 2. The beginning of the Church 3. The purposes of the Church 4. The Church is not the Kingdom 5. The Church is not Israel 1. The Definition of the Church a. All (both Jew & Gentile) who have trusted in the very Messiah rejected by first-century national Israel (Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:19; Eph. 2:14) b. Intercalation 1. The Definition of the Church a. All (both Jew & Gentile) who have trusted in the very Messiah rejected by first-century national Israel (Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:19; Eph. 2:14) b. Intercalation 1. The Definition of the Church a. All (both Jew & Gentile) who have trusted in the very Messiah rejected by first-century national Israel (Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:19; Eph. 2:14) b. Intercalation Lewis Sperry Chafer vol. 4, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1993), 41.
    [Show full text]
  • The Church – Part 4
    The Church – Part 4 Dispensationalism • Began in England in the 19th century • System of theology that views history in terms of seven dispensations • Essentials o Israel and the Church are distinct o Consistently literal or plain interpretation of Scripture • Ecclesiology o God has two distinct programs for Israel and for the church o The church does not fulfill any of Israel’s promises or purposes o The church age is a mystery, so no Old Testament prophecies foresaw it o The present church age is a “parenthesis” during which God has temporarily suspended his primary purpose with Israel o The church age is from Pentecost to the pretribulational rapture of the church o The church consists only of those saved between Pentecost and the rapture o The church does not include Old Testament believers Church is the Israel of God (Gal 6:16) • Old Testament designations of Israel are applied to the church 1 Peter 2:9-10; Deut 7:6-8; Ex 19:6; Rev 1:4-6; Rev 5:9-10 Heb 12:22-24; Gal 4:21-17; Is 54:1-3; Rev 21:9-10 • New Testament believers are children of Abraham Rom 4:11-12; Gal 3:7-9; Heb 11:8-16, 39-40 • Church is described in Jewish terms Rom 8:28-29; Deut 10:16; Deut 30:6; Jer 4:3-4; Acts 7:51; Phil 3:2-3; Col 2:11-14 • Ephesians 2:11 – 3:6 • Old Testament prophecies of Israel are applied to the church Acts 3:17-26 Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:6-13 Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-21 Amos 9:11-15; Acts 15:13-18 • Jesus spoke of one people of God John 10:14-16; Luke 24:25-27; John 15:1; Ps 80:8; Jer 2:21 • Literal Interpretation Ez 45:13-17; Heb 10:1-18 • Conclusion – Rom 10:1-4; Eph 3:20-21 What is Dispensationalism? According to Charles C.
    [Show full text]
  • Chafer Theological Seminary 1 Summer 2021
    ___________________________________________ ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO Mission: To glorify God in partnership with local churches by training Bible teachers and equipping disciples for service in building up the body of Christ CI-901 Spiritual Life Course Syllabus Bradley W. Maston Adjunct Professor Summer 2021 Tuesday from 2-4 PM MST [email protected] CI-901 Spiritual Life Chafer Theological Seminary 1 Summer 2021 CI-901 SPIRITUAL LIFE SYLLABUS I. COURSE DESCRIPTION This one-semester course is a study of the Biblical principles intended to enable and govern our Christian character and service. The students will also examine current systems of sanctification by works in contrast to New Testament spirituality by grace. II. COURSE OBJECTIVES The purpose of this course is to bring the student to a clear and precise understanding of what it means to live a spiritual life as a believer, that we might glorify God with our lives and know how to help ourselves and others come to experience such a life. III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS A. Lewis Sperry Chafer, He That Is Spiritual, 1918, Dunham Publ. Co., 1983, Zondervan B. George E. Meisinger, Spiritual Life, unpublished (provided by Chafer Theo. Seminary) C. Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. Kregel/Accordance electronic edition, version 1.3. 8 vols. Dallas: Dallas Theological Seminary, 1976. D. Hixson, J. B., et al., editors. FREELY BY HIS GRACE: Classical Grace Theology. Grace Gospel Press, 2012. E. Dieter, Hoekema, Walvoord, et al. Five Views on Sanctification, Zondervan Academic; revised ed. Edition October 10, 1996 IV. ONLINE RECORDINGS, READINGS & LECTURES A. Brad Maston, Spiritual Growth – 4 lessons https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6i-Kkchjinreik8VRaiQhu0h2dZlAesV B.
    [Show full text]
  • Darby Dispensational Theology
    Darby dispensational theology Continue The religious interpretive system and metanarrative for the Bible the Church Age redirects here. For the album Mr. Del see Church Age (album). For other purposes, see Dispensation (disambigation). Christian Eschatology Contrasting Persuasion History (Interpretations of Revelations) Futurism Preterism Idealism Dispensationalism Millennium Aillenism Postmillennialism Premillennialism Prewrath Rapture PosttribulationAlion Biblical Texts Daniel Seventy Weeks Synoptic Gospel Olive Discourse Mark 13 Matthew Goat Messages 2 Thessalonians Johannine Literature Revelation (Events) Pseudepigrapha 1 Enoch 2 Esdras Key terms Abomination of the Desolation of the Antichrist Armageddon Beast False Prophet Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Gog and Magog of the Great Apostolic of the Great Tribulation of the Great Tribulation Of Cathejon Kingdom of God Lake Fire The Last Judgment of the Man of Sin New Heaven and New Earth New Jerusalem Number beast Resurrection of the dead Second unit Seven bowls Seven seals Son perished Two witnesses to the war in heaven Whore Babylon woman of the world of apocalypse come Christianity portalvte Dispensationalism is a religious interpretation of the system and metanarrative for the Bible. He considers the biblical history divided by God into dispensation, certain periods or ages to which God has singled out distinctive administrative principles. According to dispensationalism, each age of God's plan is thus governed in a certain way, and humanity is responsible as steward during this time. The prepositions of dispensationists begin with the inductive reasoning that biblical history has a particular intermittentness in the way God responds to humanity in unfolding them, sometimes assumed, free will. The dispensational approach contrasts with the traditional system of covenant theology used in the biblical interpretation.
    [Show full text]
  • God's Self-Revelation in Exodus 34:6-8
    BIBLIOTHECA SACRA 158 (January-March 2001): 36-51 Copyright © 2001 by Dallas Theological Seminary. Cited with permission. GOD'S SELF-REVELATION IN EXODUS 34:6-8 J. Carl Laney TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH SOMEONE, a person can ask others about that individual. Or a person can meet the individual personally and ask appropriate questions. In seeking to know God many Christians study what others say about Him. But a better way to get to know God is to ask Him about Himself. This is exactly what Moses did in Exodus 33:18 when he said, "I pray You, show me Your glory." The answer to Moses' request is given in 34:6-7, in which God revealed several of His divine attributes. This passage is one of the most important theological texts in Scripture, because it is the only place where God actually described Himself, listing His own glorious attributes. The importance of Exodus 34:6-7 as a foundation for biblical theology is evidenced by the fact that this statement is repeated many times in the Old Testament (Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Pss. 103:8, 17; 145:8; Jer. 32:18-19; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2). Echoes of this self-revelation also appear in Deuteronomy 5:9-10; 1 Kings 3:6; Lamentations 3:32; Daniel 9:4; and Nahum 1:3. The biblical writ- ers clearly regarded Exodus 34:6-7 as a foundational statement about God. Strangely, this great passage has received little attention from systematic theologians. For example it does not appear in the Scripture index of Chafer's Systematic Theology.1 Berkhofs Sys- tematic Theology cites Exodus 34:6 twice and 34:7 once, but only as proof texts for certain divine attributes, without discussion or comment.2 Erickson cites the text in support of the graciousness of J.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes the State of That Which Belongs to the Sphere of the Sacred
    "Orientation to Sanctification: Terminology, Critical Issues, Various Views" 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Conference Paul R. Schmidtbleicher, Th.B., Th.M. March 2011 Introduction The scriptures teach that the purpose of God’s plan is to conform the believer “to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom.8:29)1 The theological term that describes this is sanctification. This term might be confusing to new believers and to some who may not be acquainted with the term, but are more familiar with similar concepts such as the spiritual life or spirituality. The Bible uses this term to describe the work of God in setting a person or object apart to the service of God. A formal and detailed definition states, “Sanctification means to be set apart, classified, and qualified toward some particular end. It translates the Greek word group (ἁγιασμός hagiasmos; ἁγιάζω hagiázō) which means “to set apart to the service of God.”2 The believer is set apart from that which is not associated with God. Sanctification itself is not inherently related to sin since the sinless Lord Jesus learned to be sanctified in His humanity (John 17:19; Heb 5:8). For the believer sanctification has three aspects: an initial legal aspect which describes the believer's positional sanctification in Christ at the instant of salvation, an experiential aspect which describes the believer's day to day relationship to God moving him from his fallen thinking and sinful actions to become more conformed to the image of His Son, and a future aspect, ultimate sanctification, when the believer is in the presence of God.
    [Show full text]
  • The Temple and Bible Prophecy: a Definitive Look at Its Past, Present, and Future (Eugene, OR: Harvest, 2005), 596
    Kingdom Study Outline 1. What does the Bible Say About the Kingdom? 2. The Main Problem with Kingdom Now NT interpretations 3. Why do some believe that we are in the kingdom now? 4. Why does it matter? The Coming Kingdom Chapter 21 Dr. Andy Woods Senior Pastor – Sugar Land Bible Church President – Chafer Theological Seminary Three Miscellaneous Arguments Advanced by “Kingdom Now Theology” 1. Alleged NT silence on a future kingdom 2. New Testament’s focus on the Eternal State 3. Jesus Christ’s alleged present inactivity Three Miscellaneous Arguments Advanced by “Kingdom Now Theology” 1. Alleged NT silence on a future kingdom 2. New Testament’s focus on the Eternal State 3. Jesus Christ’s alleged present inactivity Bruce Waltke Kingdom Promises As Spiritual, in Continuity in Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old Testament and New Testament, p.273 “Not one clear New Testament passage mentions the restoration of Israel as a political nation or predicts an earthly reign of Christ before His final appearing. None depicts the consummate glory of Christ as an earthly king ruling over the restored nation of Israel. The silence is deafening.” Gary DeMar End Times Fiction: A Biblical Consideration of the Left Behind Theology (Nashville, TN: Nelson, 2001), 203. “Where is this ‘super sign’ found in the Bible? Not in the New Testament. There is not a single verse in the entire New Testament that says anything about Israel becoming a nation again. Nothing prophetic in the New Testament depends on Israel becoming a nation again. If Israel becoming a nation again is such ‘a significant sign,’ then why doesn't the New Testament specifically mention it?” Colin Chapman Colin Chapman, Whose Promised Land? The Continuing Conflict over Israel and Palestine (Oxford, England: Lion, 2015), 262.
    [Show full text]
  • The Trinity Review
    THE TRINITY REVIEW For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare [are] not fleshly but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. And they will be ready to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. August 1992 Copyright 2003 John W. Robbins Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692 Email: [email protected] Website: www.trinityfoundation.org Telephone: 423.743.0199 Fax: 423.743.2005 Will the Real Greg Bahnsen Please Stand Up? John W. Robbins No Other Standard: Theonomy and Its Critics, Greg "nonsense" in his Institutes of Biblical Law (551). L. Bahnsen. Tyler, Texas: Institute for Christian Dr. Bahnsen, however, continues to advocate both Economics, 1991, 345 + xv pages, indexes, notes, views in this book, though the discussion of the $25.00. distinctive Theonomic Theorem is relegated to an appendix. This is Dr. Bahnsen’s third book on the subject of Theonomy, and it is intended as a reply to his As examples of his contradictory statements in this critics. It contains a Publisher’s Preface by Gary book, let me offer these: Espousing the Theonomic North, 15 chapters, 2 appendixes on Matthew 5 and view, Bahnsen declares, "Jesus bound us...to every Vern Poythress, and two indexes. The chapters are jot and tittle of the Old Testament legislation of arranged topically, rather than by critic, although God’s will, not allowing us to subtract even the the critics are sometimes accorded several pages of least commandment" (221).
    [Show full text]
  • Download Chafer Systematic Theology Volume 2 Pdf Ebooks By
    Chafer Systematic Theology Volume 2 By Chafer, Lewis Sperry Chafer Systematic Theology Volume 2 Details: Lesson 1: Systematic Theology…Say What? systematic theology which as its goal proposes to discover and exhibit the truth relative to the works of God. ... source is Lewis Sperry Chafer’s Systematic Theology Volume One (Abridged Edition), edited by Walvoord, Campbell, and Zuck; The Theology Of Evangelism: Introduction And Biblical ... 2 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology. (Dallas TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947. ... In volume . seven of his systematic theology (Vol. 7, p. 142-146 Kregel edition) Chafer gives more than three pages to a discussion of evangelism. Chafer, L. S. True Evangelism: Winning Souls by Prayer. MARANATHA BAPTIST SEMINARY GST 614 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 4 ... Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. Dallas: Dallas Seminary, 1947-48. ... and is probably the most useful one-volume systematic theology available from any theological perspective. _____. ... Systematic Theology. 2 vols. Library of Biblical and Theological Literature, Vols. Biography - Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer - Victory Bible Baptist ... successors, John Walvoord, in 1974 and stands as a single volume or “lite” version of “Systematic Theology” which is an eight volume set. THE DEFINITION, VALIDATION, AND METHODOLOGY OF SYSTEMATIC ... 2. Systematic theology pursues, ... 11 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, 8 vols. (Dallas: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947), ... Henry, Carl F. H. God, Revelation and Authority: Volume I, God Who Speaks and Shows. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999. Hodge, Charles. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I - Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I (TH 504) Alabama, Campground ... Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology, Vols. 5 & 6. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel ... McClendon, James William, Jr.
    [Show full text]