THEOLOGISCHE UNIVERSITEIT VAN DE GEREFORMEERDE KERKEN IN NEDERLAND TE KAMPEN _____________________________________________________________________ THE DRAMA OF PREACHING PARTICIPATING IN THE WORK OF GOD IN THE HISTORY OF REDEMPTION ACADEMISCH PROEFSCHRIFT TER VERKRIJGING VAN DE GRAAD VAN DOCTOR IN DE THEOLOGIE, OP GEZAG VAN DE RECTOR DR. R. KUIPER, ZO GOD WIL IN HET OPENBAAR TE VERDEDIGEN OP VRIJDAG 20 MEI 2016 TE 15.00 UUR IN DE LEMKERZAAL, BROEDERSTRAAT 16 TE KAMPEN door Eric Brian Watkins Eerste promotor: prof. dr. C.J. de Ruijter Tweede promotor: prof. dr. P.H.R van Houwelingen Leden van de beoordelingscommissie: prof. dr. F. G. Immink (PThU Groningen) prof. dr. D. Johnson (Westminster Seminary California) prof. dr. G. Kwakkel (TU Kampen) ISBN: 978-90-77854-05-1 Uitgever: Theologische Universiteit van de gereformeerde kerken (vrijgemaakt) ii Table of Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Purpose and Thesis of this Study 4 1.3 Necessity of this Study 5 1.4 Plan of this Study 5 1.5 Presuppositions and Theological Point of View 6 Chapter 2: Continuing an Unfinished Discussion: The Redemptive-Historical Preaching Debates Yesterday and Today 2.1 Introduction 7 2.2 Interest in Redemptive-Historical Preaching in the Netherlands 7 2.3 Interest in Redemptive-Historical Preaching Outside the Netherlands 14 2.4 Homiletics in the Context of Other Theological Disciplines 21 2.5 The Newness of Redemptive-Historical Preaching 23 2.6 Summary: The Discussion Continues 29 Chapter 3: The Drama of Redemption and Redemptive-Historical Preaching 3.1 Introduction 31 3.2 Defining the Drama of Redemption 32 3.3 The Drama of Scripture 38 3.4 Historical Use of the Drama Metaphor 52 3.5 Redemptive Historical Preaching and the Drama of Redemption 62 3.6 Cautions and Conclusion 66 Chapter 4: Hebrews 11 and the Drama of Redemptive-Historical Preaching: A Case Study 4.1 Introduction 71 4.2 Various Approaches to Hebrews 11 72 4.3 Translation Trajectories of Hebrews 11:1-2 74 4.4 The Structure of Hebrews 11 80 4.5 What the People of Old Received 83 4.6 Hebrews 12:1-2 84 4.7 The Drama of Christ in the Hall of Faith 88 4.8 Summary and Conclusion (Hebrews 11:32-40) 119 Chapter 5: Application or Imitation? Reconsidering the Sine Qua Non of Preaching 5.1 Introduction 122 5.2 The Importance of Application 123 5.3 Historical Development of the Idea of Application 126 5.4 Biblical Perspective of Application and Imitation 130 5.5 Imitating the Saints: A Case Study in Hebrews 11 143 iii 5.6 Crossing the Bridge of History 156 5.7 Cautions and Conclusion 159 Chapter 6: Preaching the Christ-Centered Drama of Redemption in the Postmodern Scene 6.1 Introduction 161 6.2 Postmodernism and the Problem of History 162 6.3 Preaching into the Historical Vacuum 169 6.4 Is There an Author Behind This Text? 174 6.5 Preaching the Author’s Message 179 6.6 Postmodernism and the Challenge of Morality 184 6.7 Preaching the Meaning of Texts and the Meaning of Life 186 6.8 Summary, Cautions, and Conclusion 193 Chapter 7: Summary and Conclusion 198 Samenvatting 204 Bibliography 210 iv Acknowledgments By God’s grace, this book represents the end of almost eighteen years of academic work, the majority of which has been toward the end serving Christ’s church. He alone truly knows the many joys and sorrows, trials and triumphs that have attended this journey. The grace He has given me along the way to complete this task has been abundant and free, and my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude. As this is a dissertation on preaching, I can happily say that I have profited as a servant of God’s word, both from the studies contained herein, as well as the many experiences by which I have been taught along the way. My sincere hope is that this dissertation might contribute something helpful to the contemporary discussions about preaching, and thus might edify the church and bring glory to our Triune God. I cannot express deeply enough my gratitude to C.J. (Kees) de Ruijter, my first promoter, for his guidance, correction and encouragement along the way. It would be difficult to recall a time we met together in which he did not pray for me, my family and the church I serve. His sincere concern for the latter two evidenced that I was far more to him than just a student—but rather a brother and a son in the faith. While I am grateful that Kees was willing to guide me as a student, I am particularly grateful for his nudging me to consider the particular implications of redemptive-historical preaching in a postmodern context, and the strengths and weaknesses of the “drama of redemption” rhetoric. If this study has any practical benefit, it is largely due to his influence. Through and through, Kees showed himself to be a pastor-scholar, whose love for the church informed our academic discussions at every turn. I could not have hoped for a more patient and supportive promoter to learn from and with during my studies. It has truly been a pleasure to work with him. I would also like to express my gratitude to my second promoter, P.H.R. (Rob) van Houwelingen. His knowledge of the biblical text, and materials related to the book of Hebrews was both helpful and encyclopedic. Nearly every conversation or e-mail we exchanged led to his making additional suggestions of books or articles I should read, and trails I should pursue. He v also proved to be an excellent conversation partner, catching numerous mistakes along the way, and challenging my conclusions when they were less than convincing. This dissertation has been greatly enriched by his contributions. Thanks are also due to members of my reading committee: Gerrit Immink, Dennis Johnson and Gert Kwakkel. I am particularly grateful for the advice, correction and encouragement by Drs. Johnson and Kwakkel, whose suggestions, both in style and substance, have surely improved the quality of this dissertation. In the end, any mistakes or deficiencies found in the final product are wholly my responsibility. Various members of the faculty and staff of the Theological University in Kampen (Broederweg) graciously helped and served me along the way. I am particularly grateful to Geert Harmanny, Marjolijn Palma and Arjo Riemer in the TUK library who very patiently put up with a somewhat clumsy American trying his best to find his way around the library. Their kind assistance saved me countless hours, and made my work in Kampen far more efficient. Koos Tamminga very graciously worked on the summary in Dutch (Samenvatting). Traveling back and forth to Holland, attending conferences and purchasing the books needed to complete this process was not cheap. I am deeply grateful to the Midgett family for helping to support this project financially, and ever more for their prayers and encouragement over the years. The publication of my dissertation was made possible by a donation from the Afbouw foundation in Kampen. Wipf and Stock Publishers has accepted this book for publication, and kindly allowed me to produce a small number of copies for my graduation. I am also grateful to Dr. Wolter Rose, who very graciously opened his home to me and provided a very comfortable tweedehuis in Kampen. Rev. Joel Fick proved to be a steady conversation partner along the way, and his brotherly encouragement was a breath of fresh air. I must offer my sincere gratitude to the members, elders and deacons of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Week after week, they have both endured and enjoyed the benefits of having a full-time pastor doing part-time PhD work in preaching. Though I would like to think I vi am a better preacher as a result of my studies, there were many times I was confident that they needed more of their pastor than I was able to give. The completion of this dissertation owes in no small part to their patience, encouragement, and support. Their willingness to give me a paid study sabbatical in 2013 was simply one token of their co-laboring with me in this endeavor. I thank them for practicing what I preach. That the church has grown spiritually and numerically during these years is evidence of the grace of God at work in and through his church, and for that grace I am deeply grateful. Lastly, I have the privilege of honoring my wife, Heather. Of the nineteen years we have been married, I have spent eighteen working toward one degree after the next. When I began the PhD program, we were starting a new church together, and had just adopted the second of our two dear children. Only God truly knows how graciously and faithfully Heather has supported and encouraged me through this process. Her love and faithfulness have covered a multitude of my failures, and her friendship has meant more to me than any degree ever will. She and our children, Kirra and Carl, have made countless sacrifices over the years of my studies, yet have proven to be my most reliable counselors and inspiring encouragers. My mother (who now lives with us) has taught me since my childhood the values of hard work and perseverance. I thank God that she has lived to see this day. May God grant our family continued love, joy, and peace as we glorify and enjoy our covenant-keeping God together. And yes, kids, Daddy is finally done with his dissertation. St.