I welcomed and enjoyed this course, NT211 Introducing the Gospels and Acts:Their Background, Nature, and Purpose(1). It was especially helpful, since I have not spent much time in this area of study. I reviewed a couple of references on the subject of interpretation (2) and knowing scripture (3) . The first reference stresses the need to study and understand the historical setting NOT to alter or change what Scripture says, but rather to understand both fully and rightly what the inspired author has written (4). Chapter 5 of Knowing Scripture titled “Culture and the Bible” discusses the subject in some detail. The author states that questions are complex and do not yield to simplistic solutions. He lists four practical guidelines to assist:
1. Examine the Bible itself for apparent areas of custom.
2. Allow for Christian distinctives in the first century.
3. The creation ordinances are indicators of the transcultural principle.
4. In areas of uncertainty use the principle of humility.
He ends the chapter with this: “It is comforting that this Book has indeed manifested peculiar ability to speak to the deepest needs and communicate the gospel effectively to people of all different times, places and customs. The obstacle of culture cannot make void the power of the Word” (5).
In the course, I was especially struck by the extent to which Antiochus Epiphanes and the Maccabean war influenced Jewish thinking and practice into New Testament times. The way the Pharisees and other religious leaders acted makes more sense to me. All of this led to and was influenced by God with the arrival of Jesus in the “fullness of time” (6).
I found the statements concerning Jesus getting onto trouble an interesting way to put it. I think Jesus wasn’t concerned about getting into trouble per say. He was teaching and explaining things they didn’t understand or didn’t want to understand. He was focused on His mission of going to the Cross for us. It seemed to take this “pushing” for this to happen. His disciples, on many occasions, certainly thought he was getting into trouble. One of the best examples of this is in John 11:8: “…are you going there again” (7) (Jews seeking to stone Him in Jerusalem)? Or, in other words, it took “getting into trouble” as part of the plan to get to the Cross.
There were many other things I got out of the course, but these were what jumped out at me!
References:
1) Bock, D. L. (2014). NT211 Introducing the Gospels and Acts: Their Background, Nature, and Purpose. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
2) Kuske, David (1973), Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way. Milwaukee, WI: Northwest Publishing House.
3) Sproul, R. C. (2009), Knowing Scripture. Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press.
4) Kuske, David (1973), Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way, page 59-67. Milwaukee, WI: Northwest Publishing House.
5) Sproul, R. C. (2009), Knowing Scripture, page127. Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press.
6) Galatians 4:4, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
7) John 11:8, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
- Hi Jim: Nice comment. Quoting you: : The first reference stresses the need to study and understand the historical setting NOT to alter or change what Scripture says, but rather to understand both fully and rightly what the inspired author has written." I really have a problem with people that interprets Scripture synchronically alone. I do think that revelation is progressive, and to properly understand it we need to study diachronically too, intertextuality does play a role, because the whole counsel of God is related. Example: What did the author of Exodus 6:6 try to get across as intended message? You can know all the background, and then say that is a mistake to treat God with anthropomorphism, etc. It is not until later progressive revelation is given to us, that we fully understand what the true author the "Holy Spirit" meant: John 12:36 - 38. Yes now we understand, the outstretched Arm of the LORD is Jesus. See clear understanding of the truth of God, by intertextuality, diachronism, and progressive revelation from an authorized source. Blessings.