mystery beyond the mystery

Ethics from the Old Testament

2005-12-10T10:29:00.001-08:00

Ethics

As Luck suggests, “unless willing to live as brutes or beasts, all men must live by some sort of system of ethics or morals.”[15] Everyone lives by some system of ethics that more or less dictate their actions. This portion of the essay will examine how the Old Testament applies to a Christian system of ethics.

The greater question to be examined is “how should Christians apply the Old Testament ethic today?” If Christians are to take the Old Testament as a whole, literal, regimented, ethic then there is a considerable amount of change that must take place in the lives of Christians everywhere. For example, Leviticus 19:19 mandates that clothing of more than one type of fabric should not be worn at anytime by anyone. Surely this mandate is no longer applicable today right? But in the same breath in Leviticus 19:18 there is, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neightbor as yourself.” Now, this mandate would be seen as applicable to everyone everywhere right? As you can see this can create a fair amount of confusion as to what should be considered ethical for Christians in the contemporary world.

Dr. William Webb from Heritage Theological Seminary, has come up with a method by which various types of mandates can be differentiated and applied today. He wrote a book entitled Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis.[16] And in his book, he suggests that in Scripture there are two different types of mandates or commands. First, there are transcendent mandates. These are commands that transcend culture and time. This just means that those commands or mandates are timeless. An example of a transcendent mandate are the ten commandments. Next, there are cultural mandates that are not timeless and are relative to the culture and time in which they are written. For example, I am sure if you look at the clothes you are wearing right now, you will realize that at least one article of clothing is made up of more than one fiber. So are you wrong to be wearing that piece of clothing (or perhaps even your entire outfit)? Well no, of course not. Does this mean that Scripture isn’t true, authoritative, or inspired by God? Absolutely not! It is only acknowledging that Scripture was written BY GOD in a REAL TIME through REAL PEOPLE in a REAL PLACE. Moses was a real person who had real concerns for a real group of people that he really wanted to see obey God. At the time, God was wanting to illustrate to the rest of the world that his people were different, they were pure, they were committed to him and him alone. It was a message to the rest of the world that instead of serving many gods, Israel was committed to Yahweh. By wearing clothes of more than one clothing today are we breaking the law of Moses and screaming to the world that we are no different then they are? By and large no! So is it ok for you to wear clothing made of more than one fiber? Yes, as long as you are not forcing someone else to sin by doing so.[17]

Daniel Hays also suggests that the traditional method of breaking up Old Testament laws into civil, cremonial, and moral laws is not a sufficient interpretation of the Old Testament ethic, he further suggests that it, as well as other hermeneutics of Old Testament Law should not be divided up into applicable and non-applicable mandates. Instead, he suggests that principlism is a better method of interpretation. Principlism is a method of iterpretation that suggests finding the underlying principle that exists within an Old Testament Law. Examining that principle in light of New Testament teaching, and then teaching the principle not the mandate. Hays suggests a five step process in coming to a proper understanding of the text. First, what did the law mean to the original audience? Second, determine the difference between the original audience and contemporary Chrisitians. Third, develop universal principles from the text. Fourth, correlate the principle within New Testament teaching. Fifthly and finally, apply the modified universal principle today.[18]

When it comes to ethics, the bottom line is that Old Testament ethics existed for multiple reasons. One of which was to come along and help society to progress, it is one of the methods by which God has used to bring the world to where it needed to be for Jesus to come, and to get to where it is now. Now, obviously this does not mean that because society progresses humans are somehow better, or that humans are somehow in less need of God. Quite the contrary, the progression of society should further illustrate to everyone that the need for God is greater than ever. Because the more that someone has (whether it be material or moral goods) the more they seem to know that it isn’t enough and everything in the world cannot satisfy the human soul.

Conclusion

Why is the Old Testament valuable when we have the fullness of God’s revelation in Jesus and the New Testament? Simply put, because without the Old Testament, the fullness of God’s Revelation would not be full, rather it would seem disjointed and out of place. The Old Testament provides a context in which we can fully understand the fullness of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ and in the New Testament.

[1] Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Pg. 24

[2] Wright, NT. The Bible for the Post Modern world. http://latimer.godzone.net.nz/orange_lecture/orangelecture99.asp

[3] Ibid.

[4] Yancey, Philip. Pg. 24

[5] Ibid.

[6] Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden life in God. Ch. 3

[7] Erikson, Millard. Christian Theology. Pg. 1066

[8] Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: A practical Guide to Biblical Doctrine. Pg. 1004

Grudem is quoting the “Westminster larger Catechism.”

[9] Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Pgs. 111-112

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Nehemiah 8:10

- First off, I am not sure that a passage can be taken more out of context than this. I would normally leave a string of expletives following this, but come, on this is seminary.

[14] Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Pg. 20

[15] Luck, Coleman G. “Christian Ethics”

Bibliotheca sacra, 118 Jl-S 1961, p 228-238.

[16] http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/008/31.64.html - I have to admit, that I have not read the book, but I have done a fair amount of research on the web. All of the information that I am referencing in this paragrapaph comes from this source or from the source referenced in footnote 24.

[17] http://assets.cornerstone.edu/pages/2077/File/PAPER%20for%20Webb%20event%20at%20Heritage.doc.

[18] Hays, Daniel. How to apply Old Testament law Today.

Bibliotheca sacra, 158 no 629 Ja-Mr 2001, p 30-32

Old Testament Theology

2005-12-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Theology

This is most likely the easiest of the three features to write about. Simply because without Old Testament theology, it is impossible to understand the Gospels or the rest of the New Testament. It is the foundation by which we are provided access into the Kingdom of God. It the foundation by which we know that there is a Kingdom of God, or even how it works.

Let’s examine a few doctrinal points. The Old Testament allows Christians to understand that God is Creator. That is, Creator of everything both generally as well as specifically. This has great significance in a world that is run upon a foundation of evolutionary thought. Viewing God as Creator allows one to see that there is intention behind everything that is created, and that the universe is not the result of an act of chaos that results in more chaos, which leads to more chaos, that eventually culminates into order. This also provides hope for every individual in knowing that humans are not created from chaos either, instead there is intentional, intelligent, and loving design in the making of every human being on earth. With that intentional, intelligent and loving design comes a plan for everyone which leads to further hope in knowing that life is not meaningless, instead it is full of purpose. Now that purpose is either realized or potential, which is entirely left up to personal decision. Nonetheless that purpose is there and is very, very real.

Secondly, the idea that God desires to live among His people. Many Christians think that this was a new idea that was introduced when Jesus entered the scene. However, this could not be more untrue. God from the very beginning of history, from the time of Adam and Eve, God has shown a strong desire to be with his beloved Creation. With Adam and Eve, God was walking with them in the desert. With Noah, God shut the door to the ark, possibly suggesting that He was present with Noah and his family on the Ark. God is seen in a dream by Abraham walking between two piles of animal carcasses sealing the covenant that He initiated with Abraham. God physically wrestled with Isaac on his way to meet Esau at Penuel. Then lastly, but certainly not least, God had Israel make him a home in the form of a Tabernacle while they were on the sojourn in the wilderness. Now in the Tabernacle, there would always be a table and a chair with offerings on the table as though God were having dinner. There would always be incense burning that would exit the Tabernacle in the form of smoke, which would allow all of Israel to know that God was present within their midst. For the Israelites, this was not merely a spiritual presence, but a very real physical presence as well. God went so far as to have Israel create the Ark of the Covenant so He could be seen as going into battle with Israel. God has always wanted to be with his beloved creation. It was not a new idea that came into existence during the beginning of the New Testament. But it was preparation for the coming of the Messiah, God wanted to be with his Creation and he did so in the form of flesh and blood in the person of Jesus.

And Worship?

2005-12-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

Worship

Worship is a vital part of the life of every Christian, and should be central to practicing faith. In order to examine how the Old Testament speaks to the contemporary Christian in terms of worship, it is vital that a definition of worship be provided in light of the different ways that the term has come to be used. Erikson suggests that worship unlike “edification” concentrates solely on God and not self.[7] Although this is absolutely true, it is a bit of a general understanding, Grudem seems to put it into a more manageable definition. He says, “worship is…a direct expression of our ultimate purpose for living, ‘to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever.”[8] So, if worship means to “glorify God and fully enjoy him forever,” what does the Old Testament have to offer contemporary Christianity?

The Old Testament offers contemporary Christianity authentic worship. But before authentic worship is discussed, it is imperative that light be shed on understanding Old Testament worship in its original form as it was intended to be understood. One of the primary forms by which worship is displayed in the Old Testament is in the form of Psalms. The Psalms are not always the first book to be read by Christians, nor are they the easiest to be understood. However, when the Psalms are read as they were intended to be, they have much to offer the contemporary Christian in worship. Far to often, when people read the Psalms they may be looking for something that it simply will not provide.

Yancey even admits that when he first began to explore the Psalms he found himself bored, disinterested, and extremely motivated to move onto something else. Many who are seeking to make sense of the Psalms attempt to study the Psalms systematically. They may seek to appreciate the “poetic craftsmanship” that is used in Hebrew poetry, they may even learn to recognize the different kinds of Psalms. [9] But even though they can learn all about how the Psalms were written, if they miss why the Psalms were written then they surely miss what the Old Testament has to offer the contemporary Christian in the realm of worship.

The Psalms were not written to be read as dissertations on the finer points of theology or “pronouncements from on high, delivered with full apostolic authority, on matters of faith and practice.”[10] Instead they are personal prayers, and utterances from a variety of people from kings to servants, and noticeable names to the anonymous. The Psalmist is rarely concerned with doctrine, but universally committed to expressing the desires of their inner most being. The Psalms are “poetry, and poetry’s function is not to explain but to offer images and stories that resonate with our lives.”[11] Yancey goes on to suggest that the Psalms are to be read like one “reading over someone’s shoulder.”[12] The Psalms illustrate godly worship, while the New Testament provides the “how-to’s” of godly worship.

Please allow me to follow the above paragraph by saying that just because the author of this essay does not suggest that the Psalms are assertions of the theological, does not mean that I do not understand them to be fully inspired and completely inerrant, within their original autographs. Quite the contrary, because the Psalms are the utterances of those who are passionately pursuing a relationship with the living God and Creator of the Universe, they are capable of speaking more truth about the human condition than some of the most profound theological works available. This type of truth, confession, and raw honesty is only capable by the leading or prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Now on to how the Old Testament leads to a more authentic practice of worship. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that to be a Christian means that you are “happy” all the time because after all “the joy of the Lord is my strength.”[13] This misconception of life has inevitably spilled over into the culture at large. Should you turn your television on to watch the Simpsons you would discover by and large how the public views conservative evangelicals in the family of the Flanders who are portrayed as a family who spends their time sitting around the campfire singing “cumbaya,” and is never grievous even in the face of tragedy. To put it bluntly, there is much more to life than living a lie of happiness when we are dieing inside because of the circumstances that we find ourselves in.

According to the definition provided, worship is living life in a manner that is glorifying to God, and enjoying Him forever. This definition is about the realistic, not the idealistic. Reality is, that the world is not as it should be, as a result there is pain and suffering underneath the “wings of God” sometimes.[14] To illustrate this further, the Psalms are inundated with full poems devoted to people crying out to God…”why?” This is real, raw, authentic worship. Knowing that somehow in the middle of the lowest points of life God has not abandoned us, and somehow knowing that redemption awaits us on the other side. Enjoying God inherently involves taking advantage of the relationship that God has entered into with us, this simply means that God is available for our use. What Christians end up forgetting is that God delights in being our Savior. So, the Old Testament illustrates to the contemporary Christian what authentic worship looks like, and how it should operate within life. This illustration is only available through the Old Testament, and can not be understood apart from it.

Can the New be any good without the Old?

2005-12-10T10:23:00.001-08:00

In contemporary evangelicalism the focus on teaching from the Scriptures is largely from the New Testament, and rarely from the Old Testament. As a result, a question among Christians in the U.S. seems to be a pressing one. That is, “Why do Christians need the Old Testament when there is the New Testament and the fullness of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ?” This way of thinking among Christians is a dangerous and potentially damaging one. It can lead to an insecure view of Scripture, as well as a faith that lacks the potential for depth. This essay will seek to explore the value of the Old Testament in light of the existence of the New Testament. In particular, it will examine the value of the Old Testament for the Christian in the areas of theology, ethics and worship.

This author discusses the value of the Old Testament with regards to theology, ethics, and worship. But, first he will briefly explain how he understands the Old Testament to be related to the New Testament.

In “The Bible Jesus Read,” Philip Yancey reminds his readers of a Chinese philosopher who once insisted on riding his mule backwards so that he would not be distracted by where he was going and could focus on where he had been.[1] There seems to be this misconception that exists within the minds of many Christians that the Old Testament is no longer relevant or valuable in light of the New Testament. This misconception seems to be birthed from the culture in which the Church finds herself in. It leads to a desire for the newest thing, and somehow convinces Christians that the old is never better than the new. But the truth is, that without the old there is nothing new. The Old Testament is saturated with the history of the Christian faith, without it we are nothing more than a people without a past. And without a past how can we know where we are going or what direction we should be going? Or how we have arrived at the place in which we find ourselves? The Old Testament is drenched with the story of redemption, that story did not begin with Jesus’ entrance or exit. Jesus provides our access into the redemptive story, but He did not begin it by coming to earth. Without the Old Testament, there is no New Testament, and without the Old Testament the New Testament cannot be properly understood. When the New Testament was written and further compiled, it was not done so in an effort to make the Old Testamet obsolete, but to further explain and complete the text.

As N.T. Wright says, “The Jewish canon, without the New Testament, means we are left with…Genesis to Malachi,… and it is a story in search of an ending.[2]” In that same message, he goes on to say that the Old Testament seems to say “Yes…and now what.” No one would deny that the Old Testament is complete without the New. But what many people have either not realized, or do not acknowledge, is that the New Testament is not complete without the Old either. The gospels go on to provide, each in their own way, the climax to the story that began before the garden. Then the epistles and Revelation seem to provide the more practical side of what we do with that story.[3]

Not only is the New Testament incomplete without the Old Testament, but it can not be understood apart from it. One of the most valuable aspects of the Old Testament is that it is very literally “The Bible Jesus Read.”[4] Jesus “traced in its passages every important fact about himself and his mission. He quoted from it to settle controversies with opponents such as the Pharisees, Sadducees and Satan himself.[5]” If Jesus understood Himself through the OT, it only stands to reason that Christians should try to understand Jesus through the lens of the Old Testament as well.

The Old Testament also sheds light on who God is, and how He works both in Christians, as well as the world in which we live. Without it, we cannot know God as the one who dwells within our midst. The Old Testament teaches us about God who loves us enough to “tabernacle” and “covenant” with us. He cares enough to define a relationship with humans, and He has a desire to be with us and lead us. Where the New Testament teaches us how to live with God practically, the Old Testament illustrates what living with God is like. The Old Testament teaches that humans live in a “God-Bathed[6]” world, it is not that this world that is ours and is covered with the finger-prints of God but that it is God’s world and our fingerprints. It is only through the Old Testament that we can learn that God is the father who is both the lion and the lamb, a king and a servant, a judge as well as a shepherd. It is through the Old Testament that we learn of the unquenchable thirst that God has to be with us, which eventually escalates into God coming in flesh to live among us.

Can the New be any good without the Old?

2005-12-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

Worship

Theology

Ethics

Conclusion

[1] Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Pg. 24

[2] Wright, NT. The Bible for the Post Modern world. http://latimer.godzone.net.nz/orange_lecture/orangelecture99.asp

[3] Ibid.

[4] Yancey, Philip. Pg. 24

[5] Ibid.

[6] Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden life in God. Ch. 3

[7] Erikson, Millard. Christian Theology. Pg. 1066

[8] Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: A practical Guide to Biblical Doctrine. Pg. 1004

Grudem is quoting the “Westminster larger Catechism.”

[9] Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Pgs. 111-112

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Nehemiah 8:10

- First off, I am not sure that a passage can be taken more out of context than this. I would normally leave a string of expletives following this, but come, on this is seminary.

[14] Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Pg. 20

[15] Luck, Coleman G. “Christian Ethics”

Bibliotheca sacra, 118 Jl-S 1961, p 228-238.

[17] http://assets.cornerstone.edu/pages/2077/File/PAPER%20for%20Webb%20event%20at%20Heritage.doc.

[18] Hays, Daniel. How to apply Old Testament law Today.

Bibliotheca sacra, 158 no 629 Ja-Mr 2001, p 30-32

Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament by Christopher Wright

2005-12-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Wright Review

Summary

Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament by Christopher J.H. Wright, proves to be a work that firmly illustrates not only the necessity of the Old Testament in the contemporary world, but also the necessity of the Old Testament for a fuller more accurate understanding of who Jesus is. The latter sheds tremendous light on a more accurate understanding of Jesus’ teachings.

Another big question that exists not only within evangelical circles but in popular culture today is “who is Jesus really?” Unfortunately, the Christian world that exists today seems to worship a Jesus that is more or less an “identikit human being.[1]” Largely due to the media and entertainment industry the predominant image in the minds of American Christians is a blue eyed, fair skinned, blonde haired Jesus, that walks around with an err of passivity, and mysticism. Wright begins his book by providing a more accurate picture of who Jesus really is.

The author begins by explaining that Jesus, contrary to popular belief, is a real Jew, who grew up in a real Jewish culture, around very real Jewish People. This section in the book really provides the reader with a greater sense of realness to Jesus. Instead of being a person who once lived very far removed from where contemporary culture is, it allows the reader to know that Jesus was a real person, in a real time, in a real place, who came for a very real purpose.

Wright goes on to explain that that real purpose was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. For example, he suggests that from the time of the patriarchs to the time of the exile, there are three features that are central to the Biblical narrative. First, the Biblical Narrative affirms that the God of Israel is in sovereign control of all of world history not simply the life and happenings of Israel. Secondly, the “moral character and demand of Yahweh” is featured. And finally, that Adonai “cared little, if at all, for the external rituals of the faith of his people in the absence of practical social obedience to his moral demands.”[2] Wright goes on to affirm that Jesus’ message speaks to all three of these features in the New Testament, thus making complete what Israel could not accomplish.

Another main premise in Wright’s book is that the Old Testament was the means by which Jesus understood Himself.[3] He also suggests that since Jesus understood Himself through the lens of the Old Testament, then we too should view Jesus through the Old Testament. One of the most exciting parts of the book breaks down Jesus’ Baptism and confirmation by God. Wright illustrates that when God says in Matthew, “This is my Son, whom I love, the one in whom I delight.” Wright finds that this phrase is echoed from the Old Testament in Psalm 2[4], Isaiah 42:1[5], and Genesis 22. All three of these passages further illustrate that the plan for ultimate redemption through Jesus was not derived with His entrance into earth via flesh. Instead, the salvific plan existed from the very beginning. The strongest and most direct of these passages, of course, is the Genesis passage, where Abraham brings Isaac to the altar to provide the ultimate sacrifice and God says, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will show you.[6]” By those words appearing in Matthew, all the Jews reading them, or having heard them read, would have automatically associated Jesus with Isaac. The only difference is that Jesus was the Isaac story fulfilled. But having this understanding is only available through knowing the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac, and by knowing this story one can realize that Jesus is providing the sacrifice that has been needed from the very beginning.

Jesus is not only the fulfillment of the Old Testament narrative, but He is also the fulfillment of the moral code as well. Wright uses Jesus’ interaction with Satan during His forty days in the wilderness to illustrate this. He suggests that Jesus’ response expresses at the most fundamental levels where the Jews always fell short. Wright suggests that all of Jesus’ responses to Satan illustrate a trust in God that Israel was never able to attain to. Jesus’ response illustrates that His morals, values, priorities, and convictions come direct from Moses’ teaching of Israel while they were in the wilderness. This further illustrates that Jesus was the making full of the Law that was provided for Israel through Moses. This simply means that in responding to Satan the way He did, Jesus was able to illustrate that He was excelling where Israel in the past simply could not, or did not.

In summary, Wright from cover to cover is illustrating that Jesus is very literally Word in flesh. Even when Jesus claims the title “Son of Man,” he is claiming that He is the Word manifested, the perfect man, God’s Law lived out practically for the world to see. In order that not only the Jews, but the world might see that the life we live is incomplete, and can only be experienced to the full by living as much like Jesus as possible.

By and large, the main teaching that is heard from evangelical leaders in the States today is primarily from the New Testament. This is not all bad, however, there is one vital point that can be missed easily. It can be safely assumed that every writer in both the Old and the New Testaments, either were Jewish or were highly influenced by Jewish culture. Jewish Culture revolved around the Old Testament with special attention to the Torah. So it is also safe to assume that every author in both Old and New Testaments is writing with an extremely strong background rooted in the Old Testament. Now, if this is true how much more is it important that the New Testament is taught with a high view and high understanding of the Old Testament? Is the New Testament not just a further extension of the Old? The better question maybe, is it possible to teach the New Testament well without having a high regard and high understanding of the Old Testament?

This book as well Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard should be a must read for all Christians.[7] For without a good understanding of where Jesus comes from in the Old Testament, it is impossible to fully understand the weight and significance of his presence and work here on earth. For example, it simply does not make since that Jesus could somehow pay the penalty for all sin for all people. How does one man do that? Can my sin be taken away by my best friend Eric? Absolutely not! However if someone were to learn that Jesus was in the kingly line of David, and essentially assumed the position of King. Then they could further learn that whoever was the king over Israel would be a representative for the Israeli people. Then they may learn that as a representative of Israel to God, the actions of that king were seen as the actions of the people. So, if the King of Israel was obedient then the people of Israel were seen as obedient in the eyes of God. But if the King was evil, he too was a representation of the people to God. So, Jesus comes on the scene as the King of not only Israel, but of the world. So, His actions are accredited to the people. So how does one man die for the sins of the masses. It is easy to see that he was the representative for mankind, in His death on the cross He represented the people and their sin. So, when He was punished for sin it was not only the sin of a few, but of the world. Now, in terms of being Christian there is something to be said for personal responsibility, personal decision, and personal commitment that will be left for discussion in a further paper. But, his just to illustrate that without a proper understanding of how Jesus fits into the Old Testament, it is difficult to fully understand what salvation really is, and how it really works.

This is just one of the many Christian Doctrines that are better understood through having a proper understanding and respect of the Old Testament. With a proper understanding of the Old Testament and its theology, comes a greater respect for the goings on of the work of Jesus and the New Testament in general.

[1] Wright, Daniel J. Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. Pg. 3

[2] Ibid. Pgs. 19-20

[3] Ibid. Pgs. 104

[4] This reference in particular identified Jesus the Son of God as the Davidic King. According to Wright this was a part of a ceremonial blessing or inauguration of the Kings that followed David on the throne. Obviously, by choosing these particular words, God is illustrating that Jesus is not only the Fulfillment of Isaac, but also the new and long awaited for King both Spiritually and Physically.

[5] This passage in Isaiah is about the one called the “servant of the Lord,” however this “servant of the Lord” is introduced by the same method as that of an introduction of a King. As the series of songs increase, it is obvious that the Servant accomplishes His calling not by a “kingly power” but through “frustration, suffering, rejection and death.” Wright - 106

[6] Gen. 22:2

[7] Maybe someone should come up with a manual that you get when you decide to follow Jesus. If so, I have a list of must reads that are essential to that manual.

Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic

2005-12-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

I recently read a comment that was written by a well intentioned Christian that had some major concerns about a popular Pastor in West Michigan. She was pretty concerned that he was a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Much of her concern was based on a new type of Hermeneutic called the "Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic," she unfortunately miss took this for a new type of religious movement instead of a method of interpretation. So, for what it is worth here is my response, maybe it will clear up what may come to be mass confusion between a type of interpretation and a religious movement.

Nicole,

First let me thank you for writing us your note. Your compassion for the cause of Christ and your desire to see what is right, done is truly admirable and evident through the tone of your writing. Not to mention your boldness in speaking up to 68 of your peers whom you disagree with. So, thanks for that.

However well intentioned your note is (and I fully believe you had the most honest of intentions), I believe that you maybe a little mislead. First, the “Redemptive Movement” is not an organized movement per se. Rob Bell does use the two terms together, but when he does he is not referring to a religious movement of any sort, like Calvinism, Arianism, Monasticism, Monarchianism, Open Theism, Reformed Theology, or Dispensationalism. Instead, he is referring to the redemptive movement of God throughout history. This simply means that God, from the very beginning of time has been in the process of redeeming man back to Himself. That is to say, that God’s plan of salvation or redemption did not begin with Jesus’ physical presence on earth, instead it was planned from the beginning, from the time of Adam and Eve. Now, through Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection humans are granted access to the kingdom of God. The course of time has brought us to where we are now, here, in the 21st century. That redemptive movement has not stopped or ceased, instead it is still in action and it is our part as followers of Christ to join in the movement and spread the word about the Kingdom. So when you hear Rob Bell or any other evangelical use the phrase “Redemptive Movement” know that this is what they are referring to.

Secondly, you maybe referring to the “Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic.” Now this is much different than a religious movement, instead this is a way of interpreting Scripture. This method of interpreting Scripture was developed by Dr. William Webb from Heritage Theological Seminary. He wrote a book entitled Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. And in his book, he suggests that in Scripture there are two different types of mandates or commands. First, there are transcendent mandates. These are commands that transcendent culture and time. This just means that those commands or mandates are timeless. An example of a transcendent mandate are the ten commandments. Next, there are cultural mandates that are not timeless and are relative to the culture and time in which they are written. For example, I am sure if you look at the clothes you are wearing right now, you will realize that at least one article of clothing is made up of more than one fiber, and I would be willing to guess that you have on occasion worn gold jewelry or even pearl. I would even be willing to guess that you may have even braided you hair or perhaps worn clothing that can be considered “expensive.” But according to 1 Timothy 2:8-9 which says, "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes," women should not do such things right? Well no, of course not. Does this mean that Scripture isn’t true, authoritative, or inspired by God? Absolutely not! It is only acknowledging that Scripture was written BY GOD in a REAL TIME through REAL PEOPLE in a REAL PLACE. Paul was a real person who had real concerns for a real group of people that he really wanted to see follow Jesus. At the time, all the things listed in the above Timothy passage were indicative of either prostitution or excessive wealth. Is that still true today? By and large no! So is it ok for you to wear gold, expensive clothing (in moderation), and braid your hair? Yes, as long as you are not forcing someone else to sin by doing so.

Thirdly, in your note you suggest that the “Redemptive Movement” promotes re-interpretation of Scripture. This assertion presupposes that there is an objective interpretation. This is simply not true, everyone interprets Scripture, everyone. When you read Scripture you are reading it from the perspective of a college student, at Liberty University, in Lynchburg Virginia, on the east coast, of the United States of America, in the fall, of the year 2005. You can’t help it, and you may not even notice it. The New Testament was written by God through Jews from Jerusalem in the first century. We are worlds away from the original authors, the message has no doubt been preserved. But do not for one second believe that you are reading the Bible objectively, everyone interprets Scripture when they read it. The challenge is to acknowledge it and strive to understand what Scripture means in it’s context within the text and within the time period in which it was written.

There are basically three different ways that Scripture is interpreted…direct, implied, and then there is creative construct. Now direct interpretation is straight up passages that can not be more clear such as “Thou shall not kill.” Pretty clear right? Don’t murder. Then there are implied interpretations which are concepts that are not directly stated, but are identified among believers as implied within the text. The Trinity and the Rapture are good examples of implied interpretation. This is not to say that the Trinity and the Rapture are not Scriptural Concepts, it is only to say that they are not specifically mentioned within the text, but Scripture certainly bears witness to such concepts. Thirdly there is Creative Construct. These are interpretations by which we interpret Scripture. For example, are you Calvinist? Armenian? Premillennial? Pretrib? Amillennial? Reformed? Dispensational? Progressive? Are you a Creationist? Threshold/Theistic Evolutionist? Day-Age Theorist? These are all interpretations by which we interpret Scripture. They are Creative Constructs. Constructs by which you read Scripture. Now this is not to say that in terms of interpreting Scripture we are left to our own demise. Instead, after becoming a follower of Jesus we are provided with the help of the Holy Spirit to interpret what Scripture reads. Even Scripture teaches us that He is the great teacher who dwells within us to lead us to greater depths of truth that lies within God’s Word (however this is not a free ride away from research). The bottom line is this, everyone inherently interprets Scripture. No exceptions…everyone.

Finally, in your note you suggest that Rob Bell doesn’t apply Scripture to today’s culture and you suggest that Scripture is not sufficient. I would emphatically disagree and further argue that he probably, more so, then any other evangelical Pastor in the US today speaks from Scripture to where people are in culture today. Furthermore, I would also suggest that he most likely holds Scripture to a higher authority, than most evangelicals do as well. But the only way illustrate this to you, is to suggest that you listen to a few of his messages that are free to download (they are even mp3 files) direct from the church website at www.mhbcmi.org
As far as Bell’s view of Scripture you may want to read Mars Hill’s core beliefs and “directions.” Both are available through links on the home page.

Again I sincerely appreciate your willingness to speak up out of compassion and concern for fellow followers of Christ. May you never loose that willingness, and as Paul says “that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.”

In His Dust,

Brian Lambert

Questions bring freedom.

2005-10-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

How does faith work exactly? Is punctiliar, or is it progressive? Has it happed or does it happen?