There is a discussion going on over at Jonathan Brinks Blog. He has been singled out by self-appointed heresy hunter Ken Silva for stating that he (Jonathan Brink) hoped that God was bigger than his theology or anyone’s and, asked what others thought. Ken wants to confine God to scripture saying that what God has revealed is all he wants anyone to know. Ken’s blog is a classic example of those who would contend for the faith.
The question remains… is he right about scripture and his idea of what it means to contend for the faith? I don’t think so for the following reasons. I think that the evangelical fundamentalists have a hermeneutic lens that is similar to that of the first century scribes and Pharisees. They see the entire scripture as the word of God. I, on the other hand have pointed out in several posts that Jesus and his followers corrected that idea and redefined the term. Here are a few of the posts.
It seems to me that contending for the faith ought to be about contending for what Jesus and his followers taught. This would mean that one would contend for a redemptive view of scripture and would contend for the gospel being the word of God. Instead, the loudest contenders contend for the bible to be the word of God; They contend for a hermeneutic lens that is similar to that of the scribes and Pharisees. When I use the word scribes I am referring to the first century rabbis… teachers of the law.
I just wish that some main stream theologians would acknowledge that Jesus and his followers redefined the word of God to be the gospel and, Jesus the living gospel. I think that they cannot do that because they fear that if they admitted this truth their theological house of cards would tumble down. They would have to change their view of scripture. I don’t think this is the case at all. I think that it could create a Christianity that would appeal to more individuals and truly reach more people for Christ.
"self-appointed heresy hunter Ken Silva"
ReplyDeleteCare to show me where I've appointed myself a "heresy hunter" there Joe?
"evangelical fundamentalists have a hermeneutic lens that is similar to that of the first century scribes and Pharisees.
What has this to do with me? I'm neither an evangelical or a fundamentalist. I think you have some homework to do.
You write: "Care to show me where I've appointed myself a "heresy hunter" there Joe?" I simply read some of your blog and determined you were a heresy hunter as to who appointed you I admit that I am not certain.
ReplyDeleteI listened to an interview of you by Ingrid Schlueter in which she addressed the listeners as evangelical and since you did not correct her you must have wanted the audience to believe that you were one of them.
I realize that you are a Calvinist and that you likely see all synergists as heretics also... but, in any case, you view the scripture in ways opposed to Jesus teaching and that is what I would love to hear you address. You call the scriptures the word of God and Jesus and his followers redefined it to be the gospel and him, the living gospel. If you took the time to look at the articles in my blog you could see why I think you are so off the mark.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteBefore you're ready to offer any paradigm shift, you might want to brush up on your logic. You just said you determined I was a heresy hunter; I've never made that claim for myself.
Just because Schlueter has evangelicals among those who listen to her, it doesn't follow that I am an evangelical. If I warn evangelicals, it certainly doesn't make me an evangelical.
You'll also never see me claim to be a Calvinist, because I'm not. I also don't see al;l synergists has heretics either.
"If you took the time to look at the articles in my blog you could see why I think you are so off the mark."
Ditto.
It is interesting that you side step the issues but this one post will demonstrate that there is a great flaw in your doctrine of scripture. http://paradigmshift-jmac.blogspot.com/2011/02/is-scripture-word-of-god-and-word-of.html
ReplyDeleteI disagree that God has revealed all He wants anyone to know. What about John 14:12? Jesus stated that “anyone who has faith in Him will do what He has been doing, and because He is going to the Father, we will do even greater things than these. This sounds to me like God will reveal more. First of all, God cannot be confined, contained, or put into a box. I think it is a travesty that people continue to try and water God down. Secondly, God is God and He can do whatever He wants.
ReplyDelete