Comments on: Top 5 Biggest Influences on How I Read the Bible http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/ THEOLOGY & CULTURE: a collision of philosophy, theology, the arts, biblical studies, politics, current events, and basically everything else Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:17:14 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: ScottL http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-833 ScottL Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:02:33 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-833 Yes, Jesus-centred (Christocentric) is of utmost importance! Yes, Jesus-centred (Christocentric) is of utmost importance!

]]> By: Aaron Rathburn http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-832 Aaron Rathburn Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:54:52 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-832 It's all so new to me that I don't quite understand it all yet. But I have been reading some posts by J.R.Daniel Kirk, that are making Jesus the center of the universe, rather than the covenantal law that Jesus has to live up to. http://sibboleth.blogspot.com/2009/06/structure-of-universe-part-1-universe.html It’s all so new to me that I don’t quite understand it all yet. But I have been reading some posts by J.R.Daniel Kirk, that are making Jesus the center of the universe, rather than the covenantal law that Jesus has to live up to.

http://sibboleth.blogspot.com/2009/06/structure-of-universe-part-1-universe.html

]]> By: ScottL http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-831 ScottL Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:46:15 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-831 I see. Didn't realise the NPP critiques covenant theology. I thought it was mainly critiquing a reformed understanding of justification. Knowing covenant/reformed theologians love justification, maybe it's a side effort for the NPP to critique covenant theology. Or maybe NPP critiques covenant theology first and foremost, while also critiquing justification. Hmmm... I see. Didn’t realise the NPP critiques covenant theology. I thought it was mainly critiquing a reformed understanding of justification. Knowing covenant/reformed theologians love justification, maybe it’s a side effort for the NPP to critique covenant theology. Or maybe NPP critiques covenant theology first and foremost, while also critiquing justification. Hmmm…

]]> By: Aaron Rathburn http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-830 Aaron Rathburn Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:35:38 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-830 Yes, the big-picture is crucial when Jesus enters the scene and completely re-evaluates (shines new light on) everything that came before him. Robertson's thought would have landed on my list, but I am presently wrestling with the New Perspective on Paul, and how it relates and critiques covenant theology. I'm still working on that one ;-). Yes, the big-picture is crucial when Jesus enters the scene and completely re-evaluates (shines new light on) everything that came before him.

Robertson’s thought would have landed on my list, but I am presently wrestling with the New Perspective on Paul, and how it relates and critiques covenant theology. I’m still working on that one ;-) .

]]> By: ScottL http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-829 ScottL Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:32:38 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-829 I think O. Palmer Robertson's book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_0_17?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+christ+of+the+covenants&x=0&y=0&sprefix=the+christ+of+the" rel="nofollow">The Christ of the Covenants</a></i>, was one of the most influential books on my understanding of the bigger picture of God's progressive revelation (as seen through a covenantal viewpoint). As you will remember, it was the whole acorn to full oak tree picture. Also, I really appreciate one of the emphases of Scot McKnight in his book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Parakeet-Rethinking-Read-Bible/dp/0310284880/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246123820&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">The Blue Parakeet</a></i>. That emphasis is on the Bible first and foremost being a redemptive <b>story</b>. We so many times approach Scripture in chunks and divisions, and rightly so. It is a 'library' of 66 differing writings and a God even communicates through one verse. But, first and foremost, we must start by seeing it as a big story and drama. I think O. Palmer Robertson’s book, The Christ of the Covenants, was one of the most influential books on my understanding of the bigger picture of God’s progressive revelation (as seen through a covenantal viewpoint). As you will remember, it was the whole acorn to full oak tree picture.

Also, I really appreciate one of the emphases of Scot McKnight in his book The Blue Parakeet. That emphasis is on the Bible first and foremost being a redemptive story. We so many times approach Scripture in chunks and divisions, and rightly so. It is a ‘library’ of 66 differing writings and a God even communicates through one verse. But, first and foremost, we must start by seeing it as a big story and drama.

]]> By: Aaron Rathburn http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-798 Aaron Rathburn Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:58:07 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-798 Thanks for the heads up, Bruce! Thanks for the heads up, Bruce!

]]> By: Bruce http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-797 Bruce Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:22:59 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-797 I like the Essential Bible Guide and the Planner has been so effective in getting more people to read the Bible I like the Essential Bible Guide and the Planner has been so effective in getting more people to read the Bible

]]> By: Aaron Rathburn http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-788 Aaron Rathburn Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:48:33 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-788 Yeah, I think cultural context of the texts is one of the most important things we can possibly study. Re: the subconscious barriers--- I'd always held the traditional view of scripture having two authors, both God and man. But I overly emphasized the "God/timeless" part in my casual reading, since the Bible is "God's word". I of course knew God "used human authors," but I subconsciously still treated it otherwise. It shows how important it is to address the subconscious/presuppositions we bring to scripture reading! Yeah, I think cultural context of the texts is one of the most important things we can possibly study.

Re: the subconscious barriers—
I’d always held the traditional view of scripture having two authors, both God and man. But I overly emphasized the “God/timeless” part in my casual reading, since the Bible is “God’s word”. I of course knew God “used human authors,” but I subconsciously still treated it otherwise. It shows how important it is to address the subconscious/presuppositions we bring to scripture reading!

]]> By: Randall Short http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-787 Randall Short Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:50:10 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-787 Thanks for sharing the list (and it's nicely laid out, I might add--impressive blog!). I can relate to your point about subconscious barriers, both from my own experience and from observing many of my students. It's interesting to see how consideration of context--what I take to be one of the predominant themes in your journey--can be so refreshing and invigorating to some, and yet so deadening and a sign of irrelevance to others. Thanks for sharing the list (and it’s nicely laid out, I might add–impressive blog!). I can relate to your point about subconscious barriers, both from my own experience and from observing many of my students.

It’s interesting to see how consideration of context–what I take to be one of the predominant themes in your journey–can be so refreshing and invigorating to some, and yet so deadening and a sign of irrelevance to others.

]]> By: Aaron Rathburn http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/top-5-biggest-influences-on-how-i-read-the-bible/#comment-786 Aaron Rathburn Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:39:54 +0000 http://theologyandculture.wordpress.com/?p=1182#comment-786 Yeah, I still have Kent Sparks and Craig Allert on my shelf (3 ft. away), waiting to be read! Art, what did you study before going to WTS? Yeah, I still have Kent Sparks and Craig Allert on my shelf (3 ft. away), waiting to be read!

Art, what did you study before going to WTS?

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