The OT is Dying

Question 1

What is Dr. Strawn’s “diagnosis” of the dying Old Testament?

Answer 1

For many contemporary Christians, the Old Testament has ceased to function in healthy ways in their lives as authoritative, canonical literature.

Question 2

What are the two assertions Dr. Strawn makes as part of his linguistic analogy for the Old Testament?

Answer 2

1. The OT is like a language in that it is a kind of grammar for constructing, perceiving, and understanding the world.
2. Just like a language, the OT can be learned well and spoken fluently, or it is not learned well and can be mispronounced or lost altogether.

Question 3

What 2 implications did Dr. Strawn make from Hauerwas’ assertion that clergy do not do enough to empower Christians to learn the language of their faith?

Answer 3

1. What we speak natively is not the language of our faith
2. The language of our faith is an acquired language

Question 4

In what three ways do language change, giving insight into how our use of the Old Testament as part of our faith language changes?

Answer 4

1. Languages change (in use, ex. Lazy Mouth Syndrome)
2. Languages change over time
3. Languages change by contact