Unit 1 - Midterm Flashcards
Time and cultural gaps are bridged by…
The interpretation (what it meant) and the application (what it means)
Five dimensions of Scripture
- Revelation
- Inspiration
- Authority
- Interpretation
- Application
Revelation
Revealed to us
Inspiration
Put into human words
Authority
Are we above or below the Word?
Interpretation
What it meant to the original audience
Application
What it means to us today
Some time and cultural differences (B)
Slavery Style of literature (auditory vs. visual) Scripture canonization Role of women Value of children (adoption of adults) Worship (sacrifice, communion) Technology (slow vs. fast) Penalty of sin (severe vs. lenient) Community vs. individualism Size of the world (our scope is larger)
Revelation origin
Comes from Latin “revelo” which translates to Greek and Hebrew “apokalupsis” and “ gala”
Purpose of revelation
So God can reveal to us what has been hidden and it can be known
Revelation direction
One way, from God to humans
2 levels of revelation
- General revelation
2. Special revelation
General revelation
ASK
Special revelation
ASK
Revelation in the OT
God was revealed directly and indirectly (God almighty, I AM who I AM)
4 forms of indirect revelation
- Episodic reports or narrative history
- Heartfelt expression
- Pragmatic observation
- Proclamation/exhortation
Episodic reports or narrative history
Revelation of God’s justice and righteousness. Most are found in the Pentateuch and historical narratives
Heartfelt expression
Psalms, hymns, laments, individual praise
Pragmatic observations
Telling it like it is in regards to the moral order of the universe (poetry and wisdom literature, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)
Proclamation/exhortation
Based on observation of the present. The application of covenant theology (past revelation) to the present
Revelation in the NT
In person through Jesus; God in the flesh. Jesus “exegeted” God for humanity
Saving revelation is found only in…
Jesus
The fact of inspiration
- The Bible is written record of God speaking to humans in specific historical circumstances
- The Bible has a human and divine dimension
Inspiration definition
God transmits and humans receive the message. It describes the process by which the words of God became the human words of the Bible
Distinguish between revelation and inspiration (B)
- Revelation is solely the domain of God (he chooses to reveal himself to creation)
- Inspiration is a joint process by which God initiates the revelation towards humanity and humans are inspired to report what they have received in their own words
- Revelation comes in many forms (words, visions, dreams)
- Inspiration comes in similar forms but is related in human words and pictures so the audience can understand the message
The Bible as written record of God’s revelation to us is…
A combination of sovereign will and human obedience
Consciousness of inspiration (B)
- Biblical authors were conscious that there was an identity between the word of God and their own words
- e.g. “Thus says the LORD” in the OT
- Sometimes revelation is heightened (vision vs. speaking directly)
- Jesus promised the apostles that there would be an identity between their words and his words
- Inspiration in this context is limited to biblical revelation (inspiration from the Holy Spirit today has separate meaning)
- Consciousness of inspiration is directly related to awareness of God’s presence in life
- Consciousness that spoken and written word are directly from God
John 13- 16
He will…
Teach and remind you, testify through you about Jesus, guide you, reveal what’s to come, and glorify Jesus
Process of inspiration
Direct and indirect
Direct inspiration (B)
- Dictating wording (Moses and 10 commandments)
- “Raptures” (John into heaven)
- Recollection of eye-witnesses (disciples)
- Spoke through famous people and anonymous people (Moses vs. author of Hebrews)
Oracle
Prophet participates in the vision (does not just view it, inside the movie vs. watching it)
Indirect inspiration (B)
- Comes through secondary sources
- Use of scribes (Silas for Paul), collecting earlier literature (Solomon’s proverbs)
- Could also be carefully researched history (Luke/Acts)
- Selection is also an act of inspiration
- This process of inspiration is often complex
Model of inspiration
- Affirms Scripture is fully human and divine
- Dual nature of Jesus is the model that helps us understand the paradoxical nature of Scripture
- Jesus’ humanity nor deity were compromised or diminished
Authority of Scripture
- Speaks with divine authority
- For Paul, inspiration and authority are complementary facts
- Scripture had fourfold authority
Scripture is authoritative…
In teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
Scripture’s authority in teaching
Contrasts false teachers
Scripture’s authority in reproof
Censure or correct. It is not the person that reproofs, but the Word
Scripture’s authority in correction
Emphasis is not on censure but restoration (useful for improvement, should be used as a life jacket rather than a hammer)
Scripture’s authority in training in righteousness
Guiding a disciple in life-long instruction of the character and ways of God (following God in how he treats others, how to conduct ourselves with the poor and lonely, being inclusive rather than exclusive)
Result of Scripture’s authority
The person of God may be equipped for every good work
Types of spiritual eaters
- Do not eat (don’t read bible, spiritually dead)
- Fast food (want instant answers to spiritual questions)
- Gourmets (super spiritual experts, refined taste, feel they are superior/little humility)
- Proper diet (adult diet, insatiable appetite like that of babies)
