| The focus of our Developing Theology has been intimately bound to Scripture, but here we turn our attention more deliberately to the Bible. We will look at how and why the BIble is authoritative, and will also move directly into the Biblical texts. This takes the form of exegesis and interpretation of some passages, and theological reflection on others. Giving Scripture this deliberate treatment should hopefully reinforce the conviction that it is to hold a prominent and normative place in any theology. This is especially true for our Developing Theology, for not only are the life experiences and knowledge developing, but they are being developed and formed in (we should hope) almost constant, deliberate interaction with Scripture. |
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| Few questions are so central to the theological identity of the church today as the authority of scripture. It is one of the issues that divides Christians, as well as uniting them. The occasion for our reflection is the metaphor of marriage, which is one that appears frequently in the Old Testament to describe the relationship between God and Israel. It provides for us an intimate picture of how God has chosen to relate to His people. Yet, this metaphor is not without some troubling elements. Many scholars, especially in light of the development of feminist readings of scripture, have elevated these metaphors as troubling because of the brutality and patriarchy that these images convey. Here we take a look at these metaphors, in light of this critique, and seek to show their continuing power. |
| Our developing theology is one that comes out of Scripture, and develops in dialogue with it. Here we look at the exegesis of and reflection on a number of key passages, as we seek to lay the foundation for our theological reflection on the Scriptural witness. All too often, our theological maxims are divorced from their scriptural foundation, so it is worth taking time to look at what scripture says to us about who God is, who we are, and how God relates to us. |
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| Developing BIblical Theology |
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| Jesus was a first century Jew, who was obviously steeped in the Scriptures we know as the Old Testament. Here we look at this relationship, and its importance to our understanding of Jesus, and to our understanding of the Old Testament itself. |
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| As we look at developing an understanding of the nature and authority of Scripture, it helps to look at voices from the past. Here we take a look at John Calvin's understanding of biblical authority. This allows us to learn from and dialogue with this giant of theology. Here we seek to hone our understanding of the BIble as inspired, as the word of God, and as authoritative for faith and life, bringing life to sinners. |
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| N. T. Wright is one of the most prominent and important conservative Jesus scholars today. He is in the process of writing a monumental multivolume work on the nature of Christian origins. Part of this series has been devoted to Jesus Christ. Here we take a look at Wright's understanding of Jesus in his Jewish setting, paying special attention to his methodology in relating history to theology and the Bible. |
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| Biblical Authority and The Marriage Metaphors of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea-The metaphor of marriage is one that appears frequently in the Old Testament to describe the relationship between God and Israel. It provides for us an intimate picture of how God has chosen to relate to His people. Yet, this metaphor is not without some troubling elements. Many scholars, especially in light of the development of feminist readings of scripture, have elevated these metaphors as troubling because of the brutality and patriarchy that these images convey. Here we take a look at these metaphors, in light of this critique, and seek to show their continuing power. |
| The Restrained God: A Theological Reflection on Genesis 32:22-32-In Genesis 32, we have an interesting story of Jacob wrestling with God. This passage provides the basis for some interesting reflections on the nature of God's relationship with Jacob, and the nature of this wrestling. God chose to wrestle. That may at first seem like an odd little anecdote to include in the Bible, but it provides some deep insight into God's love, and into God's restraint. |
| A Vivid Portrayal of God: A Theological Reflection on Exodus 32:9-14-The "God of the Old Testament" is often portrayed as a God of judgment, whereas the "God of the New Testament" is a God of mercy. Too often, this forms a disjunction in our thinking. This text in Exodus 32 is one of many that serve to deepen our understanding of God as a God of covenant, and a God of mercy. |
| Ezekiel 7 and the Wrath of God-The Wrath of God is a topic which is found throughout the Old Testament, and is one which many people find problematic. Here we look at Ezekiel's declarations concerning the wrath of God in Ezekiel 7, and also reflect on the relevance of this type of understanding for our world today. |
| The Lord's Supper and 1 Corinthians 11-Jesus celebrated the first communion among a community of disciples who were about to forsake him and turn their backs on him. We can appreciate the power of the Supper as we reflect on the Lord's "betrayal." |
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| Can we seek precision in our pluralistic, postmodern world? Here we undertake a constructive answer to this question that seeks to be true to the witness of Scripture and the Christian faith while taking into account our postmodern setting. |
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