BI 502 New Testament Studies 2
BE 512 New Testament Studies 2 Name _______________________________
Focus Study #1:
The Epistemological Power of Scripture Na
ative
Reading Requirement:
“Systemization and Search: The Problem of the Diminished Na
ative” by Russ White & Doug Bookman
A paper presented to the International Society of Christian Apologists in 2018.
NOTE: Go to the FS #1 Reading Quiz to report this reading.
Questions
Answer the following questions: either paragraphs or bullets are acceptable; please use a different font and/or color so that I can easily distinguish your answers from the questions. An electronic copy of this completed sheet should be uploaded at Assignments/FocSt Response Sheet #05 – Epistemology of Na
ative.
1. Briefly record your reaction to the assertions in the paper regarding the importance of historical na
ative in the work of divine revelation.
2. Briefly record your reaction to the proposition that modern technology has had/is having an effect on people’s appreciation for the epistemological impact and importance of na
ative.
3. So what? That is, should any of the claims made in the paper change the way a person lives his life?
BI 502 New Testament Studies 2
BE 512 New Testament Studies 2 Name _______________________________
Focus Study #5: The NAR & Cessationism
Reading Requirements – listed below in relationship to the questions relevant to each one
NOTE: Go to the FS #3 Reading Quiz (FocSt Rdg #3 – NAR & Cessationism) to report this reading.
Introduction:
The issue of cessationism vs continuationism has been a difficult struggle in the evangelical world for about 120 years, and it has become more immediately divisive in the last two decades as many who had historically em
aced cessationism have very publicly abandoned that commitment for some sort of continuationism, often of a “softer” variety. The intent of this focus study is first to consider the issue rather generically, but also to focus on a very contemporary, rather recent, and radical (one might say: unfettered) expression of non/anti- cessationism.
Assignments: Reading & Response
Complete the assigned readings, and then answer the questions which follow. Either paragraphs or bullets are acceptable; please use a different font and/or color so that I can easily distinguish your answers from the questions.
1a. The issue
oadly considered (without reference to any specific application)
Reading Assignment #1: “Why I am a Cessationist,” by Thomas Schreine
Found at https:
www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-i-am-a-cessationist/ Available at Populi / Lessons / Focus Studies - Readings
Reading Assignment #2: “Why I am a Continuationist,” by Sam Storms
Found at https:
www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-i-am-a-continuationist/ Available at Populi / Lessons / Focus Studies - Readings
Q1. State your opinion/conviction concerning the matter of cessationism as it stands today – which side of the issue you are most comfortable with, how thoroughly persuaded you are, and
iefly why.
(Please don’t feel you are obligating yourself to anything here. The only point: though you perhaps have much to learn, what do you think about the issue at this time?)
Q2. Do 10-15 minutes of research on the internet on the subject of “Muslim dreams and Jesus Christ.” Then answer the 2-fold question: [1] are these dreams legitimate & genuine (i.e., is the Holy Spirit really involved in these): and [2] do these dreams speak to the cessationist vs. continuationist issue (i.e., would a cessationist be forced to reject the validity of these dreams)?
2a. The contemporary issue: The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
The most contemporary – and the most alarming – contemporary expression of the cessationist debate is probably the NAR.
Reading Assignment #3: “The New Apostolic Reformation: Influence and Teachings” by Holly Pivec
(found at http:
www.apologeticsindex.org/2977-new-apostolic-reformation-overview) Available at Populi / Lessons / Focus Studies – Readings
Q3. In your opinion, is the NAR a necessary, or even a legitimate, conclusion to the premises accepted by continuationism? That is, is there a logical stopping point between the continuationist position and the NAR position?
See the next page for some additional suggested (i.e., non-required) resources.
Additional Resources
A podcast re: the NAR
Mike Heiser interviews Holly Pivec on his “Naked Bible” podcast (episode #179), which can be found here:
http:
www.nakedbiblepodcast.com/naked-bible-179-what-is-the-new-apostolic-reformation
Pivec’s blog: “Spirit of E
or” - http:
www.spiritofe
or.org
This helpful and timely blog focuses primarily on the NAR in its various expressions.
Recommended: the 4-part series on the NAR’s “Passion Translation” of the NT:
http:
www.spiritofe
or.org/2013/04/a-new-nar-bible-the-passion-translation/3014
Heiser blogs
iefly on NAR’s new “translation” of the Bible here:
http:
drmsh.com/not-good-news-the-new-nar-passion-translation-of-the-bible
Two articles arguing for cessationism
You are not required to read these articles, but they are offered because they will provide very helpful background to our discussion of the cessationist / continuationist debate. You will find both of them at Populi / Lessons / Focus Study Response Sheets / Readings.
“The Cessation of the Sign Gifts” by Thomas R. Edgar (BibSac / October-December 1988)
This is an expression of the very standard cessationist position in the late C20. The primary focus is Pentecostalism / Charismatics / tongue speaking / second blessing, which is where the non-cessationist position was found almost exclusively. To that degree, the article is a bit dated. But the arguments he makes still obtain with regard to the cessationist debate.
“The Cessation of the Charismata” by B. B. Warfield
This is an excerpt from Warfield’s very important book, Counterfeit Miracles. Warfield is responding to the claim that the sign-gifts continued through the first 300 years of the Christian age, rather gradually dying out until they disappear entirely in the fourth century because the state-church having been formed Christianity was on a firm footing and no longer needed such authenticating signs. He traces carefully the historical record and argues that claims for miracles (i.e., signs) were absent immediately after the apostolic age and then began to appear in the late 2nd century. He challenges the legitimacy of those claims – contra continuationists who contend for the legitimacy of miracle stories throughout the Christian era. The excerpt is densely worded and not easy to follow; you might be wise to consider only the isolated sections which are highlighted.
BI 502 New Testament Studies 2
BE 512 New Testament Studies 2
Focus Study #5:
NT Use of the OT / Christocentric Hermeneutics
Reading Requirements
1. How Does the New Testament Use the Old Testament? A Survey of the Major Views, by Michael Vlach. This book is available in Kindle edition at https:
www.amazon.com/How-Does-New-Testament-Use-ebook/dp/B06Y6F94Z1. (I don’t believe it is available in a hard copy.) Do what you need to do to obtain the book and read it carefully.)
2. “A Hermeneutical Evaluation of the Christocentric Hermeneutic” by Dr. Abner Chou.
Find at https:
www.pre-trib.org/articles/all-articles/message/a-hermeneutical-evaluation-of-the-christocentric-hermeneutic
ead
The article may be found on Populi at Lessons/Focus Studies – Readings
NOTE: The article above is a condensation of a fuller article by Dr. Chou written for The Masters Seminary Journal. You are not required to read that fuller article, but it would be well worth your effort to do so. That longer article is also found on Populi under Lessons/Focus Studies – Readings, or at file:
C:/Users/doug
Dropbox/AA%20Shepherds%20Theological%20Sem/NT%20Studies%202/Articles%20and%20Resources%20-%20NT2/Christocentrism%20Issue/Chou%20on%20CC%20-MSJ% XXXXXXXXXXpdf
NOTE: Go to the FS #5 Reading Quiz to report your reading of these two resources.
Questions
Answer the following questions. Either paragraphs or bullets are acceptable; please use a different font and/or color so that I can easily distinguish your answers from the questions.
1. Simply summarize
iefly in bullet points the seven approaches discussed by Vlach. Be ready to discuss the issues at stake (hermeneutical, theological & bibliological issues) and to offer a reasoned response.
a. Single Meaning – Multiple Application
b. Human Meaning plus Hidden Divine Meaning
c. Contemporary Judaism / Second Temple Judaism
d. Canonical Interpretation
e. Inspired Sensus Plenior Application
f. Historical-Exegetical and Theological-Canonical
g. New Testament Reinterpretation of the Old Testament
2. Briefly, which of the above do you regard as most legitimate, and why?
3. Today, the most prevalent rationale for using the NT to “unsay” the OT is the so-called “Christocentric” hermeneutic. With reference to this approach:
a. Briefly express your understanding of the “Christocentric” hermeneutic.
b. At this point, how would you assess the legitimacy and/or impact of the Christocentric hermeneutic?