History and Theology and the New Testament

A very interesting post from Mike Bird at Euangelion - here.

Since I've told you I got it via Mike, I hope it is ok to copy the quote from CK Barrett here:

Some historical element is not only admissible but is in fact essential, without it New Testament Theology will hardly escape degeneration into a collection of texta probantia. And the historian must not scorn the contribution of philosophical questioning to supplement his historical criticism. He who is master of both history and theology will write the greatest New Testament theology’.


C.K. Barrett, ‘Historia Theologiae Genetrix,’ in Aufgabe und Durchführung einer Theologie des Neuen Testaments, eds. C. Breytenbach and J. Frey (WUNT 205; Tübingen: Mohr/Siebeck, 2007), 205-6.
 
Yes. I wholly agree with this. Christianity is an historical faith, the elements of our faith as recorded in the Ecumenical Creeds are historical events. History alone, however, does not give us all we need, a robust theological approach to our faith, combined with rigorous historical study will furnish real insight into that revelation of God given through Jesus Christ his Son.
 
I note that Barrett does not mention a master of biblical critisicm. It is possible that this is subsumed within the heading 'theology', however, it need not be. An ability to read the bible well is an essential skill for all theologians, but as with history, it is not enough in itself.

A Smooth Gem

Thanks to Jeol Willits at Euangelion for a quote from NT Wright on Christ being applied very early to Jesus as a title appropriate to him.

Here's the quote:
But, as I say, even if this is not so, it merely tightens the screw of the argument even tighter, because clearly it would mean that the very early Christians used the word so frequently for Jesus that it had worn smooth (557, The Resurrection of the Son of God, N T Wright).

Read Joel post here.

A Lost Letter of Paul!

I found this on Mike Bird's blog euangelion and wanted to share it with you here.

Hebrew - the language of heaven

I'm copying this post from Mike Bird's blog. Even an excellent NT scholar like Mike can recognise the truth when he reads it.

Hebrew: "The Language Pleasing to God"
In reading Pseudo-Clementine's Recognitions for my devotions . . . (just kidding!) I came across this rather amusing passage:

In the fifteenth generation, men first worshiped fire and constructed idols. Now, until that time one language prevailed, the language pleasing to God: Hebrew (1.30.5)

All my OT pals will love this quote!

If you haven't found Mike's blog try a look at Euangelion.