A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
___
I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Thursday, September 04, 2014

The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #1-- Introduction

Last week my friend, Dan Hawk posted a three part series on violence in the Old Testament (part 1, part 2, part 3). It was offered as a response to Adam Hamilton's discussion of the same subject on his blog (part 1, part 2, part 3). That discussion is the motivation for this series of posts I begin today on reading the Bible incarnationally. In today's post I simply want to outline my discussion.

1. The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #1-- Introduction


2. The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #2-- Inerrancy and Protecting* the Character of Scripture

3. The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #3-- Rejecting the Whole Tenor of Scripture to Protect* the Character of God

4. The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #4-- An Incarnational Hermeneutic and the Old Testament

5. The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #5-- An Incarnational Hermeneutic and the New Testament

6. The Character of God and the Nature of Scripture: Reading the Bible Incarnationally #6-- Concluding Reflections

After I publish post 3, I may revise subsequent posts somewhat.

I welcome all interaction, discussion, and dissenting voices.
___
*I do not use the word "protect" here in a commendable way. Neither God nor the Scripture are in need of protection.

3 comments:

Ted M. Gossard said...

I look forward to these posts, Allan.

Allan R. Bevere said...

Thanks, Ted... I would appreciate any comments in response.

Holly said...

This is a vital conversation for The United Methodist Church. I am hearing conservative, young pastors or seminary students saying they believe in the "inerrant, infallible" authority of scripture. And I am discovering leading United Methodist pastors advocating the disregard of scriptures that do not support their own progressive viewpoint.

As a United Methodist clergywoman, I cringe when I hear either extreme. My credibility as a faithful preacher is at stake in this discussion. Thank you for taking this on. I hope you will address the appropriate role of women in the church in this series.