I added this addendum tot he study for another forum. Seems appropriate.
Jd
Cultural considerations in the early church. A requisite opinion to the following includes the observation that insists upon a difference between revelation and inspiration. The former being a direct statement from God, Himself. The latter, the act of supervision on the part of God [in this instance], whether that supervision is defined as verbal/plenary or some degree of providential over-shadowing. In revelation, we have but one source of information - God Himself. The interpretation of such a presentation is as necessarily Divine in origin as the revelation itself. T
herefore, we have the biblical writer telling us that no prophecy is of private interpretation because all prophecy originated with God (II Peter 1:20-21). "Revelation" is one thing. "Scripture" is quite another - but for most, this distinction does not exist. If we understand that Revelation is the spoken or written Word of God, one can say that the scriptures contain the Word of God. Within scripture, we have three sources of information [unlike "revelation" which has only one source, for a believer] - God as He reveals both Himself and His will; man as he offers praise and instruction within accepted scripture; and on rare occasions, Satan as in "you shall not surely die" or in his conversa
tions with God concerning Job and Christ during the temptations. When we read, for example, the book of Ecclesiastes, we need to be careful from what portions of the book we quote. We do not argue that it is inspired ---------- God supervising its recording. But Soloman had problems and we need to be careful as we quote from this book.
An issue of importance, then, concerns itself with the use of accepted cultural practices as a teaching aid, if you will, in the writings of [especially] N.T. authors. Paul gives us insight into his theological psyche in some of the material included in the following. In so doing, I believe he gives us example after example --- directing us to an effective evangelical didache. I hope this is received as an aid to understanding. If it appears to be something of concern to you, please feel free to ask. Personal faith is more a consideration than anything I might write. God bless. ------------John (Savant I'm not - but I try)
Et al or anyone who cares !! :-)
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