Bibliology And Hermeneutics

1. Bibliology And Hermeneutics

2. “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16–17

3. Outline • Class Introduction and Authority • Sola Scriptura • Transmission of Scripture • Canonization of the OT • Canonization of the NT • Inspiration • Proving Inspiration • Inerrancy • History of Interpretation • Historical-Grammatical Hermeneutics

4. Genre LXX Canon Dual-source theory Sola Scriptura Apocrypha Bible Translations Regula Fidei Authorial Intent Manuscripts Autographa Revelation Inspiration Mechanical Dictation Interpretation Inerrancy Hermeneutics Authority Prima Scriptura

5. Session 1Authority Who do we trust?

6. Authority Questions: • What does sola Scriptura mean? • What is the Roman Catholic understanding of Tradition? • What does Eastern Orthodoxy believe concerning Tradition? • What is the difference between sola Scriptura and Solo Scriptura?

7. Story of the Reformation

8. Authority • "Unless I am convinced by the testimony from scripture or by evident reason—for I confide neither in the Pope nor in a Council alone, since it is certain they have often erred and contradicted themselves—I am held fast by the scriptures adduced by me, and my conscience is held captive by God’s Word, and I neither can nor will revoke anything, seeing it is not safe or right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen.“ • —Martin Luther • Diet of Worms, April 18, 1521

9. Authority Five Primary Views: • Sola Ecclesia • Prima Scriptura • Regula Fidei • Sola Scriptura • Solo Scriptura

10. Authority What Is Tradition? American Heritage Dictionary: • The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication. • A mode of thought or behavior followed by a people continuously from generation to generation; a custom or usage. • A body of unwritten religious precepts. • A time-honored practice or set of such practices.

11. Authority Two Types of Tradition in Ecclesiastical History:

12. Authority Tradition 1: A “summary” of Christian orthodoxy that has been held by the universal/catholic Church since its inception. It is infallible only because it accurately represents Scripture. If it does not accurately represent Scripture, it is not true Tradition. Therefore, it is subject to the Scripture. Often referred to as the regula fidei.

13. Authority Tradition 2: An infallible unwritten body of material that contains information beyond that which is contained in Scripture (e.g. Marian dogmas, infallibility of the pope). This Tradition began with the Apostles’ teaching and is passed on through a succession of bishops. It is only revealed when issues arise that make it necessary for a pope or a council to speak authoritatively from this “deposit” of information. Often referred to as “living Tradition.”

14. Authority Regula Fidei “Rule of Faith” This is a Greek phrase used often in the early Church to refer to the summation of the Christian faith. The regula fidei was seen as the faith which was held “always, everywhere, and by all.” It was seen as being inherited and passed on, not through an avenue of inspired or infallible information distinct from that of Scripture, but as representative of the essential doctrinal and moral elements of the faith contained in Scripture.

15. Authority Sola Ecclesia: Belief that Tradition, represented by the magisterial authority of the Roman Catholic Church, is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine; it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice since it must define and interpret Scripture. Adherents: Roman Catholics Tradition: Tradition 2 Alternate name: Dual-source theory

16. Catholic Church Unwritten Infallible Tradition Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Sola Ecclesia “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” —Jude 1:3 Responsible for defining and interpretation Deposit of Faith 400 AD 1000 AD Age of the Apostles Age of the Church

17. Authority Catechism of the Catholic Church 81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching. 82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, “does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence”(emphasis added).

18. Authority Back Experience Emotions General Revelation Reason Scripture Tradition Front

19. Authority What makes a teaching infallible? • Pope speaking alone concerning matters of faith or morals (ex cathedra): e.g., papal bulls, encyclicals • When the pope and bishops speaking together concerning matters of faith or morals: e.g., ecumenical councils and creeds

20. Authority Prima Scriptura: Belief that the Body of Christ has two separate sources of authority for faith and practice: 1) the Scriptures and 2) Tradition. Scripture is the primary source for authority, but by itself it is insufficient for all matters of faith and practice. Tradition also contains essential elements needed for the productive Christian life. Adherents: Some Roman Catholics, some Eastern Orthodox, some Protestants. Tradition: Tradition 2

21. Church Unwritten Tradition (paradosis). Interprets Scripture and contains doctrine and morals that are extrabiblical. Tradition can never contradict Scripture. Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Prima Scriptura “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” —Jude 1:3 Deposit of Faith 400 AD 1000 AD Age of the Apostles Age of the Church

22. Authority Back Experience Emotions General Revelation Reason Tradition Scripture Front

23. Authority Regula fidei: Lit. “Rule of faith.” Belief that tradition is an infallible “summary” of Scripture passed on through apostolic succession. Ultimately, there is only one source of revelation, but two sources of authority. In other words, Tradition is Scripture. Adherents: Eastern Orthodoxy, early Church, some evangelicals. Tradition: Tradition 1

24. Church Unwritten Tradition (paradosis)/ summary of the Gospel message. Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Regula Fidei “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” —Jude 1:3 Deposit of Faith 400 AD 1000 AD Age of the Apostles Age of the Church

25. Authority “Any disjunction between Scripture and Tradition such as would treat them as two separate ‘sources of revelation’ must be rejected. The two are correlative. We affirm (1) that Scripture is the main criterion whereby the church tests traditions to determine whether they are truly part of the Holy Tradition or not; (2) that Holy Tradition completes Holy Scriptures in the sense that it safeguards the integrity of the biblical message.” —Anglican-Orthodox Dialogue: The Dublin Agreed Statement 1984 (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1985), 50–51

26. Authority “Regarding the relation of Scripture and Tradition, for centuries there seemed to have been a deep difference between Orthodox and Lutheran teaching. Orthodox hear with satisfaction the affirmation of the Lutheran theologians that the formula sola Scriptura was always intended to point to God’s revelation, God’s saving act through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and therefore to the holy Tradition of the Church . . . against human traditions that darken the authentic teaching in the Church.” —Lutheran-Orthodox Dialogue: The Agreed Statements 1985–1989 (Geneva: Lutheran World Federation, 1992), 11

27. Authority Back Experience Emotions General Revelation Reason Tradition= Scripture Front

28. Authority Sola Scriptura: Belief that Scripture is the final and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice. Adherents: Evangelicals, Reformers Tradition: Tradition 1

29. Church Unwritten tradition (paradosis)/ summary of the Gospel message Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Sola Scriptura “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” —Jude 1:3 Deposit of Faith 400 AD 1000 AD Age of the Apostles Age of the Church

30. Authority Back Experience Emotions General Revelation Tradition Reason Scripture Front

31. Authority Solo Scriptura: Belief that Scripture is the sole basis and authority in the life of the Christian. Tradition is useless and misleading, and creeds and confessions are the result of man-made traditions. Adherents: Fundamentalism, Restoration Churches Tradition: None (or Tradition 0)

32. Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Solo Scriptura “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” —Jude 1:3 Deposit of Faith 400 AD 1000 AD Age of the Apostles Age of the Church

33. Authority Back Scripture Front

34. Authority “I have endeavored to read the Scriptures as though no one has read them before me, and I am as much on my guard against reading them today, through the medium of my own views yesterday, or a week ago, as I am against being influenced by any foreign name, authority system whatever.” –Alexander Campbell Founder of the Disciples of Christ

35. Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Dual-source view of authority and revelation Single-source view of authority and revelation

36. Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Reformed (Protestants) Radical (Protestants) Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Dual- source view of authority and revelation Single-source view of authority and revelation

37. High View of Scripture Supreme View of Tradition Supreme View of Scripture Low View of Tradition Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Tradition, represented by the magisterial authority of the Roman Catholic Church, is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine; it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice since it must define and interpret Scripture. Scripture is the primary and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice. Tradition, as represented by the Church, is important and useful, but not paramount and infallible. Tradition is true to the degree that it agrees with Scripture. Scripture is the sole basis and authority in the life of the Christian; Tradition is useless and misleading. Creeds and confessions are the result of man-made traditions.

38. Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Reformed (Protestants) Radical (Protestants) Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Catholic Counter-Reformation Radical Reformation Early Church Through Reformation

39. Bible Churches Anglicans Reformed Independent Churches Roman Catholic Lutherans Disciples of Christ Eastern Orthodox Methodists Baptists Presbyterians Church of Christ Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura

40. Pneumatalistic Communalism Rationalistic Objectivism Rationalistic Objectivism Moral certainty found in community and Spirit-led individual Absolute certainty found in individual Absolute certainty found in institutions Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Dual-source view of authority and revelation Single-source view of authority and revelation

41. Discussion Groups