Biblical Studies

Listening to: Nothing

Ok here we go. A real blog post from college on theology- finally!

Having chosen a slightly more academically oriented course here at Wycliffe, I have the opportunity to have teaching and work set by Oxford University. In this context (secular academic theology) the phrase 'biblical studies' is not quite what you might imagine. It's a far cry from a homegroup or cell! Alas, we are not doing Bible studies for our BAs in Oxford University.

Biblical studies in the academic world really means approaching the Bible simply as ancient literature. This means using certain tools to interpret it, namely those of modern critical theology, rather than reading it as the Holy Spirit's inspired scripture. The academics like to look at the various books merely as products of their time, geography, social context, and whatnot. So there are various forms of 'criticism' (think film critic, rather than critical feedback!): historical criticism (how does the Bible's history line up with other histories we have?), redaction criticism (did the person who wrote the book use different sources for his information, and how did he employ them?), textual criticism (how has the process of copying manuscripts, with errors and omissions, affected the Bible we have?), and others.

I've come into contact with some of these tools, and I'm getting the chance to read some of the foremost scholars in these fields. Much of it is pretty interesting, and people are obviously doing their homework... but so far I don't really buy it at all! Surprised? I hope not. You see it's quite amusing when you begin to see how many hypothetical entities are introduced to explain things if you don't have a commitment to the authority of scripture. Here are some:

1. There is a hypothetical document called Q which Matthew and Luke must have had access to (along with Mark) in order to write their Gospels. This would explain why they share lots of material with Mark, but also share a lot that isn't in Mark.
2. There is a hypothetical set of sources that contribute to the Pentateuch: J, E, D, and P. I'm not on Old Testament yet, so I haven't spent much time here. They explain varying emphases, conflicting details, and material that seems unusual.
3. My favourite so far: there's a hypothetical Jewish council in the first century called Jamnia which set the canon of the Hebrew Bible.

These assumptions, hypothesised to uphold various theories, are very strong here at the University... and I have to say it's quite odd! But let me tell you all that four weeks into my theology degree (oh, what great learning!!!) I still don't buy it, I still think the Bible is very much the work of the Holy Spirit, it still is all about the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is entirely trustworthy. Maybe it sounds rash to make such bold statements in the face of a mountain of books that claim otherwise- surely I should be enlightened by now! Perhaps so. Perhaps not. You see, while they're all deliberating over hypothetical documents, processes, and events, some of us are meeting the living Christ in his Word.

Happy Reformation Day!

Listening to: Nothing

At the Name of Jesus

Listening to: Nothing

When I was first learning to play the piano about 100 years ago, 'At the Name of Jesus' used to be my favourite hymn because in the tune 'Camberwell' there was this really cool little interlude between the verses. I used to play it all the time and probably drove my parents mad with it (mum? dad?). I remebered it yesterday for some reason, and noticed how fantastic the words are.

At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

Mighty and mysterious in the highest height,
God from everlasting, very light of light:
In the Father’s bosom with the spirit blest,
Love, in love eternal, rest, in perfect rest.

At His voice creation sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders, in their great array.

Humbled for a season, to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom He came,
Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love strong as death
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath!
He is God the Savior, He is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

Amen to that!

The cross on Broad Street

Listening to: 'So Wrong, So Wright' by Griffin House

Here in Oxford, most days I find myself on Broad Street in the centre of town. It's one of the roads off the main shopping streets, and it's usually packed with cyclists, students, and shoppers. Just outside Balliol College on the road, framed by the tarmac is a cross.


The cross marks the spot where 454 years ago tomorrow (in 1555), Bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were burned at the stake for their evangelical convictions.

The night before execution, John Foxe records that Ridley 'was very facetious, had himself shaved, and called his supper a marriage feast; he remarked upon seeing Mrs. Irish (the keeper's wife) weep, "Though my breakfast will be somewhat sharp, my supper will be more pleasant and sweet."'

Latimer's words to his friends as the flames begun to burn at their feet never cease to move me: 'Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.'

Foxe can have the last word:

When Dr. Ridley saw the fire flaming up towards him, he cried with a wonderful loud voice, 'Lord, Lord, receive my spirit.' Master Latimer, crying as vehemently on the other side, 'O Father of heaven, receive my soul!' received the flame as it were embracing of it. After that he had stroked his face with his hands, and as it were, bathed them a little in the fire, he soon died (as it appeareth) with very little pain or none.

Well! dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already. What reward remaineth for them in heaven, the day of the Lord's glory, when he cometh with His saints, shall declare.

Update from college

Listening to: Nothing

So what is it like to be a student at theological college? Like this:

- making lots of new friends
- finding a new church
- working quite hard
- buying a bike to get around Oxford
- millions of library inductions (Wycliffe, theology faculty, 'the Bod'...)
- going to chapel a LOT

Two main academic things on the go this term are my first paper (module), 'Jesus and the Gospels' and a beginners Hebrew class. It's mind-stretching so far! My first essay title for this paper is, 'In the context of first century Palestine, Jesus was inevitably a political figure. Discuss.' So I've been delving into ancient Israeli politics, religious movements, the various manifestations of 'messianism' (!), and seeing whether or not Jesus was bound to be political. Answers on a postcard...

Hebrew is fun. It's hard getting to know a new alphabet that's written right to left and has no vowel letters. The grammar is quite different to English, and obviously there is a lot of vocabulary to learn as well. Here is a sample of my retarded Hebrew handwriting!


It's great to be working, and I've enjoyed making some new friends. I'm also anticipating gaining 'The Wycliffe Stone'- the extra weight that apparently comes to all students here. I suspect I may be the first person ever to not put on weight, since it's something I'm incapable of doing.

Solomon's theology of everything

Listening to: Nothing

A while back, I wrote an article for Theology Network on the idea of using everything to think theologically. It's not a very long article, and there's much more to be said on the subject. For example, I noticed this morning that King Solomon did some rather more extensive thinking on this in 1 Kings 4.

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 4:29-34

Quite a gifted chap! The wisest man ever, a wise riddler, a prolific composer. When I read of his understanding of plants and animals, I'm tempted to say he was a bit of a botanist or naturalist- a great scientist and discoverer. But those are very modern ideas! Here was a man given wisdom and understanding by God; Solomon's great mind and wisdom were not the result of intrepid expeditions and long years of learning but gifts from God. Here was a man who understood that everything in creation speaks of the LORD. From the biggest tree to the smallest plant, every creature he could see were packed with theological meaning; as Michael Ward says of C. S. Lewis, Solomon saw a 'meaning drenched universe', where the creation itself is theological. The creation is not incidental to the gospel of God, but integral to it. Creation proclaims the LORD, and so is worthy of deep spiritual, theological study.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

Romans 10:17-18, quoting Psalm 19

Moved!

Listening to: 'In The Middle' by Mat Kearney

I'm sorry for the lack of blogging. I've been packing bags, winding-up responsibilities, saying goodbye to friends and family, and preparing to move to Oxford. But now I'm here and moved in.


I'm settled into my room at Wycliffe Hall, started meeting the people I'll be living and learning with, and getting to know Oxford. I'm excited and pleased to be here, seeing my hopes of the last few years working out in real life! Leaving precious people behind in Leicester wasn't easy, but I'm convinced that this where the Lord has brought me for now. Even with the comfort of a sense of calling, or a sense of peace over being here, I'm asking the Lord to teach me to rely on Him alone over the next weeks of settling in. Not even successful outcomes to our hopes, firm convictions about the Lord's plans, or anything else is a firm enough foundation for our security and joy. I'm not homesick or doubtful or struggling now, but if they come what do I have to rely on? Christ is still always the answer! He is a gentle and caring Master. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out (Isaiah 42:3).

So my books are on the shelves, clothes in the right places, computer connected, tea bags and scotch to hand... exciting times to come. I'll hopefully keep up with blogging a little better than I have done recently. But now it's nearly time for dinner with my new housemates!