This is from chapter 4 of what I presented for my PhD dissertation to Concordia Academic Theology Consortium. As many of you know I gave back that PhD. I am still working on the dissertation (to refine and add to it further), as it looks like it will be considered for another PhD (possibly) at an accredited school. Anyway, here’s a little excerpt:
. . . I contend that since all orthodox Christians, in every place, operate with these conciliar categoriesβtwo natures/singular personβwith reference to Jesus Christ, that it is this fortification, these grammatical loci, that fundamentally give hermeneutical shape to the way that even the most low-church evangelicals think Christ. As a subsequent implication then, this tacit Chalcedonian grammar, is, or should be the explicit way Christians interpret all of Scripture (both Old and New Testaments). More crudely put: since the conciliar Christ is fundamental to how orthodox Christians think Christ, and if Scripture is, at a first-order level, intensively and principially in reference to Christ, if Scripture is the sign (signum) to its greater and ontological reality (res), Jesus Christ, then all Christian exegesis of Holy Scripture will be and must be regulated by this sort of catholic (universal) Christological standard. That is to say, if Christians are going to think who Christ is through the Chalcedonian grammar, in an essential, but proximate way (vis-Γ -vis eschatological reality), eo ipso they will interpret Scripture through this rule insofar that Scripture refers to Jesus and the triune God as its inherent and life-breathing reality.
Indeed! That real ground, the ontological ‘res locus’ Jesus Christ obtained, established, and securedβinherent in his resurrection from the deadβalso supplies the foundation of the grammatical loci by which we speak and think “hermeneutically” (“beginning from Moses and from all the prophets”) of those things he obtained “concerning himself in all the scriptures, eo ipso Christians MUST “interpret Scripture through this rule insofar that Scripture refers to Jesus and the triune God as its inherent and life-breathing reality”.
As T.F. Torrance recognized, in the interpretation of Scripture we must direct our minds not only to “that written” (ta gegrammena) but also to “that which happened” (ta genomena) according to the order of God’s actions that is itself according to the stewardship or management (and logic) of Godβs grace by the mind of Christβeven as it takes its form in the atoning and reconciling activity of God’s justice and mercy by means of the offence of the Cross of Christ. This is a hermeneutic of God’s work and activity that in “its inherent life-breathing reality” stands in contrast with all other forms of knowing and speaking. Moreover, this is the epistemological crux which (by its very nature) confronts us with the primary challenge of transposing “that written” and “that which happened” in terms of theological statement.
I appreciate (and really like) the ground that you’ve established here, Bobby. I will continue to pray that the time you commit to your dissertation (as it relates to your spiritual journey) provides rich returns through the awe of God “transposed” in the active mission of your life as “theological statement”.
It is crucial work Bobby. We all must “turn our eyes upon Jesus”. I pray that God will prosper this work and that it will have great effect among the intended recipients. Everyone needs this and a rigorous defense of the position is extremely helpful. May the Lord open hearts and minds and give you strength to complete the work.
My hope is also to have the “cookies on the lower shelf” as Gary Deddo once said. The language you use is concentrated and technical and only a limited audience can receive it. That is fine in terms of its intent. I hope to be a part of communicating the very same things but to a different audience in a way that they can receive it. I was challenged recently by a good friend that in order to do so that I need to, “put my audience on the cross”. This was a great help to me. The sophistication and technical nature of the language you use in your writing would actually prevent most people from receiving what you are saying but hopefully it will find a resting place in the intended audience. Very few lay people I know could even begin to access what you write. This is another, yet intimately related, project.
@RichardB, amen! I think maybe you should start your own blog. You offer rich insights, and are a really good communicator and writer.
@RichardS, amen! And yes, I agree, it is technical language I typically use. The philosophy of my blogging has always been as I’ve shared in my sidebar: βI count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write.β – St. Augustine cited by John Calvin
And so I’ve never felt all that compelled to do the real donkey work of “teaching” here, per se. I think that has happened over the years, but not because I’ve really tried, per se. I have taught in the classroom etc., in the past, and that requires a level of work that I simply don’t have time for when I’m blogging. To take high concepts, and “bring them down” without losing their “highness” is an absolute task. I think I can do it, because my former students, and recently my wife, have told me so; but again, here at the blog, it kind of is what it is. As you’ve probably noticed my post output has slowed down a bit relative to my past output. My energy level, as I age, isn’t increasing, but decreasing. NOW, if people wanted to pay me to teach them full time here at the blog via support, I would put the work in to actually teach (unpack the big words etc. π ).
π€ Bobby, I think that you’ve it summed up precisely (in your response to RichardS) that the “output’ is no longer increasing; rather, decreasing. The Lord has allowed me many new experiences that come in the context of aging, and, subsequently, I’m learning to view my mission with a perspective that considers “profit vs. loss.” That consideration (I’ve had to learn) entails wisdomβa true godly wisdom that comes only by the grace of God. Yet I, too, have found there is correlation with the constant of growing older in this body (from which the principle of sin and has taken its “pound of flesh).”
I appreciate your encouragement; I have learned much by reading and working my way through your blogging by the method of “writing as you learn and learning as you write,” and I will continue to do that “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection… and the fellowship of his sufferings… that I may “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Thank you for ministry in that regard.
Seems to me like you are describing and experiencing the Christian life Bobby ! Increasing weakness so that the character of Jesus and his power and his glory may be manifest in your life. (You are still pretty young brother and the Lord has his timing!). As you know i personally greatly appreciate your reflections and bloggings. I know and pray that the Lord will sustain you and use your labours to bless many with a revelation of Jesus. Press on brother.
Amen Bobby and kudos to both Richards!
My own blog inactive for a very long time, could use some freshening up with perhaps a post or two re-telling the main thrust of things I have learned here in a left handed layman’s terms. Very very few readers connected to it but I can drop the link a few places. So many Christians have a Lord and a Savior who sticks closer than a brother, whom they would hardly recognize if they met Him face to face!
I would love to introduce them
– Behold! The Man!
Pax
@RichardB,
Thank you! Indeed, age has a way of zapping energy levels (the graveyard shift has a way of doing that too π ). But yes, discernment is called for when attempting to study and read and learn. There has to be some sort of delimiting apparatus in place. Honestly, I ask the Lord to lead me in the directions He would, in regard to what I’m reading and writing.
And I’m glad you find encouragement here. Your comments always encourage me!
@RichardS,
Amen, and thank you! Yes, it is all about just living the Christian life, existence from day to day. Writing and reading have helped me to do that over the years; in fact, I can’t imagine living a life without that as a Christian. Thank you for the good word, and press on to, brother! I’m feeling pretty old though LOL.
@Duane,
Amen! Indeed, who didn’t have a blog back in the day. You’ve been with me almost from the beginning (back in the Free Grace days etc.) Glad you’re still here with me, and running those marathons. I see my blogging career as a marathon LOL. What a day of rejoicing when we all can finally meet one another in the Eschaton. Maranatha