A Brief Word on the Biblical Languages and a Theological Ontology

The biblical languages often come with a perception of objectivity, like math or something. But the biblical languages are, indeed, languages. Language is fluid, and highly contextual. Learning the biblical languages can be very helpful for studying the Bible; but they aren’t definitive in regard to establishing this or that theological doctrine as true or false, per se. The more significant languages to learn are the theological languages; indeed, what could be called a theological ontology. This is not separate from biblical study; indeed, it establishes it, one way or the other, in a supra type of way. It will help the learner know how to deploy the biblical languages most appropriately, within a theological taxis (order vis a vis God). With a proper theological ontology in place, which I always argue is Christ (Logos) conditioned, the biblical languages come to have their contextual meaning; their heavenly meaning, as that has and continues to confront our lives and this world system. There is always an antecedence to the creaturely realm; which of course includes languages, and the total creational order. God in Christ is that antecedence from within the processions of His eternal and triune life. We come to evangelically know that “antecedent” life in and through the missions, the economy of God’s life for the world in Jesus Christ.

3 thoughts on “A Brief Word on the Biblical Languages and a Theological Ontology

  1. Indeedโ€ฆ โ€œa theological ontologyโ€œ within Godโ€™s own order. Well put.

  2. โ€With a proper theological ontology in place, which I always argue is Christ (Logos) conditioned, the biblical languages come to have their contextual meaning; their heavenly meaning, as that has and continues to confront our lives and this world system. There is always an antecedence to the creaturely realm; which of course includes languages, and the total creational order. God in Christ is that antecedence from within theย processionsย of His eternal and triune life. We come toย evangelicallyknow that โ€œantecedentโ€ life in and through theย missions, theย economyย of Godโ€™s life for the world in Jesus Christ.โ€โ€‚Emetโ€ฆ and amen.

  3. Amen, Richard. Theological ontology isn’t even thought of by most theologians today, not in the Reformed/Lutheran evangelical combine it isn’t. This is where so much unnecessary confusion arises from ๐Ÿ™ .

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