Our doctrine of Scripture is extremely important and drives the discussion of practically all other topics. Since we hold Scripture to be our principium cognoscendi externum it is our rule by which we are to judge and interpret all other truth. There are, however, many issues surrounding the role of Scripture and our understanding of it particularly as they relate to life in the church. The panel discusses issues such as dogmatism and multi-perspectivalism as they debate and engage these issues.
This episode is brought to you in part by the Confessional Presbyterian.
Panel
- Jeff Waddington
- Nick Batzig
- Camden Bucey
Bibliography
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Multi-perspectivalism surely sounds like the fourfold interpretation adopted by the Medieval church and squarely denied by the Reformed and Reformation churches as you all said. I would be very interested in your return to this topic.
Any thoughts would be helpful. Frame specifically uses this in light of Theonomy and Klinean thought. I find this very troubling. Also, I have seen Poythress write about this concerning the benefits of the different eschatological positions. Does this not deny the systematic approach to Scripture?
Also, the Reformed and Reformed scholastics have taught that the Scriptures ARE Baby-talk (i.e. the Ectypal knowledge) of God and His ad extra works. Therefore, they can be known according to locus of Scripture, Christ Jesus as the only True Israel. You may very much be indeed saying this and just saying that it has many implications. But if Theology is a science as you recently discussed and the Bible is ectypal language, then it can be quantified and other theological postulates can be renounced. Thoughts?
When I was at L’Abri in the summer of 1970, Peter Cook (who was studying under J.I. Packer at Tyndale Hall in Bristol) came up with this joke:
Q. How does Schaeffer sign his letters?
A. “Yours truly, but not exhaustively,”
That’s great Bob! I vaguely remember hearing that before. I’ll have to start signing my emails like that!
Just listened to this on the doctrine of Inspiration and could not help but think of Multi-perspectivalism in all its glory: http://www.christurc.org/audio_files/adult_catechism/horton/systematic_theology/2008-11-30-horton-chm.mp3
especially the latter part of the conversation… This audio comes from this series:
http://www.christurc.org/catechism_horton.html#SystematicTheology
Tim
There does need to be a distinction between Frame and Poythress.
One can learn from other eschatalogical perspectives than one’s own and also recognize contradictions and differences. Are you suggesting that to reject dispensationalism commits me to thinking every last detail of that erroneous system is wrong? Whoever held to such a view? I agree that attempts to bridge the divide between theonomy and Kline seem ill-planned and destined for failure from the start. However, Poythress has never denied that one can and ought to come to solid theological conclusions on various issues. For instance, consider his interaction with Pete Enns in the recent debacle at WTS.
So yes, one can come to very specific conclusions that exclude particular options. I do not read Poythress as excluding the possibility of coming to a knowledge of the truth that eliminates the law of non-contradiction. As I understand him he is simply affirming that truth is rich. But saying that truth is rich is not saying that truth is dialectical.
Thanks Jeff, that is a helpful way of framing the discussion. I guess the multi-pers. approach sounded to much to me like saying, “We have different existential experiences, therefore we have different ways of seeing Scripture.” To me that sounds like a terrible view of inspiration and the Holy Spirit’s use of the Text in Christians’ lives. The point about Poythress is clarifying concerning his view in contrast to a dialectal approach.
While I would concede in saying that formally there is agreement with dispensationalists on a host of issues, materially they are in opposition to Reformed theology, especially on inspiration and hermeneutics and a host of other issues.
Thank you Nick for managing to squeeze my name in this podcast. Do I get any financial compensation for this? Just kidding. Great job, I listen o tyou guys every week. Keep it coming. Blessings,
Berti