Subject: New Perspective of Sha'ul |
Bible Note: Dear TYMH, I apologize for not defining my terms. I had supposed that one familiar with the names you brought up would also be familiar with some of their terminology. Of course, describing what I said as "contradictory" was also a bit misleading! :-) Anyway... Soteriology is the study of the doctrine of salvation. It derives its name from the Greek word soterious meaning salvation. Some of the sub-categories of soteriology are atonement, imputation, regeneration, sanctification, etc. Most Reformed theologians regard salvation as the primary theme in Scripture, with the glory of God as its ultimate goal. In personal and formal studies I've read much of the writings and sermons of the men you've mentioned. As a Jewish believer I haven't found them anti-semitic at all. But then, Paul's assessment of Jews was a "...stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, ... always resist[ing] the Holy Spirit as your fathers did, so do you..." (Acts 7:51 ESV) I would venture that all of them agreed with Paul. Since it was the Holy Spirit's assessment, too, I sure won't quibble over it! Does that make us all anti-semitic? :-) By the way, you wrote, "...the First church, they were far more accurate than we will ever be. Why? They were closer to the source..." (sic) This is a question in another discipline of theology called ecclesiology -- the study of the church. (The particular perspective you've expressed has a fancy label, too. It is called reverse chronological chauvinism.) The logical conclusion of your assertion is that the efforts spoken of in Ephesians 5:26-27 and Titus 2:14 haven't been effective. Come to think on it, it also differs with the progress of redemptive history. But that's another topic. In Him, Doc |