Dave Black and Textual Criticism

I reread some of Dave Black's Introduction to Textual Criticism today.


I did so in preparation for teaching through the Sermon on the Mount, Dave's brief argument for the inclusion of "without cause" in Matthew 5:22 (a concise version of his Novum Testamentum article) is very convincing. 


In light on inconclusive internal evidence, he points to the external evidence, namely the geographical distribution of the "without cause" reading. I think he is correct. Sorry Metzger, you are the man, but even the man can be wrong.


I then recalled a curiosity from my last reading of the book. On pages 49-55 he argues for the "who is in heaven" reading of John 3:13. His reasons are really good. I'm still not sure if the Jesus or the author of John's gospel tried to claim that Jesus was actually in heaven while talking to Nicodemas. 


If this reading is the real reading, it could very simply be a gloss by John, similar to 20:30-31 or the prologue. John could reminding the readers of where the Son of Man is. But I could be wrong. Black is right, the reading has the geographical support.


Note, Dr. Doug Jackson has an awesome text criticism method. (tongue in cheek of course) Whichever reading yields a better sermon illustration is always best.


Anyhow, this is a curious portion of Black's excellent book which I highly recommend to all. It fills a major gap in Christian knowledge of the New Testament. 

Knox's Question

Alan Knox asked this honest question: (I have an answer below)

I have an honest question about elders (or pastors, if you prefer). (“Honest” means that I’m actually asking for answers…)
For most of my life (including today), I have heard something like this: “Elders (pastors) are responsible for the teaching/preaching ministry of the church.”
Sometimes, I hear it this way: “The senior pastor is responsible for the teaching/preaching ministry of the church.”
Now, in context, the statement usually means (at least) teaching/preaching to the congregation once per week (usually more often).
But, here’s my honest question: Can this position be justified from Scripture? If so, how?
Like I said, this is an honest question. I would appreciate comments in answer to this question (these questions), especially from those who agree with the positions stated above.

 Alan, I would like to answer your question with a yes and a no. 

'No' first. There is no biblical mandate saying that we must do it that way. So when John Piper was conferences about the absolute importance of preaching (one guy, from a pulpit, at least once a week, with expositional sermons only) they are incorrect. So no. There is no biblical justification for doing it that way.

Now, 'Yes.' There is biblical justification for differing church polities. The point of the offices or functions of the church appears to be a way of having leadership in the tasks given to all believers. Those tasks are encouraging, speaking the truth in love, hospitality, etc. So, if picking one person with the proper education, skills, and motivation and a calling from God, is an an efficient way for the local church to have leadership then yes. This assumes that this person leads the church like the New Testament says though. So he must lead them with the gospel, by serving, by example (teaching others to do all he/she does), and ultimately to make disciples of Jesus.

Our real debt

Do not owe anything to anybody except to love each other. Romans 13:8

Two important aspects of Christian ethics here:

1. Avoid debt as an ethical matter. (In Christianity ethics are frequently practical too, Paul says that it is unethical to be a mastered by a habit because such is not expedient, same goes here. Losing the freedom to give to others without expecting return is a problem for Christians commanded to give.)
2. People deserve love. If Christians owe love to others, then it must be because those people deserve to be loved. 

Powerful bit of bible, think about it.

Jesus Mythers and James McGrath

James McGrath skewers Price's chapter in the Five Views book on the Historical Jesus.

Experiential Religion

ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ γνώσεσθε ὑμεῖς ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί μου καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν ὑμῖν

In that day you will know that I am in my Father and you are in me just as I am in you.

The Christian experience, that the resurrected Jesus will bring you to a place of knowing that God was in him and that Jesus Christ is personally present amongst his people. This all happens through trust in him and obedience to the hardest command of all time.

Love one another as I have loved you.