biblical hermenuetics – Daniel Tomberlin

One of the most significant seasons of my spiritual journey was with a small group of pastors in Moultrie, Georgia (circa 1990s) who met weekly to study the gospel text of the common lectionary. The group consisted of an ecumenical mix of two Episcopal priests, one Catholic priest, two Methodist pastors, one Baptist pastor, and me (the Pentecostal). One might wonder how such a group could meet without theological debate, but as we met each week and focused on our gospel study, we discovered we had more about which we agreed than disagreed. In this diversity, each person contributed from his ecclesiastical tradition and was eager to learn about the traditions of others. I have often said that it was in those meetings that I received my theological education.

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So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:19-21).

In the 1980’s I attended a small Southern Baptist College. This was during the conflict between the conservatives and moderates (liberals?) about the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. In our “Gospels” class, I remember telling a small group that the future debate would not be about verbal inspiration or inerrancy, but about hermeneutics. Thirty years later, that statement has proved to have been prophetic.

Continue reading “The Bible – A Dangerous Weapon?”