The Mind of Brian

Who would have thought that my break would be so busy? Between meeting with people about various issues to travelling out of town for a wedding (in addition to preaching a couple of weeks ago), I haven’t been as diligent about reading nor about reflecting on school. So, I get to my final class: Qumran Scrolls (aka Dead Sea Scrolls). This was a very enjoyable class. Once again, I got more acclimated with the background of the New Testament, as I understand more about Second Temple Judaism and the ideas of the time. I worked on my Hebrew skills (including reading unpointed Hebrew!) and began to ponder more and more about how to thoughtfully use these works in NT studies. I knew about the Dead Sea Scrolls from a textual perspective, but didn’t really know the whole story or complications involving in using them in scholarship; much of the “mystery” has been removed…though new “mysteries” are also there as well! I have a general gist for the topics and ideas, the history of scholarship (ironically, only 60 years or so..but still complicated!), and new avenues to explore, knowing where to start.

In many ways, though, this class was less about learning content as much as getting exposed to a new realm of literature (by reading it), thinking through methodology (how to understand backgrounds), and developing the skills of a scholar. Dr. Monson did a great job of trying not to dispense content but make us think, ponder, and consider topics on our own. He also presents great visuals for understanding ideas, drawing with multi-colors on the board. While discussion can be difficult for an afternoon class (when I am always tired), I learned another way to teach and found that I developed ideas for my own teaching ministry through his approach. I learned to actively engaged in literature in new ways, being forced to do more than just READ but to truly READ! Interestingly enough, I also sought to learn FROM the community that produced these scrolls. Dr. Monson tried to help us think about how this community engaged in interpreting and applying the Scripture, both with positives and cautions. It makes us ponder our own hermeneutics and practices. What would future communities think about the way that we use Scripture and live it out? It makes you more humble and cautious in our own writings.

How do I make reflections on Advanced Greek Grammar sound somewhat interesting? I could go into the intriacies in regards to aspect theory and how that works for tenses but unless you are a geek like me, you probably do not care. The thing that I probably most took out of this class was the need to THINK Greek, not just translate it. As we dived into syntax, I discovered a new appreciation for the ability to think and ponder it. We have to really immerse ourselves more in the biblical languages than we typically do in seminary classes and introductions to these languages. This only happens by reading again and again so that it comes more natural.

Another idea that I found interesting was that we often seek to have iron-clad rules in Greek, as opposed to tendencies or what is usual. In some ways, the “normal tendencies” cause us to find more exegetical significance in the anomalies (potentially), as we see that the author varies from the normal use for some reason. This might not be emphasis, but could show something different, unique, etc. Therefore, studies for tendencies are important–not just finding that something always works some way.

I also gained a new appreciaton for idiolect, how different authors use language and words differently. It is a good reminder of the uniqueness of each writing and each writer.

I guess most of all, I learned once again that studying Greek does not answer questions but asks new ones and gets you closer and closer to the texts. We must remember that it is another way to be captured by the text.

Well, life (sister in law’s graduation), school (finishing up my last paper), and ministry (preaching) has delayed my time to reflect upon my next class from this past term–Advanced Greek Exegesis in the Book of Hebrews. This was a great class to take in the sense that I had a decent understanding of Hebrews but had not really sat and pondered the book except for a few lectures in other classes and consideration of the warning passages and how they should be considered in my theological understanding; in fact, I had been a little scared of studying it because the Greek of the text is so difficult. In the process, I learned that I could handle the Greek, though it did take a little work (once you get used to the different syntax, one can take care of it). The use of the Old Testament made sense in a new way, as I really saw how indebted the author is to OT imagery and how he uses it in a way that makes sense in light of the background of the text. Prof. Harris did a good job of walking us through some difficult portions of the text as well as introducing us to some different critical areas of scholarship.

Above all, I needed to remember as I was studied this book that it is the Word of God; I was not to master it, it is to master me. While I have a new understanding of it, I also have a new understanding of the work of Christ–of how he really renders our consciences clean because of what He has done on the cross. I have seen how He is truly the Son of God and still the one who died for us. And there is the exhortation not to treat this lightly, but to continue to move foward in the faith, knowing that there is a “true city,” one “not built with human hands” awaiting for me as I continue on in my faith. Christ become like me to lead me to salvation–what an awesome thought, may I follow Him in a way worthy of the gospel message.

It is that time of year when school is almost over so I should look back and see what I have learned and, perhaps more importantly, what God has taught me this year and this semester in particular. My first class to think about was my NT Textual Criticism class (studying the manuscripts of the NT to determine what reads are original). While the professor was right in some areas that the prayers of class might be the most spiritual thing that we do, as we would then get into details about texts and the transmission of the NT in Greek, as well as the way it has been transmitted through the last 2000 years, it could be a spiritual challenging class. When you are dealing with all the places in Scripture were we have differences in our manuscripts or think more about the canonization process, it can be a bit scary. It is what led Moody and Wheaton educated Bart Ehrman away from the faith. Can we say that we have the Word of God when we do not even know for sure what every word is? However, it is also a good reminder of general providence and how God works through time–in that manuscripts have been preserved in the way that almost any book would–expect that we have much more attestation to a book that was written and passed along for 300 years illegally. That is, there would be no way to pass along these writings perfectly in the circumstances–had they been, it might actually be more suspect. Furthermore, the early church did not have a central authority that tried to supress the presence of variants (like in Islam). This in some ways points to a stronger confidence in the text, as it does not need to be overly protected to the point of control in its early days. While my own studies had helped me understand most of the facts and the material (though I did learn many new things as well), this class helped me grapple with it. I walk out with a clearer picture of the textual history of hte New Testament, and with a confidence that the text is reliable and authoritative. Studying the text like this does not result in losing your faith, only sharpening it.

I also appreciated what I gained from Dr. Schnabel. He is a humble, gracious man who taught us much about scholarship, about asking questions, about what to do and not to do in our own academic work. He showed an example of  a Christian scholar, whose footsteps we can follow in. Plus, he’s German so he reminds us of the international flavor of our faith. And he has a cool accent.