J.S. Whale (Wales PhD Edit)

Munich-Facebook

Bible

J.S. Whale (1958) explains that within Protestant thought the Bible represents the whole counsel of God and nothing can be added whether by new revelation or tradition.[1]  Whale, however, correctly warns against the idea of the Bible becoming a law book,[2] and the Scripture needs to stay a historical living word as opposed to a narrow book of rules.[3]  This goes back to Erickson’s point that God’s word, although an unchanging message must be interpreted for each era.[4]   This in no way allows for an overhaul of major, traditional Christian doctrines from traditional and Reformed perspectives,[5] but with the use of practical and empirical approaches there would be opportunities to understand Christian theology in modern terms.  In other words, the very same Biblical doctrines that were given in the contexts of ancient Israel, Europe, Asia, and Africa need to be explained in the contexts of twenty-first century Western civilization, and other societies in the world.  Theological principles would remain the same, but theological application can vary within eras and locations.[6]

Baptism

Whale reasons infant baptism demonstrates that Christ did something for a person, without waiting for human approval.[7]   Rebaptism[8] would never be needed as although baptized Roman Catholics can turn from the faith, if they do turn back to Christ the initial baptism is sufficient.[9]  The sacrament of infant baptism is one of the ‘foundational stones of Church.’[10]  Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard reason it is not Biblically clear what type of baptism should be practiced.[11]  Infant baptism is not taught in Scripture directly,[12] and therefore it can be deduced the same could be stated for the associated concepts of baptismal regeneration with Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches.  However, legitimate theological inference leads to concepts of infant baptism, and so there are also historical arguments for baptismal regeneration within the Christian community which includes Catholic,[13]  Eastern Orthodox,[14]  and even in some cases Presbyterian,[15] Lutheran and Episcopal.[16]

Resurrection

Whale writes that the resurrection is not to be considered an addition to the Christian faith, but is the Christian faith.[17]

Transcendence

Whale explains transcendence makes God inaccessible and unknowable to finite creatures.[18]   For Whale, Christ revealed the nature of the transcendent God in his life and ministry.[19] Whale also writes that unless God reveals himself in history, God remains in a mysterious depth of infinitude, inaccessible and unknowable.[20]  God has bridged the divide between himself and humanity in history.[21] 

Expiation

Whale writes that expiation means God himself purges or covers human sin.[22]  To state that Christ expiates sin[23] means that his atoning work enables God to forgive sins[24] and gradually, and eventually, purge sinfulness out of obedient followers.[25]   

Cosmology

Whale writes that cosmology is looking at the cosmos and visible universe from a theistic perspective denying that it is self-explanatory.[26] 

_____________________________________

CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?  Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

KAVANAGH, AIDAN (1999) ‘Initiation, Christian’,  in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd. 

KLEIN, WILLIAM W., CRAIG, C. BLOMBERG, AND ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR. (1993) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, London, Word Publishing. 

WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books. 

Yesterday as I pondered on my Justice/Security course. No, all is not about blogging and you wonderful readers.;)  Please note for new readers, the comments often contain additional related material and should be at least scanned.;) Also please, if you have not completed the Polls in the previous post. Click 'older post'. Your assistance is useful for blog content and is appreciated. Thank you very much.