Greek Manuscripts: Part Or All Of the New Testament

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Greek Manuscripts,  Part or All of the New Testament (17)

Page 10.

Papyri Cataloged 127
Uncial Mss. Cataloged 318
Minuscule Mss. Cataloged 2, 880
Lectionaries Cataloged 2, 436
Total 5, 761
(Numbers in all categories inch up periodically with new discoveries)
German numbers from 1994 and 2011 are accessed.

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

Up-And-Outers & Down-And-Outers

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Only after hours of changed topics, audio revisions and very, very slow downloads.:)

I scanned through theological pamphlets. Dr. Harold Hoehner discussed in a Romans Greek Exegesis series that the up-and-outers and down-and-outers, were both without the moral, ethical, righteous standards of God. Persons need the imputed righteousness of Christ to be acceptable to God (Romans 4-5). Brief and non-exhaustive but the point is clear.

Justification.




HOEHNER, HAROLD, ThD, PhD (1985( The Epistle To The Romans, Institute of Theological Studies.

Pseudo-Academics

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My Collections: Questionable Buys/Degrees & Methodology: Alistair Campbell

Castle Conwy, Wales

Methodology: Alistair Campbell (PhD Edit)

Alistair Campbell (2000)(2007) also deals with several methodological issues concerning practical theology.[1]  One, practical theology is concerned with the study of specific social structures and individual initiatives from which God’s work can continue in the present world.[2] The hope is that this shall lead to renewal, and the source of this type of initiative and renewal can be found within or outside the life of the church.[3]  Basically, God’s work does not necessarily always have to be done within a Christian organization.[4]  A Christian for example, could be working for a secular organization feeding the poor, and/or working against numerous forms of social injustice. 

Two, Campbell explains that the functions of ordained ministry can no longer be seen as normative for the division of subject matter and the scope of work.[5] Campbell writes that acts of charity and such, which were in the past on the periphery of church work, need to move to the centre.[6]  I reason that the atoning and resurrection work of Christ for believers must remain an essential element of Christian preaching, teaching and ministry. 

Three, practical theology has a relationship to other theological disciplines which is ‘lateral’ rather than ‘linear.’[7]  Practical theology, by Campbell’s methodology, is not in a linear fashion following a canon of relevance as he describes it, nor is it connected to some type of orthodoxy.[8] My methodology and approach is somewhat different than Campbell’s.[9]  I agree that practical and empirical findings need to be objective in order to constructively critique theological systems, including Reformed theology in regard to theodicy and related issues.  I reason that if the theoretical, theological work in regard to theodicy is logically and reasonably done, it can contain truth.  As practical and empirical theology can also contain truth, I therefore am not as convinced as Campbell that practical theology will often lead to theological conclusions that are inconclusive and ambiguous.[10]  I must add if one assumes the theoretical nature of philosophical theology that is under review is inconclusive and ambiguous,[11] it is quite possible this will be the same result deduced from the related practical and empirical findings.[12] A traditional orthodox Christian perspective would be that Scripture, at least with primary doctrines, is not inconclusive or ambiguous, but trustworthy as the Holy Spirit inspired chosen persons to write the Scriptures and what is written is what God desired.

Four, since practical theology uses situation based methods, it is fragmentary and poorly systemized.[13]  Since it is constantly seeking out and presenting new situations,[14] it cannot present a comprehensive theology of itself.[15] These are strong words from Campbell,[16] but the critic should understand that this does not make empirical theology useless.  I can understand that Campbell is presenting an experimental theological approach in contrast to a theological system.[17]  Practical and empirical theology is a theological approach that examines theological systems, and is not a system in itself.[18] Within this thesis the practical and empirical approach and findings shall be used to critique and strengthen understanding of the theoretical theodicy discussed.[19]

Five, practical theology should result in concrete proposals developed to restructure the Christian Church in life, witness, fellowship and service.[20]  This should be true for the work of Christians within secular structures in society as well.[21] 

CAMPBELL, ALASTAIR (2000)(2007) ‘The Nature of Practical Theology’, in James Woodward and Stephen Pattison (eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing.

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[1] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84-85).

[2] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84).

[3] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84).

[4] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84).

[5] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84).

[6] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84).

[7] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84-85).

[8] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84-85).

[9] Campbell (2000)(2007: 84-85).

[10] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[11] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[12] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[13] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[14] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[15] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[16] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[17] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[18] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[19] In particular in Chapter Six which discusses the questionnaire statistics.

[20] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

[21] Campbell (2000)(2007: 85).

For balance, I will admit I found this useful years ago. Again life is not always black and white. Note I am at this point, early Saturday morning, uploading to You Tube/Blogger a second longer version of the 'buys' video... Thank you.

My Collections: Academic Library & Methodology: Pattison and Woodward: Finale

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My Collections: Academic Library

Clarification on the James Boice text. It is a relatively new text in my library from my previous Reformed Presbyterian Church and it is important as a continual in mind Presbyterian reference, as opposed to something used frequently on the blogs. It was not used in my PhD. Therefore I mentioned it.

Also with with the Greek New Testament, the manuscripts are used for translations from Greek to other languages for New Testaments, so therefore Greek to English translations which is what was meant, for example.

It is D.Z. not D.W....the joys of live...

Methodology: Pattison and Woodward Finale

Nine, practical theology is often reflectively based. Persons are encouraged to analyze their own life and experiences. Theological reflection should be an integral part of both theoretical and practical/empirical approaches. 

In my view, revealed theology to be understood reasonably well in theory and practice requires a person to pray and reflect on this over time. God must be contemplated. Followers should reflect on Biblical, theological and other truths in order to hopefully lead to correct practical applications.

Ten, practical theology, in its interrogative nature, unlike traditional, orthodox theology, is not primarily interested in staying within confined thought, but asks good questions concerning the nature of reality. Although I have stated that I am not interested in overturning primary Christian orthodox theology, at the same time this theology must be critically analyzed in order that persons within the Christian Church are being taught and understand concepts correctly.  Perhaps in some cases this is because Christians, or persons that claim to be Christians, possess Biblical and theological knowledge, and yet have not seriously interacted with material to have a reasonable understanding of how knowing the Biblical God should lead one to treat fellow human beings with love and respect.

Eleven, practical theology is interdisciplinary, meaning it uses methods from academic approaches that are not overtly theological. Although I reason none of these other disciplines[1] should alter essential Biblical theology, 

I can agree with Pattison and Woodward when they explain that disciplines such as economics, sociology, and psychology could impact practical theology. As noted earlier, truth can be found outside of the Bible, and I deduce that other academic disciplines can certainly be used to help those in the Christian Church better understand theology. Christian theology in regard to theodicy is already relying on the related, but different discipline of philosophy. If theology can rely on philosophy for assistance in regard to theodicy, it can rely on disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and science as well.    

Twelve, practical theology is analytical and constructive, meaning it analyses situations and attempts to provide constructive ideas for change. Christian faith and philosophy needs to have a progressive, practical nature, which seeks to find problems in the Christian life, and with God’s help sets out to change and improve things, both on an individual and corporate level.  The antagonism should not be against the world, but opposed to acting in worldly ways which promote evil, instead of promoting God inspired goodness.  Christian ministry to be effective should not hold animosity toward persons it is attempting to reach, but should present the gospel respectfully. 

Thirteen, the authors comment that practical theology is dialectical and disciplined. There is a creative tension within the discipline with theory and practice, religious tradition and contemporary experience,[2] written texts and present experience, theology and other disciplines, and the religious community and outside communities. Here it can be admitted that although I reason the Bible is God’s revealed word for humanity and the Church, what is written in disciplined conversation can allow practical and empirical theology to discern at times where certain church groups and related organizations are not perhaps representing Scripture in the best way possible.

Fourteen, for the final point, practical theology is noted to be skillful and demanding. The authors explain that there is much to learn concerning the different methods involved in this approach. The hope is that through difficult study and research practical theology can be both genuinely practical and authentically theological. 

WOODWARD, JAMES AND STEPHEN PATTISON (2000)(2007)(eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing.

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[1] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).

[2] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15-16).

My Collections: Mahavishnu Orchestra And Libertarian Chuckles

Maple Ridge

Uncle Chuckles shares his views on the legalization of marijuana in Maple Ridge, one of the pothead hotbeds in the universe.

On the way home this evening I saw a man sweeping the Lougheed Highway here in Maple Ridge...yes you read that correctly.