Comments for Opening the Scriptures

Comment on Akedah by Sean

Sean — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:25:39 +0000

There is so much to summarize in a few sentences. There is a lot going on, as some have already mentioned: testing, the hiddeness/revealing of God, binding and loosening, atonement, sin, law, grace; the Akedah is packed full of these themes. Maybe it is because this account is so packed full that was of importance to the New Testament writers, and to the Christian Church today. One can certainly look back on this account and draw many parallels to the Christ event as we seek understanding of how we relate to and understand God and God’s characteristics. Key themes that interested me was the reason for God to test Abraham, as well as Abraham’s and Isaac’s faithfulness (trust/willingness). For me, the actions of Abraham and Isaac point more to a truth about who God is, than the divine bidding or angel who stopped Abraham’s hand.

Comment on A listing of texts for Mark’s Use of the OT by Anda1

Anda1 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:40:55 +0000

Hey, thanks! Looks great for resource material.

Comment on Seth’s Page by Seth

Seth — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:28:10 +0000

Karen, yes, go for it! I certainly don’t mind sharing something I had so much fun doing

Comment on Seth’s Page by mgvh4otnt

mgvh4otnt — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:25:58 +0000

Katie, you might also want to try this too.

Comment on Seth’s Page by ksgr

ksgr — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:17:16 +0000

Seth, In Christian Initiation and Confirmation we were discussing creative arts in education and the use of comic strips. Do you mind if I try to send this link to Dr. Strobert and the class?

Comment on Early Jewish and Christian Art as Interpretive Resources by ksgr

ksgr — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:32:55 +0000

It’s interesting that Melchizedek and Abel flank the altar, (both having offered sacrifices pleasing to God?) and that the prayer includes Melchizedek along with Abel and Abrahram. Is the spotless sacrifice referring to Abel, or all three?

Comment on Interesting post regarding Messiah in a Qumran text by mgvh4otnt

mgvh4otnt — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:16:32 +0000

Thanks, Seth. As you note, it is very hard to assert dependence of one text on another unless there is a direct quote/citation. In cases like this Qumran one, the ‘third text’ possibility always exists.

Comment on MGVH by Anda

Anda — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:53:36 +0000

I tried your directions to attach files. Please review the directions for how to post a message to my site. This is simply frustrating.

Comment on Interesting post regarding Messiah in a Qumran text by Seth

Seth — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:54:45 +0000

Sounds like it could be plausible to me. Even though the commenters on that entry make a good point that there is little evidence for a direct quote, but it seems enough to me to establish that there is a common tradition there, whether the author of Luke had the Qumran text in mind or whether they both had a third tradition in mind. I don’t think it’s decisive, but I’d say there’s a reasonable doubt.

Comment on Beyond Trypho by mgvh4otnt

mgvh4otnt — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:07:30 +0000

Thanks, Dave. A great summary and caution for all of us. As I hope all of you can tell, I’ve really been trying to have us read Scripture with 1st century Jewish eyes. Such an approach keeps us from supersessionism, but as soon as we try to step back into our modern setting, it becomes an issue. A ‘big’ question for all of you is to come to some sort of understanding of how the OT and the NT are related.