In 3 Minute Academic Sound bites I discuss the recent work of Professor Dale B. Martin of Yale University and why I believe it fails in its objective to bring together historical scholarship and orthodox Christian doctrines.
Biblical Truths: The Meaning of Scripture in the Twenty-first Century
Categories: 3 Minute Academic Soundbites, Books, Dr Bart Ehrman, History, New Testament scholarship, Recommended reading
Sorry Paul, I posted this question below for Ken Temple in your “My little rant….”. But I think here is more relevant .
Please Ken if you could answer here. Thanks.
Ken Temple, sorry off topics but since you are here I have a question for you. What is your opinion / explanation about Matthew 7:21-23:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do what my Father in heaven wants will enter. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord! Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we drive out demons in your name? Didn’t we do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them clearly, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who do evil!’
In my opinion no one does that but only Christians do everything in the name of Jesus and also it seems Jesus denies that he is God in judgment day .
I’m just curious and I want to know from Christian perspective.
sam –
Jesus is saying that anyone can just say words “Lord, Lord” without truly being converted. The point is that true faith results in good works, obedience, deeper levels of repentance, growth, change.
You have to interpret Matthew 7:21-23 within the context and then the entire Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, and then the entire gospel – including the trials, crucifixion, death, resurrection, discipleship. at the beginning he calls them to repentance and discipleship (4:17-19, and at the end, Matthew 28:18-20, He calls them to make disciples of all nations / people groups.) This includes recognizing Him as Messiah (1:1 ff), virgin born (1:18-25), and God (worthy of worship – 2:1-12)
The same basic teaching as James 2:14-26 – it is not enough to say one is a Christian, or walk down the aisle or pray a prayer one time, etc.
The point about miracles is about false prophets – the context starts in Matthew 7:15 – beware of the false prophets; “you will know them by their fruits”.
This warning goes all to those Charismatic and Pentecostal “Word of Faith” prosperity false teachers. (Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, etc. ) – they are charlatans and fakes.
and “I never knew you” (past tense) shows that those who leave Christ and Christianity were never truly saved or converted in the first place.
Same as 1 John 2:19
They left us because they were never really one of us.
I was a Christian for many years Ken, most of the time believing pretty much what you do. Then I jettisoned the dross.
Ken – Alright, I saw it here :
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDagfFZT-sY
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGKvmVq8TEA
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQR8zfBJyZ0
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJvnpyaWU60
I have never understood those kind of liberal scholars – Raymond Brown was the same way, and Geza Vermes called him out on it. It seems to me that James D. G. Dunn is the same. (we talked about this many times before since 2011)
The truth of the theology of God’s intention of the revelation makes it also historical. Since it is God-breathed revelation, it happened, is historical, and is true.
I Cor. 15:28 is claimed to be an example of this also, but in the same context (1 Cor. 15:23-24) he speaks of Christ handing over the kingdom to “God the Father”.
The doctrine of the Trinity recognizes both the three persons, that there is only one God, and that there is an inherent hierarchy within the Trinity of Father as Father as greater in the role, and Son as the Son into eternity past (John 17:5; John 1:1) and the Holy Spirit as the 3rd person, etc. We cannot demand that every verse always distinguish which person is talked about when “God” is by itself. It is obvious in context of 1 Cor. 11:3 that he means “God the Father”.
Dale Martin also argues for homosexuality and same sex marriage as ok and that Christians should accept them as ok. (also in an article online) I read other places, a long time ago, that he admitted he is “gay”. (don’t know if he acts upon that, or is just claiming his same sex attractions is part of God’s creation within him, etc.)
So, he is not a true Christian; he is a heretic – 1 Cor. 6:9-11
https://reflections.yale.edu/article/sex-and-church/it-s-about-sexnot-homosexuality
Kenneth. This is poor fundamentalist polemic of the worst kind. It’s not worth a response or refutation. You are not unintelligent Ken, but your worldview let’s you down. I hope one day you upgrade your weltanschauung.