Sounders

 

Hope some others will comment on the Preface & First Chapter of the
book. 

I want us to look first at these purely from an overview perspective and
then we will begin to zoom in and look at the first chapter in more
detail perhaps even section by section. So let's have your comments.

 

For me the preface is important in any book, because in it the author
sets out his purpose/purposes, so that when you have finished the book
you are able to form an opinion as to whether they have achieved that
aim.

 

 

1.    They set out the main parameters straight away:

".if the NT is the apex of God's revelation, then we ought to read the
earlier parts of Scripture in its light."  This point is developed in
Chapter 1 and is surely at the heart of everything that they go on to
say. This is a hermeneutic that is rarely applied today.

 

Question: Are they right to state this?

Question: What dangers do you perceive that such a position might be
accused      of?

 

2.    "The NT is very explicit in making believers "slaves" of Jesus
Christ."

   NCT is at heart "Christo centric."

 

3.    ".a nagging question arises when the law becomes too prominent in
discussions of Christian morals and ethics.Which is the higher
revelation of the character of God, the Ten Commandments or the Person,
work and teaching of Jesus Christ?" 

   This again is a very important hermeneutical principal.

 

Question: Are they right to make such a bold statement?

 

4.    ".the renewed emphasis in our day on exegetical and biblical
theology as the source of systematics."  As one who has been blessed to
have been on this list for a number of years, I see how easily we all
fall into this trap. We respond to questions that are asked by straight
away quoting from some confession or systematic theology, as if to say
that they hold the same authority as Scripture. The pre-requisite of
systematic theology is good and honest Biblical Theology (i.e. a book by
book approach or Author approach to a subject), rather than jumping into
a logical systematic theology. Are they and I right?

 

5.    "Zwingli's idea of the idea of the unity of the covenant of grace"

 

6.    A discussion on the word "covenant"

 

These are some preliminary observations, what do you think?

 

Grace to You

 

Neil