In the Bible itself, the two authors, human and divine, do not simply stand side by side. Rather, each points to the other and affirms the presence and operation of the other… God Himself points out the importance of the human authors… God Himself requires us to interpret the words of Scripture against the background of what we know about the human author. We cannot simply ignore the human author, when we concentrate on what God is saying… [The human author] is not just any human author. He is the one through whom God speaks. His own intentions are that we should reckon with this. It is not a denial of human authorship, but an affirmation of it, when we pay attention to God speaking… Hence there is a unity of meaning and a unity of application.
— Vern Poythress (b. 1946), Theologe, Mathematiker, Professor für Neues Testament
Topics: The Bible & the Word of God, Wisdom & Understanding
Occasions: For Reflection
Vern Poythress
Vern Poythress (* 1946) ist ein US-amerikanischer Mathematiker, presbyterianischer Theologe und langjähriger Professor für Neues Testament am Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Er ist bekannt für die Entwicklung des theologischen Multiperspektivismus, Arbeiten zum Verhältnis von Naturwissenschaft und Trinitätslehre sowie seine Kritik an geschlechtergerechten Bibelübersetzungen. Heutigen Bibellesern bietet er methodische Zugänge zu einer christozentrischen Typologie des Alten Testaments und zur systematischen Schriftauslegung aus reformierter Perspektive.
All quotes by Vern Poythress (4)
[The Bible is] shallow enough for a child not to drown, yet deep enough for an elephant to swim.
Augustine of Hippo
A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.
Unknown
The Bible in the pulpit must never supersede the Bible at home.
John Charles Ryle
The Bible is almost bursting with good news for bad people.
Corrie ten Boom
Martin Luther
The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Jesus was not a theologian. He was God who told stories.
Madeleine L'Engle