OpenTheo

Q&A#47 To What Extent Should We Approach Scripture With Completely Open Minds?

Alastair Roberts
00:00
00:00

Q&A#47 To What Extent Should We Approach Scripture With Completely Open Minds?

September 13, 2018
Alastair Roberts
Alastair Roberts

Today's question: "Should we come to the text with completely open minds, or should we hold some ideas and convictions with certainty? This may be a poor example to help illustrate my question, but in Ephesians 2, Paul speaks about Christ abolishing the law. Christ himself says he came to fulfill the law and the prophets. Is it cowardly, faulty, and/or problematic in some way to be committed to analyzing and studying from the perspective that Paul cannot be contradicting Christ who cannot be contradicting the Old Testament writings? Or should we be willing to explore openly and to accept whatever conclusions our analysis leads to, which in this scenario could be something like Paul is actually saying something Christ would not."

If you have any questions, you can leave them on my Curious Cat account: https://curiouscat.me/zugzwanged.

If you have enjoyed these videos, please tell your friends and consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/zugzwanged.

My new Soundcloud account is here: https://soundcloud.com/alastairadversaria. You can also listen to the audio of these episodes on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/alastairs-adversaria/id1416351035?mt=2.

Share

Transcript

More on OpenTheo

What Should I Say to Active Churchgoers Who Reject the Trinity and the Deity of Christ?
What Should I Say to Active Churchgoers Who Reject the Trinity and the Deity of Christ?
#STRask
March 13, 2025
Questions about what to say to longtime, active churchgoers who don’t believe in the Trinity or the deity of Christ, and a challenge to the idea that
Jesus' Fate: Resurrection or Rescue? Michael Licona vs Ali Ataie
Jesus' Fate: Resurrection or Rescue? Michael Licona vs Ali Ataie
Risen Jesus
April 9, 2025
Muslim professor Dr. Ali Ataie, a scholar of biblical hermeneutics, asserts that before the formation of the biblical canon, Christians did not believ
Why Does It Seem Like God Hates Some and Favors Others?
Why Does It Seem Like God Hates Some and Favors Others?
#STRask
April 28, 2025
Questions about whether the fact that some people go through intense difficulties and suffering indicates that God hates some and favors others, and w
Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Abel Pienaar Debate
Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Abel Pienaar Debate
Risen Jesus
April 2, 2025
Is it reasonable to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Dr. Michael Licona claims that if Jesus didn’t, he is a false prophet, and no rational pers
Mythos or Logos: How Should the Narratives about Jesus' Resurreciton Be Understood? Licona/Craig vs Spangenberg/Wolmarans
Mythos or Logos: How Should the Narratives about Jesus' Resurreciton Be Understood? Licona/Craig vs Spangenberg/Wolmarans
Risen Jesus
April 16, 2025
Dr. Mike Licona and Dr. Willian Lane Craig contend that the texts about Jesus’ resurrection were written to teach a physical, historical resurrection
The Concept of God’s Omniscience Is Just a Fear Tactic to Control Your Mind
The Concept of God’s Omniscience Is Just a Fear Tactic to Control Your Mind
#STRask
February 27, 2025
Questions about whether the concept of God’s omniscience is just a fear tactic to control your mind and what to say to someone who thinks it’s possibl
Pastoral Theology with Jonathan Master
Pastoral Theology with Jonathan Master
Life and Books and Everything
April 21, 2025
First published in 1877, Thomas Murphy’s Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office is one of the absolute best books of its ki
Jesus' Bodily Resurrection - A Legendary Development Based on Hallucinations - Licona vs. Carrier - Part 1
Jesus' Bodily Resurrection - A Legendary Development Based on Hallucinations - Licona vs. Carrier - Part 1
Risen Jesus
March 5, 2025
In this episode, a 2004 debate between Mike Licona and Richard Carrier, Licona presents a case for the resurrection of Jesus based on three facts that
The Resurrection - Argument from Personal Incredulity or Methodological Naturalism - Licona vs. Dillahunty - Part 2
The Resurrection - Argument from Personal Incredulity or Methodological Naturalism - Licona vs. Dillahunty - Part 2
Risen Jesus
March 26, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Licona provides a positive case for the resurrection of Jesus at the 2017 [UN]Apologetic Conference in Austin, Texas. He bases hi
A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation with Matthew Bingham
A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation with Matthew Bingham
Life and Books and Everything
March 31, 2025
It is often believed, by friends and critics alike, that the Reformed tradition, though perhaps good on formal doctrine, is impoverished when it comes
Interrogating Jesus - Veritas Forum Lecture at Texas A&M
Interrogating Jesus - Veritas Forum Lecture at Texas A&M
Risen Jesus
February 25, 2025
In this lecture at Texas A&M University, Dr. Licona discusses whether we can rationally believe in the resurrection of Jesus. He then engages with a p
Preaching and Pastoral Ministry with John Piper
Preaching and Pastoral Ministry with John Piper
Life and Books and Everything
February 20, 2025
In this wide-ranging interview, recorded live at Christ Covenant Church in conjunction with the Coram Deo Pastors Workshop, Kevin asks John about ever
Can Someone Impart Spiritual Gifts to Others?
Can Someone Impart Spiritual Gifts to Others?
#STRask
April 7, 2025
Questions about whether or not someone can impart the gifts of healing, prophecy, words of knowledge, etc. to others and whether being an apostle nece
The Biblical View of Abortion with Tom Pennington
The Biblical View of Abortion with Tom Pennington
Life and Books and Everything
May 5, 2025
What does the Bible say about life in the womb? When does life begin? What about personhood? What has the church taught about abortion over the centur
Were Jesus’ Commands in the Gospels for the Jews Only or for the Present-Day Body of Christ?
Were Jesus’ Commands in the Gospels for the Jews Only or for the Present-Day Body of Christ?
#STRask
March 3, 2025
Questions about whether Jesus’ commands in the Gospels were for the Jews only or for the present-day body of Christ, whether God chose to be illiterat