Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 53:1 (Mar 2010)
Article: What Does Theology Have To Do With The Bible? A Call For The Expansion Of The Doctrine Of Inspiration
Author: Norris C. Grubbs

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JETS 53:1 (March 2010) p. 65

What Does Theology Have To Do With The Bible? A Call For The Expansion Of The Doctrine Of Inspiration

Norris C. Grubbs

Curtis Scott Drumm

Norris Grubbs is senior regional dean and associate professor of NT and Greek at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126. Curtis Drumm is associate dean of Leavell College and director of institutional effectiveness, and associate professor of historical and theological studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

I. Introduction

Today’s theological scholarship and the work it has produced have been extremely beneficial for both the academy and the church. Biblical scholars have deepened our understanding of the scriptural text itself. Systematic theologians have clarified the meaning of the text. Ethicists and homileticians have shown us how to apply the Bible’s teachings in both individual and corporate settings. The church and ultimately Christ’s kingdom have benefitted greatly from the work of the various fields of modern religious scholarship. Yet, while doing so much good, we believe that the diversity of academic disciplines within the broad field of “Theology” has created an unhealthy situation for religious studies.

Our concerns are focused on three issues. First, fundamental methodological differences within the disciplines, be they Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Practical Ministry, or Philosophy, have made it increasingly difficult for scholars who maintain their own discipline’s specific vocabulary, scholastic canon, and set of research assumptions to carry on inter-disciplinary discussions. Second, even as we professors struggle to interact with our colleagues in other disciplines, our students are forced to engage all of our disciplines, each of which has its own unique set of rules and assumptions, in the effort to integrate religious knowledge which is based upon such disparate methodologies. Third, and most troubling, the breakdown of inter-disciplinary communication may result in the production of research which is no longer compatible with that produced by other disciplines. To put it plainly, what systematic theologians are teaching about the Bible may not correspond with what biblical scholars hold. Likewise, what the biblical scholars are teaching may run contrary to some key theological tenets.

While we feel that our educational concerns are legitimate and ought to be addressed within and by the academy, this work will focus upon a specific problem created by the breakdown of inter-disciplinary communication—that being the way the doctrine of inspiration is defined by the various disciplines.

JETS 53:1 (March 2010) p. 66

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