Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 07:1 (Winter 1964)
Article: Editorial
Author: Samuel J. Schultz

Editorial

S. J. Schultz

Biblical criticism and, the nature of revelation are crucial questions in current biblical scholarship. Discussions and conversations concerning interpretation of the Scriptures break down in these areas for lack of common ground.

On the one hand the Bible is regarded merely as a human product of its times descriptive of Hebrew religion and first century Christianity. Although the acts of God are projected in recent titles and current literature, modern biblical theologians reflect ambiguity and elusiveness on this point and frequently the words and acts of God are reduced to mere Hebrew or Christian interpretation. Israel’s deliverance from Egypt or the resurrection of Christ represent deeds of God to which man reacted and through man’s creative interpretation these became articles of faith.

Other scholars who also regard the Bible as a product of its times assert the biblical view of revelation and the acts of God. In these acts God took the initiative in providing deliverance for Israel. God spoke to Moses and confirmed the prophet’s word by signs and wonders. Interpretation of Israel’s deliverance as well as the resurrection of Christ came by divine disclosure. Revelation from God to man provided the interpretation of these events. Instead of man searching upward in his religious endeavor God was revealing and disclosing Himself to sinful man.

The crux of the whole problem is the historical reliability of revelation. Current scholarship raises the basic question as to what in the Bible is believable. Frequently the lines are drawn between that which was once believed as portrayed in the Scriptures and that which is believable today in the light of twentieth century knowledge and scholarly opinion. In this way discussions are concerned with the relationship between revelation and the Bible — can these two be identified? In what manner can we use the Bible today? If informed scholars wrestle with these problems with uncertainty what can the layman do in his use of the Scriptures? These issues need to be defined and set forth distinctly in today’s dialogue.

In the pages following our readers are stimulated to consider the problems facing biblical scholarship. In his provocative manner Dr. Grounds confronts Christian scholars with the postulate of paradox but simultaneously faces them with the task of exposing “ruthlessly any mental muddles which are illogically mistaken for mysteries.” Dr. Killen offers an analysis of some of the issues apparent in the widely circulated book Honest to God.