Scripture and Doctrine DM916 D

“Doctrine begins and ends with scriptural interpretation. By working with and testing this basic
thesis this course will commend an account of the relationship between scripture and doctrine in
which doctrine is understood as a reading of scripture and as that which enables us to read
scripture. To consider this reciprocal relationship – theology flows from scripture and returns us
to scripture as better readers – this course will explore the character and content of the Bible, the
relationship between the Old and New Testament, the process and history of interpretation,
and a number of case-studies demonstrating the biblical basis for doctrinal formulations and,
conversely, how doctrinal formulations can aid biblical interpretation. Throughout, attention will
be given to the effectiveness and creativity of God’s word, indicating that ultimately it is not we
who interpret scripture, but God who interprets us through his word.” Dr. Jonathan
Linebaugh

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Module 1
Introduction and Overview: Revelation and Reading
 Module Introduction:
In this module you will consider a definition and the goal of theology. The primary vocation
of the Christian is addressed along with the nature and purpose of a sermon. You will reflect
deeply upon what actually happens when we read and hear God’s Word.

Module Objectives:
Upon completing this module you should be able to…

 Articulate a definition and the goal of theology.

 Discuss the nature and purpose of Scripture.
 Explain what “reading” and “hearing” God’s Word mean.
 Summarize the relationship between Christ’s three covenant offices and Scripture.
 Discuss what Sola Scriptura does and does not mean.


Lecture 1

The DMin program is to help us hear God’s word and speak it in preaching.

የሐዋርያት ሥራ 4
20፤ እኛስ ያየነውንና የሰማነውን ከመናገር ዝም ማለት አንችልም፡ አሉአቸው።

1 ኛ ዮሐንስ 1
1፤ ስለ ሕይወት ቃል ከመጀመሪያው የነበረውንና የሰማነውን በዓይኖቻችንም ያየነውን የተመለከትነውንም እጆቻችንም የዳሰሱትን
እናወራለን፤
2፤ ሕይወትም ተገለጠ አይተንማል እንመሰክርማለን፥ ከአብ ዘንድ የነበረውንም ለእኛም የተገለጠውን የዘላለምን ሕይወት
እናወራላችኋለን፤
Lesson 2
Genesis 3 how it relates to Scripture

- The serpent said, did God say to you...?

Temptation of Adam and Eve … Competing words: what God said, and what the serpent say…
“be like… God, Daniel…” The temptation is to make humans primary actors. The second
temptation is the one for Israel in the Wilderness; The third is Jesus’ temptation … Matt.4, another
temptation story… “be like God or be God…” Jesus models a great counterstatement.

When God wanted to do something: He spoke! He does it by speaking. Genesis and creation. Jesus
resurrected the dead by speaking. He spoke! That’s how he does His work. He spoke and created.
God spoke not only in Scritpures but he also spoke through trees, for example. Nature is an
ambiguous sermon. መዝሙረ ዳዊት 19
1፤ ሰማያት የእግዚአብሔርን ክብር ይናገራሉ፥
የሰማይም ጠፈር የእጁን ሥራ ያወራል።
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Week 2

Four assertions about Scripture: Augustine, Barth, Steinmetz, and Luther

Augustine, Barth, Steinmetz, and Luther are all significant figures in Christian theology who
have made notable contributions to the understanding of scripture. Here are four assertions
about scripture associated with each of these theologians:

Augustine:

 Assertion: Scripture as a source of divine authority and guidance.

 Augustine emphasized the authority of the Bible as the inspired word of God. He
argued that Scripture should be the ultimate source for Christian belief and practice.
Augustine's views on the Bible influenced the development of the doctrine of biblical
inerrancy.

Karl Barth:

 Assertion: The Word of God in Jesus Christ and the Bible as a witness.
 Barth emphasized the concept of the "Word of God" being primarily Jesus Christ
himself, with the Bible serving as a witness to this divine revelation. He sought to avoid
making an idol out of the text and emphasized the living encounter with God through Christ
as the central focus of Christian faith.

Richard Steinmetz:

 Assertion: The role of historical context in interpreting Scripture.

 Steinmetz emphasized the importance of understanding the historical context of
biblical texts for accurate interpretation. He argued that recognizing the cultural and
historical settings of the biblical writings is crucial for understanding the intended meaning
and applying it appropriately to contemporary situations.
 Martin Luther:

 Assertion: Justification by faith alone and the primacy of certain books in the Bible.
 Luther asserted the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which became a central
tenet of the Protestant Reformation. Additionally, he had a specific preference for certain
books in the Bible, placing a strong emphasis on the New Testament, especially the Epistle
of James, which he initially had reservations about but later accepted. Luther's views on the
canon influenced Protestant biblical theology.
It's important to note that while these assertions capture some key aspects of each
theologian's views on scripture, the nuances of their beliefs are more extensive and may be
interpreted differently by various scholars and theologians. Steinz