ASSEMBLIES OF GOD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

A READING REPORT ON GEORGE E. LADD (A THEOLOGY OF THE NEW

TESTAMENT - PAGES 1-28 AND 684-719) AND KAISER WALTER (THE PROMISED

PLAN OF GOD - PAGES 17-31)

A RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT SUBMITTED TO DR. ANDRÉA D. SNAVELY IN

PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIB 502 NEW TESTAMENT

GENRES AND ISSUES

BY

JEFFERY AYEMBILLA

LOME, TOGO

JUNE 2024
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Ladd opens the introduction to New Testament theology by diving into how scholars

throughout history have approached interpreting the New Testament. He opines that there are

various methods, including the historical method, which examines the writings in their

historical context, and the kerygmatic approach, which focuses on the message of the early

church rather than reconstructing the historical Jesus. The author states that Biblical

Theology is another approach that studies the message of the Bible in its historical context.

This approach sees the Bible as a record of God’s acts throughout history, with the New

Testament centering on Jesus.

Ladd underscores that while the New Testament displays a remarkable unity in its

portrayal of Jesus as the central figure, it also exhibits a striking diversity of viewpoints and

perspectives among the early Christian authors. This diversity is manifested in debates and

differing stances on issues such as the role of Jewish Law and its applicability to non-Jewish

believers, with certain authors seeming to contradict each other on specific points. However,

despite these differences in approach and emphasis, Ladd argues that there is an underlying

core unity in the New Testament's affirmation of Jesus's teachings and the profound

significance of his life, death, and resurrection. Amid the richness of diverse voices, the

centrality of Jesus's message and identity as the Christ remains the unifying thread that binds

the New Testament writings together.

Kaiser proposes a central theme for understanding both the Old and New Testaments,

thus it is a single, unifying promise made by God. This "promise-plan" unfolds throughout

the Bible, with the New Testament writers seeing its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The

author contrasts this view with traditional approaches that emphasize Covenants or

Dispensations. The "promise-plan" perspective suggests one God's plan and one people of

God throughout history.

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The author goes on to discuss different views on the relationship between Israel and

the church. The favored view acknowledges one plan and one people of God, but also

recognizes distinctions within this unity. This perspective focuses on the content of the Old

Testament covenants, seeing the new covenant as a renewal of promises made to Israel while

also incorporating the Gentiles.

Ladd's Unique Perspective

Ladd's approach to New Testament theology is characterized by a recognition of both

the historical context and the underlying unity of the text. He acknowledges the various

methodologies scholars have employed throughout history, including the historical method,

which emphasizes the writings' place in time, and the kerygmatic approach, which prioritizes

the message of the early church. However, Ladd goes beyond these to propose a "historical-

unity" perspective. He argues that while the New Testament reflects the diversity of

viewpoints within early Christianity, there remains a core unity centered on the figure of

Jesus and his teachings. This perspective allows Ladd to appreciate the richness of the New

Testament writings while maintaining a focus on the essential message that binds them

together.

Kaiser's Unique Perspective

Kaiser introduces a distinct concept known as the "promise-plan" to understand the

entirety of the Bible. This perspective suggests a central theme – a single, unifying promise

made by God – that unfolds progressively throughout Scripture. Kaiser argues that the Old

Testament foreshadows and anticipates this promise, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in

Jesus Christ, as understood by the New Testament writers. This "promise-plan" stands in

contrast to traditional interpretations like Covenantal Theology, which emphasizes God's

distinct covenants with different groups, or Dispensationalism, which posits separate plans

for Israel and the Church. Kaiser's approach offers a unified reading of the Bible, highlighting
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a single, overarching promise from God that culminates in the person and work of Jesus

Christ.

Points of Agreement Between Ladd and Kaiser

Despite their unique perspectives on interpreting Scripture, Ladd and Kaiser find

common ground in their approach to the New Testament. Both scholars challenge traditional

theological frameworks like Covenantal Theology and Dispensationalism. Covenantal

Theology emphasizes God's distinct covenants with different groups, such as the Abrahamic

Covenant and the New Covenant. Dispensationalism, on the other hand, posits separate plans

for Israel and the Church, often suggesting a future tribulation period for Israel separate from

the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan. Ladd and Kaiser, in contrast, offer alternative

interpretations that move beyond these compartmentalized views.

Another point of agreement lies in their shared view of the Bible. While both

acknowledge the presence of multiple voices and perspectives within the text, they likely see

the Bible as ultimately possessing an internal coherence. This suggests that despite the

diversity of viewpoints, there is a unifying message that transcends individual authors and

historical contexts. For Ladd, this unity might be centered on the historical figure of Jesus

and the core message of his teachings. For Kaiser, the unifying thread could be the

overarching "promise-plan" of God that unfolds throughout Scripture. Regardless of their

specific emphasis, both scholars seem to value the Bible's internal consistency and its ability

to tell a unified story about God's interaction with humanity.

Finally, it's likely that Ladd and Kaiser agree on the importance of studying the

historical context of the New Testament writings. Understanding the historical circumstances

surrounding the composition of the New Testament allows for a more nuanced interpretation

of the text. By considering the cultural, political, and religious environment of the early

church, scholars can gain a deeper appreciation for the specific messages conveyed by the
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various New Testament authors. While Ladd utilizes this historical context to understand the

core message of Jesus within its original setting, Kaiser uses it to illuminate how the New

Testament writers interpreted and connected with the "promise-plan" revealed in the Old

Testament. Despite their different applications, their shared emphasis on historical context

suggests a common commitment to interpreting the New Testament within its proper

historical framework.

Bio

My name is Rev. Jeffery Ayembilla, Lead Pastor of Sureway Assemblies of God in

Aduman, Kumasi - Ghana. I'm passionate about empowering believers to reflect and

represent Christ in their daily lives. I am a loving husband to Gifty Ayembilla and father of

three (Joshua 13, Oswell 9, and Pearl 4) and together with my family, we've opened our

hearts and home to two foster children (Samuel who is 6 and Brittany who is now 3). I am

dedicated to spreading love, hope, and redemption through my ministry and community

leadership.