Jim Hamilton

How do you order the books of the Old Testament?

/ davidsschrock

Last week, on Moore to the Point, Jim Hamilton presented a compact and compelling case for reading the Old Testament according to the earliest Hebrew organization: Torah, Prophets (Naviim), Writings (Ketuvim).  Citing Roger Beckwith and David Noel Freedman, Hamilton argued that we should consider the interpretive ramifications canonical arrangement has on our biblical theology, and make adjustments according to the oldest arrangements.  He makes three arguments for such a change, which he summarizes here:

We should accept the tripartite division of the OT into Law, Prophets, and Writings, and we should order English translations of the books of the OT accordingly because (1) the order in use by English translations now does not match the orders of the books in lists drawn up by early church fathers; (2) Protestants have agreed with Hebrew tradition rather than Septuagint tradition on which books should be included between the covers of the Bible, so Protestants should also agree with Hebrew tradition on how those books should be arranged; and (3) this is the order that Jesus endorsed and that Matthew and Luke apparently expected their audiences to recognize.

The most compelling reason for considering this original, Hebrew reading is that it may help us read the Bible as Jesus did and in turn, it may help us see the Hebrew Bible as unified redemptive story that founds its fulfillment in our Messiah.  Both of those seem like very strong reasons to read the Scriptures this way.

Stephen Dempster, in his outstanding work on the Hebrew Bible, Dominion and Dynasty, appeals to this arrangement and constructs his OT theology accordingly.  His excellent book supports Hamilton’s case, and would be a good read for anyone who wants to think about this issue more.  It also shows how this re-arrangement could (and should) impact theology and biblical understanding.  Read Hamilton’s blog, “Stirring the Pot: How Should the Books of the Old Testamen Be Ordered?” and decide for yourself.

One final thought, how would you teach this in the local church? 

Dr. Hamilton answered that question in his class, “Messiah in the Old Testament,” and said he would do so humbly, patiently, over time, advocating the veracity of God’s Word and teaching his congregation about the history of its reception and transmission.  Maybe he will offer a follow up post that gives practical steps to introducing this sort of thing in the local assembly. 

If you accept this older reading, how would you teach it to your English Bible congregation?

Sola Deo Gloria, dss

Take This Book and Read :: 2009 Bible Reading Plans

/ davidsschrock / 2 Comments

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 

in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)

 

Psalm 19, and in fact the whole Bible, is clear about Scripture’s perfection, wisdom, necessity, purity, veracity, and value, not to mention the benefit and pleasure of its Words.  It is all of these things because it is God’s perfect revelation to his covenant people.  And his people cannot live without it.  For those who have our hope set on heaven, God’s Word is not a trifling thing, it is our life (cf. Deuteronomy 32:41).  It is essential because its words reveal to us our Triune God and God’s gracious plan for salvation–Jesus Christ.  Nothing else compares.

But too often we neglect this book.  Sometimes for lack of desire.  Sometimes for lack of discipline.  If the former, pray!  But if the latter, pray and plan!  And in your planning, it might be helpful to use a reading guide for 2009.  Let me commend a few.

Crossway Publishers has compiled a list of 10 Reading Plans that will help you get through the Bible in 2009.  Included in this list is Mc’Cheyne’s One Year Reading Plan . This is the reading plan used in D.A. Carson’s For the Love of God (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2).  Another helpful reading plan is the one commended by John Piper, Discipleship Journal Reading Plan . Both of these plans are excellent, as well as, the  Daily Reading Plan and the Chronological Reading Plan.

Personally, I will continue to use my own reading plan which includes 1 chapter from the gospels and 1 from the wisdom literature  in the morning; 4 OT history chapters at night (during the week), Psalms at dinner time and Sunday mornings, and 8-10 chapters of NT epistles or Minor Prophets on the Weekends.  I use this plan because of its relative flexibility and the fact that it includes material from every genre of the Bible each week, though not every day.  By God’s grace, this plan will take me through the Bible in 2009, with a little extra in the NT.

So in 2009, what is your plan? 

It matters less which one you choose, and more that you have one. It is already January 3, and time to get going.  I pray that God will bless the time you spend in his Word. He has promised to us that he will meet with us in His living Word (cf. Heb. 4:12).  So, take this book and read, and may the Lord open your eyes to the wonders of his Word.

Sola Deo Gloria, dss

P.S. Eric Schumacher has given us an ESV Study Bible reading schedule for the articles and outlines to complement our Bible reading.  I commend to you this guide, but admit with other reading this year, I will have to utilize this plan at a later date.

(HT: Justin Taylor who has a more expansive explanation of these Bible Reading Plans; Jim Hamilton at Moore to the Point who referenced Eric’s blog)

Messiah in the Old Testament: A Rap

/ davidsschrock

In class today, Dr. Jim Hamilton released his latest attempt at poetry, only this time it was delivered in the form of a rap.  Following in the footsteps of another SBTS Professor’s Philosophy Rap, Hamilton’s “Messiah in the Old Testament” surveys the Old Testament world of the Bible, pointing all things to the seed-crushing son of God, Jesus Christ. 

This illuminating and engaging rap culminated a rich, intra-textual look at the Bible that Dr. Hamilton provided in his class by the same name– “The Messiah in the Old Testament.”  I look forward to his forthcoming biblical theology, where much of the material will be published. 

Here are the first and last three stanzas:

God promised a seed, who would crush the serpent’s head
Adam and Eve hoped in what God said
This can be seen from the naming of the wife
Whereas death was promised, the promised seed means life …

…So if you want to know what Jesus said
On the road to Emmaus from the law and prophets
Beginning from Moses, in all that was written
Opening their minds, explaining what was hidden 

Look to the writings of the New Testament
Where the men taught by Jesus tell us what he meant
They show us how to read the OT
And Jesus sent the Spirit to help you and me 

So spread the good news that the battle is won
The curse is reversed, the new age begun
We long for the day when he returns
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come, Lord, come.” 

I hope you will read the rest and return to your Bible’s singing the songs of the savior–in whatever style you prefer–rap, country, gospel, folk, or rock.  You can read the rest of this faith-enriching, biblically-informing rap here.

Sola Deo Gloria, dss

Biblical Theology is Coming to WordPress

/ davidsschrock

Drs. Jim Hamilton, T.D. “Desi” Alexander, Stephen Dempster, and Michael Bird have started a biblical theological blog on WordPress. Here is how they describe their blog, biblicaltheology.wordpress.com:

This blog exists for the glory of God, in service to the church, to promote the study and discussion of biblical theology’s history, methodology, aims, achievements, developments, direction, and points of contact with other approaches to the study of the Bible.

Sounds good. I have added this to my google reader and look forward to keeping up with the conversation.

Sola Deo Gloria, dss