Exegetical Thoughts and Biblical Theology

Proverbs 28:7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. (NASB) Yahweh pronounces the keeper of His Torah discerning or understanding. Thus, Yahweh’s Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy) must reflect the path of understanding, and teach us that Yahweh Himself, who gave such understanding, is understanding. The juxtaposition here is fascinating: a companion of gluttons vs. a keeper of Torah . Being a  keeper of Torah winnows your companions. Keeping Torah and self-indulgence are antithetical. The Torah’s understanding then teaches that gluttony is contrary to the nature of Yahweh. You, O Yahweh, are not self-indulgent, gluttonous, or undisciplined in your intake of pleasure. Our culture teaches us that more is better. The more pleasure, the better. But Your Torah does not teach this. It teaches me that the best amount of pleasure is limited by wisdom and discipline. Beyond those bounds, pleasure becomes harmful, destructive, an...

What follows are some musings on biblical theology that I've been mulling over since grad school days. On Friday of last week I took the opportunity to run this idea past Dr. John Oswalt who was on GBSC’s campus to teach Old Testament Theology. His concurrence encouraged me to post. Historically, some Biblical Theologians have confused the progress of revelation's inscripturation with the progress of revelation itself. The progress of inscripturated revelation is the history of the writing of Scripture. The progress of revelation, on the other hand, is the historical order in which God revealed truth. The progress of revelation can only be determined when Scripture itself explicitly states that a particular part of revelation was being given for the first time or had not been given before. For example, Genesis 26:5 states, “because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.” Since we have no revelation regarding what commandm...