If you haven't seen it, yet, check out my other book review blog! You'll find it in the headings ("My Book Reviews") at the top of this blog or click HERE. It's my aim to post reviews 2-3 times a month. Leave a comment on any books you've read so far and tell me what you thought about them. :)
~~~
1. What is “Second Temple Judaism” and how does it help us understand the writings of the New Testament? Provide specific examples.2. In chapter 9, what does Schreiner mean by the phrase “already but not yet”?
3. How does the “already but not yet” concept help Christians better understand the “big picture” of the Bible?
~~~
The Second Temple
Judaism is “the time between the temple’s reconstruction (516 BC) and its final
destruction (AD 70).” [1]
Of the important writings from this time period, the Apocrypha, the
pseudepigrapha of the OT, the writings of Josephus, and of Philo document
information about the history, culture, and life of the New Testament era. The
Dead Sea scrolls, the Targums, and the rabbinic literature also record some
evidence, though the primary source of evidence lies in the New Testament
itself.[2]
Though not regarded as divinely inspired the Apocrypha books are included in
the Roman Catholic and Orthodox scriptures. The pseudepigrapha is part of the
Apocrypha and it helps us understand the beliefs of different Jewish schools of
thought during the time period of the Second Temple Judaism.[3]
Some of the books reveal history of the ancient forefathers such as Noah,
Moses, Enoch and Ezra. [4]
The Dead Sea scrolls contain parts of all the OT books (except Esther) and
provide evidence of the nature and beliefs of the Khirbet Qumran, the dwelling
of an ancient religious community.[5]
Using these documents from the Second Temple Judaism era, we are provided with
insight into the beliefs of different Jewish schools of thought and
documentation on which to help with the translation of Scripture.[6]
Perhaps John’s Gospel
explains the phrase “already but not yet”, as coined by Schreiner. The promise
of the Kingdom in the Synoptic Gospels aligns with the truth of eternal in the
Gospel of John. Schreiner explains this phrase by referring back to the
promises already made by God through
the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic
covenants. The new covenant was also created, but even by the time John the
Baptist came around these promises had not yet been realized. Until Jesus came
fulfilling the spiritual aspect of these covenants there was no immediate
completion of the promises. John’s Gospel explains that though they already have fulfillment of the
some of the promises, there is still more coming. His Gospel “looks ahead to
the day of the final resurrection, when every person will be judged for what he
or she has done….the future and final fulfillment is in view as well.”[7]
The day of salvation is already here, but the final resurrection, judgment, and
glorification are yet to come for all believers. We live on this earth as a
reminder that we are not home. We struggle with sin and we battle trials as a
reminder that there is something more glorious to come. Jesus reigns on His
throne, but death sin attempt to rule us still. Until all things have been
subjugated to Him, we await the complete fulfillment of those covenants.[8]
Christians today can better understand the bigger picture of
the Bible by their understanding of the “already but not yet” phrase. Just as
the New Testament’s Christ was the fulfillment of the One who would crush the
serpent’s head in the Old Testament, so the fulfillment of the new heavens and
new earth will point back to the promises of eternal life, salvation, and the
Comforter. We understand the Kingdom on earth today in terms of spiritual
salvation which Jesus presented in His Person and through His ministry.[9]
The Kingdom begins as a grain of mustard seed or like leaven in dough, but it
will one day return with apocalyptic power and destroy the present world,
renewing it in perfection and holiness.[10]
Though we have the Kingdom of God already,
it is not yet completely realized or fulfilled, and so we as believers today
continue to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven”.[11]
[1]
Wayne Grudem et al., Understanding the
Big Picture of the Bible (Illinois: Crossway, 2012), 79.
[2] Ibid.,
79-80.
[3] J.D. Douglas and Merrill C. Tenney, Zondervan Illustrated Bible
Dictionary (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2011), 1191.
[4]
Wayne Grudem et al., Understanding the
Big Picture of the Bible (Illinois: Crossway, 2012), 80.
[5] J.D. Douglas and Merrill C. Tenney, Zondervan Illustrated Bible
Dictionary (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2011), 342.
[6] Ibid., 344.
[7]
Wayne Grudem et al., Understanding the
Big Picture of the Bible (Illinois: Crossway, 2012), 111.
[8] Ibid.,
111-112.
[9] Ibid.,
110.
[10]
Ibid., 110-111.
[11]
Matthew 6:10, ESV.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.