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"The Starving Theologian" is a play on the old term, "Starving Artist", which Wikipedia defines as "an artist who sacrifices material well-being in order to focus on their artwork. They typically live on minimum expenses, either for a lack of business or because all their disposable income goes towards art projects." I use the term, "starving theologian", because I want to study theology for a living but don't have the training to get paid to do so.
5 comments:
Vinnie,
Here may be some helpful quotes from Reisinger on the law/gospel issue:
"The law, like Christ, has always been crucified between two thieves--Antinomianism on the one side and Legalism on the other side. The antinomian sees no relationship between the law and the gospel except that of being free. The legalist fails to understand that vital distinction between the two.”
“The law of Moses is not other than the law of Christ; it is an objective standard just as Christ is our pattern.”
“The law and the gospel, are the principal parts of Divine Revelation; or rather, they are the center, the sum, and the substance, of the whole. Every passage of sacred Scripture, is either law or gospel; or is capable of being referred, either to the one or to the other.”
jAsOn
Vinnie,
I remembered what I was trying to ask at TJ’s Sunday. What is the premil view of the land that is promised to Abraham; is it fulfilled both in the NC and as part of the promises to the ethnic Israel of Romans 11 (is it part of a “future for Ethnic Israel)? If premils necessarily believe that Christ returns before the millennial kingdom, then what is the nature of that kingdom, and where (the land question) does it take place? Do the Jews of Romans 11 have exclusive rule over this kingdom under Christ?
jAsOn
Jason,
Here is a quote from Ladd regarding the kingdom/land/temple issue. It doesn't comprehensively answer your questions but I think gives some direction regarding the premil view:
"Before we leave the millennial question, we should note another form premillennialism has taken, that of Dispensationalism. This is probably the most popular form of premillennialism in America. It holds that the millennium is primarily for the Jews. Israel will be restored to her land, will rebuild the temple, and will reinstitute the Old Testament sacrificial system. At this time all of the Old Testament prophecies about Israel as a nation will be fulfilled literally. This is deduced from the conviction that God has two distinct and separate peoples:Israel and the Church, with two different programs and different blessings. God's program for Israel is theocratic and earthly; God's purpose for the church is universal and spiritual.
Although he was brought up in this theology, the present author can no longer accept it. The reader is referred to chapter two of this book where the future of Israel is discussed. Hebrews 8 says clearly that the age of types and shadows -- the Old Testament cultic system -- has been abolished since the reality pictured in the cult has come in Christ. Romans 11 says clearly that Israel as a people are to be saved, but in the same terms of faith in Christ as the church. Today the church is spiritual Israel, and literal Israel is yet to be regrafted back into the olive tree and be included in the true Israel of God. Therefore, it is impossible to view the millennium as primarily Jewish in character.
After the millennium when the Age to Come has been inaugurated, John sees a new heaven and a new earth, unto which the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descends. Here is an important fact: the ultimate scene of the Kingdom of God is earthly. It is a transformed earth to be sure, but it is still an earthly destiny. Scripture everywhere teaches this. Paul says that "the creation itself will be set free from bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21) . Corresponding to the new creation is the resurrection of the body, discussed in another chapter of this book."
Greg, thanks! That is very helpful to me. Did that help you, Jason or was that not what you were looking for?
Guys,
Yes that was helpful. Now I remember reading that quote on your blog Greg. If I understand correctly I think Ladd is saying that the land promised to Abraham and his offspring is the new heavens and the new earth “…the meek shall inherit the earth”. I think that amils agree with this. Ladd seemed to be saying that the land promise is fulfilled in eternity and not in a “literal 1000 year political reign” which includes believers and unbelievers; but that the millennial kingdom IS eternity…am I missing something here or is that correct? I am a bit dense.
jAsOn
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