Evangelicals agree that the Bible is God's inerrant word. But we sometimes differ on how to relate the messages of the Old and New Testaments. Without a basic understanding of this crucial matter, it is difficult to know how to use the Testaments to formulate either doctrine or practice. For example: Was Israel the OT Church? Are OT promises to God's national people fulfilled in the church today? Or, is Mosaic Law binding on believers now? Are twentieth-century Christians to obey the Ten Commandments, including Sabbath observance? In this book, thirteen noted evangelical theologians discuss, fairly but clearly, the continuity/discontinuity debate in regard to six basic categories: theological systems, hermeneutics, salvation, the Law of God, the people of God, and kingdom promises. Covering much
more than the differences between Covenant Theology and
Dispensationalism, this work of distinguished evangelical
scholarship will fuel much profitable study and discussion. John S. Feinberg, editor of this book, is Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Feinberg
has a B.A. from UCLA, an M. Div. from Talbot Theological
Seminary, a Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and
an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He authored
Theologies and Evil and co-edited (with Paul Feinberg)
Tradition and Testament. |
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The essays contained in Continuity and Discontinuity were written in honor of Dr. S. Lewis Johnson, Jr. S. Lewis Johnson, Jr. was born on September 13, 1915 in Birmingham, Alabama. In recent years I have had the privilege of serving with Dr. Johnson on the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, but the association of my family and his goes back many years to his student days at Dallas Seminary. He was a student of my father and later served as his colleague on the faculty at Dallas. Needless to say, Dr. Johnson has always been held in the highest esteem by the members of my family. Though he has had a wide and varied ministry, he is best-known for his teaching and preaching. It is not unusual for students to appreciate their former teachers, but in talking with former students of Dr. Johnson, there is more than mere appreciation. There is a kind of awe and reverence for his scholarship and teaching methodology as well as his life. I suppose the words that most come to mind when thinking of Dr. Johnson are model and example. In 1 Pet 5:2-3 Peter exhorts pastors to shepherd the flock God has given them, proving to be an example to them. This Dr. Johnson has surely done, whether the flock has been a group of students or a congregation. Dr. Johnson's life and ministry have served as models in several ways. First, he is a model scholar and teacher. Students and colleagues alike constantly remark about how well-read he is in the fields of NT, OT and theology and how carefully he has thought through his material. Because of such preparation students find his lectures very thorough and convincing, regardless of whether or not they hold his views. They also remark that his careful preparation makes it impossible to come to his classes and succeed at appearing prepared when they are not. Moreover, it is always clear that his interest is never scholarship solely for the sake of scholarship. Dr. Johnson serves as a prime example of how it is possible to apply sound, rigorous scholarship to practical ministry concerns. Dr. Johnson secondly is a model theologian. He is thoroughly versed in both Hebrew and Greek as preparation for the task of doing theology. Anyone who has ever read his writings or heard him lecture knows that his theological reflections are not based on shallow proof-texting, but rather on rigorous exegesis of the text of Scripture. Though he brings to bear insights from disciplines such as church history, the overarching concern is always to reflect accurately the teaching of Scripture. In addition, Dr. Johnson is a model preacher. There is never any question about whether the content will be clear or whether it will grow out of careful exposition of the passage. Dr. Johnson is thoroughly convinced that God has only promised to bless the proclamation of his word. Therefore, whether the intent of the sermon is to exhort, warn, or comfort, Dr. Johnson's underlying concern is to expound the meaning of the text. And those who have heard him preach and have been blessed by it know that while his messages are filled with rich content from God's word (as are his lectures), he understands well the difference between a message and a lecture. In all of this Dr. Johnson serves as a fine model for young and old preachers alike. Finally, Dr. Johnson is a winsome model of what it means to live biblical truth. In a day when far too many are preaching or teaching one thing and living another, Dr. Johnson is a refreshing and encouraging model to the contrary. In his life and relationships it is very clear that he deeply loves the Lord and his word. Whereas others with lesser abilities and expertise are unduly impressed with themselves, Dr. Johnson's gentleness and humility are trademarks. One senses that he lives this way because he is thoroughly convinced that everything any of us is and accomplishes is due to the sovereign grace of God. Moreover, in comparing mankind to the majesty and grandeur of God, he recognizes that there is no comparison. Some Christians utter such sentiments, but do not live them. Dr. Johnson teaches these truths and models them as well. And I believe that this is much of the reason he is so greatly revered by students and colleagues alike. Great erudition in conjunction with great humility and a servant's heart are not often found. But Dr. Johnson models all of those qualities in his life and ministry. In view of his long and fruitful ministry and his role as a model in all the areas mentioned, it is fitting to honor him with this volume. As Sam Storms remarks in his personal tribute, Dr. Johnson is probably very much embarrassed by this attention, but nonetheless it is proper to honor him in this way, for in so honoring him we believe we ultimately bring glory to the God he loves and serves so well. In the early stages of planning this volume, several topics for a book were considered, but the topic of the continuity and discontinuity of Scripture seemed most appropriate for several reasons. First, there is hardly an issue that is more fundamental to theology and OT and NT studies than this one. In that respect it seemed most fitting as the subject for a book meant to honor one who has given himself so thoroughly to those three fields. Second, the topic itself has throughout Dr. Johnson's career been a major interest. He has often lectured on the topic and has published major works dealing with it. Thus, it was clear that it would be of interest to him. Then, this topic seemed appropriate because it gave each of the contributors an opportunity to do some theology. As one searches the extant literature on these topics, he quickly realizes that there is not much written which handles the topic in the way treated in this volume. Consequently, in order to produce the various essays it was necessary for the authors to engage in creative theological reflection. Many of the authors commented that their essay was one of the more difficult pieces they have written just because it involved much more than the mere compiling of research. As you read the essays in this volume, I think you will agree that the efforts of the contributors were well worth it. And it is appropriate to produce some creative theology in a book honoring a theologian. Finally, the topic was chosen because of its crucial importance to biblical and theological studies. Evangelicals agree that God has spoken and that the Bible is his word. But God has not revealed all of his word at once. How are we to relate what he has said through the prophets of old to what has been revealed through his apostles? Without an answer to this question it is difficult to know how to use both Testaments in formulating either doctrine or practice. An example of a doctrinal issue that hinges on this question is one's understanding of the church. Are Christians to formulate their concept of the church on the basis of both Testaments, claiming so much continuity between the people of God that one may see the church in the OT? Or is there such discontinuity between Israel and the church that one's understanding of the church must be formed solely on the basis of the NT? As to matters of practice, how do believers today relate to OT law? Given the continuity of Scripture, are we still under all the injunctions of the Mosaic Law? Few would answer affirmatively. On the other hand, if one affirms discontinuity between OT law and the NT believer, must he slip into antinomianism? Few who hold to discontinuity opt for antinomianism, but then what is the relevance for them of OT law? The issue of the continuity and discontinuity of Scripture becomes intensely practical when one recognizes that contemporary discussions over such ethical issues as capital punishment and abortion appeal heavily to OT Scriptures. For one seeing discontinuity between OT and NT law are such appeals legitimate? For one seeing continuity between OT law and the NT era must the death penalty, for example, be enforced for all sins considered capital offenses in the OT? Such questions cannot be answered adequately without first addressing the more fundamental issue of how the Testaments relate. The topic under discussion in this book is broader than a discussion between Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. Those views are the best-known examples of continuity and discontinuity positions respectively, but they are not the only ones. In fact, as the reader will see, there are even varieties of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. Theological positions can be placed on a continuum running from views which hold to absolute continuity between the Testaments to views holding to absolute discontinuity between the Testaments. The more one moves in the continuity direction, the more covenantal he becomes; and the more he moves in the discontinuity direction, the more dispensational he becomes. All of the contributors to this volume hold positions well toward the center of the continuum, and all see both continuity and discontinuity between the Testaments. With this basic subject matter in mind, contributors were asked to discuss the relation of the Testaments from the perspective of one of the six issues covered in the book. Spokesmen from each side in the debate have discussed their topic from the perspective of whether they think there is more or less continuity or discontinuity between the Testaments on their topic. Contributors were allowed to approach their chapter as they thought best, and they were not given the opportunity to see the opposing article on their subject. Nonetheless, I think you will be pleased to see how the essays interact with the same issues and, in many cases, with the same passages of Scripture. Not all possible theological positions could be represented in these essays, but the reader can certainly catch the flavor of continuity and discontinuity approaches to each of the topics. In order to put together a volume such as this, the help and cooperation of many people are involved. A word of appreciation to them is in order. Each of the contributors has done yeoman's work, not only to produce the volume but to meet deadlines amidst busy schedules. Both the quality and the irenic tone of their work is greatly appreciated. I should also add that there were many other people who, because of the topic and especially because of their affection for Lewis Johnson, would have loved to contribute to this volume. Dr. Johnson, they salute you too. Then, a word of appreciation is definitely in order to Crossway Books, and especially to Lane and Jan Dennis and Charles Phelps. They believed in this project and recognized the importance of this subject from the very outset. Their help, encouragement, and enthusiasm have been most appreciated. Finally, there have been those who have helped with some of the "nuts and bolts" of putting this project together. In particular, a special word of appreciation is due to two student assistants. David Wegener was most helpful in such tasks as proofreading of manuscripts and checking bibliographic references. Robert Thieme III helped in proofreading galleys and making the indices. As you read the
essays in this volume, you will find that the debate over the
continuity and discontinuity of Scripture has not been finally
resolved. However, I do think you will agree that in many areas
there is greater rapprochement than before. At any rate, it is
hoped that this volume will, among other things, both give
insight into the relation between the Testaments and sharpen the
issues of debate for future discussion. God has spoken. May he
illumine our hearts and minds as we seek to understand what he
has said! |
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Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Above Material Copyright © 2006 Good News / Crossway Books |
