Towards a New Theology Part TWO of SIX

Towards a New Theology  Part Two

Devoid of any contextual influences on both the writers and the readers, assumptions are born which themselves influence the interpretation, and then the faith of the reader.  Let me give a quick example.   If I were to ask “what language was the New Testament written in?” many would answer “New Testament Greek”.  However, I would have to disagree with that answer.  I believe the New Testament was written in Ancient Greek.  “What’s the difference?” you might ask.  When we speak of Ancient Greek documents, we think of all the ancient writings from a particular period of time, from a particular area of the world, with the exception of Biblical documents.  When we think of New Testament Greek, we think only of Biblical documents (and perhaps ancient commentators).  One of the differences between the two is that we are constantly updating our lexicon of Ancient Greek as more and more knowledge is acquired, consequently changing our translations (sometimes radically) of ancient documents.  New Testament Greek lexicons have largely remained static.  When we compare the two lexicons, we find almost two distinct languages have emerged.

This can easily be seen by simply looking at the word ‘Agape’.   Even casual lay theologians will know that NT Greek Lexicons describes Agape as the purest form of love, the love of God for humankind.  However, Ancient Greek refers to Agape differently.  In non-biblical documents, Agape is used in the context we would say ‘I love that hair style’, or ‘I love ice-cream’.  In other words, it was a general word for love, an all encompassing word for love.  This has profound Theological and social ramifications.  Taken from this perspective, when the Bible talks about love, it is actually talking about an all-encompassing love.  Where there is love, there is God – no matter what that love is or how it is expressed.  Think about how profoundly that impacts traditional Theology and social mores.

It makes no sense that the Bible was written in a secret language that looked the same as the language of the day, but was different.  This would mean that anyone who was converted would have to learn this secret language before they could read the scriptures or hear a message, or read a letter written by an apostle etc.  It also meant that people would have to learn this secret language before they could hear the message of Salvation to begin with.  It makes no sense.  When we re-read the New Testament as written in Ancient Greek – not New Testament Greek – it radically alters our Theology.  The same argument can be used for the other languages the Bible was written in – Hebrew and Aramaic.  There is no such language as NT Greek (or OT Hebrew for that matter).  If we truly want to understand what Scripture says, we need to stop translating it with NT Greek and OT Hebrew lexicons, and read it as an ancient document instead.

We need to realise that the Bible was not written in a vacuum.  There was a people, there was a geography, there was a political structure, there were events, there were other religions etc. etc. etc.  All of this exerts an influence on both how the scriptures were written, and how they were read at the time.  In order to read the scriptures, we need to get into the minds of the characters, see what they saw, feel what they felt, and hear what they heard.  This can only be done by looking at documents and studies beyond scriptural documents.  As my various Professors drummed into us, we need to let the evidence lead us.  Do not lead the evidence.  Again, only using biblical documents to do our study, results in analysing the Bible in a vacuum, again making it a work of fiction, not a powerful document for salvation.  We end up with a fictitious document, written in a made up fictional language, showing us a fictitious god, and a made up religion built on nothing more than emotional manipulation.  The Bible is more than that.  God is real, and more than that.   Now I’m not saying that those who have gone before us, who believe the more traditional Theology, are not going to be saved.  Not at all.  Scripture also tells us that we will be judged according to the light (understanding) given us.  But doesn’t it make more sense to endeavour to discern a more accurate interpretation of our sacred documents?  If we believe them to be so relevant to our lives, shouldn’t we endeavour to find out what they really say?

Part TWO of SIX

Graeme Randall
Former SA officer
Australia East

Residing in London, UK