When I read an Amazon review about a theologically/biblically related book such as the following:‘Keep in mind that while the author claims to be a Christian, he is not a Christian who believes the bible. He does not for example believe that 2 Peter is written by Peter, nor that the pastoral epistles are written by Paul. This is the kind of unbelief that undergirds all the arguments set forth. And make no mistake, the whole book is an argument in favour of the author’s theory [editors note: funny that!!!]. His theory is not so much that there is an open canon, but rather there isn’t really a canon at all, books can go in and out of the “canon” as per the community’s practices. It’s all very wishy-washy thinking’... my first reaction is to want to buy it, and give it to all of my friends as quickly as possible.
Those kind words were written by a reader of Lee Martin McDonald’s The Formation of Christian Biblical Canon, here.
You will be hearing more about Lee McDonald’s new work, The Biblical Canon: Its Origin, Transmission, and Authority, on this blog in due course. Until then, have a read of this interview between Danny Zacharias and McDonald about the book.
Danny’s last question: What are you hoping your latest publication, and all of your work on the canon, will bring to the church?
McDonald answers: Honesty and humility when we stand before the Scriptures with an inquiring mind and with obedience to the call of God rather than with deception and arrogance about the traditions and Bible we profess to love. The church is better served with honesty and integrity than with arrogant attitudes about a complex subject that does not fully discuss or appreciate the complexity of the issues at hand.
2 comments:
I didn't know McDonald had written a new work. I found his first book on this topic to be profoundly sane and balanced. I used it in teaching classes on NT intro. at the university level. (Naturally, considering my education, I've never been asked to teach NT at the seminary/graduate level.)
I don't have the book yet, either - it is freshly published. But I will be getting it some time early this year, and I will certainly be writing a review when it arrives.
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