Thursday, October 25, 2007

Gunkel quotes and a response

‚Ein Wunder ist das, was der Geist wirkt'


‚das Christen leben ist aus der Welt schlechthin unbegreiflich; es ist ein Wunder Gottes'

(pp. 22 and 81 respectively from Die Wirkungen des heiligen Geistes nach der populären Anschauung der apostolischen Zeit und nach der Lehre des Apostels Paulus, 1888)

The very thorough and clever conservative scholar, D. Paul Feine, really didn't like Gunkel, though. He once wrote of him that:

'[T]here is reason to wonder whether a Christian theologian is actually writing'. He continues to speak of his 'amazing ignorance of the vitality of the Apostolic Church'!

Them were the days! Tell it like it is! His spirit lives on in the likes of David Bentley Hart.

I sometimes think similarly negative thoughts about one or two writing about NT Christology (the only subject I really know!). In particular, there is one reasonably recent work on NT Christology, written by someone very well-known but who I cannot bring myself to name, that is so much amazing drivel I wouldn't grace my bottom with its pages after potty time. As I will be looking for a job in the next two years, I will keep my mouth shut (that could make for a tricky interview situation if found out!), but if you can guess the work I refer to, then you may get a bit of free CTRVHM Holy Phlegm™ sent to you in the post (post and package not included).

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

CT:"I sometimes think similarly negative thoughts about one or two writing about NT Christology (the only subject I really know!)."

To really understand NT Christology, it would seem you would need to study and understand OT "Christology".

This seems to be the trouble with most modern day scholars. They specialize in certain areas and to make themselves known or worthy of their hire, come up with new books full of drivel.

Phil Sumpter said...

Anonymous, who are you?! I love that statement! OT 'Christology', mmmmmm ... my mouth waters at the thought of it.

Anonymous said...

I'm a guy who barely got out of high school but have spent my 50 years trying to simply walk with Jesus.
I usually have a hard time understanding most that is written on these types of sites, but I have been reading Chris T. and quite a few others for the past year to try to understand what the hell our scholars are trying to teach or screw up for the church.
I really like Chris, cause I think (tell me if I'm wrong Chris) he actually desires to have a relationship with the Lord.

Chris Tilling said...

Hi Anon, you are welcome here! And yes, I do desire (and have) a relationship with the Lord.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Chris. You have been kind when you have acknowledged my comments in the past and have made me feel that I am accepted and can add to something here at times...I think it was the last "Pimp my Liturgy" that you gave me the nicest compliment when you thought I be might be Graham Kendrick.