Dr. Vern Poythress of Westminster Seminary is an ardent advocate of Redemptive Historical interpretation. He recently contributed History of Salvation notes for the forthcoming ESV Study Bible. Crossway just released his article, Overview of the Bible: Survey of the History of Salvation, included at the front of the ESV Study Bible. I’d encourage everyone to read that brief article (3 1/2 pdf pages). Succinctly yet powerfully, Poythress covers the whole gamut of how the Bible works together as a whole in recording the History of Salvation, and highlighting the glory of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The ESV Study Bible blog, points out a recent interview of Vern Poythress at the Beginning with Moses blog. I’ve read the first two parts, but the third is due on Monday. The questions and answers there are also worth your time. I especially like how Poythress concludes the second interview post:
It is not fashionable nowadays, but I confess that I do believe that every passage, and even every word, of the OT reflects Christ.
I’d encourage you to check out what Poythress says in connection with this claim. The whole of Scripture really is Christo-centric. Poythress’ notes are one of the main reasons I’m so excited about the new ESV Study Bible, by the way. In treating the Bible academically, we run the risk of forgetting that it is a living Book. We need to think when we read it, yes. But we also need to listen to the Holy Spirit. We can easily miss the forest for the trees, and Vern’s Salvation History notes will remind us of the major themes of Scripture as we battle over the meaning of each individual passage therein.
One last note: Poythress has many articles and even book available online for free at the website he jointly shares with his friend John Frame. Check out www.frame-poythress.org for some great, freely available, Christ-centered resources.
Isn’t it interesting how the “Hokiness” of “Old Time Religion” holds on and then again becomes a “New Time Revelation”…*: ) Those “in the know” just won’t let acedemia have the upper hand or the last word..*: )
Excuse the triteness…Been there, seen that, SILL BELIEVE!
Right on, Nancy. I remember when I thought I had outgrown such a simplistic “spiritual” view of the Bible. Praise God He brought me full circle.
Thanks for the tip, Bob. Excellent article indeed! Everyone should read it.
Recently listened to Art Azurdia on the same subject its called, The Ultimate Hermeneutic. You can find it here The Ultimate Hermeneutic