Conrad Cherry writes (1990, p. 47)
‘[t]he Scriptures … become the Word of God only through the power of God’s Spirit.’
In other words, Cherry argues that there is some sense in which Edwards' believed the Scriptures are a dead letter without the Spirit. The problem with this view is Edwards' understanding of verbal inspiration - it is one thing to say the Scriptures are ineffective without the Spirit's illumination; it is quite another to say that the 'human words of Scripture ... become God's word.' (p.48)
comments?
This seems like a rare miscue, given Edwards' typical precision. It would have been simple enough to say that the reader apprehends "the Word of God only through the power of God's Spirit."
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Edwards wandered into overstatement here to make his case, or if he simply got this point wrong.
Thanks Ariel. Apprehends is a good word to describe Edwards' view - he uses apprehension a lot to develop his new sense of the heart.
ReplyDeleteLet me clarify the post: Cherry is arguing that this is Edwards' doctrine of Scripture - I am suggesting that he is incorrect.
Agreed...whether or not he was careful with this phrase, Edwards was no Barthian--and if he knew the controversy over Karl Barth's doctrine of Scripture, no doubt he would have strongly disagreed and worded this differently!
ReplyDeleteOk.
ReplyDelete‘[t]he Scriptures … become the Word of God only through the power of God’s Spirit.’
- this is Cherry not Edwards; but I agree with your comment.