Special Topic: Eastern Literature (Biblical Paradoxes) by Dr. Bob Utley

SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes) This insight (i.e., that the Bible is an eastern book, not a western book) has been the most helpful to me personally as one who loves and trusts the Bible as God's Word. In trying to take the Bible seriously it became obvious that different texts reveal truth in selected, not systematic ways. One inspired text cannot cancel or depreciate another inspired text! Truth comes in knowing all Scripture (all Scripture, not just some, is inspired, cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17), not quoting a single passage (proof-texting)! Most biblical truths (eastern literature) are presented in dialectical or paradoxical pairs (remember the NT authors, except Luke, are Hebrew thinkers, writing in common Greek). Wisdom Literature and Poetic Literature present truth in parallel lines. The antithetical parallelism functions like the paradox. This synthetic parallelism functions like parallel passages. Somehow both are equally true! These paradoxes are painful to our cherished, simplistic, denominational, proof-texted traditions! Which of the following is true? predestination or human free will security of the believer or the need for perseverance (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE) original sin or volitional sin Jesus as God or Jesus as man Jesus as equal with the Father or Jesus as subservient to the Father Bible as God's Word or human authorship sinlessness (perfectionism, cf. Romans 6) or sinning less initial instantaneous justification and sanctification or progressive sanctification (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SANCTIFICATION) justification by faith (Romans 4) or justification confirmed by works (cf. James 2:14-26) Christian freedom (cf. Rom. 14:1-23; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; 10:23-33) or Christian responsibility (cf. Gal. 5:16-21; Eph. 4:1) God's transcendence or His immanence God as ultimately unknowable or knowable in Scripture and Christ. the kingdom of God as present or future consummation repentance as a gift of God (cf. Acts 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25) or repentance as a mandated response for salvation (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21) the OT is permanent or the OT has passed away and is null and void (cf. Matt. 5:17-19 vs. Matt. 5:21-48; Romans 7 vs. Galatians 3) believers are servants/slaves or children/heirs Which of Paul's many metaphors for salvation is true? adoption sanctification justification redemption glorification predestination reconciliation "Both. . .And" is a better theological model than "Either. . .Or." Doctrines come in "constellations of truth," not which star is brightest" or "which one do I like the best"?!