Gerrit Scott Dawson, Jesus Ascended: The Meaning of Christ’s Continuing Incarnation
I recently finished Garret Scott Dawson’s book, Jesus Ascended: The Meaning of Christ’s Continuing Incarnation. This is a great treatment of the often neglected doctrine of Jesus Christ’s ascension/continuing incarnation. A favorite few quotes:
“My premise is that the church–our local church and the churches of the west–needs to recover the meta-narrative of the gospel as a counter-story, indeed a better story to the one the world tells…One of those episodes[referring to the phrases/episodes in the Apostle's Creed], the ascension, has been sorely neglected in the church’s telling of the story.”
“There is a place where the human Jesus is.”
“The ascension, therefore, represents the departure of the incarnate Son of God back to the place where God is, taking human nature to where it has never gone before.”
“We have gained in Christ more than we lost in Adam!”
“The priesthood of Jesus, difficult as it is for western minds, is the key to understanding the continuing incarnation.”
“we generally live in ignorance of all we have in Christ and so it remains inert in our experience.”
Graeme Goldsworthy Interview
One my favorite biblical interpreters is Graeme Goldsworthy, former lecturer in Old Testament, biblical theology, and hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. Below is an interview I recently conducted with Goldsworthy.
1. Graeme, we never outgrow the gospel, we grow as Christians only by way of the gospel. Since this word “gospel” is so important and so often used, yet so rarely defined in Christian circles, could you please define “the gospel” for us?
Justin, you are right. We cannot go on from the gospel, only with the gospel.
I would define the gospel as the events, or the message proclaiming those events, of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. This is not simply to tell the events in order, but to allow the Bible to give its interpretation of those events.
It is important that we don’t confuse the gospel (the objective events of 2,000 years ago), with a lot of things that we might include in an evangelistic talk or sermon. Thus things that are NOT the gospel include:
Our need for the gospel.
Our predestination to be beneficiaries of the gospel.
The effects of receiving the gospel.
The effects of not receiving the gospel.
Thus, contrary to some inexact Christian pious talk, we cannot live the gospel. We can, and must, seek to live consistently with it, but only Jesus lived, and died, the gospel.
2. Graeme, you write books on biblical theology. For those who aren’t familiar with biblical theology, could you tell us a little bit about what biblical theology is?
Biblical theology is the study of how every text in the Bible relates to every other text in the Bible. It’s the study of the matrix of divine revelation. At the heart of the gospel is the person of Jesus Christ; he is the word of God come in the flesh. The nature of the gospel is such that it demands that it be at the centre of the biblical message. Biblical theology is, then, the study of how every text in the Bible relates to Jesus and his gospel. Thus we start with Christ so that we may end with Christ. Biblical theology is Christological, for its subject matter is the Scriptures as God’s testimony to Christ. It is therefore, from start to finish, a study of Christ.
Biblical theology consists in the study of what the Bible teaches as the Bible teaches it. Its focus is on the big picture of the unity of the Bible. There are two complementary approaches to biblical theology (BT). The one is synchronic, that is, it takes a part of the biblical text and opens out its theological teaching. Thus, we might have an examination of the theology of a particular book or theme. This approach, however, in order not to be fragmentary, needs the other perspective, the diachronic. This looks at the unity of the biblical message throughout the whole of redemptive history contained in the canon of Scripture.
How BT is actually done will depend a great deal on our dogmatic presuppositions about the nature of Scripture. If we have not got confidence in the Bible as the inspired word of God, we will treat it as a collection of human documents. Liberalism killed BT because it could not allow for the unity of Scripture as reflecting the one mind of its one Author.
3. How have you seen the gospel misunderstood or obscured because of a lack of thoughtful biblical theology?
A lack of BT leads to a lack of a proper sense of the inter-connectedness of all texts. Some Christians appear to regard the OT as a largely unconnected with Jesus. For them, God tried salvation by works of the law in Israel, but it failed. So, God had to come up with a better plan and, lo and behold, we have the gospel!
Good BT is needed in order to connect the OT and the NT in a valid perspective. Because the NT presupposes the OT, ignorance of the OT leads to a superficial view of what it means for Jesus to be the Christ (messiah), and be the fulfiller of the OT.
4. Graeme, what are some other dangers that can creep into a church if a church is not taught about biblical theology?
Biblical theology shows us that all texts do not have the same relationship to the Christian believer. What happens when people are not shown this is a tendency to short circuit texts. In other words, evangelical piety can lead people to rush from reading a text straight into the question of what this says to us and about us. But, there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus and BT helps us to see how Jesus mediates the meaning of any text to us. The Christian is defined by his or her relationship to Christ, not to any other person or event. Thus all persons and events in the Bible must stand in a discernible relationship to Christ if they are to say something about us.
5. Describe the importance that Luke 24:27 has played in your work.
This passage as a whole, ie. Luke 24:27 in its context, along with vv.44-45, is for me one excellent starting point in establishing our hermeneutics of the Bible. For me, it is part, but only a part, of the NT evidence that the OT is about Jesus. How it is about him is the next question to be dealt with. For me this passage is part of the evidence that the first question we put to a text is not “What does this say to or about us?,” but “How does this text testify to Jesus?” I say again, the Christian life is defined by our relationship to Jesus, so until we understand who and what Jesus is, we cannot properly understand what our relationship to him is.
6. Graeme, of all the books you’ve written, which book do you sense has been most helpful for others? Why?
Probably Gospel and Kingdom followed by According to Plan. Different books help different people. The common denominator in everything I’ve written is a desire to demonstrate the value of BT and, my understanding of course, of how to do it. These two, more than others, attempt to show the big picture of biblical revelation, while others, such as Gospel and Wisdom and The Gospel in Revelation are more focused on specific things. Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture also sets out something of the big picture but is aimed more narrowly at teachers and preachers.
7. Finally, Graeme, I know that many people who are reading this interview have never studied biblical theology. What are a few introductory books on biblical theology that you would direct such readers towards?
Gospel and Kingdom
According to Plan
Other than my own books, which I do not hesitate to say that people should read them (if I didn’t think that, I wouldn’t have written them!), others that point in the same direction would include:
Mark Strom, Days are Coming
Vaughan Roberts, God’s Big Picture
And of course for children you cannot go past:
Dave Helm, The Big Picture Story Bible
Adoniram Judson’s Astonishing Proposal Letter
Before I proposed marriage to Taylor AnneMarie McCallum (she now has a more flashy last name), I first took Taylor’s dad out to coffee, explained to him my intentions, articulated exactly why I wanted to marry his daughter, and then asked for his permission to marry Taylor. After a brief silence, her father shook my hand, gave me his blessing, thanked me for coming to him first, and prayed for me. That was the best cup of coffee I ever purchased.
As a pastor, I urge all young men to, if possible, first propose permission for marriage to the father before proposing marriage to the daughter.
In preparing to propose to Nancy Hasseltine in 1810, Adoniram Judson took a similar approach and first sought the permission of Nancy’s father, John Hasseltine. Adoniram sought Mr. Hasseltine’s permission by way of a letter. This is a stunning letter. Even more stunning is that Mr. Hasseltine consented to the marriage. I love that Adoniram appeals to the incarnation of Christ as grounds for Nancy to leave her father’s home and embark upon a married life of humble, missionary service. Here’s the letter:
I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls, for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?
Buzzard Blog State of the Union Address #1 (6 month blog anniversary)
This is the first of what I hope will be many periodic “State of the Union” addresses on the status, history, and future of Buzzard Blog. For this first address I’ll be brief and to the point, highlighting what I find to be interesting information under bold headings. Here we go.
HISTORY:
Exactly six months ago, on August 20th 2006, I began Buzzard Blog with this post. On August 20th, a handful of people visited my blog to read that first post. A few days later a few more people paid a visit. If you’d like to know more about why exactly I started this blog, read that first post.
CURRENT READERSHIP:
Today, this blog is averaging 200 readers per day. I’m excited and thankful that readership of this blog has been steadily growing. Exactly 108 people subscribe to this blog via a feed reader or an email subscription.
VISITOR LOCATIONS:
Most Buzzard Blog readers are located in America, the UK, and Canada. A number of you come from more distant locations such as mainland Europe, Singapore, Australia, Israel, and Saudia Arabia.
LINKS FROM OTHER BLOGS:
A good number of other blogs now link to this site. I’m honored that 3 of my favorite blogs (Gospel Driven Life, Eucatastrophe, & Unashamed Workman) link here.
THE 3 THINGS I’VE ENJOYED MOST ABOUT MY 6 MONTHS OF BLOGGING:
1. Hearing from readers (through blog comments, emails, or conversations) who’ve told me that they’ve benefitted from what I’ve written here. I’ve been especially encouraged to learn that people have appreciated what I’ve written about the gospel on this site.
2. Building new relationships. There are a host of fellow pastors, church planters, and bloggers from around the world who I now communicate with on a regular basis only because we’ve come to know each other through this blog.
3. Growing as a writer.
WHERE I WOULD MOST LIKE TO SEE THIS BLOG DEVELOP & IMPROVE:
It’s my opinion that where this blog most needs development is in reader participation. What I enjoy about this blog site is that it’s not just me talking here–all of you can leave comments and contribute to the learning, discussion, and community that we have going on here.
I started this blog in hopes that readers would come to “get” as well as “give.” I’m thankful that many of you have been “getting” from this blog. What I would like to see is more of you “giving” to this blog by posting your comments. It only takes 1-2 minutes to leave a comment and give to this site. If you choose to never comment here, that’s okay–I just think that the rest of us are missing out because we don’t get to hear what you have to say.
So, in hopes that a handful of you might respond to this humble request for more giving/comments on this site, let me prompt you to get started by commenting on this Buzzard Blog State of the Union Address question: What are 1-2 ways that you’ve appreciated this blog?
I’d love to hear your comments. So would others.
Preach the Gospel to Yourself, beginning with the Old Testament
Dan Cruver of has just begun a series on Preaching the Gospel to Yourself. He’s beginning this series with Old Testament texts, using OT texts to highlight the redemptive work of Christ. I especially like how Dan, in the first few sentences of his post, explains why it’s important to preach the gospel to yourself on a regular basis. Check it out.
Adoniram Judson
I’m having a great time reading To the Golden Shore, the biography of one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever seen–Adoniram Judson. Judson’s story is inspiring and challenging. I’m so thankful for this man. I’d like to be more like him.
If you don’t have the time for Judson’s 500 page biography, here’s a few other ways to get the gist of this great man who did great things for Christ:
-Links to a variety of Judson resources.
-Manuscript or audio of John Piper’s pastoral biography of Judson.
-Wikipedia article with pictures.
This last weekend my son sat in the sun next to me while I read To the Golden Shore. I found myself praying that God might raise up my little son to one day lay down his life in Judson-like fashion to advance the gospel among people who haven’t heard the good news of a crucified, risen, and reigning Savior. It will be exciting to see what God chooses to do with this little life that he’s entrusted to my wife and me.
A Downtown for Foster City?
From what I’m hearing about the Pilgrim-Triton project, I think this would be great for Foster City and great for our church’s ministry to the city–providing a central hub for meeting and loving our neighbors. Click above to read the full account. Here’s an excerpt:
“So far, Foster City is looking like friendly territory for the Pilgrim-Triton project, a proposed 21-acre mixed-use development that could help create a new “downtown” for the planned community. …”We think it will rejuvenate the area,” said Foster City Chamber of Commerce President Martha Lumia. “It will bring in different types of businesses that we don’t currently have in Foster City. …The Pilgrim-Triton project is the largest proposal currently under consideration by the city, and could combine with a nearby 15-acre city-owned site to make the area around Foster City and Hillsdale boulevards a new commercial and residential hotspot.”
Valentine’s Day
Tonight my wife and I went out for our first date since the birth of our son. We had a great time. I’ve missed taking my hot wife out on dates.
This is what we did. First, Taylor read the Valentine’s Day card that I wrote her. I think I saw a tear slide down her cheek as she read the last sentence (it was dark outside–couldn’t tell for sure). Second, we dined at this fine establishment. Third, we watched The Queen. I went into this movie knowing that my wife would love it and that I would do my best to endure it. Surprisingly, this was quite a good flick (my favorite component of the film: Prince Philip is played by Jack Bauer’s father). Fourth, after the movie and upon calling home and finding out that our little dude was fast asleep, we grabbed a drink, listened to a blues band, and watched middle-aged drunk people dance at the Little Fox.
I can’t wait for the next time I get to take my bride out on a date. Any babysitters out there?
John Owen, On the Mortification of Sin
Are you familiar with John Owen? If you’re not, get to know one of the greatest theologians to have ever lived by clicking here.
I was first introduced to Owen by reading his book The Death of Death in the Death of Christ in college (note: you can digest the big idea of this classic work by reading J.I. Packer’s famous introduction to the book–here it is online). The Death of Death in the Death of Christ influenced me in a powerful way during those college years. Seven years later, I’m finally get back around to reading more of Owen.
Right now I’m plodding my way through Volume 6 of John Owen’s Works. The first portion of Volume 6 is Owen’s classic, On the Mortification of Sin. A large number of my favorite authors and preachers have said that this book, more than any other, helped them to grasp what it means to turn from sin and live out the new life we have in Christ. Recently I heard Tim Keller say that reading On the Mortification of Sin as a new Christian helped work “deep change” in his life.
Here are a few 350 year-old quotes that have been stirring me:
“When sin lets us alone we may let sin alone…”
“Be sure to get an interest in Christ; if you intend to mortify any sin without it, it will never be done.”
Referring to Christ in Isaiah 53: “When we look for healing, his stripes are to be eyed…in the love, kindness, mystery, and design of the cross; and when we look for peace, his chastisements must be in our eye.”
“If, upon plastering thyself [dealing with your sin], thou findest thyself rather animated to the battle again than utterly weaned from it, it is too palpable that thou hast been at work with thine own soul, but Jesus Christ and his Spirit were not there.”
“There is not any thing that, in our communion with him, the Lord is more troubled with us for, if I may so say, than our unbelieving fears, that keep us off from receiving that strong consolation which he is so willing to give us.”
“Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of thy sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls.”
“Mortification of any sin must be by a supply of grace.”
If you’d rather not deal with Owen’s difficult writing style, Justin Taylor and Kelly Kapic have provided a much more accessible version of Volume 6.
The Most Humiliating Thing I’ve Ever Done
For some time now I’ve thought it would be beneficial for me to read through all my old journals. I’ve thought this would be a rich exercise in discipleship–helping me seed God’s grace in my life and praise him for how he has changed me over the years.
Last week I finally got around to digging my old journals out of storage. It turns out that I have 14 journals. My first journal entry was made over 12 years ago: on January 22, 1995 when I was 16 years old, a junior in high school. I’ve now re-read several of these journals (I’m up to age 21) and what I have to report is that this is the most humiliating thing I’ve ever done. I mean it. It is comprehensively humiliating to read my old journal entries. And for this I am thankful.
The word “humiliation” stems from the word “humility.” To be humiliated is to be humbled. And as I’ve read these old journals and gotten re-acquainted with what kind of a guy I was at age 16, 17, 18, 19, etc., I’ve been immensely humiliated–immensely humbled. And from this humbled posture I’ve been able to spot evidence, upon evidence, upon evidence of God’s provision, grace, and kindness in my life.
Check it out.
I began with my January 22, 1995 entry and just a few pages in to this first journal it’s crystal clear that, though I came to repentance and faith in Christ as a young boy, I’m living my high school years as an exact replica of the prodigal elder brother. I’m self righteous, I don’t understand the gospel, I’m a worrier, I’m a hypocrite, I seem to equate Christianity with moralism, I’m selfish, I’m eager to avoid external sins, yet quick to justify internal sins, and, I’ll say it again, I simply don’t understand the good news of the gospel. I live and process life under the logic that if I obey God he will accept me, rather than the logic of the Bible: God has accepted me through the work of his Son, therefore the Holy Spirit will enable me to obey in gratitude and joy.
What is even more humiliating is to read about how, in my latter college years, I begin to really grasp grace for the first time. Why is this humiliating? Because I didn’t grasp grace, grace grasped me.
As I read these old, inked pages I was brought to my knees. As I read I kept thinking to myself how kind God has been to change a man like me. I have much sanctification to undergo yet and 12 years from now I’ll probably laugh at today’s journal, but oh man, how far God has brought me since January 22, 1995! As I trace the storyline of my life from January 22, 1995 I see thousands (I mean this number literally) of ways God has shown me mercy, answered prayer, worked a wise providence, used me despite my failings, and achieved glory for himself through my little life.
If journals are nothing more than records of our humiliation and God’s grace, then I’m all for another 12 years and another 14 journals.
