Gloss and the Text

S. Ballitch Andrew

Description

Scripture opens itself up by its own words and interpretation.William Perkins is the father of Puritanism, often remembered for his preaching manual, The Art of Prophecy. Much attention has been given to the Puritan movement, especially in its later forms, but comparatively little has been given to Perkins. In The Gloss and the Text, Andrew Ballitch provides a thorough examination of the hermeneutical principles that governed Perkins's approach to biblical interpretation. Perkins taught that the Bible was God's word as well as the interpretation of God's word. Interpretation is no private matter; it is a public gift of the Spirit of God for the people of God. Ballitch's study sheds light on Perkins as a preacher, theologian, and student of Scripture.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian theology
• History of religions
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Lexham Press
• Date de parution: 22 juillet 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781683593928
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

THE GLOSS & THE TEXT
William Perkins on Interpreting Scripture with Scripture
ANDREW S. BALLITCH
STUDIES IN HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
The Gloss and the Text: William Perkins on Interpreting Scripture with Scripture
Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology
Copyright 2020 Andrew S. Ballitch
Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225
LexhamPress.com
All rights reserved. You may use brief quotations from this resource in presentations, articles, and books. For all other uses, please write Lexham Press for permission. Email us at [e-mail] .
Print ISBN 9781683593911
Digital ISBN 9781683593928
Library of Congress Control Number 2020933101
Lexham Editorial: Todd Hains, Claire Brubaker, Abigail Stocker
Cover Design: Bryan Hintz
STUDIES IN HISTORICAL & SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology is a peer-reviewed series of contemporary monographs exploring key figures, themes, and issues in historical and systematic theology from an evangelical perspective.
Learn more at LexhamPress.com/SHST
To my treasured wife, Darcy.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
Thesis
History of Research
Methodology
2. Perkins’s Exegetical Method
Biographical Context
Hermeneutical Context
Patristic Foundation
Medieval Antecedents
The Reformed Tradition
Contemporary English Works
Conclusion
The Arte of Prophecying
Biblical Authority
Biblical Interpretation
Conclusion
3. Exegesis in Sermons and Commentaries
The True Gaine: Philippians 3:7–11
Galatians
Context
Collation
Analogy of Faith
Christ’s Sermon on the Mount
Interpretation of the Parts in the Context of the Whole
Qualification in Light of the Canon
The Combat Betweene Christ and the Devill: Matthew 4:1–11
Revelation 1–3
Exegesis of the Preface
Exegesis of the Vision of Christ
Exegesis of the Epistles
A Cloud of Faithful Witnesses: Hebrews 11
Exegesis of the Description of Faith
Exegesis of Preflood Exemplars
Exegesis of the Patriarchs’ Example
Exegesis of Examples from Israelite National History
Jude
An Exhortation to Repentance: Zephaniah 2:1–2
Conclusion
4. Exegesis in Practical Works
The Christian Life
How to Live Well
How to Die Well
The True Manner of Knowing Christ Crucified
Man’s Natural Imaginations
The Practice of Repentance
The Government of the Tongue
The Household
Vocation
Equity and Moderation
Christian Ministry
The Calling of the Ministry
Early Work on Assurance
The Greatest Case of Conscience
A Discourse of Conscience
A Graine of Musterd-Seede
Cases of Conscience
Conclusion
5. Exegesis in Theological Works
Catechism
The Foundation of Christian Religion
The Lord’s Prayer
The Apostles’ Creed
God’s Sovereignty in Salvation
A Golden Chaine
A Treatise of God’s Free-Grace, and Mans Free-Will
Treatise on Predestination
Conclusion
6. Exegesis in Polemical Works
Polemics against the Church of Rome
A Reformed Catholike
A Warning Against the Idolatry of the Last Times
The Damned Art of Witchcraft
Polemics against Astrology
A Resolution to the Countrey-man
A Fruitfull Dialogue
Conclusion
7. Conclusion
Bibliography
Subject Index
Scripture Index
FOREWORD
Christians live on the basis of Scripture—so for the Puritans, as for all Protestants of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Scripture was central. William Perkins (1558–1602) was a premier theologian in the English Puritan theological tradition, and constant interpretation of Scripture was the task to which he dedicated himself throughout the whole range of his writings.
This focal concern on biblical interpretation makes Andrew Ballitch’s study so important. Ballitch’s study is invaluable in giving clarity to William Perkins’s approach to Scripture and its appropriate interpretation. No other work delves into this topic as thoroughly, sensitively, and with greater insight than this one.
By understanding Perkins’s approach and seeing how it was implemented, we gain insights into the wider world of Reformed theology and biblical interpretation. Continental Reformed theology was still developing—especially through the work of John Calvin’s successor, Theodore Beza—and it was Perkins who conveyed this emerging Reformed thought to England. From views on election and predestination, to conversion and the spiritual life, to preaching and biblical interpretation, Perkins’s views helped shape a Protestant religious culture that became strongly established in the early seventeenth century. Relatedly, the widespread translations of Perkins’s works throughout Europe shows Perkins’s popularity and testifies to the extensive reception of his interpretation of the Christian faith among other European Protestant traditions. His theology was undergirded by his biblical interpretation, and his experiential emphases in faith were supported by his interpretation of the overall message of Holy Scripture. So Perkins became a trusted resource for theologians and for preachers throughout Europe and New England.
Biblical interpreters—especially preachers—must use the best tools and resources available to understand biblical texts. This is so God’s word can be proclaimed and the lives of those who read Scripture and hear the Christian gospel preached will be blessed by the Holy Spirit. As Ballitch shows, Perkins did so in a manner consistent with his convictions that God speaks through Holy Scripture.
Donald K. McKim
Germantown, Tennessee
January 2020
PREFACE
My initial exposure to William Perkins came through J. I. Packer and his lectures on the history and theology of the Puritans. Two things caught my attention. First, Packer emphasized the importance and influence of Perkins, a man I had never before encountered. Second, Packer argued that Perkins popularized a Bezan aberration of Calvinism. In particular, his supralapsarianism seemed scandalous.
Yet as I began to read Perkins himself, few stereotypes held up. He affirmed a supralapsarian ordering of the divine decrees, but he preached evangelistically. He sustained a view of the atonement in which Christ’s satisfaction was only for the elect, but he pointed those who struggled with assurance to the cross and the comforting promises of the gospel therein. He spurned the label “Puritan,” but he was counted by many as a forerunner to Nonconformists and Dissenters.
Ultimately, it became clear to me Packer was right: Perkins was undeniably influential—hence my surprise at finding relatively little written about him. I was especially struck by the scarcity of work on Perkins’s interpretation of Scripture. Given that those who do remember Perkins do so for his powerful preaching, most of which was resolutely expository, this dearth of scholarship is unfortunate. I am fascinated with the history of biblical interpretation—and in the work of Perkins there are many untapped wells, opportunities for much fruitful labor. Moreover, as a balanced, precritical proponent of sola Scriptura , Perkins provides a helpful perspective in today’s hermeneutical discussions.
But this project is about more than my own interests. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge my most significant debts, both tangible and intangible. First, my parents have faithfully encouraged me and supported me in countless ways, instilling in me two critical academic virtues from a young age: self-discipline and the ability to teach myself. My father-in-law and childhood pastor, Doyle Peyton, faithfully preached the Reformed faith to me during my formative years and therefore planted the seeds of a love for theology. The most voracious reader I know, he had a treasure trove on his bookshelves for a hungry high school junior with a newly perceived sense of ministerial calling; in God’s providence, this trove included the Puritans. My college theology professor at Spring Arbor University, Ken Brewer, took an interest in me as a mentor and was the first person to push me toward a PhD. For the many hours he spent with me over the better part of three years, I will be forever grateful. Mark Correll, my European history professor, fanned my love of history by affirming the study of ideas and the importance of historical context.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was the richest of experiences. When I was a master of divinity student, David Puckett took me under his wing and shepherded me through the process of preparing for and applying to doctoral programs. We even had the opportunity to travel to England and Scotland together, walking the streets of Cambridge at a time when I did not yet know how significant these places would be in my studies. More recently, the PhD program was a joy—in no small measure because of Jonathan Pennington’s vision and leadership. During my tenure, he created space for camaraderie and interdisciplinary discussions through the 1892 Club and Doctoral Common Room, providing incentive with an abundance of good pour-over coffee. These conversations with fellow students, professors, and guests sharpened me as a scholar, grew me as a person, and provided invaluable feedback on this project at every stage. Of course, fundamental to my training and the first iteration of this project as a dissertation were my professors, specifically the church history faculty: Gregory Wills, Michael Haykin, David Puckett, and Tom Nettles. Stephen Yuille joined the faculty at the beginning stages of this project and has been most kind with his time and expertise in Perkins. Most of all, I am indebted to my adviser and now friend, Shawn Wright, who suggested Perkins the summer before I started my doctoral program. He has generously given of his time for guidance and evaluation, affording me many opportunities to teach and make Perkins practical along the way. These men model for me what it means to be a historian unto the glory of God.
My gratitude als