The second speaker was Dr Greg Beale currently at Wheaton but due soon to take up a post at Westminster in Philadelphia. His subject was divine inspiration with special reference to the Book of Revelation. He began by making reference to the current debate over inerrancy with special reference to A T B McGowan.
He then went on to contend that
"John's prophetic commission to write true words is based on the truthful character of Christ and God from whom the words come"
This comes out he said in the very way that John speaks of writing the words of Christ and calling on people to hear what the Spirit has to say.
John is commanded to write down words in a book. The words will be written and true because of the character of Christ. The deduction is quite explicit. It is exegetical not merely deductive.
He then took us to four main passages
Revelation 3:14 (cf Isaiah 65:16, 17 and its reference to the God of amen. Also refer back to Revelation 1:5 to see that the reference in 3:14 is to the new creation)
See also 19:9, 21:5, 22:6. From the context it becomes increasingly clear that this is not just an implication but what John actually says. The blessing is for those who take seriously this written record. The book is called a prophecy identifying it with OT Scripture.
This was the main part of the paper. I think it is the same paper that Martin Downes reports on here which he got from here
John is commanded to write down words in a book. The words will be written and true because of the character of Christ. The deduction is quite explicit. It is exegetical not merely deductive.
He then took us to four main passages
Revelation 3:14 (cf Isaiah 65:16, 17 and its reference to the God of amen. Also refer back to Revelation 1:5 to see that the reference in 3:14 is to the new creation)
See also 19:9, 21:5, 22:6. From the context it becomes increasingly clear that this is not just an implication but what John actually says. The blessing is for those who take seriously this written record. The book is called a prophecy identifying it with OT Scripture.
This was the main part of the paper. I think it is the same paper that Martin Downes reports on here which he got from here
Is Revelation unique?
1. In 22:6 John is grouped with other prophets. The allusion is to Numbers 27
2. The repeated commissioning of John to his task militates against such an idea
3. There is also the parallel wit Isaiah
4. There is also a parallel with Daniel and Ezekiel. Okay - just apocalyptic then? But John has clearly added other material and is not just apocalyptic in its genre. Besides this he also puts himself on a par with Moses.
There was other material referring to the psalms and at the start he pointed out that he had no time to look at other matters prepared for the paper.
His main point then was that there is a clear connection between the flawlessness of Christ and God and that of Scripture Inerrancy - the word is not there but the same concept is.
Aware of contra arguments he finally asked whether God would commission John to write faithfully and truly yet knowing there would be some slippage in the inscripturation.
It was a privilege to hear this careful and convincing presentation.
Questions followed.
1. In 22:6 John is grouped with other prophets. The allusion is to Numbers 27
2. The repeated commissioning of John to his task militates against such an idea
3. There is also the parallel wit Isaiah
4. There is also a parallel with Daniel and Ezekiel. Okay - just apocalyptic then? But John has clearly added other material and is not just apocalyptic in its genre. Besides this he also puts himself on a par with Moses.
There was other material referring to the psalms and at the start he pointed out that he had no time to look at other matters prepared for the paper.
His main point then was that there is a clear connection between the flawlessness of Christ and God and that of Scripture Inerrancy - the word is not there but the same concept is.
Aware of contra arguments he finally asked whether God would commission John to write faithfully and truly yet knowing there would be some slippage in the inscripturation.
It was a privilege to hear this careful and convincing presentation.
Questions followed.
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