Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Chur ch Mat ter s : Ret r i ev i ng the Great Trad i t i on

2. The Scriptures testified to the centrality of Christ, John 5.39-40.

3. The Scriptures were to be interpreted in light of the hermeneutic used by Jesus and the apostles: economy, typology, mystagogy, e.g., Matt. 5.17-18 (ESV) – Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. The Scriptures, in their current form, were canonized by the Christians of the early Church.

B. The Great Tradition identified with the promise of Abraham outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures.

1. The Church is the new Israel, Gal. 6.16 (ESV) – And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God (cf. Rom. 2.29; 4.12).

2. The Church functions and lives as the people of God, 1 Pet. 2.8-9.

3. The Church therefore is the pillar and ground of the truth, 1 Tim. 3.15.

4. The Church is the guardian and witness of the Abrahamic promise which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and expressed in the life and ministry of the Church, Gal. 3.7-9 (ESV) – Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.