In Mark 13:32 (and Matt 24:36), Jesus states that he doesn’t know the day or hour of his return—solely the Father does. However how can that be? If Jesus is absolutely God, wouldn’t he be omniscient?
On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller is joined by Brandon Crowe to discover this difficult passage. They focus on completely different attainable explanations—together with dangerous ones!—and the significance of distinguishing Christ’s two natures. Nothing wanting our salvation is at stake!
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Episode visitor: Brandon Crowe
Brandon D. Crowe (PhD, College of Edinburgh) is professor of New Testomony at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, and guide overview editor for the Westminster Theological Journal and Unio Cum Christo. Crowe’s educational pursuits embrace the Gospels, Christology, and numerous matters associated to biblical and systematic theology.
Episode synopsis
The Olivet Discourse
Brandon Crowe begins by explaining the context of Mark 13, often known as the Olivet Discourse, which talks about eschatological occasions. Kirk E. Miller and Brandon briefly define the completely different interpretations of this discourse—whether or not it refers back to the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70), the return of Christ, or a mixture of each. They point out theological views like dispensationalism and preterism.
A problematic verse
Mark 13:32 states that nobody, not even Jesus, is aware of the hour of his return besides the Father. This raises troublesome theological questions: How can the divine Son of God not know one thing if God is omniscient?
Omniscience and ignorance?
Kirk and Brandon discover Jesus’s two natures—his divinity and humanity—resulting in his possession of divine omniscience and but additionally of human limitations like ignorance. They survey numerous passages from the New Testomony as an example cases the place Jesus displays each this divine data and human limitation.
Misinterpretations
Brandon and Kirk focus on some historic and modern explanations of this passage:
- Arianism: This early heresy advised that Jesus isn’t absolutely God since he doesn’t know the hour.
- Kenoticism: A recent view which argues that Jesus emptied himself of some divine attributes, similar to full divine data, through the incarnation.
- Feigned ignorance: One other view posits that Jesus knew the knowledge however selected to not reveal it.
Brandon and Kirk dissect the theological and exegetical errors concerned in these interpretations, emphasizing that Jesus stays absolutely divine and human in line with orthodox Christology.
Communicatio idiomatum & the partitive exegesis
Kirk introduces the idea of communicatio idiomatum, “the communication of properties.” This theological idea explains how attributes of every of Christ’s nature are attributed to the individual of Christ. Thus, Jesus’s ignorance in line with his human nature doesn’t negate his divine omniscience.
Kirk pulls references from early church fathers like Athanasius of Alexandria and Gregory of Nazianzus, who argue that Jesus’s ignorance in regards to the hour pertains to his human nature. Brandon then explains partitive exegesis, an interpretative technique that distinguishes statements about Jesus based mostly on his divine or human nature.
Hermeneutical rules
Brandon and Kirk spotlight necessary hermeneutical principles when participating tough passages like Mark 13:32:
- Scripture as impressed: Recognizing the Bible as God’s authoritative Phrase.
- Theological interpretation of Scripture: Acknowledging that we come to the textual content with theological frameworks, whether or not or not we acknowledge this.
- Leaning on the church’s insights: Actively using insights from historic creeds and church fathers to information scriptural interpretation.
Sensible implications
The dialogue turns to the sensible significance of Mark 13:32. Brandon underscores the eschatological focus of the passage—it urges believers to remain vigilant and be ready for Christ’s return with out speculating on the precise timing. Kirk additionally states that if Christ didn’t know the hour of his personal return, it’s flawed of us to take a position and date-set.
Kirk additionally factors out that understanding Jesus’s true humanity and divinity is essential for an accurate doctrine of salvation. Solely a Savior who is definitely God and really human can successfully redeem humanity.
Instructing & preaching ideas
Brandon and Kirk supply recommendation for pastors and academics on easy methods to deal with this passage. Whereas explaining the theological complexities behind Mark 13:32 is needful, it’s additionally necessary to convey the bigger message of the textual content—being vigilant and trustworthy for Christ’s return—and never lose the forest for this one tree.
Logos values considerate and fascinating discussions on necessary biblical matters. Nevertheless, the views and interpretations offered on this episode are these of the people talking and don’t essentially replicate the official place of Logos. We acknowledge that Christians might maintain completely different views on this passage, and we welcome numerous engagement and respectful dialogue.
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