From Consensus to Chaos: An Historical Analysis of Evangelical Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:8-15 from 1945-2001Evangelical interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:8-15 (certainly at the level of detail) has, in the period from 1945 to 2001, changed from one of received consensus to confused plurality. This thesis provides an explanation of this phenomenon by identifying and analysing the influences within evangelical interpretation that contributed to and shaped it. The first part of the thesis (Section A) is foundational. It establishes the validity of using the term Evangelical as an heuristic concept and provides, by means of a wide-ranging and unique analysis of published discussions of 1 Timothy 2:8-15, the necessary evidence to demonstrate the changes that took place. The major part of the thesis (Sections B and C) provides, for the first time, a detailed investigation of these changes. This is undertaken with a view to establishing: (i) the factors that contributed to establishing the early consensus, (ii) the circumstances which acted as catalysts to review and on-going change, and (iii) the developments which shaped the manner in which discussion subsequently took place and which contributed to the plethora of contemporary interpretations of 1 Timothy 2:8-15. In doing so it adopts a methodology which self-consciously combines both diachronic and synthetic approaches and is thus able (a) to isolate more effectively major trends and their development and (b) to provide a framework for a more rigorous analysis. The resulting study concludes (Section D) that evangelical interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:8-15 for the period from 1945 to 2001 was embedded in and shaped by contemporary social and ecclesiastical changes and by its own internal dynamics as it responded to these developments. In particular, differing responses to emerging theological, linguistic, historical and cultural discussions and to contemporary hermeneutical debates have proved decisive. While two broadly distinguishable (and conflicting) approaches developed, they spawned a plethora of different exegetical options and variant interpretations. |
Contents
| 9 | |
| 15 | |
| 24 | |
| 34 | |
FACTORS THAT ESTABLISHED THE EARLY UNANIMITY OF OPINION | 95 |
FACTORS THAT ACTED AS CATALYSTS TO THE REVIEW AND CHANGE | 119 |
THEOLOGICAL LINGUISTIC HISTORICAL CULTURAL | 139 |
815 | 177 |
LINGUISTICS | 196 |
CHANGING ATTITUDES | 213 |
815 | 255 |
THE ROLE OF READER AND TEXT IN EVANGELICAL INTERPRETATION | 283 |
Common terms and phrases
adopted analysis Apollos appeal application argues Baker Bible Commentary Biblical Hermeneutics Biblical Interpretation century challenge charismatic charismatic movement Christian Church Churchman complementarian conclusions consensus contemporary Corinthians Criticism cultural D. A. Carson demonstrated developments discussion early Eerdmans egalitarian emphasised Ephesus Epistles to Timothy especially evangelical interpretation example exegesis exegetical Feminism Feminist Gender God’s Grand Rapids Guthrie Harmondsworth Hendriksen Hermeneutics historical context Hodder & Stoughton I. H. Marshall Ibid idem impact increasingly Inerrancy issues J. I. Packer JETS Kroeger Leadership Leicester Liefeld linguistic literary meaning methodology Mickelsen Modern Mounce movement Noll noted Old Testament Ordination of Women Oxford passage Pastoral Epistles Pastoral Epistles London Paternoster Paul Paul’s Pauline Pentecostal Pneuma post-war Postmodern presuppositions R. T. France RBMW recognised reference Role of Women scholars Schreiner Scripture significant SPCK suggests teaching theological Thiselton Timothy Titus traditional interpretation Truth Tyndale University Press verse woman Word Zondervan
Popular passages
Page 24 - There are four qualities that have been the special marks of Evangelical religion: conversionism, the belief that lives need to be changed; activism, the expression of the gospel in effort; biblicism, a particular regard for the Bible; and what may be called crucicentrism, a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Page 37 - And Hannah answered and said, No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.