God's Word Alone, Part 2 · Against the Darkness, Ch. 4 · Biblical Reasoning, Part 1

Works under review:

Barrett, Matthew. God’s Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture. The 5 Solas Series: What the Reformers Taught… and Why It Still Matters, edited by Matthew Barrett. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Cole, Graham A. Against the Darkness: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons. Foundations of Evangelical Theology, edited by John S. Feinberg. Wheaton: Crossway, 2019.

Jamieson, R.B. and Tyler R. Wittman. Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2022.

Summary

God’s Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture, Part Two

Matthew Barrett’s Part Two of God’s Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture, titled “God’s Word in Redemptive History,” is far shorter than the previous Part One but still most valuable and informative. The first chapter, “God’s Word in the Economy of the Gospel: Covenant, Trinity, and the Necessity of a Saving Word,” introduces the next two. Barrett first signifies the distinction between general and special revelation, declaring, “General revelation is sufficient to condemn [humanity], it is insufficient to save [humanity]… Special revelation, and Scripture in particular, is redemptive in nature, ultimately leading [humanity] to Jesus Christ, who is not only Creator but Redeemer as well” (p. 157). Then, he demonstrates that the following chapters will focus on three themes primarily: the covenant, the Trinity, and the Word of God (pp. 159-164).

Chapter Two, “God Speaks Covenantal Words: Creation, Fall, and the Longing for a Better Word,” “embark[s] on a journey from Adam to second Adam… [focusing on] how the story line of Scripture portrays the ‘Word of God,’ particularly through the context of God’s covenants” (p. 165). Throughout the chapter and Old Testament stories concerning Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, Barrett makes evident that “the story from Adam to Christ can be characterized by two words: sin and grace” (p. 170). Moreover, he emphasizes that God is a God of promise and covenant, for even “[t]hough Israel was unfaithful, the Lord remained faithful (Mal. 3:6)” (p. 198).

Chapter Three, “God’s Covenantal Word Proves True: Christ, the Word Made Flesh,” demonstrates this faithfulness by summarizing the previous chapter and positing that the covenant promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ (pp. 201-202). Barrett then follows, declaring that Jesus is the Word of God, as evidenced in the Gospel of John, and the rest of the chapter has a Trinitarian focus: “1) Christ, the Word, fulfilled the promises of God in the Old Testament, which [H]e affirmed as the very Word of God. 2) Christ, as the Son of God and the Word of God, is the ultimate, climatic, and full revelation of God, and [H]is word is true because it came from the Father. 3) The Father and Son sent the Spirit of truth with a word of truth” (p. 206).

Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis, Part One

Likewise, Part One of Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis comprises three chapters. In Chapter One, the goal is to recognize the aim of biblical reasoning, and the chapter title provides the answer through a command: “Seek His Face Always.” Moreover, the “aim” of biblical reasoning is “the vision of Christ’s glory [specifically], and therein eternal life” (p. 4). The rest of this chapter has three focuses, much like the final chapter of God’s Word Alone Part Two. R. B. Jamieson and Tyler R. Wittman behold Christ’s glory summarized in the beatific vision, focus on “the purification of [humanity’s] vision by faith that works through love,” “and consider how faith and sight are distinguished and yet related, especially in the notion of contemplation, which is both shaped by exegesis and shapes exegesis” (p. 4).

Chapter Two, “The School of Christ: The Pedagogical Context of Biblical Reasoning,” focuses on the second principle of biblical reasoning, which posits, “Everything Scripture says about God is part of God’s wise and meticulous pedagogy” (p. 23). The authors then explain this point, citing sections of Scripture such as 1 Corinthians 2, in which Paul points to the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit’s role in helping Christians understand spiritual truths (p. 34). Furthermore, these “spiritual truths” are “treasures… found in Christ crucified and resurrected. The whole substance of the wisdom of God wants to teach [Christians] is virtually contained in the Gospel” (pp. 34-35). Much like Barrett claims, the authors of Biblical Reasoning see Jesus and the Gospel as the Word of God in this regard.

The final chapter of Part One of Biblical Reasoning, “The Curriculum of Christ: The Source and Practice of Biblical Reasoning,” concludes the section by synthesizing “the end of discipleship—that is, the beatific vision—and its context, the economy of divine teaching” (p. 41). What is this “Curriculum of Christ?” It is none other than Scripture. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the nature of Scripture (pp. 43-47), the economic location of Scripture and its context that applies to past, present, and future (pp. 48-49), the exactness of Scripture (pp. 51-54), and the pressure of Scripture (pp. 54-57). Finally, the authors conclude Part One with a profound statement: “Biblical reasoning is that form of attention to Holy Scripture that is taught by God, teaches about God, and leads to God” (p. 58). Indeed, Scripture is God’s Word.

Against the Darkness: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons, Chapter Four

Graham Cole, in his fourth chapter, “Satan, the Malevolent Spoiler,” provides a comprehensive overview of the Devil, examining his nature (pp. 81-82), names (p. 82), fall, sin, and connection to humanity’s fall and sin (pp. 82-89), and condemnations of him, expositing key sections of Scripture such as Isaiah 14:3-23 and Ezekiel 28:2-19 in the Old Testament and Luke 10:17-20, Revelation 12:7-9, and 2 Peter 2:4 in the New Testament (pp. 90-97). The rest of the chapter focuses on the activities of Satan (pp. 97-101), Karl Barth’s opinion that Satan is not a fallen angel, nor an angel at all (pp. 101-102), and the problem of theodicy (pp. 103-105). Cole concludes that the Scripture is limited in its language of Satan and that Christians should not believe more than the text declares, but they should still be aware of a greater spiritual reality (pp. 105-106). All that can be confidently said concerning the Devil’s nature is that he is a fallen angel “who is at work both inside and outside the church” and possesses the leadership of all fallen angels (pp. 108-109).

Assessment

Barrett’s Part Two, “God’s Word in Redemptive History,” is a far easier read than Part One. The structure is also helpful in that he introduces the topics of the Word, covenants, and the Trinity before examining such things in the second and third chapters on the Old Testament and New Testament, respectively. Because the part is structured this way, the development and progressive revelation of the biblical themes of the Trinity, the covenants, and, most importantly, the Word of God is evident to the reader. Therefore, it provides a comprehensive yet understandable evaluation and examination of such themes. For this reason, any Christian student seeking to understand the development of the Trinity, the covenants, and the Word of God within Scripture should begin with Barrett’s book.

The same can be said of Biblical Reasoning Part One. The book’s structure is strikingly well done. It provides the aim of biblical reasoning, presents biblical reasoning as a pedagogy between Christians (students) and God (pedagogue), and combines the two in the revelation of Scripture, concluding that Scripture is the Word of God. For this reason, students seeking to learn the process of hermeneutics and biblical theology may consider reading this work, yet it is quite complex, even compared to Barrett’s Part Two. It should be read with great contemplation and careful time.

Thirdly, the fourth chapter of Against the Darkness, “Satan, the Malevolent Spoiler,” is an interesting read that exercises great caution about going beyond what is permissible by Scripture. Cole desires to remain within the confines God Himself has set in His Word concerning the Devil. In the context of the current culture of the Western world, this would be easy to do, and Cole speaks to this, stating, “The Western world is becoming a ‘reenchanted’ place for some. For historian of ideas Philip C. Almond, the movie The Exorcist, released in 1973, signaled the beginning of the entertainment industry’s reengagement with the demonic. And so [Almond] writes, ‘The Devil now has new domains and new borders.’” (p. 80). Because the Western world and even Western Christianity have become so infatuated with spiritual things, like angels and demons, Cole’s commitment to God’s Word is commendable, and his wisdom concerning these things should be embraced by those interested in such topics.

Reflection

Reading Part Two of Barrett’s God’s Word Alone was easier for me than the previous part, perhaps because it was shorter. However, I was able to keep track of the argument a lot better than previously, and it is quite helpful that the text is focused on Scripture most of the time rather than philosophical ideologies, such as Part One’s analysis of modernism and postmodernism in relation to the Christian faith and interpretation of the Bible. More importantly, Barrett’s analysis of the themes of the Trinity, covenants, and progressive revelation of God’s Word was eye-opening and even devotional, for it provided me a greater comfort in God’s plan and sovereignty over His creation. It is of great comfort that God has revealed Himself progressively and that we, as Christians, possess the finality and superiority of that revelation in Jesus, the Word of God. Furthermore, it has demonstrated that the written Word of God, the Old and New Testaments, should be treasured, for they contain God’s words spoken to His people throughout time. When we read the Scripture, we are participating in a story that has developed since the beginning, and through it all, God has been faithful to His people. This is much the same as being a part of the Church in that through God’s Word, we have fellowship with His people, past, present, and future. Moreover, the same Spirit given at Pentecost and who has been with the Church since the beginning, inspiring the Word of God, is present in Christians today, including myself. All of this is to say that Barrett’s work has helped me realize the Bible’s overarching narrative, for God has always been a God of covenants, the Trinity is eternal, and the Word of God is the same now as it was when it was first given.

However, I did struggle with Biblical Reasoning. Much like Barrett’s first part, I found it a difficult read, yet I did gain some application from it:

Among the many things docility requires are our attention and intention. Teachable readers of Scripture set their attentions on God, delight in [H]im, and meditate on [H]is Word day and night (Pss. 1:1-2; 119:16, 24, 35, 47, 62). Such attentiveness is fundamentally receptive rather than autonomous. Docility also engages our will, stirring up “the desire to learn.” God’s wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, and so teachable readers seek those treasures diligently (cf. Matt. 13:44). With the psalmist, we must pray, “With my whole heart I seek you… I have stored up [Y]our [W]ord in my heart” (Ps. 119:10-11).

This passage demonstrates a student’s eagerness for the Word of God, and I wish to emulate this mentality concerning God’s Word. I recognize that biblical reasoning and being a student of God through the medium of Scripture require intention and attention, with the ultimate goal of worshipping the Savior Christ in all His fullness (p. 39). I must desire and devote myself to this goal by being a docile student of His Word, holding it in my heart and mind, and putting it into faithful practice. Having an evident devotion and desire for God’s Word will further ingrain a more profound love for it in my heart and, therefore, a more profound realization of its authority over all other authorities. In this regard, Scripture is special, for it is the Supreme authority over all others, and it is the only authority commanded of Christians to be treasured in the heart.

I also learned a lot from Chapter Four of Against the Darkness. Cole’s commitment to Scripture influenced and encouraged me above all else. His caution of tradition and his desire to remain faithful to the Bible demonstrates his devotion and high regard for God’s Word insofar as he quotes T. Desmond Alexander: “The Bible exists to give us a deeper understanding of God. It is not designed to promote knowledge of the enemy, beyond what is necessary for comprehending the world in which we live and our own experience of it. Consequently, many questions remain unanswered when we collate what the Bible says about the Devil or Satan” (p. 80). As Christians, we should allow the Bible to do what it is designed to do and not read anything into it that is not there. In this regard, Cole posits that it is okay to say things we are unaware of, which is humbling. As Christians, we do not have to know everything. That is not our job. Instead, we should diligently practice and declare what we know and nothing else.