Looking over My Shoulder (I)

(Today is the first day of the rest of my life… beyond blogging primarily about the problems of the Southern Baptist Convention.  To say that I am not optimistic about what I have heard about what happened in Indianapolis is an understatement.  Sam Creed tells me that no less than the venerable Jimmy Draper says that things in the SBC are not just in decline, but “freefall.”  If I have understood Sam–and Dr. Draper–correctly, I would say “Amen” to the fact that he has stated the obvious, but also that which no other prominent current or recent SBC leader has had the courage and candor to say out loud.  Will other leaders have the courage to admit the same and attempt to do something to stop the status quo which is careening downhill toward a bad ending, sooner or later?  Enough of that…)

A project that I am now turning to full-force (which I should have done months ago!) is a commentary on Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, which I will co-author for an evangelical publisher in Scotland.  The following is the first draft of what will become–after significant revision, I’m sure–the “Preface” for that volume.  See whether you think the following features would be a balanced contribution and useful to you in ministry.

Since the (blank) series–I’ll leave that out until we’re a little further down the line–does not require particular features or for its authors to write within the confines of highly specific established form-style guidelines, there is considerable leeway for creativity in the process of producing a volume that is worthy of being called a (blank series) commentary.  Accordingly, we have chosen the following format for the commentary proper as being appropriate to accomplish what the heart of the concept of “mentor” is and which readers might have a right to expect.

-         At the beginning of each section of the text, we will provide our Original Translation from the Greek.  For this rendering, we will work from The Greek New Testament: Fourth Revised Edition (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993).

-         Next, as needed, there will be selective Critical Notes.  Whether the focus is textual criticism (“lower criticism”) or any of a number of kinds of “higher criticism” issues, the issues will be succinctly treated in this section.

-         There will be a Contextual Overview provided at the beginning of each section.  That will provide the reader with the perspective of a general map of how that particular portion of the text fits into “the forest” of the wider flow of the book before delving into “the trees” of the detailed exegesis of each section.

-         The Exegetical Comments section will unpack the text in adequate depth to handle the issues encountered, but striving to do so in a readable manner.  It is believed that this approach will best serve the needs of the wider audience as a “mentor” for their study, teaching and preaching of the biblical text.  Occasional excurses will go into greater depth and detail in regard to what we deem particularly crucial issues.

-         Boyd has long answered the comprehensive question “Why did God give us the Scriptures?” with the following statement: “God gave the Bible into historical time that we might draw timeless principles for timely application.”  The first four features discussed above deal with the historical time aspect here (i.e., what has been traditionally referred to as “historical-grammatical exegesis”).  But, in our view, commentaries that truly seek to “mentor” should proceed further in setting forth Timeless Principles (i.e., biblical principles derived from the text that are equally true for all readers of Scripture in all times, not just for the original audience).  This will be done in brief after the exegesis, along with crisp explanations for why we think the principles we lay out are valid.

-         Next, based on the timeless principles we set forth, we will also lay out Timely Applications of the text for contemporary audiences.  The application is not intended to be comprehensive or in overly precise detail.  It is merely intended as suggestive—to “prime the pump,” so to speak—for those reading the commentary devotionally or for preachers or teachers who struggle at the point of thinking applicationally.

-         Finally, we will provide limited Suggestions for Preaching and Teaching that particular section of text.  However, in laying out this material, we are by no means implying that any teacher or preacher should present the text in this manner.  Rather, we are merely attempting to help with the early brainstorming of might be presented in the classroom or pulpit setting.  If the Holy Spirit chooses to use any of our content to enhance the preaching or teaching of the Word, the Lord alone deserves all the glory!  We are all but fellow-servants—partners in the gospel, as Philippians 1:5 best puts it.

Bottom line: This is the kind of scholarly/practical commentary I would like to have to work with in my preaching and teaching.  As a result, this is the kind of commentary we are going to write… unless some better ideas come forward very quickly.  If you have any wild and crazy ideas/convictions in this arena that you would like to try out on me, please let me hear from you in the Comments section.

Blessings, Boyd

PS- If you didn’t figure out the title for this post, it is that I’m going to let you “look over my shoulder” as I prepare to write it, then do so.  But, if you choose to read the posts along the way, I’m expecting you to let me know what you like and what you don’t.  I may or may not make changes based on your criticisms.  But, I promise that they will all be carefully considered.  And, in the Acknowledgements section of the commentary, I will certainly thank those of you who have encouraged me or held my feet to the fire.

Coming Saturday: “Saturdaysare for Newspaper Articles”