Note: This episode was originally published February 25, 2020. ICYMI, please enjoy this lecture hosted by the Center for Hebraic Thought on February 15, 2020.
The Christian tradition describes God as “perfect”—but how the Bible describes this perfection might surprise us. When we think of God, we often start by asking, “What is God?” This is the approach of the Westminster Catechism as well as many philosophers. This seemingly common-sense approach, however, is strange at a second glance—after all, we wouldn’t typically ask, “What is your spouse?” or “What is Steve?” In this lecture, Dr. Peter Leithart argues for a different approach: asking, “Who is God?”
To understand God’s nature (including His perfection), we must consider how Scripture reasons. Often, the biblical authors appeal to poetry, imagery, story, and history to define God. Dr. Leithart argues that these literary forms—far from being irrational or anti-philosophical—are rigorously intellectual and potent forms of knowing a God who is personal, transcendent, and yes, perfect.
This episode is a recording of the evening lecture for our February 14-15 workshop with the Rev. Dr. Peter Leithart of the Theopolis Institute.
Show notes:
Lament, Moral Injury, and the Dark Parts of Scripture (Dr. Jill Firth)
Until All the Psalms Are Sung Again (Poor Bishop Hooper)
Listen to an Article: Recovering the Political Teachings of the Hebrew Bible
If Christians Read Scripture Like Jews Do (Ari Lamm)
The Church's Alarming Neglect of the Old Testament (Brent Strawn)
On Whether There Is Sacred Music (Delvyn Case)
How to Enjoy Reading the Bible (Matthew Mullins)
Behind the Scenes: CHT Staff Tells All! (Dru, Amy, Celina)
The Biblical Authors vs. Greek Philosophy (Joseph Dodson)
Understanding Slavery in the Old Testament—and Today (Myrto Theocharous)
You Mean Jesus Isn't Literally a Vine? (Beth Stovell)
American Christians' Peculiar View of Inerrancy—and Other Oddities (Mike Bird)
Listen to an Article: Neither Work nor Leisure Provides 'Our Daily Bread'
Ancient Israelite Government in Modern Republics (Kyle Swan)
Don't Drop the Body of Christ (Janelle Peters)
Why We Should Still Keep the Sabbath (Mark Scarlata)
Reading Exodus: When Does a Multitude Become a People? (Leon Kass)
Listen to This before Writing That Book (Michael Thomson)
But Really, What's Up with Abraham Almost Sacrificing Isaac? (Aaron Koller)
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