About R. Scott Clark
R. Scott Clark is the President of the
Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several
books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University.
Read more» He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
All praise to the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity! Thank you for this excellent article Dr. Clark.
I’d like to hear (read) your thoughts on this article How Many is God: An Investigation into the Meaning of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, JETS, 47/2 (June 2004) 193-212.
Thanks!
Jeff,
This is the sort of bib studies stuff that drives me up a wall.
1) It’s not like the NT doesn’t quote the Shema.
2) It’s not like the Christian tradition and the Christian churches haven’t interpreted the Shema.
Not sure what you mean. It seems as though Block simply want to interprete the Shema as “…Lord Alone.” It seems to me, that is argument (with the evidence given) is sound. He does mention Jesus’ quotation of it as well.
I can’t seem to find flaws with his argument, but that is why I’m asking you. 🙂
I surveyed it very quickly but it seemed to me that he was arguing that it doesn’t really say “God is numerically one.”
Does he not say that?
I don’t believe that would be Block’s position, but in reference to the shema, he is stating that in context, the Shema is referring to the monotheism. I do believe Block would say God is one, but that the Shema isn’t really addressing that issue.
Regarding Jesus’ quotation of the shema, Block states that Jesus isn’t dealing with God’s nature. He is simply answering the question, “which is the greatest commandment.”
He said to me in an Email (I hope he doesn’t mind me quoting him) that “No critical doctrine is at stake in this reading. Based on other Scriptures we affirm the unity and triunity of God.”
That’s just the problem. Block’s doing what bib studies people frequently do. The church has interpreted the Shema for 2000 years but we’ve got it all wrong! Turns out the Shema has nothing to do with simplicity and the like. How could have been so foolish?
The Shema has been a fundamental part of the Christian doctrine of God’s simplicity for a very long time.