In other news, while the NT most certainly is not a textbook on metaphysics, and while it does not offer a fully developed metaphysics, its metaphysical significance lies beyond merely the "implications" that we might draw from its discourse.
The NT employs many examples of the language and concepts of metaphysical discourse that were "live" in Greco-Roman and Jewish contexts.
A few examples:
(1) Septuagintal glosses on the divine name (e.g., Rev 4:8; possibly Jn 1:18)
A few examples:
(1) Septuagintal glosses on the divine name (e.g., Rev 4:8; possibly Jn 1:18)
(2) The language of "prepositional metaphysics," which portrays God as "cause" of all things (e.g., Rom 11:36; 1 Cor 8:6)
(3) The distinction between "so-called gods" and "gods by nature" (e.g., 1 Cor 8:5; Gal 4:8)
(3) The distinction between "so-called gods" and "gods by nature" (e.g., 1 Cor 8:5; Gal 4:8)
(4) Negative attributes, especially "immortality," which were commonly used to distinguish one who was a "god by nature" from one who was a "so-called god" (e.g., Rom 1:23; 1 Tim 6:17).
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
