Tension in Scripture or In Me?

[Jason]

From this discussion.

First of all, let's define tension. What do we mean when we speak of tension and Scripture?

Does tension exist in Scripture?

Does it exist in me?

[Daniel]

It definitely exists in me.  I fight urges to tell people off what I really think all the time.  I think it does in the Bible as well, but in different ways.  I think the OT often produces two different views of a topic, and the NT often presents two different topics that seem to compete.

[Jason]

I notice that you said, "seem to compete."

That brings us back to the issue of where the tension is. If it only seems that they compete, perhaps the tension is in the reader.

Daniel said:

It definitely exists in me.  I fight urges to tell people off what I really think all the time.  I think it does in the Bible as well, but in different ways.  I think the OT often produces two different views of a topic, and the NT often presents two different topics that seem to compete.

[Alex Guggenheim]

May I encourage anyone to read my blog article on this topic written last year:

There is No Such Thing as "Theological Tension"

But if you do not wish to read it I will give you the conclusion of the article.

Show me a man or woman that believes thelogical tension is a legtimate explanation and I will show you a man or woman who cannot provide you a proper explanation.

[Daniel]

There is tension, I believe, between things like free will or predestination.  CMP even has a blog entitled "Tension in Calvinism."  And it think it is fine to have opposing ideas that we don't quite have all figured out.  Full explanations of everything are not promised to us.  I know Alex believes tension shows you can't provide a proper explanation, but I think that *denies* the tension rather than explaining it.  And there are just some things that we can't fully understand and explain.  I'm fine with that.  if I had a God that my tiny mind could fully comprehend, I'd be concerned.

Jason said:

I notice that you said, "seem to compete."

That brings us back to the issue of where the tension is. If it only seems that they compete, perhaps the tension is in the reader.

Daniel said:

It definitely exists in me.  I fight urges to tell people off what I really think all the time.  I think it does in the Bible as well, but in different ways.  I think the OT often produces two different views of a topic, and the NT often presents two different topics that seem to compete.

[Bit Brush]

I believe we perceive that tensions exist. What we have are areas where our logic fails us. Some of the hardest things I've had to come to grips with is the fact that nothing happens without God's permission. That includes the extermination of the Jews by Nazi Germany, good Christian women succumbing to cancer, babies being aborted at alarming rates, etc...etc... There are things that God even engineers that would blow our typical straight-laced Christians' minds.

We also have to remember that the Holy Spirit gave these apostles the understanding and inspiration...to be able to communicate to future generations, just as Christ prayed, the Gospel of Salvation.

[Marv]

Offhand, I'm inclined to take Alex's tack in regard to "tension" merely being a way we admit or reveal that we haven't got all the answers. But so what. That ought to be among our first confessions. Besides, he employs this to militate against Scriptural, i.e. Reformed soteriology. Okay, I said it that way to be annoying, I admit it. But frankly, I don't see God's sovereignty and man's responsibility as an example of "tension." I think it makes perfect sense. So what if my brain is too small or rather, I haven't been told enough to elaborate the relationship accurately?

[Char]

Tension typically refers to the fact that texts appear to have conflicting implications, especially in the absence of the full picture. It's a little like muscle tension-the more pulling that goes on, the more uncomfortable one is.

 

I would say the best scriptural example of tension is found in the book of Job. The conflicts are in some ways only mildly resolved for us by the view behind the scenes. But the tension on the ground was clearly taut and painful. And it existed not only in the speakers' understanding, but is evident in what was revealed, how and when that was revealed and what was, and still is, withheld. Lots of conflict between everyone and everything. And yet it's also one cohesive and powerful text, widely recognized as a great literary accomplishment-I think partly because of the depth of the tensions. So I think the book goes to show that yeah there are some tensions that are built in to the text, because even if you weren't a sinful wretch who disobeys God you don't and can't know everything.

 

Which brings up Luther's concept of God hiding in contraries (and Luther's own tensions make him an interesting addition to such a discussion). You probably know Jason that when he discusses God's hiddenness he discusses it in two ways, which I think may at least roughly correspond with your question as to where tension lies (maybe). The way God hides from glory theologians is quite different than the way he hides in contraries to bring people to faith. So, along with Luther, I suspect the built in tensions are there to force us to trust that God knows what he's doing without all the answers (and to keep some people from finding him). But there are definitely also implications that conflict with our ideas of who and what he should be (majestic God suffering and dying?? PHEH), and thus I think one could say that tension resides in frau hulda.

[Char]

Also why we only get queries for book recommendations?

[Daniel]

Great thoughts, Char!

[Marv]

I see tension between Kenosis and Arianism.

[Jason]

You got that out of Scripture. I know you did, because it surely ain't IN Scripture!!!!! :-)

Marv said:

I see tension between Kenosis and Arianism.

[Jason]

???????

Char said:

Also why we only get queries for book recommendations?