Conference Presentations by Stephen Wunrow
Evangelical Theological Society, 2021
Theological perspectives on the intermediate state are usually based on several classic passages ... more Theological perspectives on the intermediate state are usually based on several classic passages that reference the location of the dead (like Luke 16; 23:43; 2 Cor 5; Rev 6). However, another helpful source for theological reflection is often neglected: the location of Jesus himself, who has already died, resurrected, and ascended. The goal of this paper is thus to bring the theological question of the intermediate state to biblical texts that deal with the nature, place, and function of Jesus’ ascension-space. This requires four moves. First, I briefly examine two texts that speak of being with Christ at death (2 Cor 5:6–8; Phil 1:21–24). My analysis will connect ascension-space and the intermediate state, which is thereby limited to the place of the “dead in Christ.” Second, I survey three models for the intermediate state that are compatible with “being with Christ” at death, focusing on three scholars. Model 1 presents an intermediate state with conscious experience (Joseph Ratzinger); model 2 proposes an intermediate state without conscious experience (Anthony Thiselton); and model 3 suggests immediate resurrection with no intermediate state (T. F. Torrance). Third, I exegete four ascension texts with the question of space in mind (Acts 1:9–11; Eph 1:20–22; John 14:1–6; Heb 9:11–12). These four texts provide fundamental guidelines for understanding Jesus’ location. Fourth, I evaluate the intermediate state models in light of these guidelines for understanding Jesus’ location. In light of these four moves, I present a final sketch of the relationship between the intermediate state and Jesus’ ascension-space.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Recent interest in the hermeneutical method known as theological interpretation of Scripture (TIS... more Recent interest in the hermeneutical method known as theological interpretation of Scripture (TIS) has led to an increasingly difficult problem: what exactly is this hermeneutic? With the dissemination and popularization of the model in the writings of scholars such as Kevin Vanhoozer, Daniel Treier, and Stephen Fowl, confusion has often grown alongside interest. Each of these scholars appears to have their own interpretation of what TIS entails, and most of the studies are theoretical and hard pin down. Because of this, while some may be intrigued by this hermeneutic, they may struggle to come to an informed opinion on the issue. The goal of this paper is to provide a practical illustration of TIS in action through a case study.
To ground the case study, this paper first briefly defines what is and is not meant by TIS for the author. The second, larger part of the paper consists of a hermeneutical case study in 1 Thess 4:13–18. In this section, the author relies upon the insights and work of others as much as on his own, since the goal is not to present new insights into the meaning of pericope but instead to illustrate a theoretical model in concrete detail. It is the author’s hope that others, after experiencing a case study, will be able to hold a more informed opinion on theological interpretation of Scripture.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Papers by Stephen Wunrow
In this paper, I suggest that justification comes through union with Christ; union is qualified b... more In this paper, I suggest that justification comes through union with Christ; union is qualified by the ascension, which leads to an already-not yet dialectic; and future justification can be understood within this dialectic. To do so, I take four steps. 1) I survey scholarship on future justification to set up the issues. 2) I argue that Paul's language about union and justification leads naturally to taking union as the context for justification. 3) I examine four Pauline texts that speak of the ascension and suggest some implications. 4) I dialogue with theologians on the ascension to draw out more implications. I conclude by suggesting that future justification can be best understood within the context of union with Christ qualified by the ascension.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
In this paper, I attempt an evaluations of theologies of resurrection in three movements. First, ... more In this paper, I attempt an evaluations of theologies of resurrection in three movements. First, I survey three main options for understanding resurrection: no resurrection, resurrection in or at death, and resurrection at the end of days. I suggest that each of these options has spatial as well as temporal implications. Second, I work through the spatial implications of Hebrews, taking four steps. 1) Hebrews puts the dead with Jesus. 2) Jesus is bodily in heaven, where the new creation has begun. 3) The dead have not reached their final state. 4) There is a relationship between dead and living. Third, I return to the options for understanding resurrection and evaluate them in light of the four steps from Hebrews. I conclude that resurrection at the end of days best fits with the logic of Hebrews.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
This paper puts Douglas Farrow's work on ascension in conversation with the book of Hebrews. This... more This paper puts Douglas Farrow's work on ascension in conversation with the book of Hebrews. This conversation focuses on two main areas: the nature of ascension and the place of ascension. In each area, I present Farrow's contribution, possible objections from Hebrews, and a constructive argument based on Hebrews. I conclude that Hebrews aligns with Farrow's claims about a fleshly ascension and a material heaven but not with his argument that Jesus creates a space when he ascends. Finally, I suggest some implications from my understanding of ascension and heaven.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
In New Testament Greek, the order of words in a clause often varies, but most New Testament schol... more In New Testament Greek, the order of words in a clause often varies, but most New Testament scholars do not take this variation into account in their exegesis of New Testament passages. In this project, I use Stephen Levinsohn’s basic word order framework to illustrate how word order does indeed affect exegesis and thus should be considered when interpreting the New Testament. The paper has two basic sections. First, I outline Levinsohn’s approach to Koine Greek word order, and second, I apply this approach to 1 Thess 4:13–5:11. These two sections will illustrate the usefulness of word order analysis for exegesis and also provide exegetes with some tools to perform such analysis on their own.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Books by Stephen Wunrow
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Academic, 2021
A Scripture Index to Rabbinic Literature is a comprehensive Scripture index that catalogs approxi... more A Scripture Index to Rabbinic Literature is a comprehensive Scripture index that catalogs approximately 90,000 references to the Bible found in classical rabbinic literature. This literature comprises two categories: (1) Talmudic literature (i.e., the Mishnah and related works) and (2) midrashic literature (i.e., biblical commentary). Each rabbinic reference includes a hard citation following SBL Handbook of Style, the page number where the reference can be found in a standard English edition, and an indication of whether the biblical reference is a direct citation, allusion, or editorial reference.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Journal Articles by Stephen Wunrow
Biblical Research, 2022
This article argues that Paul’s report of his ascent to heaven in 2 Cor 12:1–4 is best understood... more This article argues that Paul’s report of his ascent to heaven in 2 Cor 12:1–4 is best understood against other early Jewish and Christian texts that report ascents to heaven. These texts consistently show interest in eight areas: nature of the ascent, means of travel, restrictions on access, number of heavens, structures in heaven, functions of heaven, functions of angels, and results of ascent. An examination of Paul’s report against this background yields an ascent in which Paul enters paradise within the third of multiple heavens and hears a revelation that he is not permitted to share. The report shows interest in four of the eight categories and omits the others, which suggests that Paul emphasizes his travel into heaven over what he learned there. Thus, while Paul does present the ascent as potential evidence for his authority, he focuses instead on the bare fact of travel in order to set up the following thorn account.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Uploads
Conference Presentations by Stephen Wunrow
To ground the case study, this paper first briefly defines what is and is not meant by TIS for the author. The second, larger part of the paper consists of a hermeneutical case study in 1 Thess 4:13–18. In this section, the author relies upon the insights and work of others as much as on his own, since the goal is not to present new insights into the meaning of pericope but instead to illustrate a theoretical model in concrete detail. It is the author’s hope that others, after experiencing a case study, will be able to hold a more informed opinion on theological interpretation of Scripture.
Papers by Stephen Wunrow
Books by Stephen Wunrow
Journal Articles by Stephen Wunrow
To ground the case study, this paper first briefly defines what is and is not meant by TIS for the author. The second, larger part of the paper consists of a hermeneutical case study in 1 Thess 4:13–18. In this section, the author relies upon the insights and work of others as much as on his own, since the goal is not to present new insights into the meaning of pericope but instead to illustrate a theoretical model in concrete detail. It is the author’s hope that others, after experiencing a case study, will be able to hold a more informed opinion on theological interpretation of Scripture.