Merrill's Center of the Bible

Well enough of Melo and the 'Cuse, and now onto another topic: What is the center of the entire Bible? I should have started with this post and then done the center of the OT, but I am not that organized. So what is the center of the Bible? Some say Christ, others Kingdom, other New Creation. Obviously this post cannot exhaustively detail the previously stated centers, but I do want to bring up a new, at least for me, theory out there that is very attractive to me. This theory is proposed by Dumbrell and followed by Merrill which sees Genesis 1:26-28 as informing one as the goal and center of the Scriptures. He in a sense says that center message of the Bible is God mediating His rule over all of creation through man. Since man fell, this rule by man became impossible. Therefore, Christ had reconcile man and God in order for this mediated rule to come about. Merrill writes, "God the Sovereign Lord of all that is, created the universe for His own glory, displaying that glory through what is made and what he does in nature and history. Man, created as God's image, is the channel and agent chosen by God to mediate his revealed will and to implement his sovereign purposes." The reason this center shocks me is that there no mention of Christ. Now I am sure that Merrill that gives Christ His due, but it seems to be second fiddle. By that I mean that the primary center is God mediating His rule through man, and only since Adam fell is Christ brought into the picture. But back to the center question, does this center encapsulate the entire drama of redemption? What are the ramifications concerning the millennium, already/not yet hermeneutic...etc.? Give me some thoughts!! Josh, please do not say that you think this is 'neat.'

Melo vs Warrick

Interesting NBA match-up that featured two 'Cuse players last evening: Melo vs Hakim. Interestingly both the were the leading scorers for their respective clubs. Hakim's team won the game but Carmelo walked away with 37, 9, and 7. Carmelo continues to tear it up. Go Cuse boys!!

The Center

The most challenging thought to me in regards to the OT relates to the center, the mitte. There will be many more posts related to this topic, but this opening post will address one issue--what is the significance of the Abrahamic Covenant? What function does it play in the overall message of the Bible? Those who know me are not surprised at all that the first post deals with Abraham. But my position on the AC is that it sets the blueprint for the plan of redemption in that after the initial statement of redemption in Genesis 3:15, God now gives the blueprint for how the drama of redemption will unfold. Thus, it is not too much to say that this text in Genesis 12, 15, 17 etc... are absolutely crucial to the understanding of the macronarrative of the Scriptures. It seems that after the intial gospel in 3:15 that the plan comes to fruition or the plan is laid out rather in the Abrahamic Covenant. Thus, the AC becomes the overriding covenant of the Scriptures. The plan of redemption comes through a man, Abraham, and his offspring, Christ. The narrative of Israel then is the story that brings about the Messiah. So, am I making too much of this or what are some thoughts about the significance of the AC.

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