CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.4 Paradigmatic perspective .1 Assumptions .1 Assumptions
1.4.1.1 Meta-theoretical assumptions
This exegetical–theological study is undertaken from an independent perspective that is not beholden to any specific theological tradition. No attempt is made to be consistent within the framework of a particular convention. This is not an arrogant stance but simply an admission that no theological framework answers all the questions for this researcher. In one sense, this outside- the-box thinking is what has furthered this study of conflict and a search for a BTOC.
1.4.1.2 Theoretical assumptions
Because the goal of this research was to begin developing a BTOC (via conflict principles in Romans 12-16) and make that the focus of this study, definitions were simplified to allow the focus to be placed where it should be. For example, since this researcher’s previous dissertation provided an extensive study in defining conflict, that definition (provided in 3.3.1) is used
63 The reason for this distinction is the dual role of conflict as a vital aspect of the narrative genre (hermeneutical) and also as used by God in the instruction of His people through His Word (ethical).
throughout this study (with one modification explained in Chapter 2). Because this study is about a particular element of biblical theology, a simplified definition of biblical theology is used, which is as follows: In God’s narrative that He64 has revealed to mankind in His Word, He discloses a revelation of Himself, a revelation of the character of man,65 and a revelation of how man can have a relationship with Almighty God.66 This definition is a sweeping narrative of the whole Bible,67 but acknowledges that, as in any narrative, it is made up of key components – one of which is conflict.68 Conflict, then, both informs the metanarrative as a component of narrative genre and is a sub-topic of the narrative as a thematic element.69
Since other disciplines of theology are considered and compared in this study, Table 1-3 is an admitted oversimplification of their distinctions, but it provides continuity and clarity for this study.
Table 1-3: Distinctions of theological disciplines
Perspective Consideration Explanation Action for this pericope
Exegetical What does this text say? This text speaks of ... Listen to this text!
Biblical How does this text further God’s
story? (narrative) This text divulges ... Grasp this part of the story!
Systematic How does this text intersect with this
...? (doctrine) This text augments this aspect ... Put these parts together!
Historical How did ... understand this text? ... understood this text to mean ... Understand this view!
Revelatory What new insight does God reveal through this text?
This text reveals ... that I would
not have known otherwise Accept this truth!
Practical How do I implement this text? I must do/think ... Apply this truth!
64 Referencing the Godhead with a pronoun in this study will always involve capitalisation to avoid confusion with humanity and out of reverence for that distinction. From this point forward that pattern is followed.
65 From this point on, unless specifically stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the Bible’s use of the word “man” will automatically include the notion of woman.
66 Koukl (2017:28) offers an excellent summary: “Put another way, Christianity is the Story of how the world began, why the world is the way it is, what role we play in the drama, and how all the plotlines of the Story are resolved in the end”.
67 As Hamilton (2014:loc. 88) states, “To do biblical theology is to think about the whole story of the Bible.
We want to understand the organic development of the Bible’s teaching so that we are interpreting particular parts of the story in light of the whole”.
68 Wright provides a pertinent explanation of a story: “A story, with its pattern of problem and conflict, of aborted attempts at resolution, and final results, whether sad or glad, is, if we may infer from the common practice of the world, universally perceived as the best way of talking about the way the world actually is. Good stories assume that the world is a place of conflict and resolution, whether comic or tragic.
They select and arrange material accordingly” (1992:39). Koukl (2017:27-28) explicitly states: “The Christian Story is like many other great stories in that it deals with the great issues all people struggle with and the great questions everyone asks. It’s a story about peace shattered by rebellion, about love and betrayal, about self-sacrifice, and about redemption. All of our deepest aspirations, all of our longings, all of our hopes and even our struggles – all of the conflicts in all of history are all tied to this story”.
69 For example, both the Temptation in the Garden and Fall of man are events within God’s metanarrative, but each, in different ways, informs the metanarrative with different information. The first is about a test and the second is about the consequence from that point forward until the final resolution.
Perspective Consideration Explanation Action for this pericope Biblical
worldview How do I identify with this text? I have ... perspective Is this perspective right?
This simplified viewpoint is the standard for drawing conclusions of distinction for both the qualitative study and the exegetical study of Romans 12-16; of course, all of it is under the rubric of the stated definition of conflict.
1.4.1.3 Methodological assumptions
The one key assumption is this researcher’s belief in the inspiration and authority of Scripture in the original autographs, therefore, a literal, grammatical-historical approach to its exegesis is employed as is normally utilised in communication.70 However, as warranted by the context of a passage and its communication, other literary devices and explanations may be used. Ultimately, the goal is to discover the meaning the author intended for the original audience, recognising that there are numerous legitimate applications of the text in the modern function.
1.4.2 Delimitations 1.4.2.1 Conceptual
This study is not an attempt to identify all types of conflict and resolutions since such typology is evolving with the growth and development of the study of conflict. It is also not an attempt to choose a particular perspective of conflict and trace that development throughout Scripture. For example, Marshall (2018:1) chooses an ethical perspective from which to study conflict; she writes: “This book takes conflict as the context for Christian reflection on the good life”. Therefore, her consideration is as follows: “the central question of this book is this: How do we live a good life in the midst of conflict?”. Rather, this study focuses on the conflict principles that God proclaims in Romans 12-16 that inform mankind about how to have a proper relationship with Him and with those who also are in a relationship with Him. So, the emphasis is on what is God teaching man in this pericope. In addition, the emphasis is not on how man quantifies and systematises these truths.71 The goal is to understand what God has to say about conflict as an aspect of His story as it unfolds in Romans 12-16 and to grasp how that informs His desired outcome for our response to conflict – spiritual growth.
70 In his work, Smith (2016:131) makes the same point about the normal rules of communication.
71 Admittedly, some of this systematising is a necessary component of a qualitative study, but it is not the focus of the study.
1.4.2.2 Topical
Many particulars are already written about certain conflicts (see Sande’s book: The Peacemaker which deals with interpersonal conflict), but a big picture of conflict as a concept or topic is needed to properly embrace the particulars (cp. Matt 18). It is not the goal of this study to provide all the particulars, but rather to see how conflict is a part of God’s story – a BTOC. Hopefully, this study will help to better inform the particulars (and maybe even correct some of the particulars espoused so far), but this is not a rivalry with those who have written about the practical application of biblical truth.
1.4.2.3 Canonical
It is not the purpose of this study to be impartial in the use of both of the testaments, and since Romans 12-16 is an NT passage and is the focus72 text for this study, Old Testament (OT)73 passages were used as they inform or elucidate the point of the text.74 Admittedly, multiple texts could have been chosen as a focus text, but this passage in Romans seems to be the most comprehensive, principled, and overarching of them all for the goal of this research.75 The rationale behind that choice is that Romans 12-16 is not the most important text on conflict, but it is unique in that it builds on a significant doctrinal section that is about the Gospel message (1:16- 20) and its application to mankind. For example, unlike the conflicts discussed in 1 Corinthians which are practical in nature (applied, as responses to real situations in Corinth)76 the conflict discussion in Romans is more theoretical in nature (pure). Romans 12-16 is the outworking of the transforming Gospel message across situations and circumstances. Other significant and pertinent passages are also mentioned as they illuminate the material in Romans 12-16.
1.4.2.4 Exegetical
With so much investigation already done and available on the text of Romans itself, it is not the purpose of this research to rehash the text. Obviously, some discussion takes place and decisions are made, but the focus is on what the text reveals about conflict. Some of the choices made in this regard will not be satisfactory to all, but such is the nature of conflict. Instead, the rubric of
72 Focus is the designation employed rather than Smith’s (2016:146) anchor label.
73 As much as possible, from this point forward, the Old Testament is designated by OT.
74 The methodology for this approach is discussed later in the research section.
75 For example, if the aspectual choice for study was interpersonal conflict, a number of books of the Bible could be selected such as Ruth, Esther, and Job. If the choice was intrapersonal, Jonah is a possible selection. If the choice were doctrinal, Galatians could be explored. There are many more aspectual pursuits, but this study views the principles of Romans 12-16 as most pertinent with regard to developing a BTOC.
76 For example, Garland comments on 1 Corinthians 12:3: “Paul gives specific instructions to solve a specific problem in Corinth” (2003:573).
what this passage reveals about conflict is followed in exegetical considerations. That rubric is based on the definition of conflict in 1.3.3.1 (and as amended in 2.2.5.3).