"Precise definitions are the sign of careful theological thinking. Every definition must be an accurate reflection and summation of the biblical truth involved.Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology - A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (don't worry, I read Ryrie through my 'reformed' glasses!)
When insisting on good definitions from students, and especially when challenging a word that a student might have used because it was not the most precise one, I would often receive this retort, 'It's only a matter of semantics. One word is as good as another.' The retort is totally without merit. Definitions are very much a matter of semantics; therefore, one word is not necessarily as good as another. Accurate definitions have to be constructed with carefully chosen words. Sloppy formulation is never acceptable."
Weekend A La Carte (April 20)
5 hours ago
3 comments:
Well, if you're reading Ryrie I'm encouraged. There's hope. 8-)
shawn: LOL!! You might be 'encouraged' to also know:
1) I carry a Ryrie Study Bible (NAS)--have since about 1982.
2) DH graduated from DTS, but Ryrie had already left the faculty by then.
3) I purposely read Ryrie in hopes of maintaining some sort of 'balance' to they other sys. theo.s I favor--Berkhof (too covenantal for me) and Grudem (too charismatic for me).
4) There was a time when Ryrie was the strongest "Calvinist" I was familiar with! :-)
Ok, so I'm more than encouraged. I'm greatly encouraged. 8-)
I'm glad you took my tongue in cheek comment with the amusement I intended for it. I appreciate Ryrie's writings, but a lot of people seem to demonize him because they disagree with some of his teachings. I'm glad that you can sift through the good and the bad for yourself.
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