Steve Owen
Puritan Board Sophomore
Hello Brian,
You wrote:-
That is precisely what I have done and what Dr McMahon has failed to do. The usage of Chadash throughout the OT is very largely 'Brand New'. If you doubt this, then why not do a word-search as I suggested. Get yourself a Young's Analytical Concordance and look up New. You will then find the entries for chadash. There are a few usages that might be either new or renewed but in the overwhelming majority of the appearances it means NEW.
If you don't like Berkhof, then try any other responsible writer on Hermeneutics. They will all say the same thing. The usage of a word is the primary determinant of its meaning. The etymology comes a long way after.
FYI, the occurrences of chadash where it clearly means New are as follows:-
Exod 1:8; Lev 23:16; 26:10; Num 28:26; Deut 20:5; 22:8; 24:5; 32:17; Josh 9:13; Judg 5:8; 15:13; 16:11, 12; 1Sam 6:7; 2Sam 6:3 (twice);21:16; 1King 11:29, 30; 2King 2:20; 1Chron 16:7; 2Chron 20:5; Job 32:19; Psa 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9; Eccl 1:9, 10; Song 7:13; Isa 41:15; 42:9, 10; 43:19; 48:6; 62:2; Jer 26:10; 31:22, 31; 36:10.
In Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Ezek 11:19; 18:31; 36:26 both new and renewed could be argued, though I favour new.
In Lam 3:23 the probable meaning is renewed.
Grace & Peace,
Martin
[Edited on 10-13-2005 by Martin Marprelate]
[Edited on 10-13-2005 by Martin Marprelate]
You wrote:-
I'll defer to those here whose "shoes I cannot dare even tie", however, Matt is not guilty of "root fallacy" here for the simple reason that he is establishing the meaning of the word "renew" or "new" based upon usage throughout the Scriptures - both Old and New Testaments - not simply appealing to "first mention" or the root alone. I have paid very close attention to Reformed/Covenantal scholars (at least in the Presbyterian camp) on this one Martin. Such men define and limit the usage of Biblical words primarily upon how they are defined and used in various contexts throughout Scripture - admitting the necessary translation of Hebrew->Greek via the Septuagint when necessary.
That is precisely what I have done and what Dr McMahon has failed to do. The usage of Chadash throughout the OT is very largely 'Brand New'. If you doubt this, then why not do a word-search as I suggested. Get yourself a Young's Analytical Concordance and look up New. You will then find the entries for chadash. There are a few usages that might be either new or renewed but in the overwhelming majority of the appearances it means NEW.
If you don't like Berkhof, then try any other responsible writer on Hermeneutics. They will all say the same thing. The usage of a word is the primary determinant of its meaning. The etymology comes a long way after.
For your information, I spent several hours preparing that critique at your specific request! A word of thanks might be in order. If you think it's wrong, then do some work yourself and show me where.It's Ok for you to disagree with Matt's hermeneutic, but please don't dismiss it with a hand wave or with limited selective appeals to Berkhof, etc.
FYI, the occurrences of chadash where it clearly means New are as follows:-
Exod 1:8; Lev 23:16; 26:10; Num 28:26; Deut 20:5; 22:8; 24:5; 32:17; Josh 9:13; Judg 5:8; 15:13; 16:11, 12; 1Sam 6:7; 2Sam 6:3 (twice);21:16; 1King 11:29, 30; 2King 2:20; 1Chron 16:7; 2Chron 20:5; Job 32:19; Psa 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9; Eccl 1:9, 10; Song 7:13; Isa 41:15; 42:9, 10; 43:19; 48:6; 62:2; Jer 26:10; 31:22, 31; 36:10.
In Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Ezek 11:19; 18:31; 36:26 both new and renewed could be argued, though I favour new.
In Lam 3:23 the probable meaning is renewed.
Grace & Peace,
Martin
[Edited on 10-13-2005 by Martin Marprelate]
[Edited on 10-13-2005 by Martin Marprelate]