Changes

Mainline Protestantism, represented in the major Churches and their seiminaries, has greatly been affected by modern understandings of the Scripture and the role of Scripture in the forming of the their members has decreased considerably. This has been due, intellectually, through the influence of theories that have excluded the divinity from participation in the production of Scripture. Prime among these theories is the Documentary theory of  Penteteuch  origins (Wellhausen- Graff) that posit that the authors are, in the main, four sources coming from various periods rather than Moses. These are sources are termed J (for the use of "Jehovah" for the name of God), E (for the use of "Elohim"), P (priestly), and D (Deutoronomic). Scriptures as authority among the mainline churches, are no longer decisive but must vie for influence among many other and changing formatives. Evangelical and Jewish Orthodox scholars have been strong in demonstrating flaws of the Documentary hypothesis. For instance, Orthodox Jewish Scholar Cassuto  has pointed out that rather than the names for God varying according to author and period, they vary according to emphasis from the same period, that of Moses - "Jehovah" being used for the God in his dealing with His covenental people Israel, and "Elohim" being use when His dealing with mankind are emphasis. Like wise the two terms usually translated "making a covenant", lkhrot brit ( to "cut" a covenant and lehaqim brit (to "raise" a covenenat) are not from two sources but mean different things - to initiate a covenant and to fulfill a covenant.  

Mainline Protestantism, represented in the major Churches and their seiminaries, has greatly been affected by modern understandings of the Scripture and the role of Scripture in the forming of the their members has decreased considerably. This has been due, intellectually, through the influence of theories that have excluded the divinity from participation in the production of Scripture. Prime among these theories is the Documentary theory of  Penteteuch  origins (Wellhausen- Graff) that posit that the authors are, in the main, four sources coming from various periods rather than Moses. These are sources are termed J (for the use of "Jehovah" for the name of God), E (for the use of "Elohim"), P (priestly), and D (Deutoronomic). Scriptures as authority among the mainline churches, are no longer decisive but must vie for influence among many other and changing formatives. Evangelical and Jewish Orthodox scholars have been strong in demonstrating flaws of the Documentary hypothesis. For instance, Orthodox Jewish Scholar Cassuto  has pointed out that rather than the names for God varying according to author and period, they vary according to emphasis from the same period, that of Moses - "Jehovah" being used for the God in his dealing with His covenental people Israel, and "Elohim" being use when His dealing with mankind are emphasis. Like wise the two terms usually translated "making a covenant", lkhrot brit ( to "cut" a covenant and lehaqim brit (to "raise" a covenenat) are not from two sources but mean different things - to initiate a covenant and to fulfill a covenant.  

Evangelical Protestantism holds strongly to the inspiration of the whole Bible, and together with the absense of reliance on Tradition as a determining factor for belief and morals,  has been the most receptive of Biblical Authority. Believing in full inspiration of the all Scripture does not mean to evangelicalism equal importance of all Scriptures for the healthy growth of the Christian community. This is because Evangelicalsim, following Scripture's own understanding, believes in progressive revelation throughout Biblical time, culminating in Jesus Christ, and no further (thus obviating the role of Tradition). This Evangelicalsim, does not hold to the application of Mosaic Legislation, and other biblical elements that Orthodox Judaism holds to. This applies to faith and to morals. The Mosaic regualtion on executing a rebellious child does not present a problem to evangelical thought as  according to Paul and Hebrews, the Law has been rendered obsolete by the New Covenant. The Destruction of the Temple and the place for sacrifice of all kinds, present no problem for evangelicalism, as they did for Judasim, as Christ's sacrifice on the cross has now "fulfilled" the proscriptions of the Law and the ceremonials attached. Thus there is a sort of Levels of Authority understanding for evangelicalism similar (but for different reasons)  to the levels of authority of Judaism.  

Evangelical Protestantism holds strongly to the inspiration of the whole Bible, and together with the absense of reliance on Tradition as a determining factor for belief and morals,  has been the most receptive of Biblical Authority. Believing in full inspiration of the all Scripture does not mean to evangelicalism equal importance of all Scriptures for the healthy growth of the Christian community. This is because Evangelicalsim, following Scripture's own understanding, believes in progressive revelation throughout Biblical time, culminating in Jesus Christ, and no further (thus obviating the role of Tradition). Thus Evangelicalism, does not hold to the application of Mosaic Legislation, and other biblical elements that Orthodox Judaism holds to. This applies to faith and to morals. The Mosaic regualtion on executing a rebellious child does not present a problem to evangelical thought as  according to Paul and Hebrews, the Law has been rendered obsolete by the New Covenant. The Destruction of the Temple and the place for sacrifice of all kinds, present no problem for evangelicalism, as they did for Judasim *, as Christ's sacrifice on the cross has now "fulfilled" the proscriptions of the Law and the ceremonials attached. Thus there is a sort of Levels of Authority understanding for evangelicalism similar (but for different reasons)  to the levels of authority of Judaism.  

Evangelical Churches generally perpetuate the understanding and desemination of Scripture knowledge through the role of the Sermon and through various study programs, the prime one in many ways being the Sunday School. Emphasis is placed on "each one understanding". Coupled with American individualism, and lack of tradional vehicles of authority, this sometimes leads to spinterring and each man's interpretation "is as good as any other". Neverthe less, the basic elements of the Faith is strongly retained by the Evangelical Churches - the divinity of Christ, His death for sins and Resurrection from the Dead, His second coming, etc.

Evangelical Churches generally perpetuate the understanding and desemination of Scripture knowledge through the role of the Sermon and through various study programs, the prime one in many ways being the Sunday School. Emphasis is placed on "each one understanding". Coupled with American individualism, and lack of tradional vehicles of authority, this sometimes leads to the sp;interring of churches and each man's interpretation "is as good as any other". Nevertheless, the basic elements of the Faith is strongly retained by the Evangelical Churches - the divinity of Christ, His death for sins and Resurrection from the Dead, His second coming, etc.

 

* The destruction of the Temple and the cessation of sacrifices was a great concern and "Woe" to first century Judaism. The solution was found 20 years after the destruction, at the Council of Jamnia in 90 A.D. From henceforth, prayer would take the place of sacrifice. The synagogue now has prayer 3 times a day and calls the names of the three prayer times according to the names of the thrice daily sacrificial offerings of the Temple - Shaharit (morning -"dawn"). Minha (afternoon prayer), and Maariv (Evening).

The Orthodox Churches througout the world, whether of Greek, Russian, Rumanian, the various middle eastern varieties, emphasis the synod (Council) of Bishops, basis on the example of the "Council" of Jerusalem in the book of Acts, as the God authorized agent of interpretation and application of the Scriptures. Understanding that Jesus' words, " The Holy Sppirit wil lead you into all truth", Orthodoxy believes that Scriptures, as interpreted by the synod of bishops, non of whom are individually infallible, are given are rightly applied to the Christian Community so that the Church will never stray from Christ. That is, the Church is given "indefectability". A minority  Orthodox Churche thought  holds to "infallibility" in synodal decision rather than or instead of "indefectability". Scripture in the Orthodox churches are butressed by creedal forulations, the decisions of belief of past synods, and are less susceptible to the modern Higher Criticism. The Resurrection of Christ, virgin birth, return of Christ from Heaven to Earth, are all part and parcel of these churches. Individual interpretation of Scripture and manner of life are limited then by the teaching authority (the magisterium) granted to the Epsicopate - the Synod of bishops.

The Orthodox Churches througout the world, whether of Greek, Russian, Rumanian, the various middle eastern varieties, emphasis the synod (Council) of Bishops, basis on the example of the "Council" of Jerusalem in the book of Acts, as the God authorized agent of interpretation and application of the Scriptures. Understanding that Jesus' words, " The Holy Sppirit wil lead you into all truth", Orthodoxy believes that Scriptures, as interpreted by the synod of bishops, non of whom are individually infallible, are given are rightly applied to the Christian Community so that the Church will never stray from Christ. That is, the Church is given "indefectability". A minority  Orthodox Churche thought  holds to "infallibility" in synodal decision rather than or instead of "indefectability". Scripture in the Orthodox churches are butressed by creedal forulations, the decisions of belief of past synods, and are less susceptible to the modern Higher Criticism. The Resurrection of Christ, virgin birth, return of Christ from Heaven to Earth, are all part and parcel of these churches. Individual interpretation of Scripture and manner of life are limited then by the teaching authority (the magisterium) granted to the Epsicopate - the Synod of bishops.