1 Timothy Chiasm

This is something i worked up a little while ago, but could never work out how to indent with html. But here it is!


A 1:1-7 Grace be with you - stick with the truth
  B 1:8-11 The good law is for the wicked
    C 1:12-20 We are sinners made holy because of Jesus
      D 2:1-7 Pray for all
        E 2:8-15 Pray in godliness
          F 3:1-14 Church leaders model godliness
            G 3:14-4:5 Keep going in holiness
              H 4:6-10a Teach the right stuff
                I 4:10b because we have our hope set on the living God,
                  who is the Saviour of all people,
                  especially of those who believe.
              H’ 4:11-14 Teach the right stuff
            G’ 4:15-16 Keep going in holiness
          F’ 5:1-6:2 All relationships model godliness
        E’ 6:2c-5 Learn in godliness
      D’ 6:6-10 Be content
    C’ 6:11-16 Pursue a holy life because of Jesus
  B’ 6:17-19 Good works are for the holy to do
A’ 6:20-21 Grace be with you - stick with the truth


I really like looking for structures in passages - this is the first time i've seen one in the whole book. the problem is of course that whenever you think you see something, it's really easy to read things into it. but one or two parallels and you start looking for them everywhere!
the other question of course is to what extent the writers are conscious of this sort of thing - do they sit down with A and A' at opposite ends of the paper, write them, then their B and B', with the central passage right in the middle of the page, and keep working at it that way? it hardly seems likely. but why not? or is it indeed something people like me must try and read into everything, so regardless of the original intent, we'll see parallels everywhere?

A Clear and Present Word Part I

Reflections, in light of the five key points from Mark Thompson’s new book (A Clear and Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture), as well as Peter Adam’s talks at this year’s National Training Event (NTE), all about Receiving God’s Word, Written for his People, by his Spirit, about his Son (check out this, or a shorter version here on youtube for the mnemonic).


Christian theology, at its most basic, is talk about God.

One of the things I struggle with, thinking about writing “theologically”, is what it means to do so.
Questions I have, for example, are “Can a Christian book be untheological?” as well as “how far from the central themes of the Bible do you have to stray before you cease to be theological?”
The second question in particular interests me, mainly because I’m easily sidetracked. For example, using your Strong’s concordance, you could trace every occurance of the word Hittite, and then work out what role the Hittites played in Biblical history, what they got up to, whether there were Hittites who converted to the God of Israel, and so on.
And I would probably find it quite interesting.

But at the end of the day, such talk is probably along the lines of what we are warned about in 1 Timothy 1:4, that is, it is fruitless, idle speculation, and of little, if any consequence theologically. Of course, historians, sociologists etc may be fascinated by this.

Christian Theology, however, is most interested in God. What this word study of the Hittites may teach us of God, I can only imagine. But if that is not the aim, then the searching of, and reflecting upon the scriptures is completely missing the point.

I guess there could then be things we think may tell us things about God, that, midway through the process, we need to actually jettison as unfruitful.

I therefore feel very sorry (and very soon probably empathy) for those doing 4th yr theses, as I fear they may have no choice in the matter...