The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The ... - josephprestonkirk

246 PREDESTINATION IN THE BIBLE AND THE SCROLLS
Paul’s teachings have influenced Christian theologians, from Augustine
onward, in formulating their concept of predestination.
CONCLUSION II
Hic liber est in quo quaerit sua dogmata quisque,
Invenit et pariter dogmata quisque sua
This is the book in which each one seeks his own dogmas,
and likewise finds his own. 52
The Epistle to the Romans is universally agreed to be the most important
text in the New Testament. Even if Melanchthon’s dictum claiming
that this is the summary of all Christian doctrine is somewhat inflated,
this slim composition is still arguably the most important text in western
civilization. It was extraordinarily popular in antiquity and it has
remained so for almost two millenia. Between 1960–1980 appeared no
less than 1,176 publications concerning the Epistle. 53 As we have shown
earlier, predestinarian pronouncements are to be found in other Pauline
Epistles, as well as in other books of the New Testament. Romans exercised
tremendous influence on Christians throughout the ages. 54
Even if we concede that Paul misinterpreted the Essene teachings
(which we believe is not the case) and that Augustine misconstrued Paul
(ditto)—about Luther’s and Calvin’s indebtedness to Augustine there is
not the least doubt; the line of transmission is crystal clear.
Predestination is not just an idle philosophical or theological concept,
it played a major role in world history—this is one of the basic ideas
responsible for the rise of capitalism. 55
52. Caird, “Predestination: Romans IX–XI”; Fitzmyer, Semitic Background, 101.
53. Fitzmyer, ibid., 173.
54. William Sanday and Arthur C. Headlam, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on
the Epistle to the Romans (ICC; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1902 [repr. 1962]) 269–75;
Robert Morgan, Romans (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995), 128–51.
55. We are very well aware of the fact that four generations of scholars have challenged
this theory—a very good proof of its viability. Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic
and the Spirit of Capitalism (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1905 [Repr. 1922]);
Richard H. Tawney, Religion and the Rise of Capitalism (Harmondsworth: Penguin Book,
1926 [repr. 1972]); Gordon Marshall, In Search of the Spirit of Capitalism (London:
Hutchinson, 1982).