When Scripture Meets Scripture

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the issues and implications involved in the ways that scripture uses scripture. While the major focus is on the New Testament's use of the Old Testament, many of the issues discussed apply also to the use of earlier Old Testament texts by later Old Testament writers. These issues include more “technical” matters, such as the nature and scope of usage and the accuracy of citations, as well as more “theological” matters, such as the function of scripture and the interpretive techniques used by the biblical writers. All of these issues have profound significance for the church's understanding of the nature and authority of scripture, and the way(s) that the church uses scripture to speak to its contemporary context. Above all, a careful examination of scripture's use of scripture invites us to a greater humility about our exegetical methods, a greater dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit as we read, and a greater faith in the God who speaks to us through these scriptures.