Talk:Peter Enns

Edits
Please explain any edits that are made to this page. Please follow the Wikipedia guidelines while editing. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Artboulet (talk) 04:47, 12 April 2008 (UTC)

I have added a brief note about Enns being suspended from WTS, with two authoritative sources cited. This is undoubtedly a notable event. I've also added the WP:BLP tag to this page. Sidefall (talk) 13:08, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Neutrality of the Controversy section
"As time passed it seems like Enns critics were right. No sooner than his departure from Westminster Theological Seminary he has openly spread views that blatantly attacks the foundations of Westminster Confessions: an example is his open view that Adam is not a historical figure.[6]" This doesn't represent neutral point of view. The footnote belongs to "open view that Adam is not a historical figure" only and it seems to be a fact, but "Enns critics were right" is an opinion and "blatantly" sounds biased and not proper for an encyclopedia article. "Attacks the foundations of Westminster Confessions" is also an opinion; it can be said here only if it can be proved to be consensus amongst those scholars who are experts on that area. BTW, the confession seems to hold to literal six days of creation, but as far as I know, it's not a test for Reformed orthodoxy today. The confession doesn't mention Adam by name with creation. Therefore, "Attacks the foundations of Westminster Confessions" is nothing but a biased opinion - it can't be proved logically without first interpreting both Enns and the confession. (I don't mean it's a wrong opinion; it just doesn't belong to a Wikipedia article.) Eelik (talk) 22:28, 29 June 2010 (UTC)

I removed the last sentence: "Enns has since espoused views that stand opposed to the foundations of the Westminster Confession, one example of which is his view that Adam is not a historical figure." This comes across as personal opinion of the editor who added it, as it implies that such an assertion would be the opinion of all Westminster Confession of Faith scholars without any citation to prove such an assertion. Trappermark (talk) 19:10, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

Removed the sentence which supposedly stated the purpose for which Enns wrote I&I. The statement was from a review critical of the book, and thus not representative of the author's intent. The author's purpose in writing the book is now documented in the Inspiration and Incarnation section. Trappermark (talk) 01:21, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Added "The general content of Inspiration and Incarnation was taught by Enns over his fourteen year teaching career at Westminster Theological Seminary. It was only after the book’s publication in 2005 that a lengthy controversy ensued in the wake of major administrative changes, most notably the election of Peter Lillback as president in 2005. The main point of contention was whether the book was within the theological boundaries of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Westminster faculty members take an oath that their teaching will be in line with that confession." to clarify the main point of controversy that led to Enns's leaving WTS. Trappermark (talk) 01:21, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Added "The faculty of the seminary appointed two ad hoc field committees to prepare reports to aid the faculty in determining whether or not Enns was in violation of his oath. (It should be noted that, although Westminster has had a Board of Trustees for some time, it has historically been governed by its faculty, particularly in theological matters.) The Historical and Theological Field Committee comprised faculty members generally opposed to Enns's book, while the Hermeneutics Field Committee comprised members generally favorable towards Enns's ideas. After both committees reported their findings in the form of written reports, as well as written response by each committee to the other's report, faculty members William Edgar and Michael Kelly prepared a motion (known as the Edgar-Kelly Motion) declaring that Enns's writing and teaching were within the bounds of his faculty oath. All official documents used in these faculty debates, including both field committee reports and the Edgar-Kelly Motion, can be downloaded from the Westminster Theological Seminary web site here. The motion was approved by the faculty, 12-8. Despite the facutly vote, President Lillback declared that due to the gravity of the charges, he would refer the ultimate decision on Enns's fate to the Board of Trustees." Trappermark (talk) 01:21, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Publications
Typically we don't print an exhaustive list of works for someone so prolific, unless perhaps in a separate article such as List of works by Peter Enns, so I'm moving the non full Books here. Some can be added back in, but the list needs to be pared. The external link to his website lists all the works. -- M P er el 05:24, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Dictionary and encyclopedia articles
 * “Plagues” and “Dating the Exodus,” Baker Handbook to the Bible, eds. J. S. Duvall and J. D. Hays, Baker, forthcoming, 2010.
 * [various articles, not yet fully completed] Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary, eds., T. Longman III, P. Enns, M. Strauss, Zondervan, forthcoming, 2009.
 * “The Lives of the Prophets," The Dictionary of Early Judaism, eds. J. J. Collins and D. C. Harlow, Eerdmans, forthcoming, 2008.
 * “Ecclesiastes” and “Wisdom of Solomon,” Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings, eds. T. Longman III and P. Enns, IVP, ms completed, forthcoming 2008.
 * “Faith,” Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, eds. Bill. T. Arnold and Hugh Williamson, IVP (2006) 296-300.
 * “Exodus/New Exodus” and “Pseudepigrapha,” Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of Scripture, ed. Kevin Vanhoozer, Baker (2005) 216-18; 652-53.
 * “Exodus Route and Wilderness Itinerary,” Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, eds. D. Baker and T. Desmond Alexander, IVP, 2003, 272-80.
 * “Exodus” and “Grumbling,” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, IVP (2000) 146-52; 527-29.
 * “Biblical Interpretation, Jewish.” Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds. IVP, 2000, pp. 159-65.
 * “Afterlife,” “Crown,” “Exodus,” and “Harp.” Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. IVP, 1998.
 * “Law,” “Sword,” “Thirst,” and “Year.” New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. Zondervan, 1997.
 * “Abortion,” “Adam,” “Adultery,” “Ark,” “Babylon,” “Blasphemy,” “Creation/New Creation,” “Day of the Lord,” “Decision Making/Plan,” “Instruction,” “Last Days,” “Law,” “Moses,” and “Noah.” Everyday Study Bible. Word, 1996.

Contributions
 * The Lost Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings outside of Scripture (introduction and study notes to Wisdom of Solomon). Jewish Publication Society, forthcoming 2007.
 * Renovare Study Bible (introduction and study notes to the Additions to Daniel). HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.
 * Faith in Action Study Bible (notes to Exodus). Zondervan, 2005.
 * New Century Version (style reviewer for Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings). Thomas Nelson, 2004.
 * New Interpreters Study Bible (introduction and study notes to Wisdom of Solomon) Abingdon Press, 2003.
 * The Message (exegetical consultant, Exodus and Numbers). NavPress, 2001.
 * God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society (technical reviewer, Wisdom of Solomon). World, 1995.

Book reviews
 * Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, in Westminster Theological Journal 68 (2006): 147-51.
 * Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer, eds: Readings from the Ancient Near East, Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager: Life in Biblical Israel, in Westminster Theological Journal 65 (2003): 145-46.
 * Paul R. House, Old Testament Theology; Walter Brueggemann, Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy, in Westminster Theological Journal, 64 (2002): 202-07.
 * Charles L. Quarles, Midrash Criticism: Introduction and Appraisal in Westminster Theological Journal 62 (2001): 303-6.
 * Terry L. Brensinger, Judges. Believers Church Bible Commentary, in Brethren in Christ History and Life 23/3 (2000): 517-20.
 * C. L. Seow, Ecclesiastes (Anchor Bible 18c), in Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 43/2 (2000) 320-21.
 * Sylvia C. Keesmaat, Paul and His Story: (Re)Interpreting the Exodus Story, in Bulletin for Biblical Research 10.1(2000): 151-53.
 * Helmut Engel, Das Buch der Weisheit, in Biblica 80 (1999): 571-74.
 * Dale F. Leschert, Hermeneutical Foundations of Hebrews: A Study in the Validity of the Epistle’s Interpretation of Some Core Citations from the Psalms in Westminster Theological Journal 60 (1998): 164-68.
 * A. R. Millard, J. K. Hoffmeier and D. W. Baker, eds., Faith, History, and Tradition: Old Testament Historiography in Its Ancient Near Eastern Context in Westminster Theological Journal 59 (1997): 128-31
 * David L. Puckett, John Calvin's Exegesis of the Old Testament in Westminster Theological Journal 58 (1996): 324-27.
 * N. T. Wright, The Crown and the Fire: Meditations on the Cross and the Life of the Spirit and Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship, in Westminster Theological Journal 58 (1996): 327-28.
 * Ellis R. Brotzman, Old Testament Textual Criticism: A Practical Introduction, in Westminster Theological Journal 57 (1995): 251-53.
 * Walter E. Rast, Through the Ages in Palestinian Archaeology: An Introductory Handbook, in Westminster Theological Journal 56 (1994): 188-90.
 * John W. Watts, Psalm and Story: Inset Hymns in Hebrew Narrative, in Westminster Theological Journal 55 (1993): 346-48.
 * Eugene H. Merrill, Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel, in Westminster Theological Journal 53 (1991): 145-47.

Minor league baseball
source for cat: "Enns, who played minor league baseball..." -- M P er el 03:27, 18 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Enns is the source for this. Baseballreference.com which is a reliable source for baseball, has no listing for him as a minor league baseball player. Enns claim has no proof. In any case, Enns being a minor league player is not defining or even mentioned in the article....William, is the complaint department really on the roof? 14:32, 18 June 2017 (UTC)

Biography
I added Enns' present position at BioLogos Foundation to the Bio section. Trappermark (talk) 19:15, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

Made numerous additions, with proper citations, to the biography section. See History tab for 7/25/2010 Trappermark (talk) 01:14, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Inspiration and Incarnation section
Added this section, with cited references to the author's stated purpose in writing the book, as well as a brief list of scholars who either endorsed or condemned the book. Enns is best known for this book, and it is the source of controversy that led to his eventually leaving Westminster Theological Seminary, so it merits its own section on his page. Trappermark (talk) 02:00, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Ken Ham
I added back in the content related to the controversy with Ken Ham. I absolutely think the information belongs here. The section is entitled "controversy" and is not simply a section about biographic information, but information related to any controversies in which Enns has been involved. The remarks Ken Ham made about Enns were a major story in evangelical circles, receiving significant attention, and resulting in a controversy, which is exactly what the section is about. The Ham-Enns controversy is certainly noteworthy enough for inclusion. Eb7473 (talk) 17:04, 4 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Well, I disagree. The paragraph was really about Ken Ham and his "ungodly" comments. That is, it was about the way he said it more than what he said, apparently. So it's relationship to Enns is quite tenuous. StAnselm (talk) 20:51, 4 August 2012 (UTC)