N. T. Wright is Pretty Clever
A discussion panel entitled N.T. Wright and the Doctrine of Justification just came to my attention. The panelists are Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Dr. Denny Burk, Dr. Tom Schreiner, Dr. Mark Seifrid and Dr. Brian Vickers. I have expressed before frustration with the tone of such panels and surprise that people of the caliber of these scholars keep making distorted statements about what N. T. Wright has to say about justification. But, what I found particularly interesting was the quote below by Dr. Mohler which probably says a lot about the way some Evangelicals perceive N. T. Wright:
“In reading through his [Wright’s] work, listening to his lectures, having met him and having heard him, engaging in discussion with him, I think of the British meaning of the word “clever.” He is extremely clever. And, in this sense, I dare say that this cleverness is a real issue because it also comes hand in hand with an incredible, almost unspeakable, audacity because his claim is no less than that the protestant reformers and their heirs have misunderstood not only Paul and not only first century Judaism, but the doctrine of justification and thus the gospel.”
I wonder what the British meaning of the word “clever” is.
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By JJ, February 25, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
Clever in Britain?
Clever often carries the sense, and I quote, “Good-natured, obliging. In Great Britain, a clever na is an able man who performs a deed well with skill or address.” In the north, you might hear a response to “How are you doing?” as “I am cleverly.” This would mean “I am in good spirits and doing well.”
I don’t think that Dr. Mohler is picking up the right Brittish meaning. THat doesn’t flow well with his thoughts. On the other hand, he may have heard the phrase, “He’s a clever clog” or a “clever Dick”. this carries a negative connotation. This means someone is behaving in a way that is a put on. Clever Dick or Clever clog means “an intellectual who is ostentatiously and irritatingly knowledgeable.” He is more show that substance.
One would need to ask Dr. Mohler what he meant, but it sounds like it is far from a compliment.
JJ