AboutMartin W. Eldred Expertise I have been a Lutheran Christian for 47 years and a Lutheran pastor for almost 19. I can answer most general questions about Luther, Lutheran History, Lutheran Theology, and a Lutheran approach to Biblical Interpretation. I am ELCA, for those who know what that means, and I tend to be moderate theologically. I hope that I can converse with those that are either more conservative or liberal than I, and especially with those who are really just seeking.
Experience Pastors are "generalists" and generally have a working knowledge on many subjects. We are also used to working with a variety of answers from a variety of people. I teach a great deal, especially in the area ofthe New Testament. I particulalry enjoy the Pauline literature.
Organizations I have been a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, an international gathering of biblical scholars and teachers, since the late 1980s.
Publications I have written a few book reviews for the journal, "Lutheran Quarterly."
Education/Credentials I have a B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University in Religion (Biblical Studies)and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary.
How are we to interpret Numbers 22:28-30? Did God really inspire Balaam's donkey to talk, or is there a figurative meaning to this story?
Thank you,
Cody
Answer Cody:
Thank you for your question. The story of Balaam's donkey is one of those interesting Old Testament stories that lead many people to ask, "Did this really happen?" Many scholars lean to the interpretation that it is an extravagant myth that is intended to poke fun at the situation and show how stupid Balaam was and how God makes him look bad. Other scholars say, well, it is a miracle that God uses to show Balaam who is boss.
I sorta lean toward "I could go either way." I sounds wishy-washy, but I figure that our salvation doesn't really depend on whether or not I accept this as absolute FACT. The story is TRUE in so far as God's power is demonstrated in the situation, which I think is the point of the story. I think God could have done this, but I could also see that it could be a hyperbolic, "poetic license" type of account.
In his treatise, "To the Christian Nobility" (Luther's Works, pg 138), Martin Luther used this story to poke fun at us preachers and to uphold the power of God to proclaim God's Word through us. Luther's words were something to the effect, "If God can use Balaam's ass to proclaim his message, then he certainly can use asses such as us." I always thought we preachers should have that quote on our side of the pulpits, just to keep us humble.
