The Problem of the Mustard Seed

The basic thesis proposed by Sproule in his article entitled The Problem of the Mustard Seed is that despite controversy regarding the inerrancy of Matthew 13:32 and Mark 4:30-32 (Sproule, 37), the fact remains that the scripture is without error when properly evaluated. Sproule first investigates the case for Jesus making a cultural accommodation by calling the mustard seed the smallest of all seeds when in fact other seeds are smaller (Sproule, 37), but this view indicates the scripture to be inaccurate. Next Sproule takes up the idea that the mustard seed was small by relative comparison, and a case can be made that the Greek language would support this view in context (Sproule, 39). Next Sproule investigates the idea that the mustard seed is the smallest "garden-variety" seed of the entire eastern world at the time of Christ (Sproule, 40), and under this view Sproule defines the term garden-variety specifically enough to rule out the possibility for the scripture being in error. Overall, Sproule drives home the point by showing Shinner (as en expert in botany) presenting the fact that the mustard seed is in fact the smallest garden variety seed with the exception of tobacco (Sproule, 41), and since in the context the parable of the mustard seed is being spoken about regarding the kingdom of heaven, then tobacco could be ruled out as well (Christians would not grow hemp or tobacco in their gardens) especially when considering the Greek word usage taken up in scripture (Sproule, 41).

Critical Interaction

Sproule makes a very strong argument for the scripture to be without error, and this was essential for Sproule because if Jesus said that the mustard seed was the smallest, "garden variety" seed but then was wrong, then his divinity would be in question along with the authority of the scripture. Clearly Sproule shows that Jesus was not teaching a science lesson when he spoke about the parable of the mustard seed, but the controversy that Sproule appears to be responding to as demonstrated by the type of cases that he takes up shows that some have interpreted the parable of the mustard seed to be a science lesson to be evaluated scientifically. The strength of the argument that Sproule makes is that he utilizes linguistic thought to demonstrate that some people are making a category error when assuming that the parable of the mustard seed shows Christ incorrectly espousing a false statement about botany that teaches that the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds.

The best application of the type of thinking that Sproule introduces in his article is to approach the scripture not from the perspective that it is a textbook of science, but instead to approach the scripture from the perspective of the authors, biblical characters, and original readers. From such a perspective the language, thoughts, and message of the scripture should be put together in a way that fits with the theological points that are being made. The best point to thus be made is that a person should not approach the theology of the scripture from the perspective of a 'outsider' with the tools that outsiders use to investigate truth, but instead a person should approach the theology of the scripture as being the source of all details that are written to describe the theology the scripture presents.

Conclusion

Clearly, Sproule supported his thesis and made his point. Context is thus proven to be the key to defending the inerrancy of scripture. In this regard systematic theology benefits from the theological points of sections of scripture flowing through details and biblical theology being used to interpret details in context.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Sproule, John. "The Problem of the Mustard Seed?" Grace Theological Journal. 1.1 (1980): 37-42.