The Importance and Value of Prophecy Part 1 Eschatology The Importance and Value of Prophecy Part 1

Two influences serve to minimize interest in prophecy Two influences serve to minimize interest in prophecy. The first is the by-product of the sensationalism of the past. Prophecies were applied to current events as proof-positive that the second coming of Christ was to be expected immediately. While we do believe in the imminent return of Christ, we do not set times or dates. An overdone eschatology at the expense of the rest of doctrine will always produce an incredulity that diminishes the impact of prophetic truths.

A second problem lies in the world of hermeneutics A second problem lies in the world of hermeneutics. Liberalism has always dismissed prophecy as either irrelevant or beyond comprehension. Anything less than a literal interpretation of prophecy leaves people without a basis for understanding. Multiple conflicting interpretations convince untaught people that the search for meaning is futile. Without meaning there can be no application. Prophecy is relegated to the world academia or special interest with no value to the layman beyond idle curiosity.

Value in Bible Study Interpret Historically - Strive to understand each passage in the light of the time in which it was written, or about which it was written. Interpret Literally – Allow the Bible to say what it says without prejudice or strained explanation. Interpret Grammatically – Words have meaning and sentence structure is purposeful. The mode of expression is always important to the understanding of what is being expressed.

Interpret Contextually – Context always reigns in any interpretation Interpret Contextually – Context always reigns in any interpretation. Attempts to remove meaning from context will always result in a change of meaning.

Contextual Interpretation Within the Context of the Whole Bible Within the Context of the Book Within the Immediate Context

Interpret Spiritually – The Bible is fundamentally a spiritual book and should never be viewed as ordinary literature. The Bible is independently authoritative. Interpret Culturally – The entire Bible has a cultural setting. Scripture reflects the culture of the times in the use of idioms, illustrations, and applications. Interpret Dispensationally – Dispensational theology is the product of normal interpretation. The literal, historical, grammatical hermeneutic invariably leads to a realization that God has dealt with man through a series of different spiritual economies called dispensations.

Interpret Practically – It is proper to assume that God gave the Scriptures for the purpose of application. We should look for principles that have both general and personal application. This results in living the reality of the Christ life made possible by a vital union with Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit in communicating the Word of God to the heart. Distinguish between Interpretation and Application – Interpretation determines what the passages means. Application determines how that meaning impacts the practice of Biblical Christianity.

Always Interpret the Obscure in the Light of the Obvious – There are many difficult passages in Scripture. At the same time there many more passages that are very clear. Never make that which is clear subservient to that which is obscure. Heresies abound where obscurantism reigns. Never Allegorize Prophecy – It is both intellectually dishonest and interpretationally suicidal to expect the prophecies concerning the birth of Christ to be fulfilled literally and other prophecies to be fulfilled figuratively. While it may be necessary to account for some symbols in the prophecy (frequently in the apocalyptic literature), the prophecies themselves are nonetheless to be taken literally.

Expect the Bible to Interpret Itself – The best commentary on the Bible will always be the Bible. It is for this very reason that consistent and ongoing personal Bible study is so critical for believers. Practice Exegesis, not Eisegesis – Let the Bible unfold itself rather than reading meaning backwards into the Bible. Exegesis means “to read out” what is in the text. Eisegesis is the practice of “reading into” the text something that is not there. Eisegesis is a corruption of the Word of God and serious offense against the truth.

Exegesis (Reading Out) Not Eisegesis (Reading In)

Maintain a Humble Spirit – The attitude of the interpreter really does make a difference to the product of his efforts. Handling the Word of God responsibly is a critical point of accountability for anyone who would communicate truth to other people. We must recognize that hermeneutics is the basis for all theology. Inaccurate hermeneutics must inevitably produce flawed theology!