1. Assumptions:
1. The Bible is Unified
Parallel Passages

2. Parallel Passages Assumptions: 1. The Bible is Unified
2. God is the Author
Parallel Passages

3. Parallel Passages Assumptions: 1. The Bible is Unified
2. God is the Author
3. The best commentary is (i) by the human author or (ii) by God who is the author of the whole BECAUSE the author will not contradict himself.
Parallel Passages

4. 1. Verbal – the words are similar.
Two Types:
1. Verbal – the words are similar.
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5. 1. Verbal – the words are similar.
Two Types:
1. Verbal – the words are similar.
2. Ideological–the topics are the same.
Parallel Passages

6. 1. Verbal – the words are similar.
Two Types:
1. Verbal – the words are similar.
2. Ideological–the topics are the same.
Parallelism is not like a mathematical equation but comes in degrees of likeness and dissimilarity.
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7. Look for:
Synoptic Parallels
1. Matthew, Mark, Luke
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8. Parallel Passages Look for: Synoptic Parallels 1. Matthew, Mark, Luke
2. Samuel & Kings with Chronicles
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9. Parallel Passages Look for: Synoptic Parallels 1. Matthew, Mark, Luke
2. Samuel & Kings with Chronicles
3. Specific passages: 1 Chron 1:17-27 & Gen 11:10-26 Psa 18 with 2 Sam 22 Isa & 2 Kings Jer 52 & 2 Kings 24-25
Parallel Passages

10. Parallel Passages Look for: OT Quotes
1. About 295 (with 224 introductions).
Imprecision, brevity, allusions, strings and translations make them difficult to count.
Parallel Passages

11. Parallel Passages Look for: OT Quotes
1. About 295 (with 224 introductions).
Imprecision, brevity, allusions, strings and translations make them difficult to count.
2. Mt., Acts, Romans and Hebrews have the most. Only Philemon and 1-3 John have none (perhaps Rev).
Parallel Passages

12. Parallel Passages Look for: OT Quotes 3. 278 O.T. verses are cited
94 Penteteuch; 99 Prophets; 85 Writings
Psa 110:1 is the most frequently cited verse
Parallel Passages

13. Parallel Passages Look for: OT Quotes 3. 278 O.T. verses are cited
94 Penteteuch; 99 Prophets; 85 Writings
Psa 110:1 is the most frequently cited verse
4. Allusions are estimated between 442 and 4,105. Revelation has the most.
Parallel Passages

14. Parallel Passages Look for: OT Quotes 3. 278 O.T. verses are cited
94 Penteteuch; 99 Prophets; 85 Writings
Psa 110:1 is the most frequently cited verse
4. Allusions are estimated between 442 and 4,105. Revelation has the most.
5. 10% of the N.T. is quotation or allusion.
Parallel Passages

15. Chronological Parallels
Look for:
Chronological Parallels
1. Pauline Epistles with Acts
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16. Chronological Parallels
Look for:
Chronological Parallels
1. Pauline Epistles with Acts
2. Psalms with historical foundations
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17. Chronological Parallels
Look for:
Chronological Parallels
1. Pauline Epistles with Acts
2. Psalms with historical foundations
3. Prophets with Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.
Parallel Passages

18. Theological Parallels
Look for:
Theological Parallels
Examples: Predestination, eternal security, millennialism, women’s roles.
Parallel Passages

19. Theological Parallels
Look for:
Theological Parallels
Examples: Predestination, eternal security, millennialism, women’s roles.
1. Find recurring words: “Christian” Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16.
Parallel Passages

20. Theological Parallels
Look for:
Theological Parallels
Examples: Predestination, eternal security, millennialism, women’s roles.
1. Find recurring words: “Christian” Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16.
2. Find similar thoughts even where the words are different: Mt 10:37 & Lk 14:26; or Lk 16:25 & Rev 6:11
Parallel Passages

21. Parallel Passages Look for: Miscellaneous
1. Symbols of prophecy and prophetic vocabulary.
Parallel Passages

22. Parallel Passages Look for: Miscellaneous
1. Symbols of prophecy and prophetic vocabulary.
2. Quotations from extra-biblical sources.
Parallel Passages

23. Parallel Passages How to Find Parallels Using your Bible:
Using Reference Books:
Parallel Passages

24. Parallel Passages How to Find Parallels Using your Bible:
1. Read your Bible extensively.
2. Use marginal references.
Using Reference Books:
Parallel Passages

25. Parallel Passages How to Find Parallels Using your Bible:
1. Read your Bible extensively.
2. Use marginal references.
Using Reference Books:
3. Computer concordances for phrases.
4. Topical Bibles and theological dictionaries.
5. Scholarly commentaries.
Parallel Passages

26. Parallel Passages Abuses of Parallels
1. Using the obscure to define the clear (cf. Lk 16:16 with Jn 6:15 & Mt 11:12).
Parallel Passages

27. Parallel Passages Abuses of Parallels
1. Using the obscure to define the clear (cf. Lk 16:16 with Jn 6:15 & Mt 11:12).
2. Building a systematic Theology through proof-texting.
Parallel Passages

28. Parallel Passages Abuses of Parallels
1. Using the obscure to define the clear (cf. Lk 16:16 with Jn 6:15 & Mt 11:12).
2. Building a systematic Theology through proof-texting.
3. Combining lists into one comprehensive check-list.
Parallel Passages

29. Parallel Passages Abuses of Parallels
1. Using the obscure to define the clear (cf. Lk 16:16 with Jn 6:15 & Mt 11:12).
2. Building a systematic Theology through proof-texting.
3. Combining lists into one comprehensive check-list.
4. Not allowing each passage its own voice.
Parallel Passages

30. Rules for Harmonizing Parallels
1. If the authors are credible, every effort should be made to harmonize them.
Parallel Passages
Parallel Passages

31. Rules for Harmonizing Parallels
1. If the authors are credible, every effort should be made to harmonize them.
2. If a reasonable explanation (even with conjecture) exists the author should not be charged with error.
Parallel Passages
Parallel Passages

32. Rules for Harmonizing Parallels
1. If the authors are credible, every effort should be made to harmonize them.
2. If a reasonable explanation (even with conjecture) exists the author should not be charged with error.
3. He who asserts must also prove.
Parallel Passages
Parallel Passages

33. Rules for Harmonizing Parallels
1. If the authors are credible, every effort should be made to harmonize them.
2. If a reasonable explanation (even with conjecture) exists the author should not be charged with error.
3. He who asserts must also prove.
4. Accounts must be mutually exclusive to constitute a contradiction.
Parallel Passages
Parallel Passages

34. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
1. Study all the relevant passages
Parallel Passages

35. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
1. Study all the relevant passages
2. Look at theologians whose views appear to contradict the text. (e.g. Amill on Rev 20; premill on 2 Peter 3)
Parallel Passages

36. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
1. Study all the relevant passages
2. Look at theologians whose views appear to contradict the text. (e.g. Amill on Rev 20; premill on 2 Peter 3)
3. Allow for paradox.
Parallel Passages

37. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
1. Study all the relevant passages
2. Look at theologians whose views appear to contradict the text. (e.g. Amill on Rev 20; premill on 2 Peter 3)
3. Allow for paradox.
4. Be fair with the context of each text.
Parallel Passages

38. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
5. Develop a personal file of topics.
Parallel Passages

39. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
5. Develop a personal file of topics.
6. The clear takes precedence over the obscure.
Parallel Passages

40. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
5. Develop a personal file of topics.
6. The clear takes precedence over the obscure.
7. Repeated passages carry greater weight.
Parallel Passages

41. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
5. Develop a personal file of topics.
6. The clear takes precedence over the obscure.
7. Repeated passages carry greater weight.
8. Literal texts are give preference over figurative, parabolic or poetic texts.
Parallel Passages

42. Rules for Interpreting Parallels
5. Develop a personal file of topics.
6. The clear takes precedence over the obscure.
7. Repeated passages carry greater weight.
8. Literal texts are give preference over figurative, parabolic or poetic texts.
9. Later revelation is preferred over earlier.
Parallel Passages