Rules
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The prophets of old packed away the mystery [1]. Modern prophets unpack it by the Spirit to solve riddles [2]. They validate what the Spirit tells them by these rules. |
ContentsDivine meaningSince God’s word is established forever [3]; a metaphor/shadow means the same thing everywhere is it used.
The use of free-for-all allegory in other theological works has been properly criticized because allegorical or metaphoric meanings produced in this manner have no way to be verified; how do you know it is true? This rule of "Divine meaning" prohibits free-for-all allegory by prescribing a limited standard for the use of allegory so that every scripture participates in a hidden picture of Christ.
Consequence of lack of Divine meaning: The resulting interpretation is likely to be free-for-all allegory and eisegesis. |
ChristocentricSince the riddle of Samson [4] tells us Christ is the answer to all the prophetic riddles;[5] if the shadow (prophetic riddle) doesn’t look like Christ, it isn’t a good shadow. This keeps us focused.
If we don’t see Christ in the scriptures, we have missed the primary purpose of the scriptures. [8] And if Christ is not central to a proposed interpretation, it is to be rejected. This rule alone separates the mystery[9] from Gnosticism[10], Kabbalah[11] and Midrash [12]. Consequence of lack of Christocentric meaning: You miss the point of the scriptures in revealing God through Christ. |
Rule - Self-containedSince we are to let every man be a liar and God be true [13]; outside references are not required to solve the riddles and see the shadows. This keeps us devoted.
If we reference historians, document critics, or scholars, it will be to add color to the discussion, and more often than not, to refute popular myths they perpetuate.
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Rule - Self examination
Our assumptions about scripture and the rules we use to guide our interpretation effect the ultimate meaning that we get from scripture. It is important to evaluate those assumptions and rules to ensure that they permit the scriptures to speak for themselves rather than permitting us to impose our own meaning upon them. My assumptions and convictions are these:
The rules are discerned using the same methods as discerning the mystery, so it should be expected that those practicing literal methods may disagree with how the rules are determined. That doesn't matter. The mystery needs to be evaluated to see if it is self-consistent as well as if it produces verifiable, meaningful, and orthodox [21] results. Consequence of not doing self-examination:: The measure of truth becomes the individual and the standard changes to meet your own goals. |
Rule - HumilitySince God has said that not a jot or tittle will pass away [22]; until one knows why each jot and tittle is there, a complete understanding has not been derived. This keeps us humble.
It is a shameful behavior to decide a matter before it is heard. [25] Consequence of lack of humility The scriptures are wrested or twisted to mean what you want them to mean.
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Rule - CompleteSince man shall live “by every word” [26] [27]; a doctrine is not sound until it sums up and includes all that God has said about it. [28] This keeps us searching.
A doctrine must sum up and include everything the Bible says about it in the literal and hidden layers. Consequence of lack of completeness Conclusions may be premature. [29] |
Rule - RigorousSince every word concerning life and death must be established by two or three witnesses [30]; every shadow/symbol must have at least two supporting scripture witnesses.
Shadows are not the product of a wild imagination and are therefore verifiable by the scriptures. When a shadow has two or three witnesses, it should be regarded as a tentative meaning. This rule does not permit three verses to be the end of discussion, but specifically forbids a single verse from becoming definitive. Consequence of lack of rigor: Conclusions may be premature and/or wrong. |
References
- ↑ Pr 25:2 ¶ [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
- ↑ 2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
- ↑ 2Sa 7:25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish [it] for ever, and do as thou hast said.
- ↑ Jud 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What [is] sweeter than honey? and what [is] stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
- ↑ Samson's riddle
- ↑ Did Jesus say that all the scriptures spoke of him?
- ↑ Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
- ↑ Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
- ↑ The mystery
- ↑ Gnosticism
- ↑ Kabbalah
- ↑ Midrash
- ↑ Ro 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
- ↑ Mt 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
- ↑ Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- ↑ Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- ↑ What is the 'security paper of the mystery?
- ↑ What layers?
- ↑ Handling contradictions
- ↑ Satan's spoiled milk
- ↑ Christian orthodoxy
- ↑ Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- ↑ 1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
- ↑ Opinions don't count?
- ↑ Pr 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
- ↑ Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
- ↑ Lu 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
- ↑ De 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
- ↑ Pr 18:13 ¶ He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
- ↑ De 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
- ↑ Heb 10:1 ¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.