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(Preface)
BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS
A
treatise on the Interpretation of the Old and New Testament
MILTON
S. TERRY
ISBN: 1-57910-225-5
©1890

E-Book Version
PREFACE
THE first edition of this
work was published in the autumn of 1883, and has received such
cordial and continued welcome as to put beyond doubt that a
treatise of its character is needed in our English theological
literature. The general plan of the volume has been adapted to
meet what appear to be the practical wants of most theological
students. Specialists and experts in exegetical learning will push
their way through all difficulties, and find delight in testing
principles; but the ordinary student, if led at all into continued
and successful searching of the Scriptures, must become interested
in the practical work of exposition. The bare enunciation of
principles, with brief references to texts in which they are
exemplified, is too dry and taxing to the mind to develop a taste
for exegetical study; it has a tendency rather to repel. Our plan
is rather to familiarize the student with correct methods by means
of continuous exercise in the actual work of exegesis. The
statement of principles is introduced gradually, and abundantly
illustrated and verified by a faithful application of them to such
portions of the Holy Scriptures as are known to have peculiar
difficulties, or to be of special interest and value. It is not
expected that all our interpretations will command unqualified
approval, but it is confidently believed that a selection of the
more difficult Scriptures for examples of exposition will enhance
the real value of the work, and save it from the danger, too often
common in such treatises, of running into lifeless platitudes.
With ample illustrations of' this kind before him, the student
comes by a natural inductive process to grasp hermeneutical
principles, and learns by example and practice rather than by
abstract precept.
The larger portion of the
volume is devoted to Special Hermeneutics. This fact will, we
believe, meet the approval of all biblical scholars. They will
acknowledge the propriety of passing more rapidly over those
general principles, on which there exists little or no difference,
of opinion, and of allowing greater space for the treatment of
parables, allegories, types, symbols, and apocalyptic prophecy.
The necessity of sound principles is most deeply felt in the study
of these enigmatical, portions of the Bible. Our constant aim has
been to abstain from all appearance of dogmatism, and to adhere
strictly to the method of scientific and conscientious inquiry. If
Special Hermeneutics serves any useful end, it must cultivate the
habit of searching for what the Scripture has to say for itself,
not of imposing upon its language the burden of whatever it is
able to bear.
Considerable space has been given to the subject of prophetic
symbolism. The apocalyptic books have ever been regarded as most
difficult to explain, but not a few of the difficulties have grown
out of the extravagant notion that we may expect to find in
prophecy a detailed history of events from the advent of Christ to
the end of time. We have tried to show that the biblical symbols
and apocalypses are largely self-interpreting, and, if allowed to
speak for themselves, are not more difficult of exposition than
the parables of Jesus.
Profoundly grateful for the generous commendation of the former
editions, and profiting by the friendly criticism of numerous
reviews, the author has spared no pains to make this new edition
more worthy of general favor. The revision has extended to nearly
every page, and considerable portions have been rewritten. A
number of chapters, not strictly belonging to Hermeneutics, have
been omitted, and others have been condensed, so that the
substance of the original work of 782 pages now appears in a more
convenient, and, we trust, not less valuable, volume.
EVANSTON, May 15, 1890.
CONTENTS
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GENERAL OUTLINE
ANALYTICAL OUTLINE
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INTRODUCTION
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CHAPTER 1
Preliminary
- Hermeneutics defined
- General and Special Hermeneutics
- Biblical or Sacred Hermeneutics
- Old and New Testament Hermeneutics should not be separated
- Hermeneutics distinguished from Introduction, Criticism,
and Exegesis
- Hermeneutics both a science and an art
- Necessity of Hermeneutics
- Rank and importance of Hermeneutics in Theological Science
CHAPTER 2
Qualifications of an Interpreter
- INTELLECTUAL QUALIFICATIONS
- A sound, well-balanced mind
- Quick and clear perception
- Acuteness of intellect (Bengel and De Wette)
- Imagination allowed but controlled
- Sober judgment
- Correctness and delicacy of taste
- Right use of reason
- Aptness to teach
- EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of geography and history
- Knowledge of chronology and antiquities
- Study of politics, law, and civil government
- Knowledge of natural science
- Speculative philosophy and psychology
- Knowledge of biblical languages and of comparative
philology
- Acquaintance with general literature
- SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATIONS
- These partly a gift, partly acquired
- Desire to know the truth
- Deep and tender affection
- Enthusiasm for the Word of God
- Reverence for God and his laws
- Communion with the Holy Spirit
CHAPTER 3
Historical Sketch
- Value and importance of the history of interpretation
- Origin and variety of interpretations
- Ezra the scribe
- Public instruction in the-law
- Office and work of the scribes
- Progress of Jewish exegesis after Ezra
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- Halachah and Hagadah
- The Karaites
- Methods of New Testament exegesis
- Allegorizing tendency of post-apostolic time
- School of Alexandria
- School of Antioch
- Theodore of Mopsuestia
- John Chrysostom
- Theodoret
- Schools of Edessa and Nisibis
- Ephraim Syrus
- Barsumas and Ibas
- Hippolytus
- Jerome
- Augustine
- The Catenists
- Nicholas de Lyra
- John Reuchlin
- Erasmus
- Luther and the Reformation
- Melanchthon
- John Calvin
- Theodore Beza
- Tendencies of Lutheran and Reformed parties
- Polyglots and Critici Sacri
- Grotius
- Voetius
- Cocceius
- Spener and Franke
- Ernesti
- German rationalism
- Mediation school
- Evangelical school
- Biblical exegesis in America
- Modern exeges
CHAPTER 4
Methods of Interpretation
- Halachic and Hagadlemethods
- Allegorical interpretation (Philo, Clement)
- Mystical interpretation (Origen, Maurus, Swedenborg)
- Pietistic interpretation (Quakers)
- The accommodation theory (Semler)
- Moral interpretation (Kant)
- Naturalistic interpretation (Paulus)
- The mythical theory (Strauss)
- Other rationalistic theories (Baur, Renan)
- Exegesis controlled by speculative philosophy (Reuss)
- Apologetic and dogmatic methods
- Grammatico-historical interpretation
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PART FIRST
GENERAL HERMENEUTICS
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CHAPTER 5
The Grammatico-Historical Sense
- Grammatico-historical sense defined
- Observation of Davidson
- Same methods required as in ascertaining meaning and
usage of words
- Words and sentences can have but one meaning in the same
place and connection
- Narratives of miracles to be explained literally
- Jephthah's daughter a burnt offering
- Jesus' resurrection an historical fact
- Grammatical 'accuracy of the New Testament
- Significance of Greek tenses
- Importance of careful critical study
CHAPTER 6
Context, Scope, and Plan
- Context, scope, and plan defined
- Scope sometimes formally announced
- Plan and scope of Genesis seen in a study of its
contents and structure
- Plan and scope of Exodus
- Subject and plan of the Epistle to the Romans
- Context, near and remote
(1) Illustrated by Isaiah
(2) Illustrated by Matt. 11:12
(3) Illustrated by Gal. 5:4
- Historical, dogmatic, logical, and psychological
connection
- Importance of studying context, scope, and plan
- Need of critical tact, and ability
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CHAPTER 7
Comparison of Parallel Passages
- Some parts of Scripture without. logical connection
- Value of parallel passages
- The Bible a self-interpreting book
- Parallels verbal and real
- Parallels must have real correspondency
- The word hate in Luke 14:26 explained by parallel
passages
- Jesus' words to Peter in Matt. 15:18 explained by
parallel texts
- Many parts of Scripture parallel
CHAPTER 8
The Historical Standpoint
- Importance of knowing the historical standpoint of' a
writer
- Historical and geographical knowledge essential
- Difficulty of transferring one's self into a remote age
- Personal sanctity of ancient worthies sometimes unduly
exalted
- Historical occasions of the Psalms
- Places as well as times to be studied: —
(1) Shown by journeys and epistles of Paul
(2) Historical and geographical accuracy of Scripture proven
by modern research
- Historical standpoint of John's Apocalypse: —
(1) The external evidence
(2) John's own testimony
(3) Internal evidence; six points
(4) Great delicacy of discrimination, necessary
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PART SECOND
SPECIAL HERMENEUTICS
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CHAPTER 1
Preliminary
- Special qualities of' the Bible
- A text-book of religion
- Variety of subject matter and style
- Distinction between substance and form
- Special Hermeneutics calls for larger space
- The Bible its own best interpreter
CHAPTER 2
Hebrew Poetry
- Old Testament largely poetical
- Parallelism the distinguishing feature
- The speeches of Laban and Jacob
- Form essential to poetry
- Hebrew spirit and form may be largely preserved in
translation
- Structure of Hebrew parallelism
- Synonymous parallelism: —
- Identical
- Similar
- Inverted
- Antithetic parallelism: —
- Simple
- Compound
- Synthetic parallelism: —
- Correspondent
- Cumulative
- Irregular structure of impassioned utterances
- Alphabetical poems and rhymes
- Vividness of Hebrew expression
- Force of ellipsis
- Special Hermeneutics must recognize rhetorical form and
figures of speech
CHAPTER 3
Figurative Language
- Tropes many and various
- Origin and necessity of figurative language
- Sources of scriptural imagery
- Specific rules for determining when language is
figurative, impractica4 and unnecessary
- Figures of words and figures of thought
- Metonymy
(1) Of cause and effect
(2) Of subject and adjunct
(3) Of sign and thing signified
- Synecdoche
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- Personification
- Apostrophe
- Interrogation
- Hyperbole
- Irony
CHAPTER 4
Simile and Metaphor
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SIMILE: —
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Definition and illustration
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Crowding of similes together
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Similes are naturally self-interpreting
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Pleasure afforded by similes
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Assumed comparisons, or illustrations
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METAPHOR: —
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Definition and illustration
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Sources of Scripture metaphors
(1) Natural scenery
(2) Ancient customs
(3) Habits of animals
(4) Hebrew ceremonies
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Elaborated and mixed metaphors
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Uncertain metaphorical allusions: —
(1) Loosing of locks, in
Judges 5:2
(2) Boiling of heart (Psalm 14:1)
(3) Buried in baptism (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)
CHAPTER 5
Fables, Riddles, and Enigmas
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More notable figures of Scripture
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Characteristics of the fable
(1) Jotham's fable
(2) Jehomh's fable
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Characteristics of the riddle
(1) Samson's riddle
(2) Number of the beast
(3) Obscure proverbs
(4) Lamech's song
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Enigma distinguished and defined
(1) Enigmatical element in
Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus
(2) In his discourse with the woman of Samaria
(3) Enigma of the sword in Luke 22:33
(4) Enigmatical language addressed to Peter in John 21:18
(5) Figure of the two eagles in Ezek. 17
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CHAPTER 6
Interpretation of Parables
- Pre-eminence of parabolic teaching
- Parable defined
- General use of parables
- Special purpose and reason of Jesus' parables
- Parables a test of character
- Superior beauty of the parables of Scripture
- Three essential elements of a parable
- Three principal rules for the interpretation of
parables
- Principles illustrated in parable of the sower
- Parable of the tares and its interpretation
(1) Things explained and things unnoticed
in medal expositions of Jesus
(2) We may notice some things which Jesus did not emphasize
(3) Suggestive words and allusions deserve comment
(4) Not specific rules, but sound and discriminating
judgement, must guide the interpreter
- Isaiah's parable of the vineyard
- Parable of the wicked husbandmen
- Comparison of analogous parables: —
(1) Marriage of King's Son, and wicked
husband men
(2) Marriage of king’s son, and great supper
- Old Testament parables
- All Jesus' parables in the Synoptic Gospels
- Parable of the laborers in the vineyard: —
(1) Mistakes of interpreters
(2) Occasion and scope
(3) Prominent points In the parable
(4) Primarily an admonition to the disciples
- Parable of the unjust steward: —
(1) Occasion and aim
(2) Unauthorized additions
(3) Jesus' own application
(4) The rich man Mammon
(5) Geikie's Comment
CHAPTER 7
Interpretation of Allegories
- Allegory distinguished from parable
- Allegory a continued metaphor
- Same hermeneutical principles as apply to parables
- Allegory of old age in Eccles. 12:3-7: —
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(1) Various Interpretations
(2) Old age of a sensualist
(3) Uncertain allusions
(4) Blending of meaning and imagery
(5) Hermeneutical principles Involved
- Allegory of false prophets in Ezek. 13:10-15
- Allegory of wise and unwise building in 1st Cor.
3:10-15: —
(1) Are the materials persons or
doctrines?
(2) Both views allowable
(3) The passage paraphrased
(4) A warning rather than a prophecy
- Allegory of the leaven in 1st Cor. 5:6-8: —
(1) The context
(2) The passage paraphrased
(3) Study of the more important allusions,
- Allegory of the Christian armor
- Allegory of the door and the shepherd: —
(1) Occasion and scope
(2) Import of particular parts
(3) Jesus' explanation enigmatical
- Paul's allegory of the covenants:-
(1) It Is peculiar and exceptional
(2) The historical allusions accepted as true
(3) The correspondent clauses
(4) Paul's example as an allegorist
(5) Such methods to be sparingly employed
- Interpretation of Canticles: —
(1) The allegorical method
(2) Objections to this method
(3) Canticles a dramatic parable
(4) Literal basis under oriental poetry
(5) Details not to be pressed into mystical significance
CHAPTER 8
Proverbs and Gnomic Poetry
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Proverbs defined and described
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Their use among most nations
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Hermeneutical principles to be observed: —
(1) Discrimination of form
and figure
(2) Critical and practical sagacity
(3) Attention to context and Parallelism
(4) Common sense and sound judgment
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CHAPTER 9
Interpretation of Types
- Types and symbols defined and distinguished
- Examples of types and symbols
- Analogy with several figures of speech
- Principal distinction between types and symbols
- Essential characteristics of the type: —
(1) Notable points of resemblance between
type and antitype
(2) Must be divinely appointed
(3) Must prefigure something future
- Five classes of Old Testament types: —
(1) Typical persons
(2) Typical institutions
(3) Typical offices
(4) Typical events
(5) Typical actions
- Hermeneutical principles to be observed: —
(1) All real correspondences to be noted
- The brazen serpent
- Melchizedek and Christ
(2) Notable differences and contrasts to
be Observed
- Moses and Christ
- Adam and Christ
(3) Old Testament types apprehended only
by the Gospel revelation
- Limitation of types: —
(1) Statement of Marsh
(2) Too restrictive a rule
(3) A broader principle allowable
(4) Qualifying observation
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CHAPTER 10
Interpretation of Symbols
- Difficulties of the Subject
- Principles of procedure
- Classification of symbols
- Examples of visional symbols:—
(1) The almond rod (Jer. 1:11)
(2) The seething pot (Jer. 1:13)
(3) The good and bad figs (Jer. 24)
(4) The summer fruit (Amos 8:1)
(5) Resurrection of bones (Ezek. 37)
(6) Golden candlestick
(7) The two olive trees (Zech. 4)
(8) linage of Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Dan. 2)
(9) The four beasts of Dan. 7
(10) Riders, horns, and smiths (Zech, 1)
(11) Flying roll and ephah (Zeeb. 5).
(12) The four chariots (Zech. 6)
- These examples, largely explained by the sacred writers,
authorize three fundamental principles: —
(1) The names of symbols are to be
literally understood
(2) Symbols always represent something different from
themselves
(3) A resemblance is always traceable between the symbol and
the thing symbolized, 266.
- No minute set of rules practicable
- Fairbairn's statement of principles
- Some principles apply to material symbols
- Symbolism of blood
- Symbolism of the Mosaic tabernacle: —
(1) Import of the names employed
(2) A divine-human relationship symbolizes
(3) The most holy place and its symbols: —
- The ark
- The capporeth, or mercyseat
- The cherubim
(4) The holy place and its symbols: —
- The table of showbread
- The golden candlestick
- The altar of Incense
(5) Great altar and laver in the court
(6) The graduated sanctity of the holy places
(7) Symbolico-typical action of the high priest on the day
of atonement
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CHAPTER 11
Symbolico-Typical Actions
- Actions performed in vision
- Symbolico-typical acts of Ezek. 4 and 5: —
(1) The acts outward and real
(2) Five objections considered
- Other symbolical acts
- Hosea's marriage: —
(1) The language implies a real event
(2) Supposed impossibility based on Misapprehension
(3) Gomer and Diblaim not symbolical names
(4) Hengstenberg's unwarrantable assertion
(5) The facts as stated perfectly supposable
(6) Scope of the passage indicated
(7) The symbolical names (Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, and Lo-ammi)
(8) The marriage of Hos. 3 to be similarly explained
- Our Lord's miracles have symbolical import
CHAPTER 12
Symbolical Numbers, Names, and Colors
Process of ascertaining symbolism of
numbers, names, and colors
- SYMBOLICAL NUMBERS: —
- The numbers one and three
- The number four
- The number seven
- The number ten
- The number twelve
- Synbolical does not always exclude significance
- Time, times, and half a time
- Forty-two months
- The number forty
- The number seventy
- Prophetical designations of time
- The year-day theory:—
(1) Has no support in Num. x1v and Ezek. 4
(2) Not sustained by prophetic analogy
(3) Daniel's seventy weeks not parallel
(4) Days nowhere means years
(5) The theory disproved by repeated failures
- The thousand years of Rev. 20
- SYMBOLICAL NAMES: —
- Sodom and Egypt
- Babylon and Jerusalem
- Returning to Egypt
- David and Elijah
- Ariel
- Leviathan
- SYMBOLISM OF COLOURS: —
- Rainbow and tabernacle colors
- Import and association of blue
- Purple and scarlet
- White a symbol of purity
- Black and red
- Symbolical import of metals and jewels
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CHAPTER 13
Dreams and Prophetic Ecstasy
- Methods of divine revelation
- Dreams recorded in the. Scripture
- Evince latent powers of the soul
- Jacob's dream at Bethel
- Interpretation of dreams
- Repetition of dreams and visions
- Prophetic ecstasy: —
(1) David's Messianic revelation
(2) Ezekiel's visional rapture
(3) Other examples of ecstasy
(4) The prophet personating God
- New Testament glossolaly, or speaking with tongues: —
(1) The facts as recorded
(2) The miracle of Pentecost symbolical
(3) A mysterious exhibition of soul-powers
CHAPTER 14
Prophecy and its Interpretation
- Magnitude and scope of Scripture prophecy
- Not prediction merely, but utterance of God's truth
- Prophecies of the future require special hermeneutics
- History and prediction not to be confused
- ORGANIC RELATIONS OF PROPHECY: —
- Progressive character of Messianic prophecy
- Repetition of oracles against heathen nations
- Daniel's two great prophecies (chapters 2 and 7)
compared
- The little horn of Dan. vii, 8, and viii, 9 the same
king seen from different points of view
- Other prophetic repetitions
- FIGURATIVE AND SYMBOLICAL STYLE OF PROPHECY: —
- Imagery the most natural form for expressing
revelations obtained by dreams and visions
- Poetic form and style of several prophecies adduced
- Prominence of symbols in the apocalyptic books
- The hermeneutical principles to be observed: —
(1) Clear discrimination of symbols
(2) Their most striking aspects to be noted
(3) Ample and self-consistent comparison
- ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF SIMILAR PROPHECIES: —
- Verbal analogies
- Twofold presentation of prophetic revelations
- Analogies of imagery
- Similar imagery applied to different subjects
- General summary
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CHAPTER 15
Messianic Prophecy
- Messianic prophecy defined
- To be studied on its divine and human sides
- Two schools of extremists to be dis. Carded
- Five Messianic prophecies adduced for illustration
- THE MOUNTAIN OF JEHOVAH'S HOUSE (Isa. 2:2-4): —
- Translation
- Absurdity of a literal interpretation
- The four essential prophetic thoughts
- THE BRANCH OF JEHOVAH (Isa. 4:2-6): —
- Translation
- Two possible interpretations
- The four essential prophetic thoughts
- IMMANUEL (Isa. 7:14-16): —
- Tile prophecy difficult and enigmatical
- Translation
- The various expositions
- The most simple explanation identifies the virgin with
the prophet's wife, and the child Immanuel with the Maher-shalala-bash-baz
of chapter 8:1-3
- THE GALILEAN KING (Isa. 9:1-7): —
- Translation
- The essential prophetic thoughts
- THE. SHOOT OF JESSE AND THE FINAL EXODUS (Isa. 11, 12): —
- Ten notable Messianic ideals
- Messianic prophecy an organic series
- Prompted by the times in which the prophet lived.
- Cast in metaphorical forms
- Not to be literally interpreted
CHAPTER 16
Old Testament Apocalyptics
- Apocalyptics defined
- Distinguished from prophecy
- Scope of biblical apocalyptics
- Formal elements of apocalyptics
- Hermeneutical principles to be observed
- REVELATION OF JOEL: —
- Analysis of Joel’s prophecy
- First Part: Jehovah's judgments,
- Second Part: Jehovah's triumph and glory
- Joel's prophecy a generic apocalypse
- EZEKIEL'S VISIONS: —
- Peculiarities of Ezekiel
- Analysis of EzekiLl's prophecies
- The vision of new temple, land, and city
- The three different interpretations
- REVELATION OF DANIEL: —
- Principles illustrated by Daniel's double revelation of
empires
- Three current errors touching the exposition of Daniel
- All dogmatism and a prio7i assumptions fatal to sound
interpretation
- Three prevalent interpretations
- Arguments in favor of Roman theory: —
(1) Importance of Rome
(2) Iron strength and violence of Rome
(3) Set up in "days of those kings
(4) Unsatisfactory character of the arguments
- Daniel's historical standpoint
- Prominence of the Medes in Scripture
- The varied but parallel descriptions
- The prophet should- be allowed to explain himself
- The prophet's point of view in chapter 8
- Inner harmony of all the visions to be sought
- Alexander and his successors not viewed as two different
world-powers
- Conclusion: Daniel recognized a Median dominion as
succeeding the Chaldean
- Prophecy of the seventy weeks
- Revelation of Dan. 11:2—12:3
CHAPTER 17
The Apocalypse of John
- Systems of interpretation
- Historical standpoint of the writer
- Plan of the Apocalypse
- Artificial form of the Apocalypse
- The great theme announced
- REVELATION OF THE LAMB: —
- In the epistles to the seven Churches
- By the opening of the seven seals
- By the sounding of the seven trumpets
(1) The plague from the abyss
(2) The armies of the Euphrates
(3) The mighty angel arrayed with cloud and rainbow
(4) The last trumpet
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- REVELATION OF THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S, WIFE:—
- Vision of the woman and the dragon
- Vision of the two beasts
- Vision of Mount Zion
- Vision of the seven last plagues
- Vision of the mystic Babylon
(1) Mystery of the woman and beast
(2) The beast from the abyss
(3) Fall of the mystic Babylon
6. Vision of parousia, millennium, and
judgment: —
(1) It is a sevenfold vision
(2) The millennium Is the gospel period
(3) The chiliastic interpretation without sufficient warrant
(4) The last judgment
(5) Visions transcending time-limit of the book
(6) Millennium of chapter 20 now In progress
7. Vision of the New Jerusalem: —
(1) Meaning of the vision; three views
(2) Comparison of Hag. 2:6, 7 and Heb. 12:26-28
(3) Allusion of Heb. 12:22, 23
(4) New Jerusalem a heavenly picture of what the tabernacle
symbolized
Conclusions touching biblical apocalyptics
CHAPTER 18
No Double Sense in Prophecy
- Theory of double sense unsettles all sound interpretation
- Typology and double sense not to be confounded
- Suggestive fullness of prophetic Scripture no proof of
double sense
- No misleading designations of time in prophecy
- Misuse of the phrase “a thousand years as one day,”
- Bengel's fallacious treatment of Matt. 24
- Practical applications of prophecy may be many
- False prophetic interpretation sometimes due to mistaken
notions of the Bible itself
CHAPTER 19
Scripture Quotations in the Scripture
- Four classes of quotations:
(1) Old Testament quotations in Old
Testament, ago
(2) New Testament quotations from Old Testament
(3) New Testament quotations from Now Testament sources
(4) Quotations from apocryphal sources
- Only Old Testament quotations in the New Testament call
for special hermeneutical study
- SOURCES or NEW TESTAMENT QUOTATION:—
- Septuagint version the principal source
- No uniform manner of quotation
- Currency of inaccurate quotation
- FORMULAS AND METHODS OF QUOTATION: —
- The verbal formulas employed
- Appropriation of sentiment without formal quotation
- Furnish no law of general hermeneutics
- Not necessarily decisive Of questions of literary
criticism
- The formula ina plhrwsh: —
(1) Peculiar to Matthew and John
(2) Views of Bengel and Meyer
(3) The telic force of ina generally to be maintained
(4) The ecbatle sense need not In all cases be. Denied
(5) The telic sense in formulas of prophetic citation
(6) Hosea 11:1, as cited In Matt. 2:15
- PURPOSES OF SCRIPTURE QUOTATION:-
- For showing its fulfillment
- For establishing doctrine
- For confuting opponents
- For authority, rhetorical purposes, and illustration
CHAPTER 20
The False and the True Accommodation
- The rationalistic theory
- Such a theory to be repudiated
- The true idea of accommodation
- Illustrated by Matthew's citation of Jer. 31:15
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CHAPTER 21
Alleged Discrepancies of the Scriptures
- General character of the discrepancies
- Causes of discrepancies: —
(1) Errors of copyists
(2) Various names of one person
(3) Different methods of reckoning time
(4) Different point of view and aim
- Discrepancies in genealogical tables: —
(1) Jacob's family record
- The different lists compared
- The historical standpoint of each list
- Hebrew style and usage
- Substitution of names
- Desire to have a definite and suggestive
number
(2) The two genealogies of Jesus: —
- Different hypotheses
- Views of Jerome and Africanus
- No hypothesis can claim absolute
certainty
- Hervey's theory
- Genealogies not useless Scripture
- Numerical discrepancies
- Doctrinal and ethical discrepancies: —
(1) Supposed conflict between Law and
Gospel
(2) Civil rights maintained by Jesus and Paul
(3) Avenging of blood
(4) Difference between Paul and James on Justification: —
- Different personal experience
- Different modes of apprehending and
expressing great truths
- Different aim of each writer
- Individual freedom of each writer
- Value of biblical discrepancies: —
(1) To stimulate mental effort
(2) To illustrate harmony of Bible and nature
(3) To prove absence of collusion
(4) To show the spirit above the letter
(5) To serve as a test of moral character
CHAPTER 22
Harmony and Diversity of the Gospels
- The life of Jesus a turning-point in the history of the
world
- The Gospels a chief ground of conflict between faith and
unbelief
- Attempts at constructing Gospel Harmonies
- Use Of Such harmonies
- THE ORIGIN OF THE GOSPELS: —
- An original oral Gospel
- No absolute certainty as to the particular origin of
each Gospel
- Probable suppositions
- DISTINCT PLAN AND PURPOSE OF EACH GOSPEL: —
- Tradition of the early Church
- Matthew's Gospel adapted to Jewish. Readers
- Mark's Gospel adapted to Roman taste
- Luke's the Pauline Gospel to the Gentiles
- John's the spiritual Gospel of the Christian life
- CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEVERAL EVAN GELISTS: —
- Noticeable characteristics of Matthew's Gospel
- Omissions of earlier Gospels may have had a purpose
- Harmony of the Gospels enhanced by their diversity
- Unreasonableness of magnifying the alleged discrepancies
of the Gospels
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CHAPTER 23
Progress of Doctrine and Analogy of Faith
- The Holy Scriptures a growth
- Genesis a series of evolutions and revelations
- The Mosaic legislation a new era of revelation
(1) Doctrine of God
(2) Superior ethical and civil code
(3) Pentateuch fundamental to Old Testament revelation
- Divine revelation continued after Moses
- Theology of the Psalter
- The Solomonic proverbial philosophy
- Old Testament revelation reached highest spirituality in
the great prophets
- Prophetic link between the Old and New Testaments
- Christ's teaching the substance but not the finality of
Christian doctrine
- Revelation continued after Jesus' ascension
- The New Testament epistles contain the elaborated teaching
of the apostles
- The Apocalypse a fitting conclusion of the New Testament
Canon
- Attention to progress of doctrine a help to interpretation
- THE ANALOGY OF FAITH: —
- Progress of doctrine explains analogy of faith
- Two degrees of analogy of faith: —
(1) Positive
(2) General
- Limitation and use of analogy of faith as a principle of
interpretation
CHAPTER 24
Doctrinal and Practical Use of Scripture
- Paul's statement of the uses of Scripture
- Romish doctrine of authoritative interpretation
- Protestant principle of the use of reason
- Statement and defence of Scripture doctrine must accord
with correct hermeneutics
- Biblical and historical theology distinguished
- Human tendency to be wise above what is written
- True and false methods of ascertaining biblical doctrine:
—
(1) The doctrine of God
(2) The doctrine of Vicarious Atonement
(3) The doctrine of Eternal Punishment
- Absence of scriptural hope for the wicked
- Import of Matt. 12:32 and Mark 3
- Preaching to the spirits in prison
(4) Doctrine, not, confined to one portion,
class, or style of Scripture
(5) Eschatology taught mainly in figurative language
(6) Doctrine of the resurrection
(7) Freedom from prepossession and presumption
(8) Texts not to be cited ad libitum
- New Testament doctrine not clear without the help of the
Old, and vice versa
- Confusion of Hebrew and Aryan modes of thought
- Practical and homiletical use of Scripture: —
(1) Must be based on true grammatical
Interpretation
(2) Personal experiences, promises, admonitions, and warnings
have lessons for all time
(3) No true application of Scripture without correct
Interpretation
- BIBLIOGRAPHY or HERMENEUTICS
- SUPPLEMENT to BIBLIOGRAPHY
- INDEX of HEBREW WORDS
- INDEX of GREEK WORDS
- INDEX of SCRIPTURE TEXTS
- GENERAL INDEX
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