Dear Moe,

I was in the process of looking for Scriptures (Jer. 31:31-34, Hebrews 
8:7-13 etc.) to define NCT under the promise/ fullfillment apparatus when I 
went back and read an email that Murray McLellan wrote a week or so ago 
concerning a biblical hermeneutic. I think it is worth another look "before" 
we start drawing on the board.  Here it is:

Many books have been written on the subject of "understanding the
Bible." In most books on interpreting the Bible, certain rules and
principles are brought to the text in order to understand the precise
meaning of the original authors of Scripture. Though many different
rules and principles may make a great deal of "sense" and seem very
logical as we approach the understanding of ancient writing, yet we must
never forget that the Bible is a unique book. Its author truly is God.
The words it contains have proceeded from the very mouth of God (2 Tim.
3:16; Matt. 4:4). Prophecy of Scripture never came by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2
Pet.1:21). This is why Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you
received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as
the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also
effectively works in you who believe. (1 Thess. 2:13)

Since this is the unique Word of God, we must listen to its truth in
order to know how we are to understand what is written. Our hermeneutics
(rules for interpreting the Bible) must be derived from the Bible. Any
other source is fallible. Our logic is fallible and can be mistaken.
God's Word alone is truth. In his prayer to his Father, in John 17:17,
Jesus affirmed, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth". We
need to look to Scripture to interpret Scripture, for the only
infallible rule of interpretation is the Scripture itself.

We must get our rules from the Bible itself. If we obtain them from
outside the Word of God, then regardless of how "common-sense" or
rational and logical they seem, the Bible rests on these rules.
Something outside the Bible, called the hermeneutical rules of biblical
interpretation, becomes the foundation upon which the Bible rests. We
would then interpret the Bible through those "lenses". These rules
become the key to unlock the meaning of the Bible. They are the glasses
we must put on in order to "see" the true interpretation of Scripture.
But who says those are the right glasses? Who says that that is the key?
Who says that is the proper foundation on which to lay the Bible?

What is the only thing that we know that cannot be broken?  Jesus tells
us, The Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).  He tells the
Sadducees that they are mistaken because they do not know the Scriptures
(Matt. 22:29)!  We need to make sure that any rules we use to interpret
the Scriptures come clearly from the Scripture itself.  We need to let
the Word of God produce the key and any "lenses" through which we will
examine the Bible.  Our hermeneutics must be solidly rooted in the clear
teaching of the Word of God.  I believe the Word of God does reveal to
us how it is to be interpreted.

I'll pause here for feedback.  As we seek to lay out a primer for
rightly understanding the whole unfolding story of the glory of God in
the face of Jesus Christ, may we be refreshed and amazed by the wonder
and wisdom of our incredible God.  Is it not an amazing thing, having
been born blind, to be mercifully granted eyes to behold the Lamb of God
who is altogether lovely and indeed, does all things well?  To search
out the Christ-centered Scripture together as fellow recepients of
grace, should be a joyful task indeed.

By His grace and for His glory,
Murray

I like where this points to: Sola Scriptura.  If the word of Truth is 
flawless, then it would only be expected that God has "already" laid out an 
example of a New Covenant hermeneutic.  You see Moe, when I sent the email 
in about eschalogical determiners such as amil and premil, you told me that 
pushing this button would't help.  But in forming your request about laying 
out Scripture you use a qualifying term of "promise/fulfillment".  How can 
this not start having an influence from the very beginning of how I can or 
can't do business?  In other words, the hermeneutic is already being 
predisposed to a theological idea outside of Scripture from the get-go.  I 
know you may think that I'm nit-picking but a hermeneutic that allows for 
the possibility of two opposing ideas to come to the table with their own 
set of rules always ends in modifying rules of exegesis "or" stagnation 
(goes nowhere), which is what you said happened the last time that this same 
task of developing a NCT hermeneutic was attempted.  So, I say all of that 
for this.  Does Paul give us principles for defending NCT which will 
effectively allow today's Christian to answer objections to its truth 
without compromising the NC with humanly induced oppinions contrary to grace 
such as legalism, etc, etc?  How did the Apostles do "it"?  Isn't that where 
the starting point should be, in Scripture alone?  I think our human nature 
just wants to make it too complicated.  Jesus Christ knows us and did not 
leave us to our own devices and we should be forever thankful for that. 
Isn't it just a matter of taking "every" thought captive to "Christ"(the 
written Word)?   I know that this might not seem like much but if in the 
beginning we do not have the same starting point, we will never finish on 
the same foundation.  What do you think?  Thinking God's thoughts after Him, 
Doug Skiles



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ic2@...>
To: <soundofgrace@...>
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 4:41 PM
Subject: [soundofgrace] Your understanding of the New Covenant. Moe to All


> Dear All,
>
> This request is rather simplistic but perhaps if those of you who have a 
> serious interest in NCT would layout (define) with Scripture what you 
> believe is the New Covenant (promise & fulfilment) we might be able to 
> make some headway.
>
>     Moe
>
> Ps., Perhaps Doug would like to be the first to step to the plate and then 
> perhaps Chad, etc..
>
>
>
>
>
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