Dear Mr. Reisinger,
I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond to my email. Since
becoming fully persuaded of NCT I have been fascinated with the different
eschatological viewpoints within the same framework of thought. Most groups
of similiar doctrinal thinking tend to be consistent when it comes to
eschatology. However, that doesn't seem to be the case with NCT. Men are
interested in dating prophecy but God is in the business of fulfilling them.
Whether there is a new earthly kingdom or not isn't as important as deciding
upon a consistent method of interpretation that will continue to take us
closer to the truth without forcing us to accept everything in a package
deal. There are requirements for a meaningful discussion and that is the
source of the disagreement about the millennial question. With that said I
will respond to your comments about my questions.
P.S.- I would like to ask one more question at the end.
----- Original Message -----
From: <24jreisinger26@...>
To: <soundofgrace@...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Hermeneutical technique
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Doug Skiles" <skiles@...>
> To: <soundofgrace@...>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:00 AM
> Subject: [soundofgrace] Hermeneutical technique
>
>
> Dear Sounders,
>
> Question one-
> If you are convinced that the opposite of a literal meaning is a
> "spiritual"
> meaning how would you explain symbolic? JGR: The opposite of "spirtual"
> is
> "natural." A prophecy can be "literally" fulfilled in either a natural or
> spiritual way.
DGS: And how would this help someone determine truth without the method
becoming completely arbitrary (dependant on individual discretion) and any
number of possibilities suggesting themselves?
>
> Question Two-
> "How" and or "When" do you know to spiritualize the text? JGR: That is
> $64,000 question. I believe you interpret symbolic passage with a
> different
> hermeneutic that oridinary language. In one case you take
> everything"literal" (natural) unless the context forces you to
> spiritualize
> it. In the other case you do not take anything "literal" (natural) unless
> the context forces you to. All prophectic is symbolic unless the context
> didtates otherwise.
DGS: What grounds do you have to justify this technique of exegesis where
the brakes for the "meanings" which can be given to virtually any text are
only limited by the imagination of the interpreter?
>
> Question Three-
> Should a hermeneutical technique follow typologies or transformisms? JGR:
> Pass.
DGS: Silence may say something, but it can never be "proof" of anything.
Socal stated that it is amazing how much nonsense people will accept if we
will just be persistent with assertions, even though, they may lack a
reasoned defense.
>
> Question Four-
> Why were 99.9% of all Covenant theologians A-millennialists? JGR: They
> are
> not. Many are Post-mil.
DGS: A few were premil and I posed a poor question here which has no bearing
on the discussion what so ever! (excuse please)
>
> It is debatable which is more irresponsible; changing the truth of
> Scripture
> into the errors of tradition, or preaching truth from the wrong passages.
> JGR: The former is usually more dangerous.
DGS: Error is error.
>
> Question Five-
> If the rule of "literal when possible" isn't adhered to rigidly, how can
> there be grounds for assuming that the literal sense is the primary
> meaning
> in *any* context? JGR: I do not accept the "literal where possible."
DGS: Because?
Question six-
In Luke 4:18 Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 but quits in the middle of a
sentence and states that "this" Scripture is fulfilled today. He purposely
leaves out "the day of vengeance of our God". This means it is at least 40
years off in the future (the destruction of the temple) or has now been
close to 2000 years if in reference to the second coming. My question (or
statement which every question makes) is this, "How many years are inbetween
the prophecies may depend on which prophecy is being called into question"?
This shows that prophecies can be telescoped together in the same sentence
but may be overloooked if "dates" are the more important issue. With this
in view, there are many events prophesied in the OTS and NTS which happen
after the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sincerely, Doug Skiles
>
> Consistency in continuing reform, my friends. Doug
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