The Rev. John A. Balchin, M.A., B.D. is a lecturer in the Bible Train­ n ing Institute, Glasgow Introduction

to Hermeneutics (from the Greek her­ menetlO, to interpret) is the science of interpretation. It may be applied to both sacred and secular literature, Biblical so that its study in application to Holy Scripture is further defined as Biblical Hermeneutics or Hermen­ eutica Sacra. The purpose of Biblical Hermen­ Hermeneutics eutics is to provide rules and prin­ ciples for the correct understanding of Scripture. It serves as an aid in by John A. Ba/chin answering such questions as: Is Genesis 1-3 history in the sense in which we normally understand the term? To what extent may we see Christological significance in the tabernacle? Is the Song of Songs just a love poem or an allegory of Christ and His Church? Who is the beast with the number 666? Is there any deeper significance in the two pennies given by the Good Samaritan to the innkeeper?

THE NEED FOR HERMENEUTICS The need of such rules and principles is paramount for several reasons. First, because to so many teachers of Holy Scripture it has never occurred that there is any place for such a study. 'Every man his own interpreter' has been taken to excess and the Bible has suffered too much

35 and too long at the hands of those to remedy this. Moreover, tradition (and an obscure one at that). The salutary to remember that there have to whom any kind of check is has such a powerful influence on baby of authority has been thrown been at least thirty interpretations of unknown. our thought that we often fail to out with the dirty bath water of a 1 Corinthians 15 : 29! Second, to prevent further division investigate the meaning of the Word false interpretation. Since both had in the Christian Church. One of the of God for ourselves. Indeed, We been so closely allied (to some, understandable results of the Refor­ approach Scripture with certain alas, the bath water is the baby) it INTERPRETATION AND mation with its emphasis on private predispositions and preconceptions is understandable that one was lost AUTHORITY judgment has been the coming which in themselves may be untrue with the other. We shall not begin into being of an increasing number and unbiblical and consequently our to make ground on the question of It is important and necessary to point of denominations and sects. But if minds may well be closed to alter­ authority until we have divorced it out two differences which, by being we can at least agree on some rules native interpretations. The tradition from certain obscurantist interpre­ confused or identified, have led to and principles of interpretation we may be right, but at least let us make tations which have little to do with a much wrong thinking. First, there are one step nearer to agreeing on the sure that such traditional interpre­ thoroughgoing hermeneutic. Let us is the difference between interpretation interpretation itself. tations have been thought out first­ beware of unscriptural stumbling­ and authoriry. While a right her­ Third, and allied to this last reason, hand and checked by sound her­ blocks. meneutic must be based on a correct such study will help to prevent the meneutical rules. Truth matters more In this kind of study we have to allow doctrine of authority, such a belief existence of further heretical sects than loyalty to a local group. a certain amount of freedom. It is does not bind us to anyone particular and the increase of existing sects; Scripture must never subserve a hardly possible this side of heaven interpretation. Often in the past, or at least to show more clearly dogmatic system, and neither must (and in heaven we won't need them and the present, the Church has why existing sects are heretical. the interpretations of Scofield, Thom­ anyway) to get a complete set of fought unnecessary battles because For the majority do, or say they do, son or any other pundit be put on rules by which the correct meaning it felt bound to one particular inter­ accept the authority of the Word of the same level of authority as the is arrived at infallibly. We must not pretation of a passage, especially if God. So it must therefore be their Bible itself. Commentaries written lean over so far from the com­ the passage had something to do with use and interpretation of the Bible right alongside the text of Scripture pletely subjectivist position that we science. It was a long time before which constitutes their particular can be an insidious snare. 'Scofield fall over backwards into the Roman the Church realized that a heliocentric heresy. The words which Shakespeare says so' does not necessarily finish camp. We must aim at eliminating view of the universe was not in put into the mouth of Bassanio have any discussion on the meaning of a as much of the subjective as possible opposition to Scripture (see, e.g., some point here: 'In religion what verse. Luther has said, 'The first on the one hand, so ensuring that Gn. 1 : 16) and that they could while damned error but some sober brow business of an interpreter is to let the exegesis does not become eisegesis. accepting this 'new' view still keep will bless it and approve it with a biblical author say what he does say (For example, how much so-called their view of Scripture. So it must text hiding the grossness with fair instead of attributing to him what exposition of the tabernacle is really be understood that authority and adornment!' The Bible can be used we think he ought to say.' And a flight of the religious imagination? inspiration are not hermeneutical to support the most flagrant heresy though we may not easily and lightly The most famous magician would concepts. A biblical view of authority simply by faulty hermeneutics. The disregard the thought of the Church be hard put to produce more hitherto accepts the Bible as the sole and tragic tenet of the Jehovah's Wit­ throughout the centuries (the com­ unseen pigeons and rabbits from final standard with regard to faith nesses concerning blood transfusion, IJJunis opinio), the Church must never his hat than many Bible teachers and conduct. But the authority still based on Leviticus 17: 12, is a dominate in matters of interpretation. get from the Word. The Bible is not needs to be interpreted. There is no glaring example of this. a magician's top hat). Yet, on the imposition of a literalistic under­ Fourth, such principles are necessary Lastly, and not of least importance, other hand, we must allow for the standing of Scripture on the person because of the sinful and biased hermeneutics is necessary because freedom of the Holy Spirit and not who lives and thinks under the mind of the interpreter, for so often of its bearing on the conservative­ cramp Him by a water-tight system. authority of the Word of God. it is more convenient and less liberal debate. So often liberals, in And sometimes, many times, we It is a tragedy that because a person costly in Christian living to interpret dismissing the conservative evan­ must in all honesty confess our may have a different interpretation Scripture in one way rather than gelical view of Scripture and author­ ignorance! The Talmudic rule, 'Teach from another he is thought by that another. An honest adherence to ity, have really dismissed a certain thy tongue to say, "I do not know," , other to have changed the seat of his hermeneutical checks would help interpretation of the word 'authority' should constantly be observed. It is authority. Shades of Galileo!

36 37 INTERPRETATION AND College she should attend, Lebanon INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE knowledge of Corinthian customs APPLICATION or Glasgow, should not necessarily BY SCRIPTURE throws light on Paul's teaching on feel that Lebanon is the right one the veil in 1 Corinthians 11; that The second distinction is that be­ simply because she may read in 1 The most basic of all hermeneutical Jewish chronology helps the under­ tween interpretation and application. Kings 5 that Solomon fetched his rules is interpret scripttlre f:y scripture, standing of the phrase 'three days The meaning of any passage is one, cedars from Lebanon. (This particular and from it spring several corollaries. and three nights' (Mt. 12: 40); even though it may have a number case happens to be true.) This is It is founded on the fact of the unity and so on. But it must be added of levels of meanings as in prophecy, hardly the original meaning of the of the Bible. Though there are many that extra-Biblical information in no and we must do all we can to find passage. And, at any rate, Glasgow human authors there is but one divine way dictates the meaning of a passage. this meaning: but the application was at a disadvantage since it is not Author, the Holy Spirit of truth, It serves only as a handmaid. In the may be many. The Bible is a book mentioned in Scripture. Having a and such an Author cannot and does realm of science especially, it may which teaches by principles as well 'word from the Lord' is both not contradict Himself. God is warn us of interpretations of passages as by precept. The principle may be justifiable and helpful providing the consistent. His truth may be ex­ which are ambiguous but it may never plainly stated or it may have to be word is first put into its original pressed in a variety of ways but never force us into an interpretation which abstracted from an historical situ­ context and the true meaning grasped. in such a way as to run counter to is contradictory to other parts of ation. It does not and could not For example, a fellow should not itself. Moreover, while it is admitted Scripture. Before this parenthesis offer a blue print for every possible break off his engagement because that there is progression in revelation, on the recognized limitation of this situation, e.g. may I swim at camp he suddenly has a 'word', from such progression does not mean first rule is closed it must be said on a Sunday afternoon? (though it is Jeremiah 16 : 2 ('You shall not take contradiction. So then, a first step that the Bible is sufficiently self­ conceivable that some may get help a wife') though this, too, is known in the interpretation of any passage interpreting for 'the man in the from Elisha and the axe-headl). nearly to have happened. The per­ is to discover what light is shed upon street'. After all, it is addressed It is a great temptation to force the plexed enquirer should first try to it by other parts of Scripture. to him primarily. meaning of a passage because of discover if his circumstances are A word in parenthesis must be added This basic principle of the self­ a desired application, but this must similar to those of Jeremiah's, that here. It cannot be said that Scripture interpreting nature of Scripture, be firmly resisted. For example, is, to put the verse into its context. throws the )vhole light on every sometimes known as the analogy Bernard Ramm has well pointed out (He should, incidentally, try to dis­ passage. If this were so the study of of faith, has a number of corollaries. that the 'must' in John 4 : 2 ('Jesus cover a few other things as well). extra-biblical knowledge would be­ (i) Interpret Scripture according to the must needs go through Samaria') We must be careful not to distort the come quite redundant. But it must be purpose of Scripture. is a geographical must and ought passage just because we cannot get admitted that such knowledge often a. The Ivhole of Scripture. The Bible not to be applied in the sense of guidance or a blessing from it as it sheds great light upon the Word of confesses to a limited purpose. evangelistic opportunity. And just stands. God and for the specialist is indis­ It does not profess to be an 'Enquire as the meaning of a text or passage Another subsidiary point which may pensable. As Terry says, 'The profes­ within on Everything', for the must not be forced because it makes be noted under this head is that it is sional interpreter of scripture needs wisdom it offers to its readers is a a good preaching point, so it must the principle which must be sought more than a well balanced mind, saving wisdom, that is, a knowledge not be forced because it brings a in a particular historical situation discreet sense and acuteness of intel­ which is able to make us wise unto blessing. The blessing does not before the passage is applied. That lect. He needs stores of information salvation (2 Tim. 3: 15). So it is justify the interpretation (though is to say, it is the present day equiva­ in the broad and varied fields of not meant to make us wise unto God often allows us to be blessed lent of the holy kiss (2 Cor. 13 : 12) history, science and philosophy.' biology, geology, botany. The wis­ by such means because of our which has behind it the same principle And he goes on to list geography, dom it provides is soteriological. immaturity. If we didn't get the of action which must be applied. history, chronology, antiquities, poli­ Calvin says, 'If you would learn blessing this way we might not get it (J. B. Phillips interprets for us in his tics, natural science, philosophy and geology or any other recondite art, at all!). Correct interpretation must 'A handshake all round, pleasel'.) comparative philology! go elsewhere.' Of course, the faith always precede application. This rule Likewise with the veil of 1 Corinthi­ It will readily be seen that a knowl­ does not come to us in vacuo. It is particularly applies in guidance. A ans 11 : 2ff.: is the modern hat the edge of extra-biblical knowledge of an historical religion and is worked missionary candidate, in trying to symbol of subjection that the veil Babylonian mythology throws light out in an historical and cultural find guidance as to which Bible was when Paul wrote his letter? on Rabah in Isaiah 51 : 9; that a medium. So we must be wary 38 39 of the heterodoxy which divor­ It is a common rule, but just as begins with 'For', showing that the refer to the quality of one's pastoral ces the history from the truth as commonly disregarded. Many of us, reason and explanation follows. This services. though an infallible truth can be having been brought up on the DailY is a word too often ignored in the Genesis 6: 3. 'My spirit shall not mediated through a fallibly recorded Light and the tear-off calendar (ex­ interpreting of Scripture. So then, always strive with man, for that history. But God has not chosen cellent things both, but not really the 'good' is eschatological and must he also is flesh; yet his days shall be an to inform us on scientific matters the best means of studying Scripture), not be reduced to mean that the hundred and twenty years.' The first which have no bearing on man's have become bitty in our appreciation trying and incomprehensible circum­ phrase is very frequently applied salvation. This would be outside of the Word. After all, it was for stances which we are presently going to evangelism and conversion. How the purpose of His Word, for the convenience of reference and not for through will soon resolve themselves often have they been heard at the Bible is the plan of God's redemp­ better understanding that the division to our own advantage. close of an evangelistic address tion. It would be absurd, then, to . of the Bible into chapters and verses Matthew 18 : 19, 20. 'Again I say to to make the appeal more compelling. expect a 'scientific' (as we understand was first introduced. It has been said you, if two of you agree on earth But the context does not appear to this word in the twentieth century) that the first step in interpretation about anything they ask, it will be be that of evangelism. The writer account of creation in the first chapter is the ignoring of the chapters and done for them by my Father in is speaking of the length of life of of Genesis. This is not to say that the verses. And failure to do so is one heaven. For where two or three man. He will only live one hundred chapter is not true. But it is to say of the gravest of mistakes in her­ are gathered in my name, there am and twenty years for he is flesh, and that the beginning of things is meneutics. Further, the immediate I in the midst of them.' Generally, as soon as the Spirit which gives recorded within the self-imposed context is generally more important these verses are taken to mean that life to the flesh is withdrawn ('strive' purpose of Holy Scripture. than the less immediate. The Bible God will answer the prayers of the could quite possibly be read 'abide', b. Each part of Scripture. Within this took more than a few weeks in the members of a small prayer meeting, as in RSV) the man ceases to live. one main purpose there are several writing and words tend to change so long as they agree with each other. (Cf. Gn. 2 : 7). subsidiary purposes for the various their meaning as time passes. Con­ Now this is true, but the passage is (Hi) The obscure must be interpreted parts. Generally speaking, each part sequently, word studies must be not primarily concerned with that. 1!Y the clear. Someone has rightly is written for different situations done in a progressive framework. The whole context, verses 15-20, said, 'Let not that which is obscure and circumstances and the particular Perhaps a few examples of passages is a paragraph on church discipline, rob you of that which is clear.' purpose of a passage or book must which are commonly misinterpreted and verses 19 and 20 must be under­ But in biblical exegesis there seems first be ascertained before the full will be in place: stood in the light of this. The Lord to be a natural tendency to start at the meaning will become clear. Thus, to Romans 8 : 28. What is the 'good' is here giving authority (in dis­ wrong place: to attempt to sort out grasp the purpose of James and to which everything works together ciplinary matters) to the local church. the difficult passages and then go on Galatians prevents any belief in a for the called of God? It would For authority is not to be invested to squeeze the easier into its shape. contradiction between Paul and hardly appear from the immediate in one person, but in the twos and Such methods are often current in James. The purpose of each letter context to be either a peaceful threes who are gathered in the name of the realm of eschatology. For ex­ is different. The Apocalypse can domestic situation or a new avenue of Christ, thus guaranteeing His pres­ ample, Revelation 20 : 1-6 is made hardly begin to be understood with­ Christian service. Surely the 'good' ence. Thus whatever they bind or loose the starting point and all other second out realizing that its primary function is elaborated on and explained in the on earth will be endorsed in heaven. coming teaching 'edited' in the light is to encourage the persecuted people following two verses. It is the three (J ohn 20 : 19-23 should be compared of it. Again, a more correct under­ of God (cf. Rev. 13 : 10, 14: 12), verses read together which contain with this passage, for the same standing of the biblical doctrine and such an understanding will the unit of thought, not just verse 28. thing is said in a different way.) of marriage is more likely to be prevent much grave mishandling of The 'good', then, is tied up with our arrived at by examining Ephesians this great book. So first ask the predestination. God is working for I Corinthians 3 : 10-15. These verses 5 and 1 Timothy 4 before 1 Corinthi­ question: Why did the author write good in all our circumstances in that are commonly taken to refer to one's ans 7. this? what need was he trying to He is conforming us to the image of sanctification, but it would appear (iv) Scripture must be understood meet? Christ. Nothing less than this is our from the context that they are in terms of its !JJeaning or intended (ii) Interpret 1!Y the context. Contextual 'good'. Paul is writing of our final primarily to do with ministerial meaning to the original hearers (or interpretation is a further obvious destiny. This is the 'purpose' of responsibility. The wood, hay, stub­ readers). This principle obtains in corollary of the first basic principle. verse 28. And note that verse 29 ble, gold, silver and precious stones both a general and a particular way.

40 41 a. General. The Bible was written in Isaiah. These were the people who passage must be interpreted according (Jdg. 5: 20)? Moreover, a recog­ for ordinary people, not primarily were awaiting the messianic order to its literary form. nition of the literary forms of Judges for the specialist. The divine Author of things, the situation which is Some years ago the Scriptures were 4 and 5 would preclude any sugges­ is no respecter of persons. He writes described in the Isaiah chapters. published under the title, The Bible tion that these accounts of the battle to be understood. Thus, the Bible is Into their midst came Jesus, who Designed to be read as Literatllre. of Deborah are contradictory. They a 'popular' book because it is ad­ was Spirit-equipped (Lk. 3 : 22; Is. While this may lead to the danger of are two different ways of describing dressed to the 'populace'. So it 42 : 1, 11: 2, 61: 1), well-pleased reducing the Bible to the level of the same event. It must be recognized uses popular and not specialist lang­ of the Father (Mt. 3 : 17; Is. 42 : 1), any other book it at least reminds that poetry may employ much met­ uage. It will be seen that this has preaching the gospel of the kingdom the reader that the Bible is literature. aphor, hyperbole (exaggeration for special bearing on the problem of the (Mt. 4: 23; Is. 61: 1). Moreover, As literature it employs all kinds of emphasis) and so on. On the other Bible and science. He had already confirmed the ful­ literary forms and categories: poetry hand, it also must be recognized that b. Particular. The word of the Lord filment of Isaiah 61 : 1ff. by His (Psalms), prose (Samuel), parable poetry can include plain statements came at sundry times and in divers reading in the synagogue (Lk. 4: (much' of our Lord's teaching), of fact. 'I'm just a mole, And I live manners. That is to say, it came to a 16ff.). So Jesus told them that the allegory (Ezekiel 16), apocalyptic in a hole' is poetry (of a sort), but it variety of situations and so in a variety conditions promised in Isaiah would (Revelation), fable (Judges 9 : 8-15) is also a plain statement concerning of ways. The recipients in some now begin to be fulfilled. To the and so on. One of the grave errors the habitat of that particular creature. respects vary, for the situations in disciples the 'poor' would mean the of some biblical interpretation is a Again, to treat parable as allegory which the recipients were placed 'poor' in Isaiah. (The 'poor' was a refusal to recognize these literary leads to many mistakes. Much of vary. Now God's word is always a synonym for the remnant; the humble forms and to interpret accordingly. what is merely furniture to set the relevant word. He addresses Himself poor became distinguished as the line As a result it is not surprising that scene in a parable (the broom, the to the situation of the time. So then in which faithfulness to the Lord the conservative attitude to Scripture fatted calf, the two pennies) is His word must be meaningful to was maintained and true spiritual has been dismissed by many sincere sometimes given a meaning (the those who first hear it. Our danger religion developed. Cf. Is. 11: 1 scholars in the belief that such evangelist, Christ, the two sacraments) today is that we tend to impose a and 61: 1.) Those who 'mourn' interpretation represented the main which distorts and distracts from present-day meaning on the original are those who bewail the fact that stream of evangelical thought. To the true meaning of the story. word which would have meant God's righteousness is not manifest many a literal understanding of the So with apocalyptic: it must not be little or nothing to those who in the land. (Cf. Is. 60 : 20, 61 : 2b- Bible has meant interpreting every treated as though it is continuous first heard it. 3a.) The meek is a parallel term to the part of Scripture as though it were narrative. A course in literary critic­ An examination of the beatitudes poor, and they shall inherit the earth prose. As Dr. Packer says, 'It would ism would serve as a useful prelude may be relevant here, for sometimes or land. (Cf. Is. 60: 21). The be better to call such exegesis liter­ to the study of the Bible. they are understood as though they righteousness which is hungered and alistic rather than literal so as to avoid were first given at the Keswick thirsted for would seem to have little confusing two very different things.' Convention. The disciples were our to do with imputed righteousness. INTERPRETING THE OLD BY Lord's audience on that occasion. So the beatitudes are not primarily The question, then, which must be THE NEW Such men would be reasonably well commands, but the gospel of the asked by any serious student of the versed in the Old Testament, so that kingdom. This was good news: Bible is, 'What is the literary form Our third main principle is: The the words and phrases which our that with the coming of Messiah or genre of the passage?' (though it Old Testament !JJtlst be interpreted Lord used would be understood there would take place the great must be admitted that the answer l:?J the NelP Testamellt. Since Scripture in their Old Testament sense. Now reversal. Because Jesus had come, is not always crystal clear). Then once interprets Scripture and revelation there seems to be a particularly close the blessings of Isaiah would be the form is determined the passage is progressive (though not contradic­ link between the first part of Matthew fulfilled. must be interpreted according to this tory), the next major rule to be 5 and certain passages in the latter form. To treat poetry as prose would adopted is that the New Testament lead to all manner of absurdities. part of Isaiah, especially chapters INTERPRETING BY must act as our authoritative guide Who has seen Lebanon exercise a 60 and 61. The disciples were the LITERARY FORM in understanding the Old. Three righteous remnant of Israel to whom calf-like skip (Ps. 29: 6)? or the preliminary points must first be so many promises were addressed A second basic principle is: eaclJ stars take up weapons of war considered.

42 (a) There is a distinction between cribed Paul's use of the Old Testa_ elucidate. Here Luke makes two Micah 5 : 2 and Matthew 2 : 5, 6; quotations which are given authori­ ment as 'grammatical-historical plus', quotations from imprecatory Psalms Isaiah 53 : 7, 8 and Acts 8 : 32-35' tative explanations and quotations for Paul does not ignore the grammar (69 : 25 and 109: 8) as being ful­ Psalm 22: 18 and John 19: 24: which are merely literary allusions. and the history but his exegesis filled in the fate of Judas and the though it is possible that some of These are not always easy to dis­ begins where the grammatical-histor_ appointment of a successor. It is these particular prophecies may have tinguish but it may safely be said ical ends. The Old Testament has a not suggested that this is a specific a double fulfilment or a twofold that the vast majority of quotations wider meaning than its immediate prophecy of Judas; rather the two reference. from the Old Testament are given historical application. The text must situations in the Psalms and Acts b. The Old Testa!IJet1t is incomplete authoritative interpretations. Many be fitted to a proper interpretation have a common principle, the Jvithout Christ. There are question such are introduced by an intro­ of Old Testament history as a whole deposing of all enemies of God and marks over some parts of the Old ductory formula (e.g. 'It is written', and it is this added factor which His cause and the raising up of the Testament which disappear only at 'that it may be fulfilled which must be borne in mind. righteous to supplant them. the appearance of Christ. This has was spoken by the prophet') but The theological concept of solidarity been well shown by Camp bell Morgan not necessarily so. In the Apoca­ throws light on Paul's use of Psalm in his book The Answers of Jesus lypse for example there are many 69 : 9 (Rom. 15: 3), for the ap­ to Job. The problems set by certain references to the Old Testament plication of the Psalm can naturally CHRISTOLOGICALLY AND verses in Job are given their answer without such an introductory for­ and easily pass from the persecuted CHURCHLY in the person and work of Christ. mula. At other times however, Psalmist to the persecuted Christ For example, Job 23 and John 14 : 9; because its contents are well-known (thoughthis does not make the whole Job 14: 14 and John 11 : 25; Job to him, the writer may naturally use Psalm Messianic in every detail). It may further be said that the Old 19 : 25 and Hebrews 7: 25. Ec­ the language of the Old Testament Again, the New Testament's use of TestatJJent is to be tlflderstood Chris­ clesiastes, with its limited view of the in expressing his thoughts without the 'Servant' passages in Isaiah makes tologicalfy and churchfy. God is primarily world and its questionings on life, meaning to give an explanation of them sometimes refer to Christ and concerned with people and their finds its completion in the Christ such a phrase. sometimes to the church, that is, to relationship to Him rather than with who comes to the world from the (b) Often there is a presupposed the Servant and the servants of the things and places. He may teach by outside and thus gives us a new theology in the mind of the New Servant united to Him by faith and way of things and places (e.g. the perspective. Its cry of 'vanity' is Testament writer which he assumes the Holy Spirit. See, for example, tabernacle and Jerusalem) but they answered by the 'not in vain in the his readers share. For example, it Matthew's use of Isaiah 42: 1-4 find their primary fulfilment in Lord' of I Corinthians 15: 58. would seem that the perplexing (Mt. 12: 18-21) and Paul's use of Christ and the Church. The New The Psalms with their limited doc­ quotation, 'Out of Egypt have I Isaiah49 : 6 (Acts 13: 47). Theformet Testament clearly gives very little trine on life after death with its called my son' (Ho. 11 : 1; Mt. 2: 15) finds its primary fulfilment in Christ place to what is merely earthly attendant problems are also answered which Matthew uses in reference (though it would seem that part of and temporary; in fact it goes out of in resurrected Christ. to Christ's departure from Egypt the Servant's work must be ac­ its way to show their redundancy. c. Typologicalfy. The Old Testament had some such theology. Two points complished throttgh the ministry of Their purpose has been that of also witnesses to Christ - and to are assumed: the Exodus typology Christ's body, the Church, and the 'object lessons' to portray the relati­ the Church - by way of type, but in and the embodiment of Israel in latter is made to refer to the Church onship between Christ and His view of Francis Foulkes' recent Christ the true Son. This factor and to Paul and Barnabas in parti­ Church. The 'object' has no signi­ article in ThClJJelios (Typology or may also account for the slightly cular). ficance in its own right. Allegory? Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 8-15) altered text used by the New Testa­ (c) At other times when the New (i) The Old TestatJJent is to be understood we will forgo a discussion of typology ment writers. Paul not only uses Testament quotes the Old by way of Christologicalfy. Our Lord Himself on this occasion. other versions than the Hebrew fulfilment it is not implied that the has laid the foundation for this rule (ii) The Old Testament is to be Il11derstood but even ad hoc renderings of his Old Testament words have exclusive in Luke 24 : 27, 44; John 5 : 39. The in ter!IJs of the Church. Much confusion own, for he valued the letter not for reference to the New Testament Old Testament speaks of Christ arises in our appreciation and under­ its own sake but because it conveyed situation but that in both passages in various ways. standing of the Old Testament on a meaning. His method was a there is a similarity of principle. a. Particular prophecies. For example account of a twofold failure: a quotation-exposition. Ellis has des- The example of Acts 1: 20 may see Isaiah 7 : 14 and Matthew 1 : 23; failure to recognize the organic unity

44 45 that exists between the people of to say that the promises to Old God in both Testaments, and a Israel are taken over by the Church. failure to accept the New Testament Because of this organic unity and interpretation of the Old Testament continuity they are already the pos­ promises to Israel concerning her session of the Church as part of the future, her land, her city and so 011. continuing people of God. The New Testament does not seem to allow a separate destiny for the Jew. The people of God in the Old Secondly, it would seem from the Testament and the New are one. New Testament that the writers The same terms are used to describe· there know of no future for earthly them, e.g. a peculiar people, a chosen Jerusalem, the earthly promised land, nation, a royal priesthood. There the earthly temple. These have all is only one basic covenant which served their purpose in the Old is common to both Testaments, Testament and have now given way the Abrahamic, of which all the to their spiritual counterparts. John, faithful are members. The Christian for example, speaks of the New of the New Testament is the seed of Jerusalem which comes dQwn from Abraham (Gal. 3: 29). The olive above (Rev. 21: 2); Paul writes, tree of Romans 11 represents the 'The Jerusalem above is free and she believing Jew of the Old Testament is our mother' and makes a strong and the Gentile of the New. There contrast with the earthly Jerusalem. is only one olive tree. The con­ Compare also Isaiah 62: 2 with dition of entry is the same for all Revelation 2 : 17, Isaiah 60 : 11 with - faith. The New Testament is quite Revelation 21: 25, 26; Isaiah 60: clear that the Jew is only accepted 14 with Revelation 3 : 9. Similarly on the ground of faith: there is no with the land: the condition of alternative way of salvation. The entry is meekness (Mt. 5 : 5; com­ New Testament, moreover, in its pare Is. 60: 21 and Ps. 37: 11), use of the Old Testament prophecies and the land is a spiritual experience concerning the Jews does not allow not a geographical location (Heb. the Jews to have a theocratic destiny 4). The return to the land is ex­ outside the Church. As Carnell perienced by the faithful, and not says, 'Prophecy is not self-inter­ the unbelieving, for it is a high and preting. When Malachi says, "Behold holy way along which the ransomed I will send you Elijah the prophet of the Lord walk (Is. 35). before the great and terrible day of It is clear then that Old Testament the Lord comes" (Mal. 4: 5) no prophecies need interpreting and can­ exegesis of the Old Testament would not be accepted as they stand, and suggest that Malachi spoke of John that the interpretation we must accept, the Baptist. Yet Jesus assures us that on the ground that scripture inter­ John IPas the object of the prophecy prets scripture, is that which is (Mt. 11: 14, 17: 9-13).' National given by the New Testament. This, Israel has been rejected because of in part, is what is meant when we its rejection of Christ (Mt. 21 : 40-43). say that the Old Testament must be In the light of all this it is not enough interpreted in terms of the Church.

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