Professional Theologists can confirm what Dr. Heiser postulates; there is definitely, in many instances, more than one meaning of Scripture text. Usually, these meanings go from the literal meaning intended by God for the young Christians to shadows and connections with deeper meanings and the mysteries of God in His supernatural Word revealed through the movement of the Holy Spirit and His Living Word.
Dr. Heister teaches that even the New Testament, and its use of the Old Testament, confirms the notion that there is more than one meaning to Scripture [1].He suggests that possibly there is a purposeful ambiguity placed inside Scripture by the writers [2]. In fact, he is inclined to think all writings, by their very nature, have some purposeful ambiguity written within the literal idea [3].
That may or may not be true. Most avid readers can think of many bad writings that had no hidden meanings, no quiet connections or ambiguities that told the reader what to think exactly. Certainly, Scripture is not in this category. There are many, many places in Scripture that support both a literal translation with deeper underlying connections that are accessed as the Holy Spirit moves the reader to those depths.
Professional Theologists must take the recognition of purposeful ambiguities in Scripture to a more specific claim than Dr. Heister, as an academic, might be uncomfortable making. That’s one of the advantageous of doing the work of Professional Theologists; a consideration to God’s movement in the process can be acknowledged with every thought that is generated through His Word. While scholars must adhere to evidences that can be proven without faith, and ministers must support faith with little scholarship because of their congregations’ immature walk with Christ, Professional Theologists stand in the gap and can speak of both!
It is the meaning, especially the deeper mysteries and shadows of the Lord, the Professional Theologists embrace. When they look at Scripture, their analysis goes deeper than would either a minister or a scholar. Of course, they must conclude with the same literal truths that exist. But, the Holy Spirit’s revelations of depth made through a deeper study of God’s Word is the territory made available to Professional Theologists by God. These deeper mysteries of meaning that is unapparent at casual glance, is the stuff that make Professional Theologists love their job. Though they must usually represent the lower level, literal interpretations of the Bible, there comes students and times and places that require Professional Theologists to guide believers to deeper depths. What a joy it is as Professional Theologists are trained and competent in finding deeper truths of God and sharing them with those He intends! Thus, obstacle #5 might be considered more of a disadvantage to scholars and pastors because to Professional Theologists, that is one of the exciting parts of their jobs!
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Footnotes
[1] Michael S. Heiser, BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software), 1:00.
[2] Ibid., 1:15.
[3] Ibid., 2:20.
Links
About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
©2014-2015 Kathy L. McFarland. All Rights Reserved.