The last two lessons I have established restrictive rules on the teaching of apocalyptic prophecy when used by the new field officers as Professional Theologists. Experience in the field has shown the wisdom in this restriction, and I think logical points and Scripture reference confirms this need. It may seem to readers that the topic of apocalyptic prophecy is focused upon much more than other Bible interpretation skills. They probably would be right in identifying that emphasis in the preparation of this course for the new field of Professional Theology.
All unrealized prophecy in Scripture fails to elicit one sure interpretation. By its very nature, prophecy is unsupported by historical facts, simply because it hasn’t happened yet. There are seldom any confirmation points to guide the interpreter, and often prophecy directions are undertaken based upon doctrinal ideas from denominational leanings. So, the prophetic verses within Scripture have few absolutes, which stirs conservative and liberal interpreters to make a case for their ideas. Since prophecy is often vague, Professional Theologists are likely to have all kinds of different interpretations, leading to a confusing stance for the group as a whole.
Do not make the mistake, however, for concluding that prophecy is discounted and unimportant to the teachings of Professional Theologists. There are crucial and important times and places for these teachings to be given to mature Christian leaders in preparation for God’s things to come. But, it is the Academy’s position that in the teaching of general, common, immature Christians, it is a topic that is best held for specific teachings for mature Christian leaders. There is nothing more exciting that contemplating the second coming of Christ, and the establishment of His government on the New Earth and New Heavens that is perfect and without sinful interference. References to this glorious event should be spoken to all believers. Often, the thoughts of that great coming event give believers hope as they struggle with this life. However, because modern times have skewed belief in the Lord to such false places, written books and made movies with conflicting popular ideas, and apocalyptic prophecy falsely stated and practiced to the point of unrighteousness, great care must be taken. Young Christians need to meet Christ and have a relationship before the study of the deeper things in apocalyptic prophecy.
At some point, however, maturity levels will increase in some believers and it will be time to learn the details of prophecy and the future apocalyptic events with context of Scripture. Also, as apocalyptic prophecy is shown in films and books that is conflicting to Scripture, Professional Theologists are the first line of defense. THAT IS YOUR JOB! There must be strong, wise Professional Theologists in the marketplace that can sort through the things of God’s Truth and publicly reject the things of unrighteousness that often appear around the secular interpretation of prophecy.
Dr. Heiser teaches that the genre of prophecy is critical to the precise interpretation of Scripture. The Bible must always be used as the source of the future revelations spoken through God’s Truth. Care must be taken to determine the literary context of prophecy; to assume that it is always about apocalyptic events leads many interpreters down the wrong roads. Also, when symbols and typologies are not applied consistently throughout Scripture, different meanings begin to develop that wanders from the Truth of God in Scripture.
The different types of subgenres included within Scripture prophecy are:
Funeral Dirge – When the prophet addresses the nation of Israel as a “corpse ready for burial” (Ezekiel 19:1-14; Amos 5:1-3)
Disputation – When the prophet speaks with rhetorical questions in a one-sided debate that usually browbeats an audience such as the six cycles of disputation found in Malachi 1:2-5. (Also, Amos 3:1-8; Isaiah 40:27-28; Jeremiah 2:23-37; Ezekiel 12:21-28; and Micah 2:6-11)
Lawsuit – The riv of God speaks through the prophet a funeral dirge and then a disputation, where God’s people are accused of the crime of failing to live according to their Covenant with God. (Hosea 4:1-19; Micah 6:1-16)
War Oracle – This rhetorical strategy speaks on the herem, the tradition, of Israel’s holy war through the prophet’s war oracles that are directed toward Israel. (Jeremiah 46:1-51:64; Amos 1:2-2:3)
The sub-genres of prophecy are one level of interpretation required if you are to understand the literary content. As you progress in your studies as Professional Theologists, you will be required to understand the interpretation of prophecy from the perspective of conservative, liberal, traditional, and scholarly approaches. But there is one other level that prophecy can be known, and that is through typology, symbology, and shadows that contain the mysteries of the Lord that bring Professional Theologists a deeper understanding of all future things revealed by God. While Professional Theologists will seldom teach these deeper things within the marketplace, the knowledge gained through all perspectives gives confidence that representation of God’s Word is sure regardless of the depth of meaning examined.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Footnotes
Michael S. Heiser, Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software).
Ibid., Segment 52.
Ibid., Segment 54.
Ibid., Segment 56.
Ibid., Segment 58.
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.