Dr. Heiser calls this next literary device “Imagery.” Professional Theologists extend this idea, and speak in terms of “Typology, Symbology, Images, Shadows, Dreams, and Visions” that interconnect with other ideas within the Word of God, and express His extra-deep mysteries for those led by the Holy Spirit to receive. Basic imagery teachings are well-received by young and immature Christians of all ages. But, great care must be taken to avoid teaching the deeper mystery skills of typological interpretation until faith has matured to a level that can effectively handle these things with the skillful understanding of Scripture.
Dr. Heiser connects the well-imaged Psalm 74 to the imagery of the Leviathan which was a well-known image within the mythology of the ancient near eastern world. Heiser’s teachings lead students well to help them identify when imagery can have significant impact upon the revelations within the Word of God. However, scholars usually take that like-kind imagery a step too far, and suggest that the accounts of creation in the Bible are no more representative of God’s Truth than are the other myths that developed in ancient times. When scholarship takes this road, they are refuting the inerrant nature of the Word of God, and mishandling Scripture to the point of false teachings and poor interpretation.
Professional Theologists must be so careful in representing the Truth of God in Scripture. But, they cannot hide the discomforting myths that came before some of the Books of the Bible were written that have similar stories to the accounts recorded within. Pastors talk around these problem myths by exhorting their congregations to utilize faith to avoid the possible doubts created by the presence of these ancient stories. Scholars throw inerrant Scripture ideas out completely, and do deep analysis, comparisons, and contrasts with all of the ancient myths. Professional Theologists should use none of these techniques; rather, as is the case for most of the things they do in their field, they explore all sides of the issue, and lead the solution closer to the Word of God in Scripture, rather than farther away from it towards man’s teachings.
Dr. Heiser says that imagery brings order out of disorder for big events like the creation account. Professional Theologists learn to interpret big events into narrow typology that reveals a common thread of meaning. In simple terms, most scholars go from small to big, forming connections with the outside historical realm to make meaning of Scripture that often is flawed. Professional Theologists learn to consider the big things, including the historical realm of mankind, but narrow the material from big to small, always with Scripture to ascertain God’s Truth is in the final product. This type of imagery analysis is called “typology.”
Professional Theologists analyze the Creation through the connection of the Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18) that complements the wisdom tradition in Proverbs 8:22-31. They go from the big to the small ideas, that eventually connects always back to Christ, the Logos of Creation. The entire focus upon Christ as Creator is captured throughout Scripture. The large idea of Creation is moved to the absolute end of scholarly consideration that leads directly to Christ always.
Scholars analyze things differently. They connect ancient Israel’s conception of creation as it parallels those other ancient Near Eastern cultures. They Babylonian myth Enuma Elish exposed the Israelites to this creation story while they were in exile (586/7-539). The Enuma Elish tells the tale of creation rising from the violent battle of the two deities Marduk and Tiamat, and can be loosely associated with the Creation story in Genesis 1, if the Truth of Scripture is bent enough.
The direction of scholarly inquiry is very evident when Scholars and Professional Theologists are contrasted. Imagery that must be analyzed by numerous books of ancient times is the working platform of Scholars. Imagery that must be associated with other imagery in Scripture in a narrow basis becomes the identifying place of study of Professional Theologists. Scholars go from small to big, Professional Theologists go from big to the small. It is a basic difference that helps new Professional Theologists identify their direction of interpretative analysis.
Bibliography
Anderson, John E, The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA:Lexham Press, 2012, 2013, 2014.
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), Lecture 82.
Ibid.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary, s.v. "Creation."
Ibid.
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.
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