Gary is interviewed about biblical hermeneutics (the art and science of interpretation). He gives a quick lesson about how regular Christians can and should do it for themselves.
Many people grow up thinking the Bible says one thing when it actually says something else. For example, when asked who cut off Samson’s hair, a high percentage of people will say “Delilah!” By reading Judges 16:19, we quickly learn that she “called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair.” If you were to ask someone who is familiar with the Bible what animal will lie down with the lamb, most likely he or she will say “the lion.” Isaiah 11:6 says that it’s the wolf that will dwell with the lamb (also see 65:25).
Before we can know what a passage means, we must first determine what it says. We are not permitted to add words and ideas to the Bible that aren’t there (Rev. 22:18–19). Here’s what one prophecy writer claims: “Jesus said the last generation would witness unprecedented increases in earthquakes, famines, wars and pestilences.”
First, nothing is said about a “last generation.” Jesus says “this generation.” If we take the view that “you” does not mean them, and “this” does not refer to their generation, then how would Jesus have said it if He meant them and their generation if “you” does not mean them and “this generation” does not mean their generation?
A Beginner's Guide to Interpreting Bible Prophecy
For many Christians, interpreting Bible prophecy is a complicated task. As a result, they often turn to so-called Bible experts and complicated charts that include gaps in time, outrageous literal interpretations, and numerous claims that current events are prime indicators that the end is near. Many Christians are unaware that the same Bible passages have been used in nearly every generation as “proof” that the end or some aspect of the end (the “rapture”) would take place in their generation. They’ve all had one thing in common: They’ve all been wrong.
Buy NowGary is interviewed about biblical hermeneutics (the art and science of interpretation). He gives a quick lesson about how regular Christians can and should do it for themselves. Most Christians are never taught how to compare Scripture with Scripture and are left to accept what others tell them it means. (NOTE: The host’s audio is very bad and used very sparingly. Gary does most of the speaking.)