The Randy White Guide to Hermeneutics

Session 10 | Three Fundamental Rules of Interpretation, Part 2

The Lesson, In a Nutshell

I believe so much in these three fundamental rules that I am willing to say that there is not a single exception in all the Bible. Thus, I call these rules fundamental.

Rule #1: Scripture Interprets Scripture

See session 9

Rule #2: Old Testament context is always present in New Testament usage

I believe that adopting this rule will solve many interpretive dilemmas, especially as it relates to the Christian life and practice. Let's break this rule down to two foundations.

Foundation #1: If it is in the Old Testament, it is not about the Body of Christ.

This is a bedrock that must not be forgotten nor set aside. In fact, it is a bedrock made plain in Scripture. Today, in the Body of Christ, the Jew and Gentile come together as one under Christ. However, this is completely a Pauline concept. Nowhere in the Hebrew Scriptures is there even a hint of this new body. Hebrew Scripture is strongly Jewish in orientation. Gentiles who wanted to be right with God could do so, but only through the demands of Torah.

Even as I write these words, I am cognizant that most of the Christian world will assume the above paragraph to be in error. They are so convinced that there is“one people of God" throughout the ages that they are unable to see that the one new man of Ephesians 2:15 (spoken in reference to the church) is indeed new and not a new addition to the old“Jew and Gentile together" passages are all found in context of the Millennium (which is yet future and thus not descriptive of today), and even then the Gentiles (i.e.: the nations) are in service to and not equal with the Jewish nation.

If Ephesians 2 and 3 are true and literal, then this foundation must be accepted and never set aside. Ephesians 2:12 says that the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 3:6 then declares that under the new revelation of the mystery, That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body. This same body** is the one new man of Ephesians 2:15. Then Ephesians 3:9 states that this truth, **from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God**. Putting these passages together, the only conclusion one can make is that the Old Testament is not about the Body of Christ. Ever.

The Hebrew Scriptures contain things pertaining to Christ, His birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming. But such information, foundational to our salvation, is not about our salvation.

Foundation #2: New Testament Writers can *never* change the meaning nor intent of the original author.

Like the first foundation, it is often taught that New Testament writers add to the meaning of the Old Testament passages. This is simply not true! An Old Testament passage may add new information about an Old Testament event, but it can never change the meaning of an event or prophecy. This means that whatever the Old Testament meaning, this very meaning is carried to the New Testament quote. If the Old Testament passage is about the Tribulation, for example, then the New Testament usage must also be about the Tribulation. A passage about the millennium can never become a passage about the Body of Christ.

Some Examples Displayed

Below are some prime examples of Old Testament quotes used in the New Testament. On each of these we must use the rules above to know that the passage is not about the Body of Christ and that the meaning of the original context must be carried to the New Testament passage.

• Matthew 4:15-16 is often used to teach that the Gentiles saw great light“of the nations" in that it was the land of the scattered tribes. In and among these people a Child would be born, one whom shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Is. 9:5).

• Romans 9:25-26 is often used to show that were once not my people (v. 25) but are now called the children of the living God (v. 25). However, in line with Hosea, this is not a reference to Gentiles, but to future generations of Israel.

  
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  But not all Old Testament references are about Israel. Every Old Testament quote in the New Testament will be one of three things:

• It may display information that is universal to all mankind in all dispensations.

• It may be (as above) about the Jewish nation.

• It may be illustrative of the author's point, but serving no other purpose other than illustration.

Number three above is often true in Paul's writing. For example, in Romans 4:3 Paul quotes Genesis 15:6. He does so not “saved just like we are," but to illustrate a grace-based promise.

Rule #3: Scripture Must Be Interpreted As Progressive Revelation

…stay tuned!