Hermeneutics: In Search of Pattern or Reality (Part III) — Beware of the Leaven

Jesus warned his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The leaven is both their teaching (Matthew 16:1-12) and their hypocrisy (Luke 12:1-3). Leaven is a metaphor for influence. Hypocrisy is the evil influence of self-righteousness and pretense. Hypocrites do not practice what they preach; or they [...]

Hermeneutics: In Search of Pattern or Reality (Part II) — The Watershed

Since the Reformation, various, disputing Christian churches, sects and cults have staked their claim to the perfect pattern for the Christian church. One of my daughters entered a talent competition at the New York State Fair one year. After the competition we treated her to a few rides and games on the midway. [...]

Hermeneutics: In Search of Pattern or Reality (Part I) — No Reconstruction Required

Moses built the tabernacle according to the pattern that God showed him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:40). It was the pattern for a tabernacle, priesthood, and all the various regulations for service to the God of the Mosaic covenant with Israel. Hebrews chapters 8-10 explain the significance of this pattern, which had to [...]

Hermeneutics: The Pattern Concept

The Bible is God’s inspired word of truth and the authoritative source for the church’s faith and practice. But recognizing that this is what many denominations believed, my teachers added a caveat: The church must rightly divide the word of truth. That meant the Old Testament was for the Jews and the [...]

Hermeneutics: Interpretation and Keeping Away from Idolatry

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21, ESV). It’s an abrupt and provocative ending to the Apostle John’s letter. It must be especially important. John wrote to Christians who were delivered from pagan idolatry. Yet he knew from his own heritage, how hard it was for the Hebrews to [...]