...Recent evangelicals say we should interpret Revelation allegorically because of its similarities to the genre of non-canonical “apocalyptic” books. Robert L. Thomas calls this “genre override” or demanding a different hermeneutic for “apocalyptic literature” than non-prophetic books. In other words, the literal method is appropriate for “literal genres” but not “apocalyptic genres.” Steve Gregg mocks the grammatical, historical principle, “literal unless absurd” for “apocalyptic literature.” Gregg reverses this principle for “apocalyptic” books: Symbolical unless the text alerts otherwise (Steve Gregg, ed., Revelation: Four Views, a Parallel Commentary, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997, 11). For example, because noncanonical “apocalyptic” books like Sibylline Oracles globalized local events so does the Biblical “apocalyptic” book of Revelation. Sibylline Oracle 5:153 exaggerated when the war on Jerusalem began by saying, “the whole creation was shaken.” Therefore, say the preterists, that the end of the age destruction described in Revelation in universal terms (Revelation 6:8; 9:15; 16:18) is only the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 hyperbolized. Another reason for allegorizing Revelation is the Secret Codes found in noncanonical “apocalyptic” books to describe the enemies of God’s people that God will judge. Since the real name of the city could not be mentioned for fear of retaliation, symbolic names were given. Sibylline Orachles 5:143 used Babylon as a code name for Rome. Robert Thomas refutes the theory that “Babylon in Revelation chapters 14 and 16-18 is a code word for Rome…. The fact that the text of Revelation locates the city on the Euphrates River (16:12) has been no deterrent to this symbolic understanding. Neither has the fact that Rome, because of its geographical location, has never been and could never be the great commercial city described in chapter 18″ (The Evangelical Hermeneutic, 336) Here is another example of interpreters bringing in extraneous influences outside of Scripture into the process of interpreting Scripture. No outside source, whether it is modern culture or ancient nonbiblical genres, should interfere with Biblical hermeneutics. In my next post, I will show how Revelation is unlike the noncanonical “apocalyptic literature” and therefore not the same genre and therefore not obligated to be allegorically interpreted. READ MORE: drtimwhite/genres-and-bible-interpretation-part-3/
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:17:41 +0000
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