Theologies - Clover

3. Elaboration :
The Abrahamic Covenant provides the foundation upon which further
covenants elaborate the basic promises. (Note the simple diagram
on page 358 and also 362)
E. Three Primary Systems (Views) of "Last Things"
1. Developed (by each in their approach to prophetic literature)
a. Through use of the Literal Method of Interpretation
b. Through use of the Allegorical Method of Interpretation
2. Described
a. Literal method : plain, normal, literal approach
(1) "A ‘literal’ interpretation means the understanding which
any person of normal intelligence would get, without any
special spiritual gifts and without any ‘code’ or ‘key’"
(LaSor quoted in B. Ramm, Hermeneutics, 10).
(2) "If a person does not interpret the plain statements of
prophecy literally, there is no rule by which any consensus
of meaning can be established; the existence of a wide
diversity of interpretations shows the failure of their
approach" (Walvoord quoted in N. Geisler,
Systematic Theology, 4:415).
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