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Eisegesis: Difference between revisions
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The first task is to enter into the circumstances of the person who first wrote or heard or read the passage and then try to understand the meaning in the light of the whole Bible. The second is to try to make the meaning of the passage clear in the circumstances of the present day. Interpreters in every age have struggled to be faithful in these two steps.<ref>Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 309.</ref> | The first task is to enter into the circumstances of the person who first wrote or heard or read the passage and then try to understand the meaning in the light of the whole Bible. The second is to try to make the meaning of the passage clear in the circumstances of the present day. Interpreters in every age have struggled to be faithful in these two steps.<ref>Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 309.</ref> | ||
=Virtually all of William Branham's revelations are examples of eisegesis= | |||
Based on a close examination of William Branham's theology and scriptural interpretation, his major points of differentiation all appear to be based on eisegesis. | |||
==The Seven Church Ages== | |||
Some early dispensationalists, including [[Plagiarism#Clarence Larkin|Clarence Larkin]], have interpreted the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 1:4) symbolically as seven “church ages,” or stages of church history, though few hold this view today. It is obvious that William Branham had been taught this and believed it early in his ministry, as indicated in his comment in 1951: | |||
:''There's seven perfect colors representing the seven church ages.<ref>William Branham, 51-0502 - The Angel Of The Lord, para. 17</ref> | |||
Rev. William Marrion Branham | |||
For the following reasons, this line of interpretation adopted by William Branham is no more feasible than allegorizing the churches addressed in Paul’s letters. | |||
#Abundant evidence suggests that Revelation addresses seven literal church communities, including items of local color that fit each of the seven letters. | |||
#A map shows that Revelation addresses the seven churches in the very sequence that a messenger from John, arriving first in Ephesus near the sea, would travel to each of the cities listed, presumably along the main roads of Asia (see the Introduction). The average distance between each city was about thirty to forty-five miles. | |||
#Only a forced reading of church history (regularly revised with the passing of time) has allowed this interpretation. | |||
#Finally, if Revelation requires the completion of seven church ages before Jesus’ return, then in most centuries of church history Christians had no right to expect the imminent return of the Lord! This would be a curious conclusion for advocates of the seven church ages view, most of whom vehemently emphasize the imminence of Christ’s return.<ref>Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 74–75.</ref> | |||