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Eisegesis: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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== | ==[[Seven Churches In Asia|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: | Some early dispensationalists, including [[Plagiarism#Clarence Larkin|Clarence Larkin]], have interpreted the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 1:4) symbolically as [[Seven Churches In Asia|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> | :''There's seven perfect colors representing the seven church ages.<ref>William Branham, 51-0502 - The Angel Of The Lord, para. 17</ref> | ||
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. | For the following reasons, this line of interpretation adopted by William Branham is clearly eisegesis and 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. | #Abundant evidence suggests that Revelation addresses seven literal church communities, including items of local color that fit each of the seven letters. | ||
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#Only a forced reading of church history (regularly revised with the passing of time) has allowed this interpretation. | #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> | #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> | ||