Published on 08/18/2006

We're learning how to read the last book of the Bible. We've discussed the Author, the human writer, and the recipients of the book. Now, what approach should we take in studying its truth? There are eight main methods for interpreting Revelation, each of them held at one time by respected biblical scholars. Let's survey them very briefly.

Commentary

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are not leading the P.G.A. this morning, but most predict that one of them will win golf's last major of the year. Predicting the rest of the weekend's events is a bit more challenging. As people wonder if the Middle East conflict means the "end times" are coming, the Book of Revelation is receiving new attention.

And so we're learning how to read the last book of the Bible. We've discussed the Author, the human writer, and the recipients of the book. Now, what approach should we take in studying its truth? There are eight main methods for interpreting Revelation, each of them held at one time by respected biblical scholars. Let's survey them very briefly.

The approach favored by a majority of scholars is called "preterist," and builds on the belief that Revelation has already been fulfilled. In this view, Revelation would have no predictive relevance to current events in the Middle East.

A second method is called "Continuous Historical." This approach views Revelation as a forecast of the entire history of the church, and identifies passages in the book with historical events they are believed to forecast. Few scholars follow this approach today.

A third method focuses on theological principles. This method sees Revelation as a religious philosophy of life which demonstrates how things turn out in a world where evil seems to be in control but God is the actual ruler.

A fourth method could be called "social interpretation," as it sees in Revelation a particular social agenda. Here the main concern of the book is the breaking-in of God’s kingdom and the destruction of the hostile godless powers.

A fifth approach is Dispensational Premillennialism, a method which seeks to categorize the entire Bible by that system's interpretive structure. Dispensationalists take a literal approach to the book wherever possible; they separate Israel and the church; and they affirm a literal rapture of the church, seven-year tribulation, and earthly millennium. This method was made popular by the Scofield Study Bible, the Ryrie Study Bible, and graduates of such schools as Dallas Theological Seminary and Moody Bible College. While very popular among conservative churches, especially in the South, it is much less popular with biblical scholars on the whole.

Which is right? We'll finish the options and draw some conclusions on Monday.