Originalist/Dispensational Hermeneutics

Why I subscribe to Dispensational Hermeneutics

Dispensational hermeneutics is the only system of biblical interpretation that adheres to the laws of communication by consistently applying a literal, grammatical-historical interpretation throughout the entirety of scripture, with the primary goal of understanding what the original author intended to communicate through their writing. In doing so, it provides clarity and objectivity to the biblical text, which upholds the doctrine of the perspicuity of scripture.

Theological Framework

Alongside the consistent hermeneutical approach that is brought to bear upon the entirety of scripture, dispensational hermeneutics provides an essential theological framework in understanding that the whole story of the Bible points toward the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth and the future rule and reign of the Messiah. It is when this fundamental theological principle is understood that each and every book of the Bible, starting with Genesis and ending in Revelation, can cohesively make sense without eliminating, usurping, or reinterpreting fundamental promises and people groups found within the Biblical text. I.e., the nation of Israel. Nor does one need to "find Christ in every Old Testament passage" in an attempt to bring unity to the overarching story of the Bible.

Other Systems Fail

Juxtaposed to other hermeneutical systems, dispensational hermeneutics engages biblical texts to synthesize the Bible without an unwarranted cancellation or reinterpretation of biblical texts. Although opponents of dispensational theology may not view a spiritualization of the literal promises given to Israel (Gen 12:7; 15:8 Ex 6:7) as a "cancellation of biblical texts." Such an unwarranted interpretive application of spiritualizing the promises Yahweh gave to Israel does just that. For there is no basis for applying such a hermeneutical principle in the text of scripture, nor is such a principle anywhere to be found according to the laws of communication; thus, I, myself, hold to a dispensational hermeneutic when approaching scripture.

As such, I believe that the distinctives found in dispensational hermeneutics guide the Bible interpreter by providing parameters pertaining to the use of typology and a biblical recognition of how the New Testament authors quoted and engaged with the Old Testament scriptures.

The fundamental distinguishing principle of Dispensational Hermeneutics

Alongside these parameters, a fundamental principle dispensational hermeneutics asserts is that regardless of the human author's ability to comprehend the full extent of their writing, the single meaning of the text is harmoniously shared between the human and divine author. Therefore, there is no grounding for a later reinterpretation of the text. In providing these guidelines, I believe that dispensational hermeneutics best prepares the reader to consistently and objectively engage with the biblical text.

Interpretive Case studies

Consider Revelation 20:6 pertaining to the thousand-year reign of Christ. When a dispensational hermeneutic is bypassed, and an obscure framework is applied to the text, "reigning for a thousand years" becomes a symbolic statement that refers to an "age." However, proponents that hold to this position have no objective basis by which they can ground the assertion of interpreting the text symbolically. Although they will repeatedly attempt to proclaim, "It's apocalyptic literature!" (Jeff Durbin). Nowhere is an explanation provided as to why they chose to interpret those words literally and other words in the same text symbolically. All of this demonstrates that their interpretation is based upon arbitrary selectiveness, which may be in line with the historical theological giants of the past but is nowhere near the objectivity that is provided by adhering to the ordinary sense of the word, granted the context does not necessitate otherwise.

Additionally, as one approaches a promise God made to Israel pertaining to land Gen 12:7, and National restoration Ezk 37:11-14, I am hard-pressed to understand these promises as anything other than literal. In both passages, there is not the slightest hint that these texts are to be understood as symbolic, christological, or "spiritualized promises," and when coming to the scriptures, if one is inclined to teach that the word of God does not mean what it says in its plain literal sense than that individual must overcome the burden of proof in addressing the significant difficulties in asserting the position that they hold. Yet I find such a position unintelligible, and I would assert that the original authors would find such a position improper as well.

Conclusion

Fundamentally, I believe in dispensational hermeneutics because it is the only framework that recognizes the laws of communication as the basis for understanding all forms of communication. Thus, dispensational hermeneutics asserts that the only way to discover the objective meaning of any biblical text is by adhering to the laws of communication in seeking to discover what the original author intended to communicate. Which then leads to a consistent application of GH hermeneutics throughout the entirety of the biblical literature. All of which leads to a proper exegesis of the biblical texts, and thus, the system flows out of what the Bible says, not what we want it to say. Unlike other systems of interpretation that thrust presuppositions onto the text to "exegete" a passage, I stand with dispensational hermeneutics in affirming the primacy of authorial intent in accordance with the laws of communication by consistently applying a GH hermeneutic throughout the entirety of the Bible.