Understanding the New Testament and the End Times, Second Edition. Rob Dalrymple

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Understanding the New Testament and the End Times, Second Edition - Rob Dalrymple

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      3

      Jesus: Reading the Bible Christologically

      For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes. (2 Cor 1:20)

      Introduction

      The claim that a proper biblical hermeneutic centers on Jesus does not intend to suggest that he is simply the central character of the Bible—as though he were the primary character among many characters and subplots. Instead, I am suggesting that Jesus is the story! Everything is about Jesus! Indeed, there are the stories of Abraham, Moses, and David. But underlying the entire story of Scripture is the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption, which God has provided in Jesus. That is, even the stories of Abraham, Moses, and David point us to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

      Understanding the Entirety of the Bible in Light of Jesus

      In suggesting that the entire story is about Jesus, I am not saying that Jesus merely fulfilled some isolated verses that prophesied his life, death, and resurrection (e.g., Isa 7:14; Isa 53; Micah 5:2). Instead, I am suggesting that we should understand that the whole story points to Jesus. That is, the entire story, and not merely certain isolated references, is fulfilled by Jesus.

      Now I am not suggesting that the OT is merely allegorical and has no reference to real events. For example, the story of Joseph is a true historical account of a man named Joseph who became a significant ruler in Egypt. But it also looks forward to Christ, who similarly was betrayed by “those who were his own” (John 1:11)! The story of Joshua leading the Israelites into the promised land is a true historical account. Yet, it also looks forward to Jesus who leads his people into the ultimate promised land. Neither am I suggesting that we read every verse and find some application or fulfillment in the life of Jesus. But, instead, the story as a whole is to be read in light of Jesus.

      It is only when the entirety of the Bible is read in light of Jesus that we can truly comprehend the grand narrative of the Bible and both the mission of Jesus and the mission of the people of God today. It is here that the end times and a proper understanding of the Bible become paramount. For if we fail to understand the mission of Jesus in light of the entirety of the biblical story, then we will likely fail to grasp the nature and significance of our mission.

      This is the key. For many, a common perception of the Bible is that it contains stories and principles by which the Christian life is to be lived. Amidst the stories are predictions (prophecies if you will) that point to God’s work in Jesus. Jesus’ work, however, is often perceived of only in terms of his atoning for our sins and his leading us to heaven. This overly simplistic understanding of Scripture is problematic on a number of fronts. Primarily, in failing to view the entire story in light of God’s plan for redeeming the entire creation, and Jesus’ fulfillment of that plan, and the role of the people of God in carrying out that fulfillment, we fail to understand the nature and purpose of the people of God and our mission. Instead, the Bible becomes a moral handbook telling us what we should do—honor your father and mother—and not do—do not murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, and covet.

      It is in understanding the Bible in terms

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