Genesis 3:15

Hermeneutics (pronounced "her-meh-new-tiks") is a fancy word for the principles of interpretation applied when studying Biblical texts. Hermeneutics are of utmost importance as they impact our understanding of God's Word,¹ the very thing Satan attacked and misconstrued when conversing with Eve in Genesis 3. The Bible instructs us to strive to handle the word of truth accurately (2 Timothy 2:15).

The LUKE 24 Project uses the literal-grammatical-historical-normal approach to Bible interpretation.² This means we:

1) Understand the Bible in its normal or ordinary meaning while accounting for figures of speech and symbolic meanings.

2) Examine the passage's context, asking why it was included at that point in the Bible while considering the culture and background of the time.

3) Let Scripture interpret Scripture to gain a proper understanding of a passage.

Regarding Messianic prophecies, we take a canonical approach,³ meaning we look at the context across the entirety of the Scriptures. We believe that the authors had a Messianic intention when the Old Testament was composed (meaning the Scriptures ultimately pointed to the coming Christ), even if they did not fully understand what the Spirit of God was leading them to write. In hindsight, with the completed revelation of the Bible, these Messianic prophecies become much more evident.

For example, pretend you are reading a novel that begins, "On a dark and stormy night..." and the opening scene tells of a person in dire distress. Suddenly, a mysterious hero whose identity is veiled saves the needy person. Bit by bit, as the story unfolds, you learn the identity of the unknown hero. After completing the book, the reader can return and speak confidently about the vague character at the beginning. That is what is meant by a normal interpretation using the entire canon of Scripture.

One of my favorite courses at Dallas Seminary was Messianic Prophecies,⁴ taught by Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Head of Jewish Studies at Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Rydelnik offered a helpful analogy of a lighthouse and the Fresnel lens to explain how to think about Old Testament prophecies of Christ.⁵

The Fresnel lens was a revolutionary invention in the early 1800s. It was designed as a pattern of concentric lenses that would reflect and refract light, creating a focused beam that made the light from a candle visible 20 miles out to sea. Because of its use in lighthouses, the Fresnel lens is said to have saved numerous ships at sea.

The initial redemptive light of Scripture is the Genesis 3:15 "Seed" that will crush the head of the serpent. In and of itself, this prophecy does not tell us much. It is like a small candle whose light quickly dissipates.

However, as the Scriptures add more Messianic prophecies throughout their development, they act as a sort of Fresnel lens that focuses and amplifies the initial light of Genesis 3:15. What started as small and vague becomes a focused spotlight, shining a beam across history to a particular Person. Each prophecy adds a bit of commentary about the promised Savior – what He will be like, what He will do, where He will be from, and even when He will arrive.

The Scriptural basis for this approach is found in Luke 24 as Jesus journeys toward Emmaus with His traveling companions.

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. - Luke 24:27 (LSB)

Later that evening, when Jesus appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem, He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." - Luke 24:44 (LSB)

Our prayer is that throughout these studies, we will respond the same way Christ's disciples did in Luke 24—our minds will be open to understanding the Scriptures, our eyes will recognize Him, and our hearts will burn with excitement when we discover the truth that glorifies Him!