Cultural Exegesis – The Jewish Messiah “only” error
Let us remember that some of the biggest errors in Theology arose from such ‘cultural’ exegesis’ (due to lack of a better word) where it was heavily based upon the ‘human’ idea that ‘we must view Scripture as how a first century Jew would have understood it’.
That ‘human idea’ in exegesis is false as the ‘average first century Jew’ did “not” understand Christ nor His Words ‘belonging to the crowds’ (Matthew 13:34 – 35) and though they heard it, they ‘never understood it’ (Matthew 13:13 – 15). So, to quote “them”, we would repeat the ‘same misunderstanding’ and ‘errors which they held’.
Truth is, the Gospels & other New Testament Writings “came later” and is ‘inspired writing’ which reveal these Truths from a “revealed” perspective of “His Disciples” (Matthew 13:10 – 11, Matthew 13:16 – 17). Hence we rely on the New Testament inspired Writings to “learn these Truths” all “as it is written”.
Please note that in the ‘Context’ of this Chapter (Matthew 13, Consecutive verses) is when our Blessed Saviour Reveals that both “hearing” His “Word” and “Understanding” it causes the “Seed in Good Soil – Scenario” as it is described in verse below (please note these often ‘missed words’ in this verse)
“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:23, NASB)
Here’s a common first century error of the ‘Jews’:
The common “cultural error” was to see Christ as the Messiah for the “Jewish” people “only” (e.g. ‘salvation is of the Jews’, John 4:22 & ‘I was sent to the lost sheep of Israel’, Matthew 15:24, Matthew 10:6 type of thinking). The verses are true but for “that time” & after He Resurrected, He appointed the Gospel to the Whole World too! (all creation, Mark 16:15).
Yes, God has ‘Greater plans’ to ‘Save’ Gentiles & the ‘whole world’ too but limited Old Testament Scripture points to this, hence it was ‘missed’ by such ‘who limit God in many ways’.
Some things were ‘not’ revealed in Old Testament Scripture but is only revealed in New Testament Scripture (e.g. “Mystery which has been hidden from ages past from the sons of men but now being revealed to His Saints”, Colossians 1:26 certainly includes understanding Colossians 1:20).
So similarly, some Christians often err in thinking likewise that He is “only” going to Save Christians or that ‘He cannot save beyond this life’ which are all false when seen with actual “verses” literally stating the ‘exact opposite beautifully’.
For example, please consider the write-up below for “Edification”:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/all-about-understanding-understanding-all-who-or-what-is-the-all-in-holy-scripture/amp/
P/S: It is also common for ‘some Jewish’ believers or non-believers to look down on the term “Christian” claiming that it is unbiblical & pagan based on their ‘first century cultural Exegesis too’.
Here’s what apostle Peter (the apostle of the Jews) says regarding this ‘pagan-term Christian’ (Acts 11:26):
“but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:16, NASB)
Conclusion
Let’s stick to Holy Scripture & ‘what is written primarily’ & only allow ‘a room for doubt’ regarding things which are ‘not directly written’ to be ‘safe’.
Yes, let us be careful of such ones who ‘speak against written Scripture’:
“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,” (Titus 1:10, NASB)
Peace to you
