Mike

5,171 reputation

1219

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	location	Hong Kong
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I am a Canadian, married with kid, and working in Hong Kong. I usually answer posts from a reformed / protestant / evangelical perspective.

People I have encountered on this site seem to be a ‘whole bunch of good people’. Even those who sharply disagree with my own point of view.

I am a huge sinner but am happy knowing God's grace will keep me in his grip.

	5,171 reputation	bio	website		visits	member for	11 months
1219 badges		location	Hong Kong		seen	13 hours ago

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Jul 14	comment	How many “layers” are there to the Scriptures? @Jas3.1 - You could say that for simplicity, but Protestants don’t usually think of layers as it implies a hidden meaning everywhere 'all on one layer, on top of the literal'. Some verses may have a single literal truth and no more. The literal is already ‘spiritual’ as it is infallible. Sometimes this is just semantics but as I have listed, each group has there own semantics and a clearly defined 'spiritual' layer seems to be primarily the Catholic semantic. Philo of Alexandria seems to have had up to a million layers and he has heavily influenced the Catholic Church compacting them into four
Jul 13	comment	“A believers' virginity” or “a believer's daughter's virginity” in 1 Corinthians 7:36-38? @brilliant - I do not know about the details of how the culture was back then with respect to Virgins. It would make a good new question. Whater it was Paul does not argue against it here. There are some Jewish members on this site, one of them would probably know about how that worked back in those days. Cheers.
Jul 12	comment	Acts 1:19: “that field is called in their proper tongue” - spoken by Peter or by Luke? @swasheck - Aahh yes, good point that does make a stronger argument.
Jul 12	comment	Acts 1:19: “that field is called in their proper tongue” - spoken by Peter or by Luke? @brilliant - for some reason I did not realize you were specifically aksing for the alternate view, but I lean to the brackets theory. I do not mind if you just want me to delete this answer as it did not asnwer your question. Just let me know. I am not emotionally connected to either view.
Jul 12	comment	Acts 1:19: “that field is called in their proper tongue” - spoken by Peter or by Luke? @brilliant - yes I can really go either way on this, maybe some in the crowd where not totally familiar with Aramaic in which case the parenthesis would not be needed. BTW need to change question to refer to Chapter 1.
Jul 12	comment	Matthew 27:62: “the day that followed the day of the preparation” - Why not call Sabbath a Sabbath? @brilliant - Added second para as 'proof' at least some proof. Cheers
Jul 12	comment	Acts 1:19: “that field is called in their proper tongue” - spoken by Peter or by Luke? @brilliant - sorry about the confusion. I had not properly explained anything. Please re-read.
Jul 12	comment	Two miraculous catches of fish in John 21 and significance? (+1) - and trying to get this question out of the unanswered que :)
Jul 10	comment	What are the strict set of rules followed by sensus plenior? I posted an answer as well just because I do not see myself as ascribing to sensus plenior, at least I have no attachment to the term, but prefer to view it differently as a non-issue subject. I may be blind to modern views on the subject because I rarely read a theological book written before 1800s. My 'need to read' book list is so long that I have rarely ventured into buying a modern book. When I do I am usually overcome by boredom, finding nothing of interest to note. 'the sensus plenior' I just read had me interested for the first couple chapters, but the painful end came many yawns later
Jul 10	comment	Are all major hermeneutical methods compatible? @Jas3.1 - Lol - I had to theologically twist my brain into a pretzel just to form an opinion on the answer.
Jul 8	comment	Is Jesus equal to or less than the Father @Jas31 - OK, I appreciated the 'warning'.
Jul 8	comment	Is Jesus equal to or less than the Father @Jas31 - I think you should always assume you are wrong when you 'play the heretic', but there is nothing wrong with sharing heretical ideas when introduced this way. In some ways its brave. But I do think these ideas are truly heretical entertainments, from the traditional sense of the word. See my answer for a more traditional response.
Jul 8	comment	Apparent inconsistencies in the vision of the four chariots @Kazark - OK, I mentioned the four winds. All of your Zechariah questions are almost building an entire imbedded commentary into this site. Lot's of little gold nuggets. I will probably refer back to them as a very good reference. Good work!
Jul 6	comment	According to Scripture, how should we interpret Scripture? @swasheck - I am not fully committed to the order I placed these secondary bullets. I think I need to make better use of the original languages myself. The good studious people on this site are helping me in this regard. I love that this site has this emphasis. It distinguishes itself apart from other sites because of it. I am not aware of another site that has as many quality qeustions and answers. I would prefer my own posts to be closed in order to maintain the serious exegesis attempts on this site, if that were required. My answer is not intended to downplay the value of serious study.
Jul 4	comment	According to Scripture, how should we interpret Scripture? @Jas3.1 - noted. I am usually tapping away on my iPhone and have to come back for clean up later. Good question it forced me to think.
Jul 3	comment	What are the strict set of rules followed by sensus plenior? (+1) If you don't mind I plan to post an answer from an opposing 'label' that shows 'acceptance' of many of the ideas imbedded in your answer. But I have to wait till I properly understand more about SP, in a month or two. Thanks for sharing some of the orthodox results you have obtained. I find the figurative, though far less certain to me, often warms my heart more. My mind allows my heart a little more freedom than some, but I think personality also plays into exegesis and we must learn to accept different parts of the body gifted with different gifts.
Jul 1	comment	Why did the Law of Moses tolerate polygyny (polygamy) but not polyandry? Some of the symbolism you have used is outstanding! and does provide a valid answer. Just wondering how the symbolism of 'one woman for one man' enforced by Jesus, also fits into your framework. Someone misunderstanding your answer might think that the symbols condones polygamy. I plan to post a literal answer without symbolism. Yet I like some of your symbol so much that I can accept it. A literal answer could support that. Can you revise the post, to ensure polygamy is clearly not supported in the overall symbolism please?
Jun 30	comment	Why did the tabernacle use the colors blue, purple and scarlet? Ok +1 - for getting drawn in deeply into possible meanings. cheers.
Jun 30	comment	Why did the tabernacle use the colors blue, purple and scarlet? I enjoyed reading your post a lot and had to read it a few times to understand your method, but I can't buy into the outcomes. Blue-King, Scarlet-Judge, Purple-Prophet. Only the alter was covered in purple, everything else blue. (When they moved the tabernacle) If anything I would have connected the altar with the priestly office. Cheers.
Jun 30	comment	Who is the woman in Revelation 12? +1 - The crowns on her head could be the gospel preached by the Apostles, and she seems on the moon possibly representing the light on a dark world under law. She stands (is supported by) the law and the prophets which reflected the 'dawning of the gospel. Also she is clothed with the Sun. So it seems she is the church who births more of the same.