The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook: All the prophecies of Scripture explained in one volume, by John F. Walvoord (HC, 1990, 809 pages, $5)
According to Walvoord, the importance of prophecy has changed over time, and so has its interpretation. Of course, the main interpretation question is whether to consider prophecy literally or allegorically.
In the New Testament, the question is which theological belief is true: premillennialism, postmillennialism, or amillennialism. (Premellennialism theology says Jesus will physically return to earth prior to the beginning of the millennium. Postmellennialism theology says Jesus' second coming will be after the millennium. Amillennialism theology sees the second coming as only figurative.)
Of less importance are the questions of which prophecies have already been fulfilled, of which are conditional and may never be fulfilled, or which might be fulfilled in more than one way. All this is confusing to someone like myself who comes from a liberal background, where hardly any attention is placed on prophecy, much less the end-times. So, does that make me an amillennialistic?
Walvoord writes in this 1990s book, "amillennialism continues to be the majority view of the church". Is that still true? I don't think so.
I was interested to learn that Augustine (354-430) reintroduced the church to literal interpretation of the Scriptures, but not to literal interpretation of prophecy. How could he interpret one literally, but not the other?
Reading parts of this book helped me explore my beliefs. It can also be used as a reference book. Either way, look for it on the non-fiction table. (L-r)
