Saturday, January 7, 2017

Fulfilment of Prophecy and The Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Luke: response to Dr Laurie Guy's Thesis

Recently I had the luck and honour to hear Dr Laurie Guy present a message on the book of Revelation and to purchase his book Unlocking Revelation which I recommend as a much needed antidote to popular dispensational approaches to the book.

However, Dr Guy wrongly assumed a late date of writing for the book (see The Dating of the Book of Revelation by Don K Preston for a good look at that issue), and sees the book and prophecy generally, as being so non-specific in meaning and fulfilment as to deny the reality of the immanent and specific consummation at the judgement of Old Covenant Jerusalem.

Dr Guy sent me a copy of his Master's Thesis which he said made the case for non-specific 'spacious' interpretation of prophecy to the effect that it cannot be tied down to a specific falsifiable predictions that should have a specific, unique fulfilment. This prompted me to examine his case study of the Kingdom of God in Luke: fortunately we see that Luke has a very unique and specific approach to prophecy and its fulfilment. The Kingdom of God teaching in the gospel of Luke undermines rather than uphold's Dr Guy's hermentic and teaching: he should reconsider.

The paper can be read here:
Fulfilment of Prophecy andThe Kingdom of Godin the Gospel of Luke

The paper includes:
God’s Scheme of Redemption in Luke-Acts

Luke 9:27 – the promise of consummation, in your lifetime

Luke 17:20-21 – when does the kingdom of God come?

Luke 19:11 – the absent master

Luke 21 – when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near

Luke 22 – fulfilment of the Passover

Luke 23:39-43 – the clash of the kingdoms in the passion (includes the 'with me in paradise' promise)