Deep Dive into Rydelnik-Messianic Hope

Chapter 7 of The Messianic Hope addresses a central hermeneutical controversy: Did New Testament writers cite the Old Testament fairly, respecting the original authors' intent, or did they arbitrarily read their own meanings into the text? Critics often suggest that the apostles employed an "atomistic" or "creative" exegesis—similar to later rabbinic midrash—that ignored context to prove their points. Consequently, these scholars argue that while the apostles’ theological conclusions are authoritative, their hermeneutical methods are non-reproducible.

The text refutes this view, arguing that New Testament citation is discernible, logical, and fully reproducible. Using Matthew 2 as a paradigm, the author outlines four distinct categories of fulfillment that demonstrate valid hermeneutics.

First, Direct Fulfillment involves straightforward literal predictions, such as the citation of Micah 5:2 to locate the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem. Second, Typical Fulfillment relies on typology established in the Torah itself. Matthew’s use of Hosea 11:1 ("Out of Egypt I called My Son") is not arbitrary; it rests on a legal pattern in Numbers 23–24 where the Pentateuch deliberately models the future King’s life after the nation’s history.

Third, Applicational Fulfillment aligns with legitimate pre-AD 70 Jewish methods. Matthew cites Jeremiah 31:15 not as a prediction of Herod, but to apply the principle of national grief to a contemporary situation, demonstrating the text's continuing relevance. Finally, Summary Fulfillment involves summarizing a general thematic teaching rather than quoting a specific verse. The statement that the Messiah would be a "Nazarene" encapsulates the collective prophetic theme that the Messiah would be despised and rejected.

Ultimately, the text concludes that the apostles were reliable teachers of exegesis. Their methods were not mysterious or unfair, but contextually accurate. Therefore, contemporary interpreters can and must reproduce these methods to truly understand the messianic hope of the Hebrew Bible.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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