a) The worldview that should shape our formation is not so much the kind of discursive and analytical philosophy but the worldview formed by the Bible’s own language.
b) When we think of the sun, moon, and stars, we may have certain ideas of what these mean, but the biblical worldview speaks of these as not only scientific in reference but as symbols of the hierarchy of heaven and earth.
c) The Bible re-uses this language throughout the prophets and the Gospels to represent civil authorities, governmental entities, and hierarchical structures on earth and in heaven. So, there is much more than first meets the eye.
d) We are required to see the language of the OT as is, which means we need to develop an appetite for visual imagery and repeated patterns. And these are the two ideas that will guide our interpretation: visual imagery refers to symbolism, & repeated patterns refer to typology.
e) In the Bible, language builds on language; worlds build on worlds, and we see transformations from one stage of history to the other; we see, in fact, the world moving from glory to glory.
f) The Creation is not given to provide a scientific description. It is meant as an initial pattern to be seen throughout the Bible. Creation is given so we can see more clearly the thousands of new creations God gives his children and his world throughout redemptive history.
g) Biblical symbolism and imagery are not a code. That means that if literal language is sufficient, the Bible is not going to choose symbolic language to make the point.
h) Symbolic language is used to communicate associations with other ideas. Yes, Revelation 13 could have used “Nero” as a historical figure that is persecuting the Church, but John—steeped in the Hebraic world—used “beast.”
i) The history of systematic and exegetical theology should keep a check on unhinged symbolic interpretations. We don’t make things up as we go along, we need to stay close to the legacy of history.
j) It is through the language of the Scriptures that we view the world through new eyes. Other languages may serve as an aid, but when they control the text, the text will yield corrupt fruit.
