CadyandZoe
Well-Known Member
I am being straightforward. If you didn't know, there is a difference between meaning and significance. I am fully aware that when we look up the definition of "significance," in the dictionary, it will typically give "meaning" as one possible definition. Even so, the distinction remains.What in the world does that mean? Are you incapable of communicating in a straightforward way or do you just choose not to?
Consider the following sentence.
"She left the store."
What does that mean? A particular subject, "she" traversed in such a way that at one moment she was located in the store, and at the next moment she was absent from the store. Right?
Why is this significant?
She is on the stand, testifying about a crime she witnessed. Her testimony is challenged on the grounds that she wasn't in the store when the alleged crime took place. Security cameras show that "she left the store."
So, do you now see the difference between meaning and significance? The original statement has meaning all by itself. It stands alone as the means to communicate the idea that a woman departed from a store. But the statement doesn't give the reader why this is important information.
All I'm saying is that the OT stands on its own. It has an objective meaning, one that the author intended. But, the significance of the prophetic word is manifest when the event takes place.
No, but again, you are talking about significance. Those reading Genesis would never have understood why it was important from the text of Genesis alone. But that doesn't mean that the text of Genesis was incomprehensible.So, those who lived prior to Paul understood that God's promises to Abraham and his seed applied to Jesus Christ and those who belong to Christ who have faith like Abraham?
Of course, I do. Do you believe that the OT is incomprehensible?What a load of nonsense. Tell me this. Do you believe that the promises God made to Abraham and his seed apply to Abraham and to his seed, Jesus Christ?
Of course, but again, Paul is giving his readers why promises spoken to Abraham are important to Christians. God's word to Abraham is understandable. What it means to Christians is added revelation.Galatians 3:16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.
Followup question. Do you believe those promises also apply to those who belong to Christ?
Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.