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Ray's Response to Merlene on Numbers in Scripture and Christmas
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Hi Merlene, Regarding your question about "newer" books than E.W. Bullinger, it's my understanding that his, first published in 1894, is still the standard.? It largely replaced an even earlier 1868 book by Malcolm White entitled "The Symbolic Numbers of Scripture" also available for free online. An informative book that slightly preceded Bullinger included a series of seven 1887 lectures by F.W. Grant published under the title "The Numerical Structure of Scripture."? Reprints are available on Amazon. These books drew heavily upon what some Jewish scholars see as the ultimate discourse on the subject, the?Baal HaTurim Chumash (Baal HaTurim's Torah commentary) of 700
years ago.? It explains gematria (number patterns), acrostics, formations
of letters, and Scriptural word patterns in detail.? For modern scholars, an English version translated by Rabbi Avie Gold is now available ($$$). Bullinger is still the standard and can be found as the basis of most online webpages and articles, only some of which cite his work (possibly because it is long out of copyright protection).? There have been new books published, but few have stood the test of time.? A couple of these newer books (out of print but still available online) include:
A cursory look didn't reveal any reason to purchase either although interestingly Price cites both Bullinger and Grant. Ciccolainti's books are well-presented but seem to add some personal opinions and suppositions in places where Bullinger sticks with the facts. The Christmas get-together is a wonderful idea.? Having floated the idea via these posts, let's see what transpires. Thanks for your wonderful post. Blessings, Ray
On Sunday, 14 November 2021, 01:07:11 pm AEST, Merlene <merlene@...> wrote:
Hi Ray and all,
?
Thank you for sending the link to Number in Scripture.? It is so
comprehensive.? Even up to page 14, the information in it is
staggering.? Great for studying on a wet day indoors!? but in many,
many days – or should I say ‘months’ it is so full of stuff.? Do any
newer books differ from what is written in E.W. Bullinger’s, or only
expand on his theories?
?
On another matter, a possible Christmas get-together.? Is is something
we could think about?? We haven’t been able to meet ‘face-to-face’ for
almost two years now and it would be nice to meet physically again if
possible.? I attend a couple of other U3A classes, all of which have
changed to Zoom since Covid-19.? Two of them are having an end-of-year
luncheon, to which I am very much looking forward.? What do you
think?
?
Kind regards,
Merlene??
? From: Ray via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2021 4:03 PM
To: [email protected] ; Wayne Weiler ; Patricia Van Den Camp ; Peter Wornham ; Cheryl Bellert ; Kerrie Ferguson
Subject: [b4uc] U3A Term 4-2021 Comments on E.W. Bullinger's "Number
in Scripture" ? G'day
all,
Our
discussion today included how Biblical authors like Amos were aware of the
spiritual significance of numbers. The
basic idea is that God
designed and created the universe based on mathematical laws, and these laws and
principles continue to govern creation whether we are aware of them or not.
Numbers are used in the design of His Word, and the Scriptures exhibit a
numerical design that clearly announces the inspiration of the Creator.
Unsurprisingly, these are incorporated into the biblical
text in many ways, whether over, on, or underneath the surface.? For
example, some authors like the Apostle John structured his gospel and the book
of Revelation mathematically: many aspects are divisible by 7.?
You asked
how we might find the spiritual meanings of numbers. After
the requisite warnings about the rubbish on the internet, I recommended the
traditional Christian scholars' "proof text" on the subject: E.W. Bullinger's
classic work,
Number in Scripture.? A PDF copy
of the Fourth Edition dated 1921 is included at for your
information.
?
There are many newer books on this topic. If
you're interested, just drop me an email.
?
There's nothing magical or hocus-pocus about
the mathematical structure of the Bible or, for that matter, the Cosmos.?
Both are simply evidence of design and, consequently, evidence of The Designer.
They are silent witnesses to God (Romans 1:20).? The works of God
(creation) and the words of God (Scripture) were made by the same source of
inspiration and quite naturally harmonize.? Evidence of design is there for
those with "eyes to see and ears to hear" but is hidden from others.
?
Having some insight into the spiritual
significance of numbers may enrich your own Bible study and help explain this
passage or that.? If nothing else, it can provide the comforting assurance
that the Bible isn't just any book.
?
Blessings,
?
Ray |
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