Bible (1909, by the American Congregationalist, Cyrus I. Scofield, 1843–1921). The basic hermeneutical principle is literal interpretation, which does not rule out symbols, figures of speech and typology, but does insist that, throughout, ‘the reality of the literal meaning of the terms involved’ is determinative (Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, p. 87). Consequently, the promises of an earthly kingdom given to Israel as a nation must be fulfilled literally in a future, millennial kingdom (on the