Formal model

Hermeneutical dependency

Every conclusion rests on texts, on in-between steps and on a tradition’s reading principles. This page records those dependencies explicitly, so you can see what a doctrine actually relies on — and what follows when any part of it is rejected.

The objects

Thesis

A claim reported from a text or established from evidence.

Lemma

An in-between step an argument needs, recorded so it can be examined and disputed.

Parent claim

A broader conclusion built from theses and lemmas. Traditions most often disagree here.

Position

One tradition’s answer to a research question, recorded with the derivations it rests on so that rival positions can be tested the same way.

Derivation

One independent way of arriving at a claim: its premises, each necessary or supporting, and the reading principles it requires or is strengthened by. A claim may have several.

Tradition axiom

A reading principle — typology, Torah permanence, an open canon — with each tradition’s recorded stance.

Counter-model

A serious rival reading, credited to whoever holds it, with the principles it relies on and the ones it denies.

Dependency types: premise, lemma, argument by contrast, interpretive step, evidence.

02 · Exact semantics

How rejection spreads

Derivations are alternatives (OR). A claim holds while at least one of its derivations holds. A conclusion with two independent arguments is still supported after losing one; its support is weakened.
Within a derivation, requirements are joint (AND). Every necessary premise and every required principle must hold. Supporting premises and strengthening principles never defeat a derivation; when they fail, the claim’s support is weakened.
Reports are not conclusions. “Hebrews says X” stands on Hebrews. When the argument that makes X a supported reading does not hold, the report keeps its standing and the reading is only partially supported — and a derivation that needs X as a supported reading, not merely the report, is not established either.
Circles prove nothing. Evaluation is a least fixed point: claims supported only by one another are never established.
Map connections stay grounded while any grounding claim holds.
Disagreement is never resolved by the engine. Counter-models are shown as consistent with what was set aside, or as not established under the selected assumptions, on both sides.

These semantics correct the published model, which propagated rejection edge by edge: a conclusion with two independent arguments was marked as failing when either failed, and a map edge lost its grounding when one of two grounding claims did. The test suite pins the difference against responses captured from the published service.

03 · Dependency Explorer

Rejection analysis

Rejected AM-AX-001, AM-AX-003, AM-AX-004, AM-AX-013. 5 not established under the selected assumptions, 0 partially supported, 2 with support weakened; 0 map connections not established, 4 with support weakened. No source was changed.

Reset As JSON

Reading principles

Reject an assumption to see what rests on it.

AM-AX-001Apostolic exegesis is authoritativeCanonical Christian AM-AX-002Figures prefigure fulfilmentTypological (Patristic, Catholic, Orthodox)AM-AX-003One covenant of graceReformed covenant theology AM-AX-004Israel and the church remain distinctDispensational AM-AX-005Torah is eternal and unabrogatedRabbinic Judaism AM-AX-006Original context precedes receptionHistorical-critical AM-AX-007The Oral Torah is authoritativeRabbinic Judaism AM-AX-008The Qurʾān is the final, authoritative revelationSunni and Shiʿi Islam AM-AX-009Earlier scriptures as transmitted are not wholly reliableSunni and Shiʿi Islam AM-AX-010Genesis as received is an authoritative covenant charterJewish and Christian traditions AM-AX-011Continuing revelation and an open canonLatter-day Saint AM-AX-012Apostolic succession transmits authorityCatholic and Eastern Orthodox AM-AX-013Scripture alone is the final ruleProtestantRead through a tradition’s lens

A lens removes the principles a tradition rejects or sets aside. Principles it does not address stay in place.

To reject a claim, select it in the graph.

Dependency graph

Arrows run from what a claim rests on to the claim. Solid: necessary or required. Dashed: supporting or strengthening. Select a box to inspect it; use Tab and Enter to move through the graph.

What follows

Not established under selected assumptionsvia AM-AX-001 → AM-CLAIM-000191
The Melchizedekian priesthood of Christ supersedes the Levitical priesthood and its sacrificial order.
- AM-DRV-0006 “Priesthood argument (Hebrews 7)” is not established: it requires AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative), which is set aside.
- AM-DRV-0007 “Covenant argument (Hebrews 8)” is not established: it requires AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative), which is set aside.
Not established under selected assumptionsvia AM-AX-001 → AM-CLAIM-000199
The ministerial priesthood of bishops and priests participates in the one priesthood of Christ and is conferred by sacramental ordination.
- AM-DRV-0010 “Participation in Christ’s one priesthood” is not established: it requires AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative), which is set aside.
Not established under selected assumptionsvia AM-AX-001 → AM-CLAIM-000202
Christ alone holds the Melchizedekian priesthood, permanently; all believers share a common priesthood, and no sacrificing priesthood is transmitted to ministers.
- AM-DRV-0011 “Christ’s unique priesthood and the priesthood of believers” is not established: it requires AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative), which is set aside; it requires AM-AX-013 (Scripture alone is the final rule), which is set aside.
Not established under selected assumptionsvia AM-AX-001 → AM-CLAIM-000221
The Sinai covenant is fulfilled in Christ: its moral law endures, but its ceremonial provisions no longer bind those in the new covenant.
- AM-DRV-0014 “Covenant fulfilment in Christ” is not established: it requires AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative), which is set aside.
Not established under selected assumptionsvia AM-AX-001 → AM-CLAIM-000248
Abraham’s heirs are those who share his faith, whatever their descent; the promise is fulfilled in Christ.
- AM-DRV-0020 “Heirs by faith” is not established: it requires AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative), which is set aside.
Support weakenedvia AM-AX-001 → AM-CLAIM-000184
Hebrews identifies Jesus as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
- AM-AX-001 (Apostolic exegesis is authoritative) strengthened AM-DRV-0001 and is set aside.
- AM-DRV-0001 “Hebrews’ priestly argument (Hebrews 5–8)” still holds.
- The cited text still says this; its standing as a report is unaffected.
Support weakenedvia AM-AX-004 → AM-CLAIM-000197
The Levitical priesthood is suspended by the loss of the Temple, not superseded: no later priesthood abrogates the Torah’s priestly order.
- AM-DRV-0009 “The prophetic promise of continued Levitical service” is not established: it requires AM-AX-004 (Israel and the church remain distinct), which is set aside.
- AM-DRV-0008 “The Torah’s priestly order is perpetual” still holds.

Covenant Map and Doctrine Graph

AM-COV-0006 Support weakened Prophetic promise → New Covenant
Still grounded by AM-CLAIM-000185, AM-CLAIM-000192.
AM-COV-0008 Support weakened Prophetic promise → Messianic restoration
Still grounded by AM-CLAIM-000195.
AM-DOC-0003 Support weakened Jesus Christ → High Priest
Still grounded by AM-CLAIM-000184.
AM-DOC-0027 Support weakened Priesthood → Priesthood of all believers
Still grounded by AM-CLAIM-000200.

Rival readings

Setting an assumption aside does not settle a dispute. Counter-models that also deny it are shown as consistent with what was set aside; those that need it, as not established under the selected assumptions.

AM-CM-001 Consistent with what was set aside Torah permanence — Rabbinic Judaism
Also denies AM-AX-001.
AM-CM-002 Not established under selected assumptions Israel-specific new covenant — Dispensational and post-supersessionist readings
Needs AM-AX-004.
AM-CM-006 Not established under selected assumptions Fulfilment in Christ — Christian traditions
Needs AM-AX-001, AM-CLAIM-000221.
AM-CM-010 Not established under selected assumptions Abraham’s heirs by faith — Christian traditions
Needs AM-AX-001, AM-CLAIM-000248.
AM-CM-014 Not established under selected assumptions Christ’s unique priesthood — Protestant traditions
Needs AM-AX-013, AM-CLAIM-000202.
AM-CM-016 Not established under selected assumptions A ministerial priesthood — Catholic and Eastern Orthodox
Needs AM-CLAIM-000199.
AM-CM-017 Not established under selected assumptions The priesthood of all believers — Protestant traditions
Needs AM-AX-013, AM-CLAIM-000202.

04 · Console

Proof inspector

The same engine, by command. Try reject AX-2, then inspect 191.

AbrahamMoses proof inspector · read-only · AND/OR semantics Record version f79c70d2ef22dde1. Type "help".

05 · 13 axioms

Reading principles

AM-AX-001Canonical ChristianProvisionalstances provisional

Apostolic exegesis is authoritative

New Testament authors' readings of the Hebrew Bible are normative interpretations, not merely historical reception.

Grounds the use of Hebrews' reading of Psalm 110 and Genesis 14 as determinative of their meaning.

Holds: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational · Qualifies: Latter-day Saint · Rejects: Rabbinic Judaism, Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000184 (strengthens), AM-CLAIM-000191 (required), AM-CLAIM-000191 (required), AM-CLAIM-000199 (required), AM-CLAIM-000202 (required), AM-CLAIM-000221 (required), AM-CLAIM-000248 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-002Typological (Patristic, Catholic, Orthodox)Provisionalstances provisional

Figures prefigure fulfilment

Persons, institutions and events in earlier scripture can foreshadow later realities beyond their authors' horizon.

Licenses reading Melchizedek and the Levitical cult as types of Christ.

Holds: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Latter-day Saint · Qualifies: Dispensational, Rabbinic Judaism · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000189 (required), AM-CLAIM-000191 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-003Reformed covenant theologyProvisionalstances provisional

One covenant of grace

The biblical covenants are successive administrations of a single covenant of grace; the new covenant fulfils rather than cancels the old.

Frames the priesthood change as fulfilment within continuity.

Holds: Reformed · Rejects: Dispensational · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000191 (strengthens) · reject it

AM-AX-004DispensationalProvisionalstances provisional

Israel and the church remain distinct

Promises made to national Israel retain literal force and are not absorbed by the church.

Qualifies supersession: Jeremiah's new covenant is addressed to Israel and Judah.

Holds: Dispensational · Qualifies: Rabbinic Judaism, Catholic, Reformed · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000197 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-005Rabbinic JudaismProvisionalstances provisional

Torah is eternal and unabrogated

The Written Torah, read through the Oral Torah, remains binding; no later revelation replaces it.

Rejects any change of law and reads Psalm 110 without priestly-messianic transfer.

Holds: Rabbinic Judaism · Rejects: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Evangelical, Reformed, Dispensational, Latter-day Saint, Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000197 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-006Historical-criticalProvisionalstances provisional

Original context precedes reception

A text's meaning is first established in its historical setting; later reuse is reception history, not the text's own sense.

Separates what Psalm 110 meant in its royal setting from Hebrews' later application.

Holds: Historical-critical scholarship · Qualifies: Catholic, Rabbinic Judaism

Used by AM-CLAIM-000186 (strengthens) · reject it

AM-AX-007Rabbinic JudaismProvisionalstances provisional

The Oral Torah is authoritative

The Written Torah was given at Sinai together with an oral tradition of interpretation, transmitted through the sages, which determines its meaning and application.

Grounds reading Deuteronomy through the Talmud’s rulings on prophecy, interpretation and the sages’ authority.

Holds: Rabbinic Judaism · Rejects: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational, Latter-day Saint, Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000197 (strengthens), AM-CLAIM-000219 (required), AM-CLAIM-000247 (strengthens) · reject it

AM-AX-008Sunni and Shiʿi IslamProvisionalstances provisional

The Qurʾān is the final, authoritative revelation

The Qurʾān is God’s final revelation, confirming earlier scripture and standing as its guardian (muhaymin); what it teaches about earlier prophets is authoritative.

Grounds reading Ibrāhīm through the Qurʾān’s portrait of him rather than through Genesis.

Holds: Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Rejects: Rabbinic Judaism, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational, Latter-day Saint · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000225 (required), AM-CLAIM-000246 (required), AM-CLAIM-000246 (required), AM-CLAIM-000249 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-009Sunni and Shiʿi IslamProvisionalstances provisional

Earlier scriptures as transmitted are not wholly reliable

The Torah and the Gospel were revealed by God, but their text or their interpretation, as now held, has been altered (taḥrīf), so they do not override the Qurʾān.

Explains why the Qurʾān’s account governs where it differs from Genesis.

Holds: Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Qualifies: Latter-day Saint · Rejects: Rabbinic Judaism, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000246 (strengthens) · reject it

AM-AX-010Jewish and Christian traditionsProvisionalstances provisional

Genesis as received is an authoritative covenant charter

The received text of Genesis authoritatively records the terms and the line of God’s covenant with Abraham.

Grounds reading the covenant line through Isaac (Genesis 17:19–21).

Holds: Rabbinic Judaism, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational · Qualifies: Latter-day Saint · Rejects: Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000247 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-011Latter-day SaintProvisionalstances provisional

Continuing revelation and an open canon

God continues to reveal his will through living prophets; the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price are scripture alongside the Bible.

Grounds the restoration accounts in Doctrine and Covenants 13 and 27, and the priesthood teaching of sections 84 and 107.

Holds: Latter-day Saint · Rejects: Rabbinic Judaism, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational, Sunni Islam, Shiʿi Islam · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000227 (required), AM-CLAIM-000269 (required), AM-CLAIM-000270 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-012Catholic and Eastern OrthodoxProvisionalstances provisional

Apostolic succession transmits authority

Authority given to the apostles is transmitted through an unbroken succession of bishops ordained by the laying on of hands.

Grounds the claim that no general loss of authority occurred after the apostles.

Holds: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox · Qualifies: Lutheran · Rejects: Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational, Latter-day Saint · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000199 (required), AM-CLAIM-000274 (required) · reject it

AM-AX-013ProtestantProvisionalstances provisional

Scripture alone is the final rule

Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith; no later tradition or revelation adds to it (sola scriptura).

Grounds reading Christ’s priesthood from Hebrews and 1 Peter without a sacerdotal office transmitted outside Scripture.

Holds: Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical, Dispensational · Rejects: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Latter-day Saint · Sets aside: Historical-critical scholarship

Used by AM-CLAIM-000202 (required) · reject it

06 · 17 rival readings

Counter-models

AM-CM-001strongProvisional

Torah permanence

Rabbinic Judaism

No priesthood change abrogates the Torah; the Levitical order is suspended by the Temple's loss, not superseded.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000191 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000197 · relies on AM-AX-005 · denies AM-AX-001

AM-CM-002moderateProvisional

Israel-specific new covenant

Dispensational and post-supersessionist readings

The new covenant is addressed to Israel and Judah and its fulfilment for them is not exhausted by the church.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000191 · relies on AM-AX-004

AM-CM-003moderateProvisional

Rhetorical silence

Historical-critical scholarship

Hebrews 7:3 uses a known exegetical convention (quod non in thora non in mundo); it makes no claim about Melchizedek's nature.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000189 · relies on AM-AX-006 · denies AM-AX-002

AM-CM-004strongProvisional

Royal, not messianic-priestly

Historical-critical scholarship

Psalm 110 is a royal enthronement psalm granting a Jerusalem king Melchizedek-like priestly prerogatives.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000186 · relies on AM-AX-006

AM-CM-005minorityProvisional

Annulment in the time to come

An Amoraic dictum, read by later authorities

Permanence is qualified within rabbinic literature itself: “the commandments will be annulled in the time to come”.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000219 · relies on AM-AX-007

AM-CM-006strongProvisional

Fulfilment in Christ

Christian traditions

The Sinai covenant’s ceremonial provisions are fulfilled in Christ and no longer bind.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000219 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000221 · relies on AM-AX-001 · denies AM-AX-005, AM-AX-007

AM-CM-007strongProvisional

Successive revelations, successive laws

Sunni and Shiʿi Islam

God gives each community a law and a way; later revelation may lift or modify earlier precepts.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000219 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000225 · relies on AM-AX-008 · denies AM-AX-005

AM-CM-008strongProvisional

The law fulfilled in Christ (Restoration scripture)

Latter-day Saint

The law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ and its performances ended.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000219 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000227 · relies on AM-AX-011 · denies AM-AX-005

AM-CM-009strongProvisional

The covenant line through Isaac

Rabbinic Judaism (with Christian traditions on the Genesis text)

Genesis establishes the covenant with Isaac’s line; Ishmael is blessed but outside the covenant.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000246 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000247 · relies on AM-AX-010 · denies AM-AX-008, AM-AX-009

AM-CM-010strongProvisional

Abraham’s heirs by faith

Christian traditions

Those who share Abraham’s faith are his children, whatever their descent.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000247 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000248 · relies on AM-AX-001

AM-CM-011moderateProvisional

“Abrahamic religions” as a modern construct

Historical-critical scholarship

The category “Abrahamic religions” is a modern construct that can obscure how differently each tradition uses Abraham.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000246 · relies on AM-AX-006

AM-CM-012minorityProvisional

The seal as attestation

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

khātam al-nabiyyīn denotes the seal that attests and ratifies prophets, not the last in time; a non-law-bearing prophet subordinate to Muhammad remains possible.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000249 · relies on AM-AX-008

AM-CM-013strongProvisional

No general apostasy

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox

Apostolic authority continued through the succession of bishops; no general loss occurred.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000269 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000274 · relies on AM-AX-012 · denies AM-AX-011

AM-CM-014strongProvisional

Christ’s unique priesthood

Protestant traditions

Christ alone holds the Melchizedekian priesthood; believers share a common priesthood, and no office transmits another.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000270 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000202 · relies on AM-AX-013 · denies AM-AX-011, AM-AX-012

AM-CM-015moderateProvisional

A developing account

Historical-critical scholarship

The narratives of priesthood restoration took shape in documents of 1832–1835, after the events they describe.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000261 · relies on AM-AX-006

AM-CM-016strongProvisional

A ministerial priesthood

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox

The ordained ministry participates in Christ’s priesthood and differs in essence from the common priesthood.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000202 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000199 · relies on AM-AX-012 · denies AM-AX-013

AM-CM-017strongProvisional

The priesthood of all believers

Protestant traditions

All the baptized are priests; ordained ministers hold an office, not a distinct sacrificing priesthood.

Contests AM-CLAIM-000199 · recorded as position AM-CLAIM-000202 · relies on AM-AX-013 · denies AM-AX-012