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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do not aim to spiritualize every passage | Acts 17:11 | kalos | 163830 | ||
Do not aim to spiritualize every passage "Beware of mystical and ingenious refinement; do not aim to spiritualize every passage. Real spirituality and fanciful spirituality are different things. The former is real, deep, sublime, and satisfactory, the latter is ideal, shallow, specious and delusive. "Seek the literal before the spiritual meaning." ____________________ Rules For Reading The Bible (Quoted from an article at The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry) The following Rules of Interpretation and Practical Rules were taken from Smith's Bible Dictionary, Revised Edition (Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville) that was compiled from Dr. William Smith's Dictionary of the Bible (pp. 483-484). I. Rules of Interpretation 1. Put yourself, as it were, in the times, places, and circumstances of the sacred writers. 2. Form as correct a view as you can of the geography of the Scripture, of the simplicity of ancient manners, of the arts and habits that existed in those times. The Psalms abound with allusions to hunting wild beasts. many passages in Job are clear to him who has a correct view of judicial matters. 3. Ascertan, as far as it is possible, the plain, literal and primary meaning of the scripture. Exercise sound common sense. A right use of reason will supersede much criticism, and prove a valuable substitute for it. 4. Beware of mystical and ingenious refinement; do not aim to spiritualize every passage. Real spirituality and fanciful spirituality are different things. The former is real, deep, sublime, and satisfactory, the latter is ideal, shallow, specious and delusive. 5. Seek the literal before the spiritual meaning. 6. The true spiritual sense of a passage is that which is to be most highly esteemed. 7. Avoid ingenious conceits and far-fetched interpretations. 8. Make all allowance for idiomatical and figurative diction, especially when an absurdity would follow from adhering to the literal sense. 9. Always distinguish between plain and figurative language. 10. Never press a metaphor too far. 11. Carefully consider the context before you draw a conclusion from a separate passage. 12. Carefully consider the circumstances of a passage as far as you can; that is, the occasion of it, to whom it was written, by whom it was written, and with what design. 13. Compare spiritual things with spiritual. Never be weary of referring to what are called parallel passages; that is, to illustrate passages: for Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture. 14. Explain what is difficult by what is plain and easy. 15. Never expect fully to understand all things in the Scriptures; yet remember that wise, humble, devout, and persevering study will be always adding something to our knowledge. 16. When words and phrases are of doubtful meaning consider them well. 17. Do not always fix the same meaning to the same word, for the same word is frequently used in Scripture in various senses. 18. Endeavor to form clear and distinct ideas of the great and peculiar words of Scripture, such as faith, repentance, redemption, justification, sanctification, grace, righteousness, etc. [N. B. -- It is to be deeply lamented that there is so little agreement among serious Christians about the ideas to be attached to such words. In vain do we look for peace and unanimity among Christians, while the sacred vocabulary remains so undefined as it is at present.] 19. Consider (see 12) the character of a writer, the state and character of those whom he wrote, the errors which he opposed, the truths which he inculcated and established. 20. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old. Carefully compare them with each other... ____________________ To read more go to: www.thebereans.net/ref-bibrules.shtml |
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2 | Do not aim to spiritualize every passage | Acts 17:11 | kalos | 163832 | ||
'When spiritualization is introduced into one's interpretation, Pandora's box is opened and various meanings can be understood. The only way the integrity of the Author/author's wording and meaning can be preserved is by taking Scripture at face value. Taking Scripture at face value means that the student of Scripture recognizes the difference between what can be called the "simple sense" of a passage and what is understood as a literal understanding. A literal understanding includes the examination of the historical/cultural and lexical/syntactical considerations. It also recognizes symbols and figures of speech and realizes there is a referent for them. For further information on hermeneutical principles, see the "links" section of this website for an explanation.' ____________________ Did Jesus Already Return in AD 70? By Rev. Bill Lee-Warner (www.solagroup.org/articles/ endtimes/et_0003.html) |
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