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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | "That's just your interpretation."(?) | 2 Tim 2:15 | Just Read Mark | 117052 | ||
What Context? Hi Kalos, Hank, BradK.... I agree, for the most part, with your post. Certainly, we need to look at the context of each passage to understand its sense. This means understanding how it fits in the entire book --- but also how it fits in relation to other books of the Bible. There is, however, another layer of context that is more difficult to handle. This is the historical period: a sense of the culture in which the book is written. Who was the original audience? We need to understand these things to get at the original sense of the words (the objective sense you strive for) ---- the problem is, there are so many questions around these issues. When were the gospels written? What were the various audiences for the gospels? When was Revelation written? In view of the immense genre of apocalyptic writing at the time, how are we to understand the book of Revelation? How did THEY understand it? How did John understand it? If you enter into the research on these matters, they do not resolve themselves readily. At least, not for me! So, while I encourage your sense of reading with context and historicity in mind ---- your take on it is too "positivistic." We need to be aware of the gaps in our knowledge, and admit t them. I wonder why there aren't more evangelicals publishing historical work about scripture? It seems they've left the field to the likes of the Jesus Seminar. But, if we value the approach you outlined in your post, we should NOT give up that terrain. I read some NT Wright earlier this year, and found that I learned SO MUCH from it that I had never learned from other sources. Mostly about the Jewish history between the testaments, and what that might mean for their expectations of redemption. JRM |
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2 | "That's just your interpretation."(?) | 2 Tim 2:15 | EdB | 117074 | ||
JRM I want to add a caution to the historicity issue you brought up. Many times people dismiss perfectly clear teaching claiming it as only addressing a historical social issue or custom. God knew of our social customs of this time just as He did of the social customs of the past and should He tarry God also knows what social customs of the future generations will be. The Bible was written to be used by all generations, not just the early church, not just the church of 1600's, not just the church today. I have heard more than one teacher say “oh that passage was correcting a problem in the early church that doesn't pertain to us today.” Or “they had to do it that way back then but today we have modern conveniences and we don’t have to concern ourselves with that.” Folks let no one fool you if it is in the Bible it needs to be heeded. We need to stop looking for a way to justify or explain away things. Now that is not saying everything that is mentioned stands today, many things like temple sacrifice and etc have been fulfilled/accomplished in Christ. Matthew 5:18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. EdB |
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