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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Properly Interpreting the Bible | Bible general Archive 3 | DocTrinsograce | 156916 | ||
The verbal plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures is a perspective that is at the roots of the Reformation. What this means is that God directed the writing of every single word in the original autographs, using and guiding the whole aspect of the life, mind, and times of the writer. We see this idea throughout the teachings of Christ and the apostles (see Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17; Revelation 22:18-19; etc.). Paul bases an entire theological argument (Galatians 3:16) on whether a word in Genesis was plural or not! Therefore, I am going to post under this thread a series of guidelines for proper interpretation of Biblical text. The sources for this material is somewhat eclectic, primarily coming out of classes, lectures, theology books, and sermons that I've had the privilege to have heard or read. (If anyone is interested, the formal theological description of this discipline is "Historico-grammatical approach to exegetical work in hermeneutics." You can also find a great deal of discussion on this approach in what is called the "Antiochian School of Thought." Don't let the technical language throw you off, it is just a matter of vocabulary.) I would commend everyone to the Chicago Statement of Biblical Hermeneutics: http://www.origins.org/articles/00site_chicago.html Let me give you a good working definition of hermeneutics: The science (systematic approach) of properly interpreting the Bible as it was meant to be understood by those who wrote it." Every believer has the obligation to be a student (disciple) of Christ and an instructor of the teachings of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). It is my prayer, therefore, that we place the proper emphasis on the interpretation of Scripture that God intends us to have. |
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2 | Properly Interpreting the Bible | Bible general Archive 3 | DocTrinsograce | 157733 | ||
Over a third of Scripture is narrative. It behooves us, therefore, to be able to rightly handle this particular genre of Biblical literature. QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE STUDYING OT NARRATIVES 1. Do I understand the historical setting of the story? 2. Who are the main characters and what parts do they play? 3. What is the main theme of the story? Or what are some of the main issues that may serve as themes? Or what is the point of the story? 4. In these themes, are there ethical lessons being portrayed? Why did God want this story in His Bible? How does the Bible deal with these issues elsewhere in Scripture? 5. How does the story portray God? How does the story portray man? 6. How does this story contribute to the the redemptive thread that runs through the whole Scripture? QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE STUDYING NT NARRATIVES (PARTICULARLY THE GOSPELS) 1. How does the narrative relate to the entire gospel itself? How does it enhance that gospel's theme? 2. What did Jesus say? Or what did Jesus do? 3. What is the relationship between the historical events and Jesus' words? (i.e., look for the connection between what is said and what is happening.) 4. How is Jesus portrayed in the narrative? 5. How is salvation portrayed in the narrative? (i.e., look for the underlying them of salvific activity (redemption).) 6. How are Biblical ethics portrayed in the narrative? 7. How is the sin of man portrayed in the narrative? PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS WHEN STUDYING BIBLICAL NARRATIVES 1. Look for the redemptive and ethical elements. 2. Look for the sovereign hand of God – it is always there. 3. Look for the main character and note the role he plays (sometimes these reveal the typology or anti-typology, especially in the OT). 4. Watch how the narrative develops. 5. Give particular notice to the results or conclusions of the choices given in the Biblical narrative. 6. What issues are raised that God talks about in other parts of the Bible? Connect the whole Scripture. 7. Generally, interpret narrative through the lens of the NT epistles. 8. Do not use narratives to prove a doctrinal point. Narratives will reflect doctrine, or even speak to a doctrinal issues, but they do not exist to build doctrine. 9. Don't state or even imply that the text is saying something that it does not say. Avoid over-spiritualization. |
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3 | Properly Interpreting the Bible | Bible general Archive 3 | lionheart | 157736 | ||
Doc, Excellent post brother. Could you at your convenience Email me a copy of this posting. In Christ, lionheart |
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