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NASB | Genesis 1:14 ¶ Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:14 ¶ Then God said, "Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God's provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years; [Gen 8:22] |
Bible Question (short): How do we interpret scripture? |
Question (full): That, of course, is the real trick, isn't it? I think perhaps Dr. Ross' argument is best left to him in his book, but I'll offer the following comments and questions to help me identify specific points in Dr. Ross' book that I can cite later. Regarding a "straight-forward" reading, accepted methods in biblical hermeneutics incorporate a variety of factors to interpret scripture. Such include: historical context, language (e.g. idiomatic expression, hyperbole), literary style (narrative, parable, metaphor, apocalyptic), cultural traditions, issues of translation vs transliteration and perhaps most importantly, the understanding that communication involves not just the source material but also the many issues associated with the reader. Q: Is this what you meant by "straight-forward" reading? Regarding "non-biblical" premises, by definition a premise is the start of a line of reasoning, rather than something we conclude, although a conclusion of one argument often becomes a premise for the next. I believe the premise we work from is that the Bible is the Word of God. But after that, I'm not qualified to articulate what other, if any, premises may be involved in interpreting God's Word to us. Q: Can you give me one or more examples of "non-biblical" premises? I suppose you need not mention the obvious "there is no God" because one cannot assume something that is mutually exclusive to the whole meaning. Parable |