I. Pre-requisites for Interpreting
the Scriptures
1. Although God wants to communicate to people about His truths, there are certain pre-requisites for being able to rightly divide the word of truth. We must believe and know that the scripture is God-breathed, inerrant, and that it is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness so that the man of God can be equipped for all good works. (II Tim 3:16,17) Be a person who is open to allowing the Lord to teach, correct, reprove and guide in you in all aspects of life, relationships and ministry. Without a teachable mind, the Lord will have a harder time getting His truth to our inner mind, emotions and personal reality
2. Be observant, analytical, impartial, intense, honest, unprejudiced, and fearless in examining the original meanings, context, and intents of the author. "Study to show yourself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 tim. 2:15)
3. The believer cannot understand deeper truths of God without experience in righteousness to help him discern between truth and error. ``But solid food is for the mature who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.’’ (Heb. 5:14)
4. The believer must be in fellowship with God in order for him to be in tune with the Spirit’s discernment. (I Cor. 2:14-16) Discernment is given to those who have travelled down the road of obedience in faith, righteousness, and purity. (2 tim. 2:22-24) The carnal person cannot understand the things of the spirit of God for they are not tuned in to the frequency of God’s voice.
5. We must rely on the Holy Spirit, the great interpreter (John l6:13) ``But when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth....and He will show you things to come.’’ Consistently ask the Lord to speak to you about his word’s meaning as well as its application to your life.
6. The believer must have commitment to obey what is revealed to him. ``Jesus said, ``If any man is willing to do my will, he shall know of the teaching whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.’’ (Jn 7:17) The more we obey the more God reveals
7. The believer must not have any resentments, bitternesses, or grudges that he is holding. ``If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.’’ (Psa. 66:18; Heb. 12:15)
8. The believer must pray asking God for understanding, illumination, insights, clarity, guidance, wisdom, and applications from the Scriptures! ``If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and does not withhold.’’ (James 1:5) ``Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.’’ (Psa. 119:19)
9. Spiritual regeneration is essential for interpreting the Bible correctly.
10. Humility is essential for one to be responsive to the life changing truths of the scriptures. ``He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.’’ (Psa. 25:9)
II. Basic Principles for Understanding the Bible
1. The goal of all Bible study is to determine the author’s original intended meanings (For our understanding, faith, and actions).
2. We must try to understand the historical context -- physical geographical, political, educational, economical, sociological,
agricultural, military, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and ideological context of the writer and the audience to whom he was writing and the literary context (languages in which it was written), denotative and connotative meanings, literary form grammatical & syntactical, and the immediate context of the passage. (Hendricksen, 1979)
For example, understanding the context of I Timothy would include the following:
A. Author - Paul wrote this Pastoral letter to Timothy, his son in the faith to give him instructions in caring for the church in Ephesus.
B. Background and Purpose - During the course of Paul’s fourth missionary journey he instructed Timothy to care for the Ephesus church. After realizing that he would not be able to return to Ephesus, he writes this letter to deal with the difficulties facing Timothy by false teachers. He urges timid Timothy to be bold in refuting the false teachers-mainly the Judaizers and Gnostics (Those insisting that the spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil) who were insisting on ascetic practices and keeping of the laws to obtain favor from God. They taught that salvation is the escape from the body, achieved not by faith in Christ by special knowledge. Paul boldly states the goal for all church leaders in I Tim.1:5, ``The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience and a sincere faith.’’
C. Main Teachings -
Paul warned against false teachers, the nature of heresy, the real purpose of the law, and the goal of Biblical instruction. He encouraged Timothy to fulfill the calling which the Lord had given to him fighting the good fight of faith. Paul gave qualifications for leadership, guidelines for public worship and purposes for the church.
He encouraged Timothy to not let others cast dispersions on him because of his youthfulness. Instead Paul encouraged the young leader to show himself to be an example in four areas (In those days such an influential position would not normally have been held by such a young man):
1). Speech 2). Conduct 3). Love 4). Faith 5). Purity
D. Contextual Emphasis -
Paul put his emphasis on character qualifications of leaders in I Tim. 3:1-13. In contrast to what the false teachers were emphasizing with their external practices such as asceticism, keeping of rituals, and venerating knowledge acquisitions, Paul stresses that a leader must be self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not violent, not a lover a money, able to manage his own household, a lover of what is good, holy, disciplined, temperate, etc.
E. Immediate Context -
By examining what immediately precedes and follows each section of scripture you can set the framework for interpretation. Check the paragraphs, chapters, sentences, and words before and after the one you are expositing. This will help you see a bigger picture than the verse you are looking at. For example, when Paul says in I Tim. 4:1, ``The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.’’ Instead of teaching that Timothy should avoid witches, sorcerers, or wizards, the context emphasizes that Paul is warning against the false teachers that had crept into the minds of some of the Ephesus Christians. These people tried to forbid marriage, certain foods, and various practices. Paul counters by saying, ``Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.’’ (I Tim. 4:4) Realize that an interpreter must understand all of the purposes of the author in order to understand the whole context of the book.
E. Parallel Context -
Check other letters of Paul in the N.T. to see how he treats similar issues, verses, and problems. For example, in Galatians Paul deals with the problem of the Judaizers and Peter’s hypocrisy with his Jewish friends. There Paul says, ``You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?’’ Paul refutes all legalistic attempts to please God by the flesh. He insists that we are only justified by faith in Christ Jesus. In similar ways, he stresses to Timothy that the false teachers are trying to deceive people with their teachings on gnosticism, Judaism, and asceticism. Check to see what Jesus said, what others writers have taught, and what are the main doctrines that reoccur in scripture. Compare these with the passages you are examining.
F. COMPARE THE O.T. CONTEXT WITH N.T. CONTEXT -
Many errors in interpretation are made because people read the O.T. in the light of their own cultural context. Instead we should study the O.T. with reference to the N.T. CONTEXT. For example, if you claim that all the promises of Abraham belong to every Christian you are failing to grasp the contexts. The Abrahamic covenant given in Gen.17 was made with Abraham in respect to the conditional pledge to God through faith. The condition was that he would give God total consecration to the Lord as symbolized by circumcision. Another covenant made to Abraham in Gen. 15:9-21 said, ``Your descendants will be as many as the stars of the heaven or the sands by the seashore. Then Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.’’ It is this covenant that Paul says in Gal. 3:6 ``Consider Abraham; ``He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw how God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced, ``All nations will be blessed through you. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.’’
Paul uses this in contrast with those who tried to gain God’s acceptance by observing the laws for ``The righteous will live by faith.’’ By understanding the context, the conditions of the promises, and the purposes of each author you can rightly interpret each text!
G. Absence of Context -
When you are reading Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, where there are one sentences sayings with no obvious context you need to look to other sections of scripture for parallel teachings. Even in the gospels as in Lk. 12:49-59 there is little immediate context. In other sections a topic will be treated without a lot of background given. In each of those cases you look at the larger context of the book, the author, the recipients, and the great themes and doctrines of the Bible to clarify what the author means.
H. The Plan of the Context -
By understanding the way in which the book is developed, the thought flow of the author, and the world view of the people (Their perspectives on reality, truth, beliefs, values, and behaviors) you can discern how politics, social factors, cultural forces, educational levels, spiritistic powers, and economic conditions effected the interpretations of the passage. Paul for example, would have been very conscious of the pressures faced by the seaport dwelling Thessalonians (Something like Lagos, Nigeria) to succumb to the pressures of idol worship. Mount Olympus was right outside of the city representing a center of idol worship.
So when Paul says, ``They tell us how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.’’ He stresses how they were showing a deep degree of commitment in their stand against their cultural pressures & persecutions! He was deeply aware of their problems having ministered to them in person for at least three weeks. He knew their context, perspectives, and problems first hand.
3. Since the Lord is the supreme author, we must view scripture as being completely true, unified, without inconsistencies, and flaws of any type. (II Pet. l:21) ``For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.’’
4. When we come to a section of scripture that we apparently cannot understand we must remember two significant verses; ``For my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’’ (Isa. 55:8,9) ``The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.’’ (Deut. 29:29)
5. We must remember the words of one famous man who said; ``The Bible was not written so as to just increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.’’
6. Every other book we will ever read will be unbalanced, incomplete, or biased in some way except the scriptures. ``His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him . . . Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. `` (II Pet. 1:3,4)
7. We must regard both the concepts and the words of scripture as authoritative. John Montgomery uses a parallel with a legal document to make the point clear: ``Interpretation that departs from the letter of the law is not interpretation but divination.’’ When the judge departs from the letter, he turns into a legislator.’’
Let Scripture Interpret Scripture
Through Good Cross-referencing
8. The principle that puts strict limitations on cultural understanding of scriptural passages is to make a distinction between interpretation, of which there is only one correct one for every one passage, and application of which there are many for every passage! ``Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.’’ (Eph. 5:22)
It is incorrect to say that this is a culturally conditioned statement and so it may be interpreted as it seems appropriate to each culture. However, when it comes to the application of that verse, the way in which a husband should play the role of the head and the wife should submit to her husband will vary from culture to culture. Perhaps, in a North American home, the husband would not mind helping to wash the baby’s diapers. In Nigerian culture, many husbands would have a difficult time washing the baby’s nappies!
9. Many errors in interpreting the scripture can be avoided if clearer passages are allowed to prevail over more obscure passages to which undue emphasis is sometimes given.
10. Inductive reasoning should supersede deductive interpretations so that the Bible student can learn to do exegesis (Reading meanings out of) rather than eisegesis. (Reading in meanings)
11. Base your study of the scriptures on the historical, physical, and cultural framework in which the book was written.
12. Get to know the personal situation of the author of each book. For example, when Paul wrote, ``Rejoice in the Lord always.’’ (Phil. 4:4) he was in a cold, dark prison.
13. The best interpreter of scripture is scripture. Use crossreferencing, correlations, and paralleling in your interpretations.
14. Learn to skillfully use extraBiblical sources (Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, books on the customs and cultures of Biblical peoples, books on the historical framework of Biblical times, books on introductory matters, commentaries, and study Bibles. The New International Bible Study Bible was voted best commentary for 1985, it is worth a seminary education alone.
15. Learn to appreciate the significance that a geographical, physical, and demographic profile of the land and people will be in interpreting the scriptures. Gain access to Bible atlases, Historical atlases, Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias. Consider taking a trip to the Holy land someday. (Hendricksen, 1979)
16. Learn to understand the authors’ and peoples’ world view as well as that of your own. World view is one’s perspective on life consisting of how a person looks at his:
A. Reality (His experiences, his traditions, and his metaphysical perceptions)
B. Truth (His source of credibility, authority, as well as moral and ethical standards)
C. Beliefs (His source of faith, trust and dependence as well as the manner in which that is expressed)
D. Values (What is important, his priorities, his goals, as well as how these are organized and expressed in his personality type)
E. Behaviors ( His actions, verbal and nonverbal communications, as well as his patterns of avoidance)
F. Emotions (How one’s passions are expressed or inhibited)
17. ALL TRUTH IS GOD’S TRUTH -People should not be afraid of trying to discover truth in nature, in people, and in their experience, but the Bible is the only book with the truth and nothing but the truth through the inspiration of God.
18. ALWAYS INTERPRET THE OLD TESTAMENT IN LIGHT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AND NOT VICE-VERSA!!!!
19. Remember that as in life so in Bible study, ``Knowledge can make one arrogant, but love builds up.’’ (I Cor. 8:1)
20. Our Biblical doctrine should reflect the Bible emphases.
21. Most heresies have already been invented, recently they are just coming out with new models.
22. Biblical theology should take precedence over Systematic theology so that human traditions do not override Biblical interpretations. Africans should be taught to develop their own Nigerian theology just as Americans should develop their own.
23. When something appears to be inconsistent in the scriptures, we should suspend judgment because we believe that God’s word is perfectly coherent, flawless, and inspired by God. In the meantime we should seek out an explanation. Mark Twain, a famous American author who died as an atheist, used to say: ``My problem is not with the parts of the Bible that I do not understand, but with the parts I do!’’
24. Do not look at the Bible JUST as a book on science, art, or as a literary manual.
25. Most of the problems that many people bring up about the Bible are not difficulties of understanding, but questions of faith and trust in God’s character, reliability, and one’s own willingness to obey what is written.
26. When it comes to interpreting miracles, one’s presuppositions of reality, knowledge, values, and methodologies play a major role in determining one’s views.
27. Every book’s account of an incident does not have to be explicit or complete in order for it to be correct. A particular author may only consider certain facts as applicable, relevant, and contextually appropriate for his audience, theme, and intents!
28. One must have faith in God for full understanding to be given. ``For without faith (A confident persuasion that God will do what He says He will do and then acting on that conviction!) it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God, must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek him.’’ (Heb. 11:6)
29. The basic objective of an interpreter of the Bible is to find out the meaning of a statement in the scripture for the author and for the first hearers or readers, and to communicate that meaning to contemporary listeners.
Learn Both the Art and the
Science of Interpretation
30. The Greek verb ``hermeneuo’’ means to interpret or explain the meaning. Hermeneutics then must be looked at both as a science and an art. Example There is a story of a physician who visited a village in northern Nigeria one day to see if the tiny dispensary needed anything. When he arrived, he was met by the entire village of 2,000 people waiting to see the doctor. Naturally overwhelmed the doctor knew that the only way he could successfully navigate his way through the 2,000 individual examinations would be to apply everything he knew about both the science and the art of medicine. The first person to come into the examining room was the chief of the village. When the doctor asked the large old man to explain his problems, the chief began to narrate a whole history of medical problems. The stately old gentleman said, ``I have a pain in my back, in my legs, in my stomach, in my head, in my arms, and in my hands. While the chief explained with great detail all of the pains he had, the doctor patiently nodded, grunted with sympathy, and took notes. After twenty minutes of listening to the chief’s problems the doctor smiled and turned to his prescription pad. For the next 60 seconds the doctor dramatically wrote out a long note to the dispenser, handed it to the chief, and said, ``I am confident that this medication will cure all of your problems.’’
The chief proudly walked out of the examining room, hurried over to get his medicine, took it, and within thirty minutes declared to everyone that the white doctor had excellent medicine.
When a new assistant asked the doctor what could he have possibly given to the chief to cure him so completely and immediately, the doctor replied, ``I gave him lots of love, patience, and attention along with a prescription for aspirin.’’
That doctor understood both the science and the art of medicine! In Bible study we must similarly learn to interpret and communicate both the science (objective knowledge) and the art (emotional and subjective elements) of the scriptures!!!
31. Biblical examples are generally authoritative only when supported by a command. Be careful of making dogmatic doctrines out of statements taken out of context.
32. The primary purpose of the Bible is to change our lives, not to just increase our knowledge.
33. Each Christian has the right and responsibility to investigate and interpret the Word of God for himself.
34. Church history is important but not decisive in the interpretation of Scripture.
35. The promises of God throughout the Bible are profitable to the believers through Christ and the Holy Spirit as we understand the context in which they are given. The principle behind the promise, in the historical context, is what we can trust in. For example, some men misinterpret promises because their theology resembles the words in a favorite song: Every promise in the book is mine; Every chapter, every verse, every line: All the blessings of His love : Every promise is the book is mine!’’
What about the promises made to Israel regarding possession of Canaan’s land or the promise to Moses that he could possess all the land where his foot trod? Unless one is spiritualizing the meanings for himself these promises were specifically meant for Moses not us.
Visualize the Text For Your Audience
36. The author of scripture had only one interpretation in mind. However, where each passage will have one correct interpretation it will have many applications. Therefore, scripture should be taken literally unless context demands that it should be taken figuratively. For instance Matt. 7:24-27 is an example of a figurative story that Jesus is using to emphasize how obedience provides stability for the believer & vulnerability for the disobedient.
37. Interpret words in harmony with their meaning in the times of the author.
38. Interpret a word in relation to its sentence, paragraph, chapter, and
book.
39. Interpret a passage in harmony with its context , grammatically and historically.
40. When an inanimate object is used to describe a living being, the statement may be considered figuratively.
41. When an expression is out of character with the thing described, the statement may be considered figuratively. For example Jesus said, ``Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?’’ (Matt. 7:3)
42. The principal parts and figures of a parable represent certain realities. Consider only these principal parts and figures when drawing conclusions in parables. Be careful that you do not allegorize parables. There is one main truth with several supporting truths in each parable.
43. Interpret the words of the prophets in their usual, literal and historical sense, unless the context or manner in which they are fulfilled clearly indicates they have a symbolic meaning. Their fulfillment may be in installments, each fulfillment being a pledge of that which is to follow. i.e. Matt 11:1314 44. Though God’s revelation in the scriptures is progressive, both O.T. AND N.T. are essential parts of this revelation and form a coherent unit with unified themes throughout the 66 books.
45. Historical facts or events become symbols of spiritual truths only if the scriptures so designate them.
(Note - Much of the above principles have been taken from Hendricksen’s The Laymens Guide to Interpreting the Bible, Zondervan, 1979))
46. You must understand the Bible grammatically before you can understand it theologically.
47. A doctrine cannot be considered really Biblical unless it sums up and includes all that the scriptures say about it.
48. When two doctrines taught in the Bible appear to be contradictory, accept both as scriptural in the confident belief that they resolve themselves into a higher unity.
49. A teaching merely implied in scripture may be considered Biblical when a comparison of related passages supports it.
50. Erroneous scriptural interpretations come when people are ignorant about what the Bible says in its entirety about the subject. Or when a verse is taken out of context or when something is read into a passage or undue emphasis is given to less than important things. Errors can also happen when men try to get God to do what they want, rather than doing what God wants done.
III. Six Steps in Inductive Bible Study Methods
1. OBSERVATIONAL STEPS
1. Notice any comparisons made which may indicate the unity, similarity, and parallels of objects, ideas, peoples, or places by looking for words such as; like, as, such as, also, asso, just asso, likewise, so also. Notice the comparisons between Christ and Melchizedek in regards to the high priest’s office and identities. (II Cor. 1:11, Heb 5:111)
Note - Much of the ideas for the following material was adapted from Traina’s Methodological Bible Study, Asbury Press, pp. 50-54, 1980)
2. Look for contrasts in words like; although, but, much more, nevertheless, otherwise, or yet. Romans 4 provides examples of the contrasts between justification by faith and by works.
3. Look for repetitions that identify, reiterations of the same terms, phrases, clauses, or patterns. In the book of Leviticus ``holy’’ is used many times. In John the word believe is repeated over 60 times.
4. Look for continuity where in similar terms a unified theme is displayed for effect. Look at the consistency of the Father in Luke 15.
5. Look for continuation in the theme through the extension of a story line or character portrayal as in Gen 1314 & 1819 for the story of Lot and Abraham even though it is interrupted by 4 chapters.
6. Watch for climaxes as a way to show progress from the lesser to the greater aspects of the story or point. Ex. 40:3435 shows the climax of God’s shekina glory dwelling over the tabernacle to lead, guide, protect, and discipline Israel with God’s light.
7. Notice points of cruciality which are pivotal points in the development in a person’s life of a theme. II Sam. 1112 shows the turning point in David’s life after his adulterous relationship with Bathsheeba and his attempt to cover his sin with the murder of Uriah. Everything in David’s life takes a turn for the worse after this incident.
8. Interchange should be noticed to see where the exchanging of certain elements uses contrasts and comparisons to highlight the meanings of the scripture. Observe the interchanging of the reactions of Mary and Zachariah when they are told by the angel of God that Elizabeth and Mary would soon bear sons. Notice Mary’s faith and Zachariah’s mocking laughter in Luke 12.
9. Particularization (Induction) and Generalization (Deduction) should be noticed to see the lines of reasoning that are being developed by the author. The O.T. generally uses deductive approaches while the N.T. uses inductive treatments particularly seen in the letters of Paul as he addresses Greek minded people (westerns). Matt 6:118 is an example of induction and James 2 is one of deduction.
10. Causation and Substantiation should be looked at to see the progression of the cause-to-effect trend and how the effect-to-cause argument evolves. Rom 1:18-32 is an illustration of causation, and Romans 8:18-30 is an example of substantiation.
11. Instrumentation tells us that the author is setting a means to display a truth as well as depicting the end result. John 20:30-31 shows that the book of John was written so that people could learn to believe in Jesus Christ and have life in his name. Thus it was written to lead men to Christ and to teach believers how to find fullness of life in their faith in Christ.
12. We should notice explanations or analysis as they are sections of scripture written with their interpretations added. Take Mark 4 and the parable of the sower and seed as an example.
13. Preparation and Introduction shows the reader that the author is providing background information which sets the scene and ideas necessary for the reader to fully understand the import of the message. Narrative literature like Gen. 2:4-25 provides the situational look required to appreciate the fall of man.
14. Summarization allows the reader to gain a summary of the events that have just occurred. Joshua 12 enumerates all the kings whom the Israelites had defeated up to that time. Even though it may not seem like an important chapter it is essential to see how the Lord had given them victory through Moses.
15. Interrogation shows us how some authors chose to use questions or problems followed by answers to teach their points. Look at how Paul does it in Rom 6 & 7. Shall we sin that grace may abound? May it never be. Who can separate me from the body of this sinful death? Thanks be to God who gives me the victory that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.
16. Harmony is a device that presupposes that the authors had a unified theme in their writing. Under the superintendence of the Holy Spirit men were moved by God to write ideas, promises, and truths that are completely without contradiction. Rom 1:183:20 and Rom 3:21 and following show the agreement between the conditions of helplessness without faith in Christ and those of victory through faith in Christ. IN other words, God’s truth was working constantly. When men did not believe God, sin showed its consequences in that the wrath of God was revealed against all ungodliness and yet this was not in contradiction to his grace exhibited when Faith in Christ brought mercy and forgiveness and victory over sin. This is an example of harmony between the disease and its remedy.
17. The law of proportion shows us that scripture places varying amounts of emphasis on certain truths because of their importance. For example, justification by faith and not by works is a major theme in the N.T., but the issue of singleness is treated once in I Cor. 7 by Paul.
18. Look for points of emphasis when words like indeed (Rom 9:25) and only (I Cor. 8:9) are used
19. Notice chronological developments when words like after, as, before, now, then, until, when, and while are used. This will help you to see the movements of history and the progression of arguments.
20. The use of therefore and wherefore indicate that the reader should consider all the connections of the former arguments to what is to follow. For instance, Rom 12:1 and Heb 12:1 use theses words to link chapters l11 to the rest of the books. It shows that there is a break from the former doctrinal to the practical sections.
21. Reasons are shown by the use of such words as: because, for, as, and since. (Rom 1:25, 1;ll, l:28)
22. Results are shown by the use of so, then, therefore, and thus. (Rom 9:l6, Gal. 2:21, I Cor. 10:12, I Cor. 8:12)
23. Purpose is highlighted when the words ``so that’’ are used in Jn. 3:16.
24. A series of facts are shown when the phrase, first of all, I Tim. 2:1, last of all, I Cor. 15:8, and ,or, II Cor. 6:15 are used.
25. Emphasis is noted when words like , indeed, Rom. 9:25 and, only, I Cor. 8:9 (Traina, p.57-58, 1980)
Devices For Creating Structure
for Sermons
A. Biographical material Bible passages that are used to describe a person, his background, his relations with men and with God, his perspectives, his responsibilities,
and his identities. Gen. 1250 is an example of a biographical section where the life of Abraham is contrasted with those of Lot, Jacob, Esau, and Joseph.
B. Historical material Bible passages that are used to construct a description of the events of the past. (Numbers)
C. Chronological material The kinds of scripture that focus on the time element to employ development of thought. (John)
D. Geographical material Scripture in which places serve as the basis for building a Biblical truth.
E. Ideological material or logical material Scripture that focuses on the great themes, concepts, or ideas of God. (Romans) (Traina, P. 55-56, 1980)
Note All five of the above types of structure can use any of the combinations of the aforementioned 27 tools !
General Suggestions for Observation
of Scripture
A. Look for relationships of ideas and persons in the greater context of scripture
B. Look for agreement between cause and effect, means and end, question and answer, need and remedy.
C. In looking at the gospels and other narratives (story telling), notice the plot of the story (the main idea)
D. When reading Paul’s epistles notice the division of doctrine Rom l11 and practical suggestions 12l6. E. Note the promises in the and also notice their fulfillments.
E. Follow the acrostic SPACEPETS: Sin to forsake, Promise to claim, Answer to prayer, Command to obey, Error to avoid, Prayer to pray, Example to follow, Truth to remember or thing to be Thankful for, and Sermon to preach.
G. Note the progression in how one thing leads to another thing, Rom l, II Pet 1, Rom 5, Gal. 5:1923, I Cor. 13, Matt 6.
H. Observe the chief characters, events, and ideas as well as the major movements or lack of movements in the fulfillment of God’s will and ways.
I. Distinguish between literary and historical and doctrinal literature. Mark 8 & 9 and Romans 5.
J. Use a pencil and paper to help you jot down observations as they come into your mind. Do not just read and expect to remember everything for your sermon.
K. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:ll, They searched the scriptures to see if the things that Paul was teaching were so.
L. Be sure you follow the order of right Biblical interpretation;
l). Observation (Knowledge)
2). Interpretation and analysis
3). Correlation
4). Application
5). Evaluation (Descriptions, criteria to test with, and judgments, assessments, or appraisals) 6). Communication (Teaching, preaching, & writing) Many Pastors unwisely go right to application without doing the first six steps. (Traina, p.63-68, 1980)
2. INTERPRETATION STEPS
A. Definition of interpretation To recreate so as to get an expounding from the scripture so as to cause the written word to become the living word. It is the recapturing of the attitudes, motives, thoughts, and emotions of the writers, and of those concerning whom they wrote.
B. Three phases comprise interpretation
l). Definitive Discovering the basic meaning of the passage
2). Rational Discovering the reasons behind the meaning and its relevance to their literary context
3). Implicational Looking for the presuppositions behind the meaning (Traina, p. 95-96, 1980)
C. Interpretive questions
l). What is the definition or explanation of the passage?
2). Why is it said and why say it here?
3). How does this apply and what does it imply?
4). Four subordinate questions
a). Who or what is involved?
b). How is this accomplished?
c). When is it accomplished?
d). Where is it accomplished?
(Traina, p. 100-110, 1980)
D. Subjective Determinants
l). Spiritual sense What is the moral and spiritual factor in the writer behind what the man is saying? I Cor 2:14
2). Common sense If the passage makes sense seek no other sense. Look first for the obvious meaning. Do not project some obscure interpretation like the girl who prayed, ``If any man will come after me... let him’’.
3). Experience One’s interpretation is influenced by one’s understanding of experience. This should not be a major factor, but it helps people analyze life in general as it coincides with what is known by actual practice. (Traina, p. 136-139, 1980)
E. Objective determinants
l). Etymology The root meanings and derivative significance of words
2). Inflection Mark 11:24 What is inferred. When you pray with such faith that you act as if the prayer is already answered you are catching the real inference of what Jesus said about praying with faith.
3). Implications of contextual relations and interrelations The context of each term of a book is the book itself
4). Connotations of general literary forms what are the hidden parallels and analogies and what are the hidden meanings
5). Atmosphere How does the environment in which the writer lived and wrote affect the meaning of the passage.
6). Author’s purpose and viewpoint
7). Historical background
8). Psychological factor All the human actions and reactions should be accounted for in terms of sufficient causation.
9). Ideological implications there are many implications of scripture that are never stated but are there nevertheless i.e. scripture assumes that God is sovereign yet man has a free will.
10). Progress of revelation Revelation of scripture involves a gradual progressive disclosure of truth in a dynamic way.
11). Organic unity The harmony of the whole Bible is essential for seeing the overall purposes of God as all parts are in absolute agreement without any contradictions at all. Even if they appear to be, they are not.
12). Inductive view of inspiration
13). Textual criticism Because we do not possess any of the original scriptures we must employ higher and lower criticism to discover the true reading of the scriptures.
a). Evidence is collected, investigated and evaluated
b). When the reading is not decisive, the reading which is closest to the context wins
c). If neither manuscript evidence nor the contextual factor is decisive, then the unusual reading is favored. This is done because there would be little occasion to alter the text so as to make possible an unusual reading whereas it is understandable that a scribe might change the text to make it clear to the reader. (Traina, p.139-166, 1980)
14. Interpretation of Other Sources (Commentaries etc.)
A. This allows you to see others’ interpretive facts which you may have overlooked and it allows you a chance of learning from others’ perspectives
B. Others can add a fresh new insight into the text.
15. Errors to avoid in interpretation
A. Superficial, haphazard, disorganized, and unthorough treatments of the scripture
B. Failure to list the main truths of scripture and focusing in on secondary issues
C. Failure to analyze and synthesize your interpretations
D. Fragmentary interpretations treats the scriptures as if they were a collection of isolated texts taken out of context
E. Dogmatic interpretations try to substantiate certain beliefs and all other beliefs are rejected
F. Rationalistic interpretations seek to explain the scriptures in ways that are understandable and acceptable to reason
G. Mythological interpretations seek to remove the parts that are hard to understand by reason and declare that certain events are just myths
H. Historical interpretations seek to lower the value of scripture by treating it as if it were just a history book. This is where many develop the ends-justify-the-means theory
I. Allegorical interpretations give a shortcut to interpretation by using many details to get spiritual meanings. This is very common with the parables and historical literature. People are guilty of crossing the line between grammaticalhistorical and allegorical (storyform) interpretations
J. Literal interpretations insist that all of scripture must be interpreted literally. This person will mistakenly take figures, symbols, metaphors, and types as literal in their meanings.
K. Typological interpretations treat the O.T. AS if every part of it foreshadows what is to come in the N.T.
L. Predictive interpretations attempt to show how every major event throughout history was predicted in scripture in one form or another. This person fails to understand that there is a difference between prophecy and prediction. In prophecy the aspect of foretelling is inevitably connected with the aspect of forthtelling and to support the prophet’s message. Prediction may be totally unrelated to the historical setting in which it is given.
M. Systematized interpretation looks at the Bible as if it is a systematic theology book with all aspects neatly categorized in the main divisions of systematic theology
N. Crossreference interpretation sees the Bible as a maze of crossreferences as in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible
O. Encyclopedic interpretation looks at the Bible as if it were containing an answer to every question in the world. For example some think they can solve a complex math problem with the Bible
P. Literary interpreters treat the Bible simply as literature so they search the Bible for beautiful phrases, poetry, and prose
Q. Avoid misinterpretation which is giving the wrong meanings to passages
R. Avoid subinterpretation which fails to look at the full meaning of the entire context
S. Avoid superinterpretation which lets the passage have more importance than is actually due that section of scripture
T. Do not prejudge a passage by your traditions or background experience
(Traina, p. 167-181, 1980)
3. CORRELATION
A. Definition The development of generalizations into a theology which are outgrowths of a particular passage. This is formulated through comparing and contrasting the passages with other sections of scripture. Learning to skillfully use cross-referencing is one key to successful correlative study procedures.
B. Relating the truths into a synthesis of a message for the whole of the Bible and our times
C. Formal association involves correlation of topics, doctrines, themes, ideas, and concepts.
D. Informal association involves correlation of facts between passages that do not necessarily have proper parallels, but only portions of relationships. I. E. Mk 8:279:2 & John 15 & Rom 6:114. (Traina, p. 225, 1980)
Note: Some of the above was adapted from excerpts of Methodical Bible Study by Robert Traina, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, U.S.A.
4. APPLICATION
A. Analysis of the contemporary situation in view of the passage
B. Rom. 14:115:13 Is this issue a peripheral one or a central one to our contemporary scene?
C. Isa 55
l). Interpretation of the main message God will mercifully and abundantly forgive every captive Israelite who will truly repent of his sins and seek Him.
2). Evaluation of the N.T. universal truth God will mercifully and abundantly forgive every sinner who will truly repent and seek Him
3). Compare the contemporary situation to which the universal truth is relevant You are sinners and you have truly repented and have sought God: or you are sinners but you have not truly repented and sought God
4). Application Therefore, God will mercifully and abundantly forgive you; or therefore, God will not forgive you. (Traina, p. 214, 1980)
5. EVALUATION STEPS
A. The purpose of evaluation is to analyze the statements of a passage in order to determine which of the truths are timeless and therefore of contemporary worth. By setting up set criteria one is able to have a standard of measuring accurately his evaluation. The assessment of how one is living up to scripture is connected directly with the gap between the ideals of scripture and the realities observed in people’s lives. Evaluation can be measured from a person, ideal principles, event, promise, or a concept of the truth.
B. Refrain from snap judgments about the meaning of scripture.
C. Beware of the subjective elements of evaluation
D. Evaluation is done on the basis of the purpose of the author and the book to that audience
E. One must take into account the historical setting
F. What might have been right in certain situations may not be deemed ethically right today. For example, one’s zeal for God may have expressed itself in an unjust manner in terms of modern standards. This fact, however, does not negate the desirability of zeal for God today, but in the proper way.
6. COMMUNICATION STEPS
A. Make the message:
1). Relevant 2) Appropriate 3). Truthful 4). Need-meeting 5). Objective 6). Balanced 7). Culturally sensitive 8). Enthusiastic 9). Organized 10). Motivating 11). Goal-oriented 12). Scriptural 13). Illustrated 14). Well-prepared 15). Coherent 16). Interesting 17). Clear 18). Spoken in love 19). Contextual 20). Credible
