Saturday, October 30, 2010
Keys to Understanding Scripture
10:00 PM | 
Posted by
Lawrence |
Notes of interest from
Seven Keys to Understanding Scripture – by Tremper Longman III
Following these simple guidelines can help you better grasp what God’s word is saying.
Hermeneutics = the science of interpretation.
· The study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible.
· It is part of the broader field of hermeneutics which involves not just the study of principles for the text, but includes all forms of communication: verbal, nonverbal and written
The goal of our Bible reading and study is to find out what it means.
7 principles can help us understand what God is saying through Scripture.
1. Look for the Authors’ intended meaning
a. Look for the authors original meaning, not imposing our own meaning on a text
i. Who is the author and what was his intentions
1. When did he live
2. What is the broader context of the whole book…and then Bible as a whole
a. Which may lead to analogy, allegories (symbolic), and parallel meanings
ii. God is the ultimate Author of the Bible, and this important truth has implications for how we understand it. (2 Peter 1:21)
2. Read a passage in Context
a. Grasp the whole in order to appreciate and understand the parts
b. When we read bits and pieces of scripture, we must exercise great caution
c. Understand the context of the whole book…and the whole Bible
i. Avoid only reading little snippets of Scripture…Read whole books.
ii. When you read a short passage…do it with an outline of the whole book in your mind
d. Your ability to read the scripture in their ever-expanding context will increase the more you spend time reading God’s word.
3. Identify the genre (category of literature) of the passage you are reading
a. History, Poetry, Prophecy, Gospel, Parables, Letters (epistles), and apocalypse
b. Different genres evoke different expectations and interpretive approaches.
c. Helpful handbooks
i. The Bible Study Tool Kit (IVP)
ii. A complete literary guide to the Bible (Zondervan)
iii. Old Testament Introduction
4. Consider the historical and cultural background of the Bible
a. We must transport ourselves by means of our informed imagination back to the time when written
b. Turn to commentaries to give insight into the cultural and historical background of the books
c. As examples
i. Israel’s neighbors frequently pictured the god of Baal with images…as such the use of images was an appeal to those Israelites who worshipped the wrong god (Baal). “Jesus as a Cloud Rider in Mt 24:30 and Rev 1:7)
ii. Great Kings of the near east often referred to themselves as “Shepherds” of their people
5. Consider the grammar and structure within the passage.
a. Read a passage closely in all its detail
b. Watch the connectors (and, but, therefore), verb tenses, and modifiers to noun
c. Structure features like parallelism (when clauses echo each other to contribute to the meaning)
i. Example is Psalms
d. Reflect on the word choices…the authors chose words for a reason
e. Watch for Imperatives (an essential action, a must) to drive home the application of truths
f. Serious grammatical and syntactical study must be based on original language
i. Use very literal translations like NASB
ii. Compare a number of different translations
6. Interpret “experience” in the light of Scripture, Not “scripture” in the light of experience
a. Don’t distort scripture by allowing our experience to shape our understanding
i. Don’t let experience dictate by imposing our desires
ii. Don’t look for a passage out of context to support your desire
iii. Our culture makeup and warp our interpretation
1. Ex: Capitalism nor Socialism is taught in scripture
7. Always seek the full counsel of Scripture
a. The bible has many stories to tell, yet they all contribute to a single story
b. Never base doctrine or teaching on an obscure passage
c. The most important ides are stated more than once
d. Determine the meaning of unclear verses by examining the clear teaching of other verses that seem to conflict.
e. Study the themes and analogies that stretch from Genesis to Revelation
i. When we read any one passage, we will be able to understand its place in the unfolding history of salvation
ii. Example Matthew 4:1-11 which describes Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness parallels the Israelites time in the wilderness…and depicts the difference that Jesus obeyed and when the Israelites did not. Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy…which Moses gave the Israelites.
In conclusion
· The Bible is relevant for every life
· We may warp God’s principles based on our different cultural and social experiences
· To avoid the danger of warping the message and maximizing the benefits:
o Follow the 7 principles for understanding scripture
o Read the Bible in community
§ Talk to others about the meanings, read books by Christian from other walks of life
o Bathe your scripture reading in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the truth
God…who gave us His Word…longs for us to understand it even more than we do.
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