Spiritual Maturity Training
Weekend 1 – Session 3
Biblical Interpretation
CROSSING THE RIVER
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Simple Steps
1. Pick up the text on their side of the River
2. Navigate around the rocks
3. Finish the journey in our boat “the Principle”
4. Avoid the Context Waterfall
5. Apply “the Principle” onto our side of the River
6. Apply “the Principle” in my life
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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The first obstacle in reading Scripture in context is “us”
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is
no authority except that which God has established. The authorities
that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever
rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has
instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
. . . 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only
because of possible punishment but also as a matter of
conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are
God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to
everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if
revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then
honor.
- Romans 13:1-7
• 1
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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We bring a variety of pre-conceived notions, beliefs, culture,
backgrounds, presuppositions that have to be considered
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s
mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will.
- Romans 12:1-2
• 1
•THE HISTORICAL-CULTURAL
CONTEXT
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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We live in a very different context from the biblical texts so we
must first understand the original intended meaning as
reflected in the text and framed by the ancient historical and
cultural context
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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Consider such questions:
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Who was the author?
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What was his background?
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When did he write?
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What was the nature of his ministry?
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What was his relationship with the audience?
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Why was he writing?
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Who was the biblical audience?
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What were their circumstances?
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How was their relationship to God?
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What kind of relationship did they have with each other?
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What was happening at the time the book was written?
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Are there any other historical factors to consider?
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival
heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took
palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna![d]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e]
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
- John 12:12-13
• 12
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•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
• 7
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go
out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A
man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what
did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about
whom it is written:
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“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’[c]
• 11
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the
Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John
the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,[d] and violent people
have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are
willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
- Matthew 11:7-15
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
Pitfalls with Considering the Historical-Cultural Context
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Watch our for inaccurate information
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Don’t elevate the background of the text above the meaning of the
text
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Keep your study of the background of the Bible in proper perspective
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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Studying the historical-cultural background is some work but
it doesn’t detract from our Bible study, it can make it come
alive
We can go overboard with this but the bigger danger is to
think that we don’t need to know the background at all
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•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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Where can I find this information?
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Much can be learned from a good study Bible
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We will look at resources in session 6
•THE LITERARY CONTEXT
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
Passage
Immediate
Context
Rest of larger
section or
book
Rest of Bible
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that
person, and they with me.
• 20
- Revelation 3:20
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[f] loosed in
heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree
about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my
Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my
name, there am I with them.”
• 18
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- Matthew 18:18-20
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.
- Jeremiah 29:11
• 11
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
• 4
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from
Jerusalem to Babylon. . . Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and
prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it
prospers, you too will prosper” . . . “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do
not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my
name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.
• 10
This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you
and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
12
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me
and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD,
“and will bring you back from captivity
- Jeremiah 29:4-14
•PURPOSE OF TEXT
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
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Descriptive Passages
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Describing what the characters did
Prescriptive Passages
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Prescribing that we should go and do likewise
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If
there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then
I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”
• 37
- Judges 6:37
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
9
Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who
was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When
he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third
story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw
himself on the young man and put his arms around him.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”
- Acts 20:9-10
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone
was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed
by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had
everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions
to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued
to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the
Lord added to their number daily those who were being
saved.
42
- Acts 2:42-47
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness
and respect
15
- 1 Peter 3:15
•Interpreting the Biblical Text
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Step 4 – Avoid the Context Waterfall
Word Studies – Dangers
- Study the English word only
- Root word fallacy (ex: pineapple)
- Time-Frame problems (ex: dynamis = dynamite)
- Encompassing meanings
- Word meanings are determined by context and are not
always translated the same every time
- A concept is bigger than the mere meaning of the word (ex:
ekklessia)
- Picking out the meaning of a word that you like
- Chapter 8 from “Grasping God’s Word”
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
•
Simple Steps
1. Pick up the text on their side of the River
2. Navigate around the rocks
3. Finish the journey in our boat “the Principle”
4. Avoid the Context Waterfall
5. Apply “the Principle” onto our side of the River
6. Apply “the Principle” in my life
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
The Biblical writers thought primarily in groups first, then as
individuals
We have a tendency to think individual first
This can dramatically change the way that we apply the
Scriptures
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
•
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not
as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God
who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good
pleasure.
- Philippians 2:12-13
• 12
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What is the Principle?
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Is it calling for me to ensure that my salvation is secure?
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Or calling us to actually work together to lives out the salvation-life
principles of having the same selfless attitudes as Jesus?
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
When applying a principle we must always first consider the
implication for God’s people as a whole
Then we can consider our individual responsibility or role as
part of God’s people
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
1.
2.
3.
Observe how the principles in the text address the original
situation
Discover an appropriate parallel situation in contemporary
context
Make a specific application
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
13
1.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Observe how the principles in text address the original
situation:
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Element 1: A Christian
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Element 2: A Christian who is experiencing a variety of trials as a
result of following Christ faithfully
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Element 3: Christ will give the Christian strength and the ability to
endure
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
13
1.
2.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Observe how the principles in text address the original
situation:
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Element 1: A Christian
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Element 2: A Christian who is experiencing a variety of trials as a
result of following Christ faithfully
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Element 3: Christ will give the Christian strength and the ability to
endure
Discover an appropriate parallel
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A Christian experiencing a trial as a result of following Christ
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
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Step 5 – Applying the Principle onto our side of the River
Step 6 – Apply the Principle into My Life
1.
2.
Observe how the principles in text address the original
situation:
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Element 2: A Christian who is experiencing a variety of trials as a
result of following Christ faithfully
-
Element 3: Christ will give the Christian strength and the ability to
endure
Discover an appropriate parallel
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3.
A Christian experiencing a trial as a result of following Christ
Make a specific application
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A Christian being threatened with losing their job if they don’t do
something unethical
•PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
•Putting it into Practice
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and
especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is
worse than an unbeliever.
• 8
- 1 Timothy 5:8
•Putting it into Practice
• 4
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their
religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and
grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all
alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for
help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the
people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does
not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the
faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
• 9
No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful
to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children,
showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and
devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
- 1 Timothy 5:4-10
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
•
Simple Steps
Interpretive Steps
1. Pick up the text on their side of the River
2. Navigate around the rocks
3. Finish the journey in our boat “the Principle”
4. Avoid the Context Waterfall
5. Apply “the Principle” onto our side of the River
6. Apply “the Principle” in my life
How do the principles address the
original situation
Find an appropriate parallel
Make a specific application
Language Gap
Culture Gap
History & Geography Gap
Literature Gap
Covenant Gap
Translation and textual gap
Audience Gap
Narrative Gap
Reader Context
Historical-Cultural Context
Literary Context
Purpose of the Text
•Putting it into Practice
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily
food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm
and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs,
what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by action, is dead.
• 15
- James 2:15-17
•Interpreting a Biblical Text
•
Simple Steps
Interpretive Steps
1. Pick up the text on their side of the River
2. Navigate around the rocks
3. Finish the journey in our boat “the Principle”
4. Avoid the Context Waterfall
5. Apply “the Principle” onto our side of the River
6. Apply “the Principle” in my life
How do the principles address the
original situation
Find an appropriate parallel
Make a specific application
Language Gap
Culture Gap
History & Geography Gap
Literature Gap
Covenant Gap
Translation and textual gap
Audience Gap
Narrative Gap
Reader Context
Historical-Cultural Context
Literary Context
Purpose of the Text
•Putting it into Practice
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In biblical interpretation, we not only seek knowledge but the
wisdom to use it rightly:
•Putting it into Practice
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In biblical interpretation, we not only seek knowledge but the
wisdom to use it rightly:
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Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing
not to put it in a fruit salad