HERMENEUTICS
SESSION 1
What is hermeneutics and why should we care?
Hermeneutics is the art and science of correctly interpreting the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to us, but it was first God’s Word to ‘them’. To correctly read and apply the Bible today, we must first understand the original meaning of the text in its original context (literary context and historical context). This is the task of hermeneutics. Why should we care? Because it is God’s Word to us; so getting it right is of utmost importance to our lives, temporal and eternal.
What is hermeneutics and why should we care?
Hermeneutics is the art and science of correctly interpreting the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to us, but it was first God’s Word to ‘them’. To correctly read and apply the Bible today, we must first understand the original meaning of the text in its original context (literary context and historical context). This is the task of hermeneutics. Why should we care? Because it is God’s Word to us; so getting it right is of utmost importance to our lives, temporal and eternal.
SESSION 2
What is the Bible and how did we get it?
The Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is breathed by God, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is authoritative, understandable, complete, necessary and sufficient in teaching us all we need to know about God. Scripture is meant to be believed and applied; it is given to us for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” All of Scripture ultimately purposes to point to Jesus Christ, in whom and only in whom can be found life.
The Bible is a collection of 66 books. The 39 books of the Old Testament were collected together and gradually accepted as God’s Word for the Jewish people: the Law in 444 B.C. (Nehemiah 8-10), the prophetic writings between 200 and 300 B.C., and finally the entire Old Testament at a synod of Jewish rabbis in 90A.D. The Old Testament consists of five genres of literature: Historical Narrative, Law, Wisdom Literature, Poetry, and Prophecy. The New Testament consists of a collection of 27 books and was officially accepted by the Church as God’s Word at the Council of Carthage in 397AD. (Until then, the books of the New Testament were for the most part generally accepted as God’s Word as they were copied and shared among the churches. The New Testament consists of five genres as well: Gospels (and the sub-genre of parables), narrative (Acts), Epistles, and Apocalypse. We have no autographs (the original writings) of the Scriptures, but we have so many copies that we can compare them to each other and be confident that we have the original (the science of textual criticism - session 5 of Apologetics).
What is the Bible and how did we get it?
The Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is breathed by God, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is authoritative, understandable, complete, necessary and sufficient in teaching us all we need to know about God. Scripture is meant to be believed and applied; it is given to us for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” All of Scripture ultimately purposes to point to Jesus Christ, in whom and only in whom can be found life.
The Bible is a collection of 66 books. The 39 books of the Old Testament were collected together and gradually accepted as God’s Word for the Jewish people: the Law in 444 B.C. (Nehemiah 8-10), the prophetic writings between 200 and 300 B.C., and finally the entire Old Testament at a synod of Jewish rabbis in 90A.D. The Old Testament consists of five genres of literature: Historical Narrative, Law, Wisdom Literature, Poetry, and Prophecy. The New Testament consists of a collection of 27 books and was officially accepted by the Church as God’s Word at the Council of Carthage in 397AD. (Until then, the books of the New Testament were for the most part generally accepted as God’s Word as they were copied and shared among the churches. The New Testament consists of five genres as well: Gospels (and the sub-genre of parables), narrative (Acts), Epistles, and Apocalypse. We have no autographs (the original writings) of the Scriptures, but we have so many copies that we can compare them to each other and be confident that we have the original (the science of textual criticism - session 5 of Apologetics).
SESSION 3
Why so many translations? And which is best?
Because language is always changing, translation work is never “done”. Every decade or two, it is therefore helpful to update older translations or make new translations. Translations are made from the best Hebrew and Greek manuscripts that scholars possess (and over history there have been advancements such as manuscript discoveries and translation theory advancements that have improved our accuracy of Bible translation); so we can have confidence that they are accurate. There are three main translation philosophies, and each of them has pros and cons.
Why so many translations? And which is best?
Because language is always changing, translation work is never “done”. Every decade or two, it is therefore helpful to update older translations or make new translations. Translations are made from the best Hebrew and Greek manuscripts that scholars possess (and over history there have been advancements such as manuscript discoveries and translation theory advancements that have improved our accuracy of Bible translation); so we can have confidence that they are accurate. There are three main translation philosophies, and each of them has pros and cons.
- Literal-word-for-word translations are best for deep study of God’s Word; the goal of the translators is to stay as close as possible to the original language word-for-word; this sometimes results in a less readable translation.
- Dynamic Equivalence translations are good for devotional reading. The goal is readability AND idea-for-idea translation.
- Paraphrase ‘translations’ are more like commentaries and generally done by a single person. This is not the best translation for Bible study, but can be helpful to get a new perspective.
- These are not three totally distinct types. They are translation philosophies; so translations fall somewhere on the spectrum.
SESSION 4
What is the history of hermeneutics?
There are four main approaches to Hermeneutics through the history of the Church: Literal Hermeneutic, Moral Hermeneutic, Allegorical Hermeneutic, and Analogical Hermeneutic; Literal and Allegorical being the two most-used. Additional modern hermeneutical approaches would include Trajectory Hermeneutics, Numerology, Reader Response, and more.
For the first several centuries of the Church, the prevalence of persecution and heresies resulted in the prominence of apologists as leaders in the Church forming the early hermeneutical approaches to Scripture and creating doctrinal statements to unify the church against heresy.
From the mid-2nd Century to Augustine (354AD), there were two competing hermeneutical approaches: the Allegorizing Hermeneutic from Alexandria, Egypt, and the Literal Hermeneutic from Antioch, Syria. Largely because of the Greco-Roman influence toward allegory, the allegorical approach won out. Augustine, as the leading Christian thinker whose influence shaped the Church for the following 1000 years, preferred the Allegorical Hermeneutic, and thus the allegorical approach prevailed thereafter up until the Reformation. The Reformation brought the return of the Literal Hermeneutic, and it has prevailed among Evangelical Christians to this day.
What is the history of hermeneutics?
There are four main approaches to Hermeneutics through the history of the Church: Literal Hermeneutic, Moral Hermeneutic, Allegorical Hermeneutic, and Analogical Hermeneutic; Literal and Allegorical being the two most-used. Additional modern hermeneutical approaches would include Trajectory Hermeneutics, Numerology, Reader Response, and more.
For the first several centuries of the Church, the prevalence of persecution and heresies resulted in the prominence of apologists as leaders in the Church forming the early hermeneutical approaches to Scripture and creating doctrinal statements to unify the church against heresy.
From the mid-2nd Century to Augustine (354AD), there were two competing hermeneutical approaches: the Allegorizing Hermeneutic from Alexandria, Egypt, and the Literal Hermeneutic from Antioch, Syria. Largely because of the Greco-Roman influence toward allegory, the allegorical approach won out. Augustine, as the leading Christian thinker whose influence shaped the Church for the following 1000 years, preferred the Allegorical Hermeneutic, and thus the allegorical approach prevailed thereafter up until the Reformation. The Reformation brought the return of the Literal Hermeneutic, and it has prevailed among Evangelical Christians to this day.
SESSION 5
What are the different hermeneutical approaches? And which is best?
Historically, there are four main approaches to Hermeneutics (first four), along with some more modern ones: Literal Hermeneutic, Moral Hermeneutic, Allegorical Hermeneutic, Analogical Hermeneutic, Trajectory Hermeneutic, Numerology, and Reader Response. There is such a wide range of approaches to Biblical Hermeneutics because the Bible is a unique book with unique characteristics and with a unique authority. More so than any other book in human history it is misinterpreted and misapplied, with dire consequences. Biblical hermeneutics is therefore essential.
In light of the unique characteristics of the Bible (its divine and human origin, its variety of genres, its historical/cultural context, and its ‘living and active’ quality), the Literal Hermeneutic is by far the superior one.
What are the different hermeneutical approaches? And which is best?
Historically, there are four main approaches to Hermeneutics (first four), along with some more modern ones: Literal Hermeneutic, Moral Hermeneutic, Allegorical Hermeneutic, Analogical Hermeneutic, Trajectory Hermeneutic, Numerology, and Reader Response. There is such a wide range of approaches to Biblical Hermeneutics because the Bible is a unique book with unique characteristics and with a unique authority. More so than any other book in human history it is misinterpreted and misapplied, with dire consequences. Biblical hermeneutics is therefore essential.
In light of the unique characteristics of the Bible (its divine and human origin, its variety of genres, its historical/cultural context, and its ‘living and active’ quality), the Literal Hermeneutic is by far the superior one.
SESSION 6
What Are the Principles of Good Hermeneutics?
Good Biblical hermeneutics is all about doing exegesis instead of eisegesis. Exegesis is seeking to understand what the Bible says. Eisegesis is reading into the text and influencing its meaning. Doing good exegesis begins with understanding the nature of the reader and the nature of the Bible. The nature of the reader is simply that when we read the Bible (or any text), we must be aware of our own culture, presuppositions, experiences, etc. that influence the way we understand the text. The nature of the Bible is that it is both a human book (written within a historical and literary context, and written in a certain genre) and a divine book (God is the source, and it is eternally relevant). Good exegesis also recognizes the role of the Holy Spirit in aiding the believer in correctly interpreting the Bible.
What Are the Principles of Good Hermeneutics?
Good Biblical hermeneutics is all about doing exegesis instead of eisegesis. Exegesis is seeking to understand what the Bible says. Eisegesis is reading into the text and influencing its meaning. Doing good exegesis begins with understanding the nature of the reader and the nature of the Bible. The nature of the reader is simply that when we read the Bible (or any text), we must be aware of our own culture, presuppositions, experiences, etc. that influence the way we understand the text. The nature of the Bible is that it is both a human book (written within a historical and literary context, and written in a certain genre) and a divine book (God is the source, and it is eternally relevant). Good exegesis also recognizes the role of the Holy Spirit in aiding the believer in correctly interpreting the Bible.
SESSION 7
NT Genres: How to interpret epistles?
Epistles are the letters of the New Testament era. Interpreting epistles are especially challenging because they are occasional documents. As such, the rich theology that we see in the epistles is task theology (theology applied) and therefore should be interpreted carefully with that in mind. It is also helpful to remember that as occasional documents, we are missing much of the context (we are in a different time and culture, and we are often unaware of the specific contexts in which the epistle was written). It is for this reason that we must interpret epistles carefully, studying the historical and literary context so that we can, as much as possible, understand the authorial intent.
There are basically three different possibilities when reading a passage in an epistle:
The ‘maybe’ passages are the ones that require the most work hermeneutically. We must remember that God’s Word to us was first God’s Word to them. In order to make sure we are consistent and faithful to the Scriptures, there are several good questions we should ask to get at the correct interpretation and application for the ‘hear and now.’
NT Genres: How to interpret epistles?
Epistles are the letters of the New Testament era. Interpreting epistles are especially challenging because they are occasional documents. As such, the rich theology that we see in the epistles is task theology (theology applied) and therefore should be interpreted carefully with that in mind. It is also helpful to remember that as occasional documents, we are missing much of the context (we are in a different time and culture, and we are often unaware of the specific contexts in which the epistle was written). It is for this reason that we must interpret epistles carefully, studying the historical and literary context so that we can, as much as possible, understand the authorial intent.
There are basically three different possibilities when reading a passage in an epistle:
- Yes: The passage is easily understood and applicable ‘here and now’.
- Maybe: It is not immediately clear to us if (or how) the passage is applicable to us ‘here and now’.
- No: The passage is clearly NOT applicable to us ‘here and now’.
The ‘maybe’ passages are the ones that require the most work hermeneutically. We must remember that God’s Word to us was first God’s Word to them. In order to make sure we are consistent and faithful to the Scriptures, there are several good questions we should ask to get at the correct interpretation and application for the ‘hear and now.’
SESSION 8
NT Genres: How to Interpret the Gospels
The Gospels are a unique genre that has no counterpart today. They could be seen as a mix between historical narrative, biography, and sayings/teachings. They were called by Justin Martyr “Memoirs of the Apostles.” They were written by four different authors, each for a particular purpose.
Interpreting the Gospels correctly starts with understanding the unique contribution of that specific Gospel and understanding how it relates to (different from and similar to) the other three. It also involves understanding the various literary devices used (parables, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, etc.). It is also very helpful to understand the dual-historical context: that of Jesus and that of the author of the Gospel. In addition, it is helpful to understand the literary context: both the context of a passage within the Gospel as well as the interconnectivity with the other Gospels. Fee and Stuart summarize the application of these truths into the importance of ‘thinking horizontally and vertically.” And lastly, and very importantly, it is essential to read the Gospels with the awareness of the “Already / Not Yet” tension of the Kingdom of God.
NT Genres: How to Interpret the Gospels
The Gospels are a unique genre that has no counterpart today. They could be seen as a mix between historical narrative, biography, and sayings/teachings. They were called by Justin Martyr “Memoirs of the Apostles.” They were written by four different authors, each for a particular purpose.
Interpreting the Gospels correctly starts with understanding the unique contribution of that specific Gospel and understanding how it relates to (different from and similar to) the other three. It also involves understanding the various literary devices used (parables, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, etc.). It is also very helpful to understand the dual-historical context: that of Jesus and that of the author of the Gospel. In addition, it is helpful to understand the literary context: both the context of a passage within the Gospel as well as the interconnectivity with the other Gospels. Fee and Stuart summarize the application of these truths into the importance of ‘thinking horizontally and vertically.” And lastly, and very importantly, it is essential to read the Gospels with the awareness of the “Already / Not Yet” tension of the Kingdom of God.
SESSION 9
NT Genres: Parables
Parables are simple stories Jesus used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The true parables are stories with a plot, several points of reference that the hearer(s) clearly understand, and an unexpected ending that ‘catches’ the hearer to forcefully prove a point. Parables have one main point. They are not allegories (where there are many different elements in the story that provide meaning). Parables are similar to a joke in that they power of them is in the ‘catch’ or the ‘punchline’. Because of our historical and cultural distance, we need to do our exegesis carefully so that we understand the context of the parable, the points of reference, the ‘punchline’, and therefore the one point of the parable. Only then are we able to bring that punchline into our own context “here and now.”
NT Genres: Parables
Parables are simple stories Jesus used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The true parables are stories with a plot, several points of reference that the hearer(s) clearly understand, and an unexpected ending that ‘catches’ the hearer to forcefully prove a point. Parables have one main point. They are not allegories (where there are many different elements in the story that provide meaning). Parables are similar to a joke in that they power of them is in the ‘catch’ or the ‘punchline’. Because of our historical and cultural distance, we need to do our exegesis carefully so that we understand the context of the parable, the points of reference, the ‘punchline’, and therefore the one point of the parable. Only then are we able to bring that punchline into our own context “here and now.”
SESSION 10
OT Genres: Hebrew Historical Narrative
Most of the OT is Hebrew historical narrative - about 40% of the OT (much of Genesis, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samual (1&2), Kings (1&2), Chronicles (1&2), Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jonah, and Haggai. Hebrew historical narrative are stories told for the purpose of telling the story of God’s grand plan of the redemption of man (the top level narrative), the story of his covenantal people (OT covenant with Israel, NT covenant with the Church) (mid- level narrative), and the individual stories that make up these two (the bottom level narrative). As with any culture, the Hebrews had ‘their way’ of telling stories, and understanding these characteristics of Hebrew narrative helps us greatly in interpreting them correctly. The Old Testament is our story as Christians, but it wasn’t written first ‘for us’; therein lies much of the key to Hebrew historical narrative hermeneutics.
OT Genres: Hebrew Historical Narrative
Most of the OT is Hebrew historical narrative - about 40% of the OT (much of Genesis, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samual (1&2), Kings (1&2), Chronicles (1&2), Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jonah, and Haggai. Hebrew historical narrative are stories told for the purpose of telling the story of God’s grand plan of the redemption of man (the top level narrative), the story of his covenantal people (OT covenant with Israel, NT covenant with the Church) (mid- level narrative), and the individual stories that make up these two (the bottom level narrative). As with any culture, the Hebrews had ‘their way’ of telling stories, and understanding these characteristics of Hebrew narrative helps us greatly in interpreting them correctly. The Old Testament is our story as Christians, but it wasn’t written first ‘for us’; therein lies much of the key to Hebrew historical narrative hermeneutics.
SESSION 11
NT Genres: Acts
Acts is the 5th book of the New Testament. Though nowhere in Acts is Luke identified as the author, scholars widely accept the authorship of Luke as the evidence is overwhelming. Luke wrote Acts as a sequel to his Gospel. The title “Acts” was likely added later and is found in the Greek manuscripts; it is also often called “Acts of the Apostles”.
Acts is historical narrative (Hellenistic historiography), and as such should be understood and applied accordingly, using the hermeneutical principals of historical narrative. Understanding the purpose for which Luke wrote Acts is key to properly understanding and applying Acts as contemporary Christians. In summary, Luke’s purpose of writing Acts was simply this: to show the expansion of Christianity from a small, Jerusalem-based sect of Judaism to a largely Gentile faith reaching Rome, the population and cultural center of the known world.
One of the biggest hermeneutical challenges when reading the book of Acts today is that many contemporary Christians read the book of Acts thinking that it is prescriptive and not descriptive, and this is not the correct way to read historical narrative.
How do we apply Acts to our lives as Christians today? We SHOULD see in the book of Acts a divinely inspired model for what the Christian church should look like on a macro-level: evangelistic and missional, communal, joyful, loving, and expanding throughout the world (in fulfilling the Great Commission). We SHOULD NOT see in the book of Acts narrative a divinely ordained model on the micro-level.
NT Genres: Acts
Acts is the 5th book of the New Testament. Though nowhere in Acts is Luke identified as the author, scholars widely accept the authorship of Luke as the evidence is overwhelming. Luke wrote Acts as a sequel to his Gospel. The title “Acts” was likely added later and is found in the Greek manuscripts; it is also often called “Acts of the Apostles”.
Acts is historical narrative (Hellenistic historiography), and as such should be understood and applied accordingly, using the hermeneutical principals of historical narrative. Understanding the purpose for which Luke wrote Acts is key to properly understanding and applying Acts as contemporary Christians. In summary, Luke’s purpose of writing Acts was simply this: to show the expansion of Christianity from a small, Jerusalem-based sect of Judaism to a largely Gentile faith reaching Rome, the population and cultural center of the known world.
One of the biggest hermeneutical challenges when reading the book of Acts today is that many contemporary Christians read the book of Acts thinking that it is prescriptive and not descriptive, and this is not the correct way to read historical narrative.
How do we apply Acts to our lives as Christians today? We SHOULD see in the book of Acts a divinely inspired model for what the Christian church should look like on a macro-level: evangelistic and missional, communal, joyful, loving, and expanding throughout the world (in fulfilling the Great Commission). We SHOULD NOT see in the book of Acts narrative a divinely ordained model on the micro-level.
SESSION 12
OT Genres: Law
The Old Testament law was given specifically to the Hebrews in a specific historical context (the forming of the nation of Israel as His own people). They were coming out of about 400 years of slavery in the land of Egypt. No doubt there were some significant hurdles for creating a new nation (culturally, militarily, etc.) of people that would be His own people set-apart.
There are three main types of laws in the Old Testament. First, there were ritual laws given to setup the sacrificial system, highlighting the holiness of God and the sinfulness of people and foreshadowing the death of Jesus on the cross. Second, there were civil laws given to the people of Israel providing the needed justice structure for a society. Third, there were moral laws (think Ten Commandments and those like them).
The Old Testament law was God’s covenant with Old Testament Israel; it is not our covenant (as New Testament Christians) with God, for we are under the New Covenant. The Old Testament law is still God’s Word to us (though not His command to us), for in it we see its role in our own history (the story of God redeeming a people for Himself). In it we also learn much about God’s character and about His expectations for His people. The only commands in the Old Testament that are commands for us today as Christians are those that are re-instituted in the New Covenant (found in the New Testament).
OT Genres: Law
The Old Testament law was given specifically to the Hebrews in a specific historical context (the forming of the nation of Israel as His own people). They were coming out of about 400 years of slavery in the land of Egypt. No doubt there were some significant hurdles for creating a new nation (culturally, militarily, etc.) of people that would be His own people set-apart.
There are three main types of laws in the Old Testament. First, there were ritual laws given to setup the sacrificial system, highlighting the holiness of God and the sinfulness of people and foreshadowing the death of Jesus on the cross. Second, there were civil laws given to the people of Israel providing the needed justice structure for a society. Third, there were moral laws (think Ten Commandments and those like them).
The Old Testament law was God’s covenant with Old Testament Israel; it is not our covenant (as New Testament Christians) with God, for we are under the New Covenant. The Old Testament law is still God’s Word to us (though not His command to us), for in it we see its role in our own history (the story of God redeeming a people for Himself). In it we also learn much about God’s character and about His expectations for His people. The only commands in the Old Testament that are commands for us today as Christians are those that are re-instituted in the New Covenant (found in the New Testament).
SESSION 13
OT Genres: Prophets
There are 16 Old Testament Prophetic books: four major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel) and twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi). The OT Prophets are challenging for modern readers to understand and apply for a few key reasons:
OT Genres: Prophets
There are 16 Old Testament Prophetic books: four major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel) and twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi). The OT Prophets are challenging for modern readers to understand and apply for a few key reasons:
- They were written in the context of the Old Covenant, of which we are not a part.
- They were for the most part originally spoken and compiled together, sometimes not chronologically. We therefore are often missing a significant amount of the original context.
- They are written using Hebrew poetic forms that are unfamiliar to us.
- Recognize that we are not under the Old Covenant; the Old Testament Prophetic message was first God’s Word to ‘them’. We first must do good exegesis to understand what that word was in their own context.
- Use tools: Bible dictionaries, Bible handbooks, and commentaries will help us immensely to understand the historical context and the literary style.
SESSION 14
OT Genres: Psalms
The Psalms are an assortment of Hebrew prayers and hymns that were written over a long period of Hebrew history. They were written and used for corporate and individual worship; the goal (as with modern poetry and songs) being to connect to the heart and emotions of the reader/singer/worshipper. Many (almost half) were written by David; other authors we know of include the “Sons of Asaph” (their school of musicians), Solomon (author of two), and Moses (author of one). Upon returning from exile, the Israelites rebuilt the temple, and the psalms were formed into a collection (think modern hymnal). There are five main types of psalms (Lament, Thanksgiving, Hymns of Praise, Salvation-History, Celebration and Affirmation), each having their own distinct characteristics.
The hermeneutical challenge of the Psalms for the modern reader is largely related to:
OT Genres: Psalms
The Psalms are an assortment of Hebrew prayers and hymns that were written over a long period of Hebrew history. They were written and used for corporate and individual worship; the goal (as with modern poetry and songs) being to connect to the heart and emotions of the reader/singer/worshipper. Many (almost half) were written by David; other authors we know of include the “Sons of Asaph” (their school of musicians), Solomon (author of two), and Moses (author of one). Upon returning from exile, the Israelites rebuilt the temple, and the psalms were formed into a collection (think modern hymnal). There are five main types of psalms (Lament, Thanksgiving, Hymns of Praise, Salvation-History, Celebration and Affirmation), each having their own distinct characteristics.
The hermeneutical challenge of the Psalms for the modern reader is largely related to:
- The fact that they are Hebrew poetry, and that the modern reader is largely unfamiliar with the unique characteristics of ancient Hebrew poetry (not to mention the fact that many of these characteristics are completely lost in translating to another language).
- The fact that the Psalms were written/sung to God about God, and therefore are unique as a genre in how they are “God’s Word” to us.
SESSION 15
OT Genres: Wisdom
Wisdom literature is focused on the ability to make good life-choices. When reading Biblical wisdom literature, it is helpful to remember that submission and obedience to God is the only right backdrop for wisdom. It is poetry and uses poetic techniques, and needs to be interpreted appropriately. Context is important, keeping in mind the immediate context of a passage, the context of the book as a whole, and the context of Scripture as a whole. In addition, it is helpful to remember that wisdom literature is not intended to give theology; it is intended to give practical advise for wise living.
Proverbs
Proverbs are short and memorable sayings to provide wisdom for life-choices. They are not promises from God or meant to be taken over-literally; they are general truths. The historical distance requires us to ‘translate’ some of them into our contemporary culture. Considering the context is key: read a proverb in its immediate context, and in the context of the whole book of Proverbs, and in the context of the entirety of Scripture. Proverbs ought to be used to point us to be less selfish and materialistic and more focused on others and on God; if they are used otherwise the are used incorrectly.
Job
Job is ‘speculative wisdom’ and is structured with three parts: prologue, poetic dialogue, and epilogue. The prologue introduces the reader to the storyline of Job, giving us the outside perspective that Job and his ‘comforters’ do not have - namely the reality that God has the Big Picture and is sovereign and loving and that his ways are sometimes not understandable to us. Through the poetic dialogue the reader sees the tension between Job and his ‘friends’ as they try to understand the justice of God and the reality of suffering. The epilogue ends the book with God speaking, vindicating Job and yet also correcting him. When reading Job, the modern reader needs to recognize who is speaking, as the speaker is often speaking from a human wisdom which in the end turns out to be wrong! Again, context is key: remembering the context of the book of Job as a whole and the context of the Bible as a whole. The main message of Job is that God is sovereign over evil, and yet he allows it for reasons that we often do not understand.
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is a wisdom monologue reminding us of the difficult questions of life, and not giving us all the answers. Scholars differ on their interpretation of Ecclesiastes, but one thing they all agree on is that the purpose of Ecclesiastes being in the Bible is to cause us to ponder the meaninglessness of life without God, thereby submitting our lives to Him. Once again, a key to not mis-interpreting Ecclesiastes is to consider context (immediate context in the book of Ecclesiastes and the greater context of Bible as a whole).
Song of Songs
Song of Songs is a poetic love song about human romance. It is considered wisdom literature because it is associated with Solomon and because it deals with the wise-choices relating to submitting our sexuality to God and his vision for sexual love to be experienced only in a monogamous life-long marriage between a man and a woman. It is helpful when reading Song of Songs to consider the high, Godly view of romance expressed in Song of Songs as opposed to the selfish sexuality so prevalent in our culture today. Sex is a gift from God, and it is to be celebrated and enjoyed as a such when submitted to Him and His Word.
OT Genres: Wisdom
Wisdom literature is focused on the ability to make good life-choices. When reading Biblical wisdom literature, it is helpful to remember that submission and obedience to God is the only right backdrop for wisdom. It is poetry and uses poetic techniques, and needs to be interpreted appropriately. Context is important, keeping in mind the immediate context of a passage, the context of the book as a whole, and the context of Scripture as a whole. In addition, it is helpful to remember that wisdom literature is not intended to give theology; it is intended to give practical advise for wise living.
Proverbs
Proverbs are short and memorable sayings to provide wisdom for life-choices. They are not promises from God or meant to be taken over-literally; they are general truths. The historical distance requires us to ‘translate’ some of them into our contemporary culture. Considering the context is key: read a proverb in its immediate context, and in the context of the whole book of Proverbs, and in the context of the entirety of Scripture. Proverbs ought to be used to point us to be less selfish and materialistic and more focused on others and on God; if they are used otherwise the are used incorrectly.
Job
Job is ‘speculative wisdom’ and is structured with three parts: prologue, poetic dialogue, and epilogue. The prologue introduces the reader to the storyline of Job, giving us the outside perspective that Job and his ‘comforters’ do not have - namely the reality that God has the Big Picture and is sovereign and loving and that his ways are sometimes not understandable to us. Through the poetic dialogue the reader sees the tension between Job and his ‘friends’ as they try to understand the justice of God and the reality of suffering. The epilogue ends the book with God speaking, vindicating Job and yet also correcting him. When reading Job, the modern reader needs to recognize who is speaking, as the speaker is often speaking from a human wisdom which in the end turns out to be wrong! Again, context is key: remembering the context of the book of Job as a whole and the context of the Bible as a whole. The main message of Job is that God is sovereign over evil, and yet he allows it for reasons that we often do not understand.
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is a wisdom monologue reminding us of the difficult questions of life, and not giving us all the answers. Scholars differ on their interpretation of Ecclesiastes, but one thing they all agree on is that the purpose of Ecclesiastes being in the Bible is to cause us to ponder the meaninglessness of life without God, thereby submitting our lives to Him. Once again, a key to not mis-interpreting Ecclesiastes is to consider context (immediate context in the book of Ecclesiastes and the greater context of Bible as a whole).
Song of Songs
Song of Songs is a poetic love song about human romance. It is considered wisdom literature because it is associated with Solomon and because it deals with the wise-choices relating to submitting our sexuality to God and his vision for sexual love to be experienced only in a monogamous life-long marriage between a man and a woman. It is helpful when reading Song of Songs to consider the high, Godly view of romance expressed in Song of Songs as opposed to the selfish sexuality so prevalent in our culture today. Sex is a gift from God, and it is to be celebrated and enjoyed as a such when submitted to Him and His Word.
SESSION 16
NT Genres: Revelation
The book of Revelation was written by the apostle John while he was in exile (for the cause of Christ) on the island of Patmos. Revelation was written about 90AD.
Revelation is hermeneutically challenging for several reasons. First, it is a mix of three genres: apocalypse, prophecy, and epistle; so in order to understand Revelation correctly, knowledge of these three genres is quite important. Additionally:
NT Genres: Revelation
The book of Revelation was written by the apostle John while he was in exile (for the cause of Christ) on the island of Patmos. Revelation was written about 90AD.
Revelation is hermeneutically challenging for several reasons. First, it is a mix of three genres: apocalypse, prophecy, and epistle; so in order to understand Revelation correctly, knowledge of these three genres is quite important. Additionally:
- Revelation is full of symbols of different types (some difficult to interpret).
- It speaks some of future events.
- There are numerous Old Testament references (and many modern readers are not as familiar with the Old Testament).
- There are five major schools of interpretation.
SESSION 17
Tools/Resources for Studying the Bible
Tools/Resources for Studying the Bible
- Commentaries
- Bible Dictionaries
- Lexicons
- Bible Handbooks
- Concordance
- Parallel Bible
- Cross-referencing Bible
- Dictionary of Bible Imagery
- Interlinear Bible
- Maps
- Study Bible
SESSION 18
4-Step Process for Studying a Book of the Bible
Here we discuss a simple 4-step process for studying in depth a book of the Bible:
1.Background Study
2.The Big Picture of the Book
3.Focussing on a passage: Observation/Interpretation/Application
4.Big Idea Discovery Study
4-Step Process for Studying a Book of the Bible
Here we discuss a simple 4-step process for studying in depth a book of the Bible:
1.Background Study
2.The Big Picture of the Book
3.Focussing on a passage: Observation/Interpretation/Application
4.Big Idea Discovery Study