Hermeneutics: interpreting the Bible, explain or translate
Luke 24:27: 'And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.'
Forty authors over a period of 1,500 years
Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The human and divine involved in all the Scriptures just like Jesus is human and God.
2 Timothy 3:16: 'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.'
2 Peter 1:20-21: 'Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.'
Jesus was God as though He were not man, and yet man as though though He were not God.
The Bible is the work of the Holy Spirit as though apart from men; and yet it was written by men as though it was their own product.
The Bible is the Word of God, yet it has come to us in human form.
The commands of God are absolute.
God conveyed His Word through Moses & Paul.
Moses: Deuteronomy 27:26: 'Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.'
Paul: Galatians 5:18: 'If you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law.'
Same event, different record.
2 Samuel 24:1: 'Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah."'
1 Chronicles 21:1: 'Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.'
Just as God allowed Satan to afflict Job, so He allowed Satan to prompt David to count.
1 Corinthians 11:15 Women allowed to have long hair in Corinth, but elsewhere women unable. Assume a literal understanding of the passage according to what is recorded.
Parables: Needed Jesus' explanation. He used the cultural setting of the day, known by locals.
Revelation 12:1: 'a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.' Figurative concept.
There is a danger of fitting Scriptures into our own understanding and conviction. The culture of the Bible is in the culture of that era. We need to find out and not assume it is the same as our culture.
The Bible has narrative, poetry, song, parables, culture settings, behaviour and practice.
Allegorical interpretation has the danger that it can mean anything you choose, but has no basis of fact.
The Good Samaritan: A certain man. Origin unknown. Travelled from Jerusalem to Jericho. Attacked by thieves leaving him half dead. Unable to be identified by clothes or speech. Priest & Levite saw him but did nothing. Samaritan felt compassion, attended to his wounds, poured on oil & wine, act of charity was an act of worship as to God, Placed man on his animal, humbled himself by leading it to an area of refuge. Paid for the stay & promised to cover costs so that Man able to leave without owing anything.
Question: Who became a neighbour? Response: the one who showed mercy.
Jesus said go and do likewise. A neighbor is not according to a list but one to be discovered, one in need.
Do not make the characters in the parable mean what they were not.
Types: Flood : World under judgement. Noah: God’s way of salvation.
Joseph is a type of Christ. Betrayed by brothers. Sold for 30 pieces. Waited to be exalted. Forgave brothers who bowed down to him.
Exegesis: Explain the meaning of the text. Not literal. Original meaning. Significance of event or how teaching expounded, apply it to life.
Consider the Historical situation, Progressive revelation. Place of the Law. 400 years after Abraham, 1300 years before Christ.
Read Psalms according to origin, circumstances, scenes.
Synoptic Gospels: Matthew Mark Luke. Mark was first, others used his. John taught what Jesus said and meant.
Acts: Church history.
Epistles:Letters dealing with problems written by Apostles or associates.
Revelation: Visions & symbols.
Keep in mind Bible culture and setting. Customs and how applied.
James wrote to Jews. Paul to Gentiles, John to all, and Hebrews to clear away doubts.
Poetry:Song of Songs, Psalms
Apocalytic: Daniel Zechariah Revelation
History: 1 & 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Kings, Parables Basic truths
Wisdom: Proverbs Ecclesiastes
What is the plain meaning of the text? If a text gets hold of you, you have got hold of it.
Discover the original meaning. Find out about the cultural background. What does it mean to me?
Be willing to learn, to change, to admit previous misunderstanding.
Ask God for wisdom. For insight. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. First deal with God before consulting others.
By their fruit of their lifestyle and behaviour you will know them.
Be willing to carry out what you discover.
Jesus said that if anyone is willing to know the truth, then God will reveal it to them for the Scriptures reveal who He is and what He came to do,
People in the Bible are like us: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and we can be changed as they were by not hardening our heart when God gets through to us.
Some letters are doctrinal or specifically teaching about the life of a follower of Jesus: Romans. Galations
Some are pastoral letters to people & leaders: Timothy & Titus.
Do not quote Scripture out of context. 1 Timothy 5:23: 'Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.'
Titus 1:12: "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."
Do not use the Bible like a lucky dip for guidance. God has a way of getting our attention.
The New Testament explains the Old Testament and has the final say.
Be on good terms with the Holy Spirit.
He keeps the Bible relevant in 2020. 'I am the Lord I do not change.'
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today & forever.
1 Peter 1:24-25: "All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
That word will be the standard on the Day of Accounting. Not the hearers of the Word, but the doers of the Word will receive the accolade, “Well done good & faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
