Biblical Interpretation Session 5 filled
The purpose of this session is to complete the segment on interpreting the Bible, to gain some understanding of the origin of truth and why biblical interpretation is so critical, and to determine the proper methods for developing application from a biblical text.
I. Prayer for Illumination
a. Pray for a clear mind
b. Pray for the Holy Spirit to “cast His light” on His word
c. Pray for God’s direction to ensure an attitude of humility
II. Observation: review
III. Correlation
IV. Interpretation
a. Ask interpretive questions
· Define important terms
· Observe the context of the surrounding verses, the chapter, the book, and the Bible as a whole
· Probe cultural references
· Discern figurative language in the passage
o Always take a passage in its literal sense unless there is good reason for doing otherwise (Rev 7:4-8)
o The figurative sense is intended if the literal would involve an impossibility (Jer. 1:18; Rev 1:16; Ps 57:1; Mic 1:2)
o The figurative is intended if the literal meaning is an absurdity (Is 55:12)
o Take the figurative sense if the literal would demand immoral action (John 6:53-58)
o Note whether a figurative expression is followed by an explanatory literal statement (1 Thes 4:13-15 then 16; Eph 2:1)
o Sometimes a figure is marked by a qualifying adjective (Matt 6:14; John 6:32; 1 Pet 2:4)
b. Review and summarize
c. The determination of Truth (Epistemology)
i. Catholic Epistemology
ii. Charismatic Epistemology
iii. Evangelical Epistemology
V. Application
a. Definition: the process of drawing life principles out of the Word of God and applying them to life.
b. Taking care in application
i. What does this mean to those to whom it was written—Direct
ii. What does it mean to us today—Indirect
iii. Can the passage be applied to all, at any time—Generic
c. Considerations
i. To whom is the passage addressed?
ii. What is the passage about?
iii. To whom is the direct application addressed?
iv. How would it be indirectly applied?
v. If it is generic, how can I determine that?
d. Options
i. Directly to others and is not applicable to us
ii. Directly to others yet the application can also be direct to us
iii. Directly to others yet the application can be indirectly to us (i.e. it represents a spiritual truth that is applicable)
iv. Generic and thus can also be generally applied to us
e. Practice
i. 2 Tim 4:1-2: 2
ii. 2 Tim 2:24-26: 1
iii. Phil 4:5-7: 1
iv. Phil 4:18: 1
v. Phil 4:19: 3
vi. Phil 3:20: 4
vii. 1 Pet 1:1, 2:1-12: 3
viii. Matt 6:31-33: 4
ix. Joel 2:18-19, 25-27: 1
x. Deut: 25:1-3: 1
xi. Deut: 28:1-8, 28:15-18: (used for doctrine of prosperity) 3
f. Personal Application (Hendricks and Hendricks, “Living by the Book”)
i. Is there an example for me to follow?
ii. Is there a sin to avoid?
iii. Is there a promise to claim?
iv. Is there a prayer to repeat?
v. Is there a command to obey?
vi. Is there a condition to meet?
vii. Is there a verse to memorize?
viii. Is there an error to mark?
ix. Is there a challenge to face?
g. Determine an application for Matt 16:13-20
CATHOLIC EPISTEMOLOTY
| Christian LivingConfession | ||
| Church Formula:The Sacraments, Mass | ||
| Bible/Tradition | ||
| Church Approved“Hermeneutics” | ||
| Authoritative Proclamation | ||
| Sacrament | Significance | |
| Baptism | Produces rebirth, “infant Christian.” Necessary for salvation. Frees one from original sin and guilt. Unites one to Christ and the Church | |
| Confirmation | Necessary sequence after baptism. With baptism, part of the “sacrament of initiation.” Person receives the Holy Spirit, bringing one to maturity and dedication | |
| Eucharist | The Mass is ongoing sacrifice of Christ. Same as Calvary, except the Mass is not bloody. In the Mass, Christ offers atonement for sin. Participant receives forgiveness from venial sins. Eating the bread is eating Christ. | |
| Confession(Penance) | Having confessed all known sins to priest and stated intention not to sin in the future, adherent receives absolution from sins by priest. | |
| Holy Orders | Confers on recipient the priestly power to mediate grace through sacraments such as offering the body and blood of Christ to remit sins. Priest mediates between God and men as Christ mediated between God and men. | |
| Marriage | Sign of union of Christ and church. Indissoluble because marriage of Christ and the church is indissoluble. | |
| Anointing the sick | Removes infirmity and obstacles left by sin, which prevent the soul from entering glory. Prepares people for death by strengthening grace in the soul. |
CHARISMATIC EPISTEMOLOGY
| Living the Christian Life |
| Causative Faith |
| Authority of Modern Apostles and Prophets |
| Preaching |
| “Experience” |
| “Holy Spirit” |
| Word of God |
EVANGELICAL EPISTEMOLOGY
| Holy Spirit |
| Living the Christian Life |
| Teaching the Word of God |
| Systematic Theology |
| The Word of God |
| Objective Hermeneutics |
- \\ Summary:* This transitional passage finds Jesus and his disciples going north about 30 miles (not a short walk) to the region of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus had made every effort to present himself as the Messiah to the Jewish nation, but he was rejected by them. Now he and disciples head toward a city founded on pagan gods and humanistic lust; this is a city built to worship man. Jesus is moving from the Jews to the Gentiles. The world, particularly the Jews, did not know who Jesus was nor did they understand this purpose for coming to this world. Those who saw Jesus, thought he was one of the prophets, evidently resurrected. As a result, Jesus questions his disciples to see who they think he his. Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of Man” in order to show the humanity side of his being. Peter on the other had testifies of him that he is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus blessed Peter for testifying of him in this way. Certainly he had not learned this from man, but God had revealed this to him. Peter recognized that all the promises of the Old Testament were contained in Jesus. And he was more than a mere man. Peter acknowledged the deity of Christ. The Jews believed the Messiah would come to free them from the Romans and to be their earthly king. Peter recognized this was not the plan. The passage pivots on the statement, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Peter is a rock, but is it the rock upon which Jesus will build his church? No, the church was not to be built on Peter. Jesus praised Peter because he understood that Jesus was the church’s one foundation (1 Cor. 3:11) and that Jesus would build the church on Himself. Not even death could prevail against the church built upon the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus would be the cornerstone and the apostles would become the rest of the foundation. Peter was given the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” as a sign of the authority he would have over the early church. All the apostles were given the responsibility to forgive or retain sin. Only the apostles were ready to hear these words. The world was not ready. Disclosure at this time would cause a political uprising. Jesus would need to travel back to Jerusalem before a full disclosure would be made. From this point forward, Jesus would prepare the disciples for the death of the Son of God.