Sermon Tone Analysis

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.