learning how to interpret scripture through context

This Series Topic

HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR BIBLE STUDYYOUR BIBLE STUDY

June 9, 2010 1

Learning How to Interpret Scripture

Through Context

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1.1. What do I believe about my What do I believe about my faith? faith?

2.2. How can I know the will of How can I know the will of God?God?

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– Historical-cultural context gives us a into God’s original meaning as reflected in the text.

We observe the historical-cultural context to see what God was saying to the biblical audience.

This time-bound message contains eternally relevant theological principles that we can discover and apply to our lives.

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Once we understand the meaning of the text in its original context, we can apply that meaning to our lives in ways that will be just as relevant.

Guiding principle:For our interpretation of any biblical text to For our interpretation of any biblical text to be be valid, it must be consistent with the historical-valid, it must be consistent with the historical-cultural context of that text.cultural context of that text.

We must determine what a text meant in “their town” before we can determine what it means and how we should apply it in “our town.”

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Information about the biblical writer the biblical audience any other historical-cultural elements

Relates to just about anything outside the text that will help you understand the text itself

Examples What life was like for the Israelites as in the desert What the Pharisees believed about the Sabbath Where Paul was when he wrote Philippians)

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Relates to the context within the book the form a passage takes the flow of argument within the book the meaning of the words and sentences that

surround the passage

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What is historical-cultural context?What is historical-cultural context?

Biblical writer Who was the author? What was his background? When did he write? What was the nature of his ministry? What kind of relationship did he have with his

audience? Why was he writing?

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What is historical-cultural context?What is historical-cultural context?The Biblical Writer Example

Hosea 1.What’s special about Hosea? (Hosea 1-3)2.God’s indictment of sinful Israel (Hosea 4-14) 3.God’s love is unshakable (Hosea 11)

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What is historical-cultural context?What is historical-cultural context?The Biblical Writer Example

Hosea 1.What’s special about Hosea? (Hosea 1-3)2.God’s indictment of sinful Israel (Hosea 4-14) 3.God’s love is unshakable (Hosea 11)

Paul’s letter to the Galatians and Thessalonians

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What is historical-cultural context?What is historical-cultural context?The Biblical Writer Example

Author of 1 and 2 ChroniclesRepeats much of the information 1 and 2 Samuel and Kings

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What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)

The Biblical audience Who was the biblical audience? What were their circumstances? How was their relationship to God? What kind of relationship did they have with each

other? What was happening at the time the book was

written?

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What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)

Other background elements Social Religious Political Economic Geographical

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What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)

Geographical – Jesus parable of the Good Samarian (Luke 10:30)

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What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)

Geographical – Jesus parable of the Good Samarian (Luke 10:30)

Social: Greco-Roman code – A study (Ephesians 5:21-6:9)

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What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)

Geographical – Jesus parable of the Good Samarian (Luke 10:30)

Social: Greco-Roman code – A study (Ephesians 5:21-6:9)

Economical – Slave Fortune-Teller (Acts 15:39-18:22)

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What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)What is historical-cultural context? (cont.)

Geographical – Jesus parable of the Good Samarian (Luke 10:30)

Social: Greco-Roman code – A study (Ephesians 5:21-6:9)

Economical – Slave Fortune-Teller (Acts 15:39-18:22)

Political – Paul and Silas’ prison release (Acts 16:36-40)

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Dangers associated with studying backgroundDangers associated with studying background

Not studying historical-cultural context at all

Getting bad information

Focusing on background matters to the neglect of meaning and application

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Conclusion Conclusion

Studying historical-cultural context is only a tool to help us grasp God’s Word.

Some people are convinced that background studies are tedious ways of making the Bible less relevant.

Knowing the historical-cultural context makes the passage explode with relevance—sometimes more than we can take.

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