WESTMINSTER CHAPEL
Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth
4.View from the perspective of the Historical
Background
A. Definitions
1. HISTORY - Record of Events
2. CULTURE - Way of Life Customs Values/World View
Economy Religion
B. Reasons why a passage must be understood consistent with
its historical background
1. First Reason:PERSPECTIVE
Biggest Problem:
We are reading someone else’s mail
QUESTION FOR TODAY
How do How do ourour circumstances circumstances differ from those in New differ from those in New Testament times?Testament times?
Second Reason:
MIND SET
Good SamaritanLuke 10:29-37
Firstborn of all creation Colossians 1:15
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. NIV
Third Reason:Cross-Cultural Communication
“Son of Man”
First Century Palestine
“Heavenly man-like apocalyptic figure”
20th Century TribalCulture
“Illegitimate child of unwed mother”
C. Principles for HistoricalBackground Study
1. Understand each passage consistent with its historical background.
2. Determine the impact of Biblical statement in its original setting.
D. Goal of Historical Background Study:
Reconstruct Historical Setting
1. Situation of author that helps understand why he wrote about
this subject to this audience 2. Situation of recipients that helps
understand why this message was sent to them
3. Explanation of historical- cultural facts mentioned in text
E. Procedures for Reconstructing the Historical
Background1. What do we know about the author from the letter?
Who 1:1
Circumstances 3:1
Gal. 1:19 2:9
James, servant of ...
Teacher
Brother of Jesus Leader of
Jerusalem Church
Author (continued)
Relationship withrecipients:
55 commands
2:1-7
1:16, 19 and 2:5
Recognized spiritual leader
Informed about their circumstances
Close, caring concern for them
2. What do we know about the recipients from the letter?
Who 1:1
Circumstances 1:2
1:9 2:5-7
5:4
Christian Jews living outside Jer.
Facing trialsMostly poorFinancially
exploited by the rich
Unpaid farm workers
2. Recipients (continued)
Characteristics 1:9-10
2:1-6
3:1
4:1-4
Envying the rich
Showing favoritism to rich—discriminating against poor
Presuming to become teachers
Interpersonal tension
3. When was the book written?
49 A.D. First N.T. book
Before Jerusalem conference (no reference to Gentile problem)
4. What is the original significance of any historical or
cultural items in the text?
1:6 1:10
1:11
1:12 1:12
Waves of seaBrevity of flower
blossomsHot sun with
scorching winds
Have stood the test
Crown of life
5. How does this information help understand the passage?
Shows the nature and severity of their trials!