learning how to interpret scripture through context
DESCRIPTION
Adapted from Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible, Duvall, J. Scott; Hays, J. Daniel (2009-05-26) and Workbook: Journey into God's Word: Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible. This lesson explains the elements of context when interpreting Bible Scripture.TRANSCRIPT
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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