"Does The Bible Say..."

Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics defined— the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts

Presupposition

Presupposition defined— something that you believe is true without having any proof

Presupposition defined— something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning

Two definitions that teach us something about Biblical Interpretation.

Ground Rules:

The Goal when interpreting scripture is “to determine the author’s intended meaning.” —Robertson McQuilkin

We must begin with two contexts: historical and literary.

The Historical Context —

Cultural

Geographical

Relational

Events

The Literary Context--

Language

Text within the Text

Genre

The Bible is True

The Bible does not Contain truth

The Bible is TRUTH

The Bible delivers a United Message

Interpretation leading to a contradiction is mis-interpretation

Goals:

“Since the Bible is the authoritative revelation of spiritual truth, the initial goal of biblical study must be to understand the author’s meaning.”

If God intends to reveal Himself to us with His Word; the goal cannot be accomplished unless His message is understood.

The goal has to be the message: understood, believed, and followed.

Find the original author’s intended meaning.

Final Principle:

It cannot mean to you what it did not mean to them.

Our First Verse of the Series:

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

At first glance, when taking this verse alone, we might find it difficult to believe it could be taken out of context or misinterpreted.

The most common use of Romans 8:28 is people seeking to comfort another.

There is nothing wrong with comforting someone else.

It should be our desire to comfort & encourage on another.

Further, if we see someone struggling, it should be our goal to bring them comfort as much as possible.

2. The context of the passage deals with the contrast of those living in the flesh vs. those living according to the Spirit.

Be mindful of vs. 1-11.

Here Paul contrasts the life influenced by the Spirit and the life that dwells therein.

Romans 8:5 (ESV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Vs. 12-17 deals with concept of our adoption and being made son/daughters of God.

We are not debtors to our flesh.

Romans 8:15 (ESV)

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Daddy

Now we flow into our current pericope.

3. Interpretation starts with the meaning within their setting then & there.

4. The immediate context, beginning in vs. 18, speaks to current struggles and eternal glory.

5. We must begin with the supposition suffering will occur in this life.

vs. 18

6. His glory is fully revealed in the next and there is no comparison.

7. What is meant by, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good?”

“all things” = the sufferings of His children (context)

“those who love God” = this verse has no application for a lost world

8. How does this affect interpretation?

All things will not appear good in this life.

The comfort should be given to those who know Christ alone.

Caution should be given towards the idea that all happenings are good.

Suffering is difficult and should be recognized as a result of the fall.

We should not approach a brother in the midst of suffering and exhort them to be rejoice.

In essence, suffering is not the portion of life to make us glad.

Yet we are glad in our knowledge of the glory to be revealed.

9. What is the “good”?

His work and his redeeming the struggle.

The eternal glory is of greater value and the struggle chisels away the impurity.

10. What is the verse truly characterizing?

The glorious connection between affection towards God and the work of His redemptive drawing of us to that affection.

Do not stop short of recognizing God’s sovereignty here.

He has been at work, is at work, and will be at work redeeming the struggle for our good and His glory. (One Caveat)

11. What is the caveat of Romans 8:28?

The verse contextual reminds us the comfort is not for all people.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know... for those who are called according to his purpose.

Anything significant here? This verse is for the believer.

Walking Away, But In...

Pay attention to context.

Seek the meaning of the text.

Know, if you are a follower of Christ, this verse is applicable to you.