The What & Why of Studying the Bible
How to Study the Bible • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What We Are Talking About
What We Are Talking About
Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics
A definition:
A definition:
the science of biblical interpretation
Hermeneutics centers on establishing guidelines and rules for interpretation.
Understanding the original in the now
Understanding the original in the now
The United States Constitution: Two approaches of interpretation
Strict Constructionist (Originalism)
the Constitution was interpreted by studying the words of the document itself in light of what those words meant when they were used at the time the document was written.
Broad Constructionist (the Constitution is a living document)
Modern developments and attitudes are considered in the process of interpreting the Constitution.
law corresponds at any given time with what is understood to be convenient. That involves continual change, and there can be no eternal order. - Oliver Wendel Holmes
The same issues arise in biblical hermeneutics. There are some Bible scholars that seek to understand the original, that is the inspired author’s intent and there are bible scholars that regard modern developments and attitudes as legitimate reasons to bring the bible up to date.
The Analogy of Faith
After breaking away from Rome, the reformers defined basic principles of interpretation. The primary rule was called the analogy of faith.
The analogy of faith is the rule that Scripture is to interpret Scripture
Sacra Scriptura sui interpres (Sacred Scripture is its own interpreter)
In other words, no part of Scripture can be interpreted in such a way as to render it in conflict with what is clearly taught elsewhere in Scripture.
BFC Article 1 - The Holy Scriptures
BFC Article 1 - The Holy Scriptures
1-2 Inspiration is a special act of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the writers of the Scriptures so that their words would convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, would bear a proper relationship to the thoughts of the other inspired books, and would be kept free from error of fact, doctrine, and judgment.
The confidence we have to employ the rule of the analogy of faith to interpret the Bible rests on the conviction that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
Why We Are Talking About It
Why We Are Talking About It
Properly understanding the Bible is the imperative of all Christians
Properly understanding the Bible is the imperative of all Christians
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
These words were used to call the assembly of Israel together for worship.
The commands of God were to be taught with the aim that they would penetrate the hearts of those who heard them.
The word of God was to be discussed regularly throughout the day.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Our study of Scripture is not to be a once-for-all effort. We are to continue in what we have learned and believed. (v. 14)
The Scriptures are our source for wisdom to know how to live a life pleasing to God. We study the Scriptures to understand the nature of salvation. Acquiring such wisdom is a theological exercise and the Bible is our source. (15)
Since the Bible is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, we must study it. (v. 16)
Diligent study of the Word of God is required to be a faithful disciple of Christ. (17)
We study the Bible to glorify God
We study the Bible to glorify God
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
The great end of God’s works, which is so variously expressed in Scripture, is indeed but one; and this one end is most properly and comprehensively called the glory of God. - Jonathan Edwards
Knowing, Transforming, Obeying, Glorifying
Knowing, Transforming, Obeying, Glorifying
Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
What I simply want to note here are the requirements for being a blessed person:
our way is blameless
we keep God’s testimonies
we seek God with our whole heart
we do no wrong
we walk in His ways
And the psalmist displays his desire to be blessed in v. 5
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
What I want to spend the rest of our time doing to looking for the connection between knowing the Word of God, Obeying the Word of God and glorifying God. We’ll seek to see this connection in Psalm 119.
I will say that the ultimate aim in our studying the Scriptures, that is to know the interpretive implication for understanding Hebrew poetry, the historical books, the gospels and apocalyptic literature is the glory of God. So Paul’s familiar statement applies here:
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Knowing
Knowing
knowing requires teaching
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
knowing requires meditation
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
knowing requires understanding
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
knowing requires praying
Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will keep your statutes.
I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
Transforming
Transforming
Our posture towards the Word of God
My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
Our relationships
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
Our suffering
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
Our posture towards falsehood
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
Obeying
Obeying
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
Glorifying
Glorifying
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
What does it mean to delight in God?
The person of Christ brings together infinite highness and infinite condescension, infinite justice and infinite grace, infinite glory and lowest humility, infinite majesty and transcendent meekness, deepest reverence towards God and equality with God, infinite worthiness of good and greatest patience under suffering evil, exceeding spirit of obedience with supreme dominion over heaven and earth, absolute sovereignty and perfect resignation, self-sufficiency and entire trust and reliance upon God. - Jonathan Edwards - The Excellencies of Christ
Delighting in God is our celebration of His excellencies, and as we celebrate the excellencies of God, we glorify God.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
