Class 9 - Literal and Contextual Principles

Homework

Read the beginning of Chapter 2 in Kostenberger

“A Step by Step Approach” (20-22)

“#1 The Literal Principle” (22-24)

“#2 The Contextual Principle” (24-28)

Read through the chapters of the Bible your curriculum will cover (it is in the table of contents)

Discus the author, audience, and context of your book and be prepared to share these (Explore the Bible and The Gospel Project)

Familiarize yourself with the discipleship goals and be prepared to share them with the class (Bible Studies for Life)

Determine who will be the first teacher for week 1. Work together to share the main point of your first lesson.

Inductive Principles

1. The Literal Principle

“Take the words of the Bible at face value. Avoid reading into the text what is not there.”

The meaning is textually based (Elliott Johnson, 31)

Meaning is found in the text, and the text’s normal use.

Normal language includes symbolism, figure of speech, parable, and allegory (Gal 4:21-31)

We approach the Bible with the belief that it “says what it means and it means what it says.”

We do not approach the Bible thinking there is some hidden or coded message.

The Perspicuity of Scripture - the words of the Bible are clear and understandable

Perspicuity doesn’t equal simple

Scripture contains complex thoughts

Scripture also contains tensions (the supernatural Gap)

“The main thing is the plain thing and the plain thing is the main thing.”

Assumes that the authors had something they wanted to say and they said it in a way that could be understood to careful readers.

How can we be sure we are applying the literal principle? (So what are some questions we can ask when we open our Bible?)

Begin by reading the text

When you read, ask “What does this say?” and not, “What does this mean?”

We’re trying to avoid spiritualization (Some deeper spiritual meaning - David’s 5 stones.)

We’re also trying to avoid theologizing (where your theology overrides what the text says.

Acknowledge the genre (some genres communicate in non-literal ways)

Observe clues that determine literal or figurative speech

Words such as “like” or “as”

Psalm 133:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For there the Lord commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.

Consider the context for its tone

Revelation 20:1–7 KJV 1900

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Revelation 19:11–16 KJV 1900

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

2. The Contextual Principle

Always strive to understand the text within the confines of its historical, literary, and theological context.

I want you to think of this in Macro > Meso > Micro views

The Historical-Cultural Context

Macro: Where are we in time and location?

Are you in Israel in 1,500 BC or Babylon in 500 BC or the Asia Minor in 50 AD?

Meso: What is the occasion?

Author, Audience, Time, Purpose

Micro: Use a good commentary or ancient literature

Talmud - 400-500 AD, Jewish law and its interpretation

Flavius Josephus a first century Jewish Historian

Jesus talking with Pharisees: The Talmud can explain Jewish thinking and law > helps you grasp their thinking > helps you understand the shock what Jesus is saying and doing > what specific theological point he is making

The Literary Context

Macro: Where are we in the Bible?

Old Testament or New Testament and then Narrative, Poetry, or Prose

Meso: What sub-genre is this?

The Psalms are poetry, but there are different genres of poetry.

OT prose discourse may include poetry.

Micro: How do the words function together?

Grammar & Syntax

The relationship of words

Participles have at least 20 different relationships - (means, manner, purpose, result, etc.)

An exegetical commentary will note these

The Theological-Canonical Context

Macro: In what testament am I reading and is the Mosaic Covenant governing the context?

The Mosaic Covenant is a bilateral or conditional covenant

Meso: What is the immediate covenant?

Noahic, Abrahamic, Davidic

Consider David’s trust in the Lord (Davidic Covenant)

Psalm 57:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: For my soul trusteth in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, Until these calamities be overpast. 2 I will cry unto God most high; Unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven, and save me From the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Micro: What is the main theological thrust of the paragraph?

If the theological thrust of the paragraph is clear, be careful not to thrust another theological point into what’s clear

Psalm 72:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, He shall save the children of the needy, And shall break in pieces the oppressor.

What is the main theological thrust of these verses? (God is just and will not always tolerate injustice.)

Homework

Read more from Chapter 2 in Kostenberger

“#3 The One-Meaning Principle” (28-30)

“#4 The Exegetical Principle” (30-30)

“#5 The Linguistic Principle” (30-31)

Continue reading through the chapters of the Bible your curriculum will cover (it is in the table of contents). Read everything in the biggest unit you can read.

Follow principles 1 and 2 when you read and study your passages. Come with something you discovered.

Invite others to join your class and sign up.