What Do We Know?

Rehash of Last Week

Since Scripture was first written, people have sought to interpret its meaning.

Apostles - Used typology and principle-based tools for interpretation.

Early Church Fathers - used allegory in their quest to interpret Scripture.

Catholic church - equates church tradition alongside Scripture.

Reformers - sought to interpret Scripture through Scripture.

The Importance of Proper Interpretation

Reading Scripture is not the end goal.

Interpreting Scripture is not the end goal.

Interpretation has not reached its destination until it has been applied to your life.

2 Timothy 2:15

Interpret to be approved (genuine) before God.

Interpret to be unashamed before His church.

Interpret to rightly apply and teach the message to others.

The Presuppositions We Have

Presupposition means an assumption that is made based off prior knowledge without looking into a matter.

Presuppositions can be positives or negatives when it comes to the interpretation of Scripture.

EX: Positive - All of us here tonight, including the pastor, have a presupposition that the Bible is the Word of God

We believe when we engage with the word of Scripture; we are engaging with God’s message to believers of all generations.

EX: Negative - Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite passage for many people.

Jeremiah 29:11 is often used for babies when they are born, or it is an uplifting devotional verse. However, Jeremiah 29:11 in its context has a much more powerful and needed message.

Presuppositions are necessary for common ground, but they are dangerous when we use them to presume a meaning on the text of Scripture.

Homework

Go home and some time this week write down all the presuppositions you have about the Bible, its message, your faith, God…etc.