Wrap-Up of Previous Weeks

How to Study the Bible • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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This week, we will focus on stepping back and looking at the text. As we examine it, we will begin to compare and contrast our situation with the text.

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We have spent several weeks focused on two primary subjects:

What do we bring to the text (presuppositions)?

What did the text mean to the original audience:

What was the historical situation?

How was the information conveyed (literary genre)?

In my opinion, recognizing your own preunderstanding and diagnosing the proper meaning to the original audience is half the battle of proper interpretation.

Before we move forward, what are some points in these series that have really stuck out to you?

Dealing with Our Differences

After we had determined the proper meaning according to the Historical Context and the Literary Context, we need to deal with the 500 pound gorilla in the room.

There are a multitude of differences and similarities between us and the biblical audience. Ruth 4; John 1

It is not enough for us to determine the meaning of an text for the original audience and simply apply it in our lives.

We could be living under different covenants.

We definitely live in different cultures.

We speak different languages.

We process ideas differently.

However, we are people.

We are sinners.

The essence of the biblical situation can often find a comparison in our day.

We could be living under the same covenant.

Importance of Recognizing our Differences

Envision with me, if you will, that interpreting Scripture is like determining the kind of boat or walkway needed to get from one side of a body of water to another.

Depending on how wide and deep the water is will determine the structure needed to land safely on the other side.