Reading to Understand: Authorial Intent

Understanding the Bible

Begin in Acts 8:26

Introduction

Mr. Rickenbacker, driver safety

We require training and certification for activities we deem vital to public safety (driving, flying, firearms, etc.)

What training has the church provided for understanding how to read the Bible?

We’ve told people the truth they need to believe, but not how to mine that truth for themselves.

Ie, the church has told people to do something they don’t know how to do in order to obey God and then made them feel guilty when they fail and/or give up. (This is not absolution for anyone. It is YOUR ultimate responsibility to read to understand. I’m simply acknowledging the failure of the church in recent history.)

The Struggle - Why is the Bible hard to understand?

Accept that the Bible is a complex book. You’re not crazy.

The Bible isn’t just one book. It is a library of books.

Written over 1,500 years. Time gap.

Penned by more than 40 authors.

Written from several nations. Geography gap

Contains different genres. Literary gap

Three different languages. Language gap

Supernatural gap (1 Cor 2:14)

“The interpreter, always a finite, fallible, human creature, must try to see things from God’s point of view---even though they are expressed from another human perspective” (“Interpretation of the Bible,” from Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible).

Encouraging News - We CAN Read to Understand

The Ethiopian Eunuch Incident teaches us several truths (Acts 8:26-40).

Reading is not the same as understanding.

Sometimes it’s confusing.

Sometimes we get it wrong.

Sometimes we even strengthen our wrong understanding.

It is possible to understand.

You don’t have to wallow in ignorance.

You don’t have to wait to ask the preacher.

Proper Steps in Bible Study

Observe the Text: What does the Bible say? A surgeon cutting into an affected area to observe the problem.

Apply the Text: Interpret the Text: What does the Bible mean? A doctor

How does the Bible apply to me?

Today’s sermon concerns step #2 in the process.

Basics of Bible Interpretation

What did the author intend?

You don’t like being misunderstood. No one does!

First question: what did the author intend to say through this?

Misunderstanding the Author

“Hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Ps 17:8) = God has feathers.

Interpretation: God has feathers!

Question: Is this really what David is trying to describe?

"He is not here...Come, see the place where they laid him” (Matthew 28:6).

Interpretation: “He’s actually over here!”

Question: Is this really what Matthew intended?

“I can do all things...” (Philippians 4:13)

Interpretation: I can do anything! (pro athlete, architect, win the lottery, etc)

Question: Was Paul’s intention to describe your abilities? Even in Christ?

Conclusion / Authorial Intent and the Grand Message of the Bible

If the Bible is one book from many...

And if the Bible is God’s Word...

Then what is the Author’s intent?

God made you and loves you.

You sin and are a sinner.

God hates sin.

God the Father sent God the Son to die in your place so He might forgive you of your sins.

That is what God wants you to know. One of those messages is on every page of the Bible. And if you will read the Bible through the lens of authorial intent --- “What does God intend us to understand?” --- then that is a good first step in reading to understand the Bible.