HOW TO STUDY AND INTERPRET THE BIBLE “&.dL;. 2

Copyright@1974 by Dr. Jesse K. Moon

DEDICATED TO SHEREEA CONSECRATED AND GIFTED DAUGHTER

“EVERY MAN NEEDS A DAUGHTER”

As a reminder to him of the deep, sweet mystery of womanhood through(~11 of its stages;

As a challenge for him to ever be the protector of feminine tendernesstrust, and virtue;

As an opportuity for him to contribute to the molding of his own idealof a true lady;

And most of all to make him feel, inspite of his limitations, that he isthe greatest dad of all.

All of these, and many other delights, has my daughter given to me.

Jesse K. Moon

Waxahachie, Texas 75165

F.E.A.S.T. L!i33AR~BAGUIQ, PHii_iFPlNES

FOREWORD

This distinctive treatment of Hermeneutics, or the art of biblical inter-

pretation, offers the potential for uniting the Christian community on a solid

biblical basis.

It is evident that the Lord Jesus continues to make ample provision for

the redeemed; particularly as He furnishes each generation with able mini-

sters who are diligent in the Holy Scriptures.

The author of this book is a very capable pulpiteer and possesses the

educational requirements for a proper presentation of this noble subject. He

has been seasoned as a professor on the college faculty, has proved himself

as a successful executive,and has been effective as a pastorand evangelist.

We highly recommend How to Study and Interpret the Bible to all earn-

est seekers of truth as it is revealed in Christ Jesus.

E. R. Anderson, SuperintendentNorth Texas District Assemblies of God

PREFACE

The purpose of this book is to assist Bible students to fulfill the chargewhich is given by the Apostle Paul in II Timothy 2:15 (Amplified Version).“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved .(tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly ana-lyzing and accurately dividing-rightly handling and skilfully teaching-theWord of Truth.”

The author has received manifold and urgent requests from ministerialstudents in Bible College, as well as from lay teachers, for the kind of helpwhich is offered here. What the Bible student needs is hermeneutical helpthat circumvents a lot of history and ‘archaic terms,and gets forthrightly intoa presentation of the essentials of how to study and interpret the Bible. Thereis an obviously slim choice and short supply of such helps in evangelicalcircles.

Every effort has been made to set forth, in brief and simple style, onlythe “basics” so as to not confuse the beginning Bible student with nones-sential information, and so as to not burden the advanced Bible student withlow priority materiaI.Effort has been made by the choice of descriptive,clearlanguage, and by the careful, logical organization of the material, to avoidthe need for spaceconsuming i Ilustrations.

Appreciation is due Doctor George Flattery, President of InternationalCorrespondence lnst itute, in Brussels, Belgium for permission to use muchof the material which was prepared initially, by the author, as the introduc-tory chapter of the I. C. I. New Testament Survey correspondence course. .Gratitude is also expressed to Miss Debbie Botsford, faithful and efficientsecretary.

May the Triune God who inspired and enabled the writing of this littlebook now make it an abundant blessing to all who sincerely desire to knowHis Blessed Book.

Jesse K. Moon, Dean and Campus PastorSouthwestern Assemblies of God

College of the Bible

i i

I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Need For Hermeneutics I.,,........,........,..,.,,,,,,,,,.,..,,. 1

Basic ConvictionsFor Biblical interpretation ,...,....,........,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,.., 3

Basic QualificationsOf The Biblical Interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Basic Aids,For Biblical Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..*............. 10

Basic TechniquesOf Notes Keeping . . . . . . . . . . ..I................................... 18

Basic MethodsOf Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Basic ApprbachesTO Bible Study ,.,..,,..,.,,,,.,..,..,.,.,.,,,,..,,,,,...,,..,~... 19

Basic TypesOf Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..~...... 24

Basic PrinciplesOf Biblical Interpretat ion ,,.....,,,,......,............,....... 35

Basic ProcessOf Filing Studies . . . . . . . . ..r........r.............*,..*....,.,... 39

Basic DivisionsOf Topics For Library . . ..1~...1...,,.1..,.,,.,,....,,,.,..,.,.. 47

Basic ListOf Topics For Filing Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

i i i

HOW TO STUDY AND INTERPRET THE. BIBLE

Paul indicated the necessity of special preparation for the study andinterpretation of the Scripture when he wrote “Study to show thyself ap-proved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly divid-ing the Word of Truth”(ll Tim. 2:15).

In this book we will endeavor to help you to learn the basics of Biblestudy. This wi I I involve a brief considerat ion of hermeneut its. Hermeneut itsis the science governing the principles and methods of interpretation. Theword “hermeneutics” derived from the Greek messenger god Hermes whosupposedly carried the messages of the gods to mortals. Hermes came to beseen as the god of speech, writing, science, art and invention. Hermeneu-tics applies to all literature, including Scripture.

THE NEED FOR HERMENEUTICS

Principles and methods of interpretation must be utilized in the studyof Scripture for the following reasons:

1.

2.

3.

The Scriptures are both divine and human.The divine message of spiritual and eternal truths is conveyedin human thought concepts and languages. The human language isstrained in the effort to convey and the human mind is hard pressedin the effort to comprehend the message. Therefore principles andmethods of interpretation are required toinsure the most accurateunderstanding of the divine message by the human recipients.

The Scriptures are both local and universal.The divine message was delivered originally in oriental concepts,languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), symbols, and figures.This message was intended for universal reception. Therefore ithad to be translated into other oriental languages with the usualproblems of translation and interpretation. With the necessity oftranslation of the Scriptures into occidental languages the pro-blems of translation and interpretat ion were increased. Thereforeprinciples and methods of interpretation are necessary for the full-est understanding of the local message in its universal applica-tion.

The Scriptures are both ancient and eternal.The divine message was delivered in an ancient culture at a time

1

of it

in history from 2,000 to 3,500 years prior to our day.Nonethelessthe message was intended for all people of that point in time aswell as for people of all of time and eternity. Every successiveculture has had its own peculiar problems inadapting the messagewhich was given initially to an ancient culture. Therefore prin-ciples and methods of interpretation are required in order to se-parate the eternal message from its cultural expression.

4. The Scriptures are both unified and diverse.The divine message is united in the one purpose of human redemp-tion, and in the one person of Jesus Christ. The scarlet threadruns from Genesis through Revelation, and throughout Christ ispreeminent-first in prophecy and then in fulfillment.

Although the Scriptures are unified they are alsovery diversified.The diversity is to be seen in the multiple authorship. Aroundforty authors including statesmen, kings, prophets, priests, shep-herds, poets, fishermen, taxmen, theologians, and etc. were pen-men of the Scriptures. Their diverse personalities, vocabularies,styles, and emphases appear. The diversity is also to be seen inthe variety of recipients, points of origination, and purposes .ofthe sixty-six books. In addition, the diversity can be seen in themultiple types of literature which are incorporated within theScriptures. There is history, poetry, prophecy, typology, hymn,riddle, symbol, allegory, parable, letter, sermon, theological dis-course, dialogue, and etc. And, f inal ly the diversity is to be seenin the 1,500 year time span over which the Scriptures were writ-ten. Therefore principles and methods of interpretation are re-quired in order to glean the message intended in both the unityand the diversity of the Scriptures.

5. The Scriptures are both objective and subjective.Thedivine message has been conveyed in objective,written form.This written Word of God is quickened or made alive for the reci-pient by the Holy Spirit. Thus it is both “letter” and “Spirit”,it is both objective and subjective. Principles and methods of in-terpretation are required in order to allow the correct blending ofthe objective and the subjective. That is, the illumination of the“letter” by the “Spirit” with the “letter” still maintaining pri-macy.

In addition to the importance of usi ng correct principles and methodsiterpretat ion, it is necessary that the interpreter of Scripture work from

2

thecorrect presuppositions.

BASIC CONVICTIONS FOR BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

Every student and interpreter of the Scriptures, no matter how earnest-ly he strives to be objective, works from several basic presuppositions orconvictions about the Bible. The biblical interpreter will enter his studywith the following basic convictions about the Scriptures:

1. The Scriptures are inspired.In II Tim. 3:16 we read “All scripture is given by inspiration ofGod, and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction, forinstruction in righteousness.” The words “inspiration of God”are the translation of the compound Greekword theopneustos whichis derived from theo “God” and pneustos “breathed”. The wordtheopneustos ispassive both in meaning and usage and shouldbe translated “breathed of God” and literally means “that whichis breathed out by God.” (See also Acts 1:16; Heb. 3:7; II Pet.1:21)The inspiration of Scripture can be defined as the influence ofthe Holy Spirit upon chosen human authors by which they producedfrom written sources, oral data, personal experience and divinerevelation the written expression of God’s redemptive plan forhumanity. The divine influence included all of Scripture in itsdegree. Correct biblical interpretation will work from this convic-tion.

2. The Scriptures are supernatural.Since the Scriptures were “breathed out be God” they are super-ior to the naturaleven though they were written by human beings.The Holy Spirit miraculously revealed truths which at times werenot even comprehended by the human writers, and influenced evento the choice of words (from the writer’s vocabulary) the accurateexpression of God’s message. Thus the acceptance of the pro-phetic, the astounding, and the miraculous in the biblical recordwill not prevent, but will rather insure, correct biblical interpre-tat ion.

3. The Scriptures are authoritative.Due to the mode of the production of the Scriptures (divine inspir-ation) they are unique, indispensable, and authoritative for hu-manity. Corporate or individual conscience, church tradition, andall other forms of literature are secondary and the Scriptures are

primary for faith, guidance, and practice. The biblical interpretercomes to his study of the Scriptures with this conviction aboutits authority.

4. The Scriptures are trustworthy.It is held that divine inspiration applies only to the autographsof the Scriptures and does not extend to subsequent reproductionsor to translations. However the process of reproduction, transla-tion, and textual restoration have generally been so blessed ofGod that we can study in the confidence that we now have Hebrew,Aramaic, and Greek texts which are very faithful to the originaltexts, As an example, it has been calculated by reliable NewTestament textual scholars that the difference between the auto-graph and our best extant Greek text is not more than a thousandthpart of the whole. Thus about one half of a page of the total offive hundred is in dispute as to the correct reading. From thisGreek text there are accurate translations into various languages.Therefore the biblical interpreter can approach his work with theconviction that the Scriptures are trustworthy and not one majortruth will be misunderstood because of textual variations.

5. The Scriptures are knowable.The very act of God in giving the Scriptures to humanity is an in-dication that He intended for His redemptive plan to be understoodand experienced by human beings. There is such an abundance ofbiblical support for this conviction that we will not quote it atthis point. We will simply observe that the biblical interpretermust approach the study of God’s Word in the conviction that theScriptures are knowable. This is true even though we have raisedcertain problems relative to biblical interpretation and presentedfive reasons for the use of principles and methods in interpreta-t ion.

Having considered the need for hermeneutics and the basic convictionsnecessary for biblical interpretation we will now examine the basic qualifi-cations of the interpreter.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS OF THE BIBLICAL INTERPRETER

We can approach the basic qualifications of the biblical interpreterunder three main divisions:

1. Spiritual Qualifications2. Intellectual Qualifications3. Educat iona I Qua I if icat ions

4

God has arranged that the understand ing ofthe Scriptures be more thanjust an intellectual process. The mental faculty is involved but the fullestcomprehension involves the spiritual faculty of man as well. Biblical inter-pretation involves the very heart and experience of the interpreter himself.Because of this at least the following spiritual qualifications are importantto the interpretation of the Word of God.

Spiritual Qualifications

1. The interpreter must “be born again.”Christ said to Nicodemus (a religiously and politically educatedman) I’...except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdomof God.” (Jno. 3:3) By this statement Jesus meant that he couldnot enter into, nor could he understand the nature of the King-dom of God. If Nicodemus needed to be born again in order to com-prehend spiritual truths,so do we.

Paul indicated that the unsaved cannot understand the things ofGod. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spiritof God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he knowthem, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor 2:14). Theunsaved person with the help of the Holy Spirit can understandjust enough of the gospel to call upon Christ for salvation andonly after entering experimentally into saving grace can he ex-pect to go on to the fullest understanding of the biblical message.Biblical interpretat ion is most productive out of the context ofChristian life. The interpreter must “be born again.”

2. The interpreter must be Spirit-filled.We have clear statementsabout the illuminating and teaching roleof the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in many passages ofScripture. John 16:13,14 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit oftruth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall notspeak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall hespeak: and he will show you things to come, He shall glorify me:for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” ,Paulalso plainly shows the importance of the Holy Spirit in the com-prehension of spiritual things (Read I Cor, 2:8-16). The carnalperson (non-Spirit-filled) can have a limited understanding, butonly the Spirit-filled Christian can understand the “deep thingsof God.” Biblical interpretation is most productive out of the con-text of a Spirit-filled life. The interpreter must “be filled withthe Spirit.”

5

3. The interpreter must sincerely desire to understand the Scriptures.According to the Scripture we should:(1) Pray to be taught the Word of God (Psa. 119:12,13,33,66).(2) Love the Word of God exceedingly (Psa. 119:97,113,159,

167).(3) Delight in the Word of God (Psa. 1 :2).(4) Esteem the Word of God above all e Ise (Job 23:12).(5) Receive the Word of God with readiness of mind and search

it daily (Acts 17:ll).Thus the interpreter of the Scriptures must love the truth, be teach-able, and with intense desire seek to understand the deep thingsof God.

4. The interpreter must reverence God and His Scriptures,Our finiteness requires that we approach the supernatural reve-lation of the infinite God with reverence,humility, and trust.ThatHe would be concerned to reveal His redemptive work to His fal-len, sinful, limited creatures should remove our prideful skepti-cism and irreverence as we come to the Scriptures, As we approachthe Scriptures reverently their message will open up to us.

5. The interpreter of the Scriptures must be consecrated.Complete subjection to the Lordship of Christ is necessary forthe fullest understanding of God’s Word. Our wnole being--spirit,mind, and body must be consecrated to God. The test of Christ’sLordship is by the standard of His Word-not imagination, feelings,conscience, or profession- but by the Scriptures. (See Mt. 7:21-23;Lk. 6:46; Jno. 14:15; 15:14,15). Thus the Bible becomes the stan-dard for judging our lives and not our lives, or some independentcriteria the standard for judging the Scriptures. The Bible is thestandard forfaith,guidance and practice and only when we acceptit as such will it speak its fullest message to us. The interpretermust approach the Scriptures from a sanctified life,and in morethan an academic way. He must “follow the Light as it is shinedupon his pathway.” The interpreter must respond to the revela-t ion given and his response must be one of obedience if the reve-lation is to be increased. The truths of the Bible evade the dis-obedient and engage the obedient. (See Psa. 119:67,133; Mt. 2:24;Lk. 8:21 ; 11:26; Jas. 1:22-25; Rev. 22:18,19).

For years I have practiced what I call “Praying the Biblethrough”. In my judgement this approach is far superior to just“reading” it through. I just kneel daily with the Bible open and

6,

I

6.

7.

start reading where I stopped the previous day. I have no set a-mount to cover in a given session. I may “pray through” oneverse or I may “ pray through” an entire book. When I come to atruth that I can’t understand I stop and pray for the Spirit’s tutor-ship. When I come to a truth that inspires me,l stop and praisethe Lord. When I come to a truth that convicts me or in which Ifall short,1 stop and pray for the ability to obey that truth. I donot read on unt i I I have made an appropriate spiritual response toeach portion of the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit quickens to me.I am convinced that the interpreter will only truly understand theScriptures when he knows them experimentally,

The interpreter of Scriptures must be honest.The interpreter must come to the study of the Scriptures withoutprejudice if he is to understand it’s message. The basic presup-positions or convictions which were presented early in this studyare not to be construed as prejudices. They are presuppositionswhich are derived from the Scriptures themselves by all who cometo them in honest inquiry.

The interpreter must be honest intellectually. This means that hemust allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves and not imposehis notions upon the Scriptures.

The interpreter must be honest spiritually. That is he must beopen to both the letter and the spirit of the Scripture. We can soeasily rationalize our attitude, behavior, and state of being whenwe miss the mark.We blame circumstances,others, and even God.This rationalization colors our interpretation of the Scriptures.We must, like David, recognize that God requires us to have anhonest spirit. The Psalmist said, “...Thou desirest truth in theinward parts...” (Psa. 51:6). Also Jeremiah tells us that Godwants us to internalize the truth. He says, “...I will put my lawin their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.,,” (Jer. 31:33).Only the interpreter who is intellectually and spiritually honestwill be able to accurately interpret both the letter and spirit ofScripture.

The interpreter of Scripture must have the habit of prayer andmeditation.The Bible student must recognize that,in addition to followingcorrect guidelines and methods of interpretation,he must look tothe One who gave the Scriptures, for illumination, in order to un-derstand them. This illumination generally is received as the stu-

7

dent of the Bible spends much time with it in prayer and medita-tion, While much knowledge can be gleaned in brief sesstons andwith “shortcut methods” the sweetest and deepest truths arerevealed to the person who studies in prayerful dependence, andpersistent meditation.

a. The interpreter of Scripture must be active in Christian service.The biblical interpreter cannot live in an “ivory tower”if hewants to have the fullest understanding of God’s Word. It is onlyas we move among people and know their nature, needs, hurts,sins, and aspirations that we can come to the Scriptures to askthe right quest ions. It is only the one who is leading people toChrist and is ministering to their needs that can search from theright motives, and have the right priorities by which to achievean integrated and dynamic understanding of the divine message.The best understanding of the Scriptures require an appropriatecombination of theory and practice. The interpreter of Scripturewho is active in Christian service wi II be driven to the blessedWord to find the answers for those to whom he ministers.

This is a good juncture at which to go back over the preceeding eightspiritual qualifications of the interpreter. Read each of them carefully. Ifyou have time memorize the first sentence of each numbered paragraph.Alsobecome very familiar with at least one supporting Scripture for each one(where I have given a Scripture or reference). If I have not given a Scriptureor reference you might add one of your own choice. Spend some time in pray-er asking our mutual Father to enable you to bring these spiritual qualifica-tions to your study of the Holy Word.

Intellectual Qualifications

1. The interpreter of Scripture needs to be intelligent.This does not mean that the less endowed intellectually cannotbe saved or gain any know ledge of the Scriptures because theysurely can. Almost everyone has enough intelligence to under-stand the rudiments of salvation. God can, and sometimes doesmiraculously give revelation beyond some person’s natural men-tal capacity, but He generally works within the limits of the per-son’s intelligence. (This is not speaking about the supernaturaloperation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit which are not limited bythe natural endowments). The natural gift of intelligence, whendedicated humbly to God, becomes an asset in the interpretationof the Scriptures.

8

2.

3.

4.

5.

The interpreter of Scripture must by systematic.The student of the Bible cannot approach his work on a sporadicbasis or with a haphazordous method. He must follow a consis-tent time schedule and utilize an organized method of study. Muchmore will be said about method later in favor of a further wordhere about the scheduling of time for study. There is no easy,convenient time for study in any aspect of Christian Ministry. Andyet,it is imperative that ministers plan their daily schedule soas to include time for study, This is a matter of adjusting ourpriorities since each of us have the same twenty-four hour allo-cation of time each day. There should be planned segments oftime set aside which are long enough to really.get into the study,and which will be interrupted only by true emergencies.

The interpreter of Scripture must do his study with diligence andpatience.Any type of scholarship requires diligence, but the complexityand profundity of the Scriptures require special diligence if oneis to know its message in its scope and depth (See II Tim. 2:15).

Patience in study is most essential if one is to get the most fromthe biblical message. Time is required in order for the seed oftruth to germinate and grow to full fruition.

The interpreter of Scripture must possess logical abilities.He must possess the ability to survey, outline, analyze, summar-ize and synthesize. More will be said about each of these logicalprocesses later but for now a further word about the ability tosynthesize, Synthesis is the logical process of drawing the trueview out of two apparently opposing views. This requires the ten-dency toward correlation of two views rather than the polarizationof them. This is basically the product of a mental ability calledprudence. Prudence is discretion, good judgement, or cautiouspractical wisdom. The interpretation of Scripture requires suchlogical abi I it ies.

The interpreter of Scripture must possess imagination.By imagination I refer to the ability to project one’s thought intothe past or,future-the ability to conceptualize what life was likein the cultural, geographical, political, and religious world inwhich Moses lived, or the ability to visualize what life will belike in the setting described for the Millennium.Such ability toproject one’s self mentally gives the biblical interpreter a dimen-

9

sion that is required if he is totruly conceive the divine message.

Educational Qualifications

Whether from the classroom, or by independent study the Bible scholarwill be a better interpreter of Scripture if he has a broad education in atleast the following:

1.

2.

3.

General education.The interpreter of Scripture needs an understanding of vocabulary,literature, arts;sciences, psychology and anthropology.

Historical education.The interpreter of Scripture needs an understanding of ancientoriental history, politics, philosophy, geography, customs, andarts.

Theologicaleducation.The interpreter of Scripture needs a working knowledge of theoriginal Biblical languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

BASIC AIDS FOR BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

The primary source for Bible study is the Bible itself. It is most im-portant that the interpreter keep this ever in mind and not allow himself tobe drawn into the study of good books (secondary sources) about the Bibleto the exclusion or near exclusion of the Bible itself.

Having established the priority of the Bible as the primary source forBible study the interpreter of Scripture is then urged to take advantage ofthe many excellent aids to biblical interpretation. Any serious study of theBible will call for the use of several basic reference aids which follow:

1. Bibles(1.) Original Language Texts.

Those who have a working knowledge of the Hebrew andGreek languages will want to have for the Hebrew 0. T.,Biblica Hebraica, R. Kittel (Stuttgart, 1937). and for theGreek N, T., Novum Testamenturn Graece, K. Aland & E.,Nestle (25th ed., Stuttgart, 1963).

For the Hebrew, Student’s Hebrew Lexicon,amin Davies, (Zondervan, Grand Rapids,

Lexicons are also helpful for interpretation for the origi-na I languages.edited by Benj

1960), and A Hebrew and English Lexicon fo the Old Test-ament, edited by G. R. Driver (Oxford, 1906, 1952). For theGreek, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament andother Early Christian Literature translated by F. Arndt &F. W. Gingrich (Chicago, 1957) also to be recommended isA Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, G. Abbott-Smith (3rd ed., Edinbrugh, 1937, 1948), and The AnalyticalGreek Lexicon, (Harper & Brothers, New York).

Grammars are also helpful to the interpreter who works fromthe origi_nal languages. Among Grammars the following arenote worthy. For the Hebrew, Hebrew Grammar by Gesenius(2nd ed., Clarendon, Oxford, 1959). For the Greek, A GreekGrammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christ ianLiterature, F. Blass & A. Debrunner, (Chicago, 1961) trans.& edited by R. W. Funk; A Manual Grammar of the GreekNew Testament H. E. Dana & J. R. Mantey, (New York,1948); A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Lightof Historical Research, A. T. Robertson (Broadman, Nash-ville, 1947).

Original Language Concordances worthy of note are: for theHebrew, Concordance of the Hebrew and C ha ldee Scr i pt ures,B. Davidson, (rev. ed., London, 1876). For the Greek (Nes-tle’s Text) Hand. Konkordanz zum ariechischen Neuen ‘Test-,ament, Schmaller, (13th ed., Stuttgart, 1963), and for West-cott & Hort Text, A Concordance to the Greek Testament,J. H. Moulton & A. S. Geden (2nd ed., New York, 1900).Alsoto be recommended are: The Englishman’s Greek Con-cordance, compiled by G. V. Wigram & J. B. Smith (9th ed.,London, 1903), and Greek-English Concordance, (Scottdale,Pa., 1955).

(2.) Translations and Versions.For the Bible scholar who does not know the original lan-guages,God has providentially arranged that the Scripturesbe translated into other languages, Some languages havemany fine translations and versions. Where this is the casethe biblical interpreter should read several good versionsand in the process he will generally be able to get the ac-curate meaning of difficult portions by discovering a com-mon reading among severa I versions. Over three hundredEnglish versions of Scripture have been published. One

II *uo!sJa~ ys! 16~3 JelndodlSOul aq1 SJeah OOE la/IO JO j

g~J~~~~~~ (LP) Apoq a6Jele hq uo!gel sueJl aleJn33v

*al qesnpue I~SLUS~ I! Gu!yew ‘ad/Queu~ou aldw!s asn 01 ~sJ!jl eyd/TJDodv a~/1 I!WO 01 ~sJ!j

‘suo!s!A!p asJaA asn 01 ISJ! j

‘UO!-sJaA ,,paz!Jownk, IsJ!~ awSBM 11 l say3Jny3 u! ysap Su!

peal Jo4 awnloA paz!s-a6Jel

;uo!sJaA sawer 6u!y pue

‘aiq!a s,dowa ‘aiq!S eA-wag ‘alq!g 1leaJg ayl-sue!-yAaJ Jalel 40 s!sea l alq!as,alepuAl 40 uo!s!AaJ isJ! j

l uo ! SJaAsno!polaur pue aldw!s \b

l alq!a palu!Jd aialdwo:, isJ! j

‘SUO! SJaAqsg6u3 Jalel lie pawanllull ys! 161~3 ~006 ‘aleJnDat/

YIO!-1eluJo4aJ al(l YJedS pad[aHw16u3 u! w!a w4 ISJ!A

mniv\dA

SUO! lE?l SUE?Jl

Mixu pue ‘Snlaa3au sniffal:

sJeloq3s a6p!JqUJe~ wa1191 pue ~~04x0 sno!JeA sawer 6u!y

suo!sJaA Jay10 ‘alq!a \eaJg(‘1’0) 099 1( T N ) LSS 1

sJeloq3s sno!JeAAq ‘1 ‘0 ‘lue146u!1

-l!YM ‘UM hq ‘1 l Naiq!a

eAauag alli

sw!a wpWpue ‘alepJaAo3 *s~aylleyy 6% 1 alepJaAo3 sal gty awa ieam w

alepJaAo3 pue alepuLl

l SUO!SJaA Jay10 pue ‘ale6-In/\ osle ‘ajepuhl h1183!sea

sld!JDS-nueu~ lua!we pue’lxal yeaJO

,snuseJa pue aie6InA u!iel

ale61 nA u! 1~1

s/3mnos

LCS 1

scs 1

sJa6ou uyor awa s,wiiw

waal epJaAo3 sal ! pj s, al epJaAo3

S8E l-08C 13iva

.SUO!

-1q Sln3Jl Jay10 40 uo!sJan e IOU

‘uo!lE)suEJ) v %Buqs IOU 1aA'an6uoi uJapour ayl ul l ~euo!-~eu!LLlouapsueJ~ pue Ieuo!~eu

-suwl 'uogeJ!dsu! au!/\!pu! 4a!laq B ljI!M pal?3lSUEJl

‘UO! Ii?‘1

l wiyaa/s 0~ In4tg!e4un sBu!

-JapuaJ WOS WlAlS ajqepE=u

l uo!sJa/\ pas!Aatj ys@.J3ayl 40 sanlw a~1 11~ snld

'su~s~ut33!~6u~ 40 uo!1eu!ur!l3

'sasual40 uo!~elsueJ~ Jawq 'sBu!-JapuaJ 40 &!wJo4!un alow'paDt?ldaJ SPJOM alaloSq()

‘al /ils uoxe~-o~6u~

~!lsa!ew ‘aldw!s u! s!

S/3fTlVA

b!lW-3~3) sjxal 112u!6!Jo ~eJa/\aS

SUO! ltq

-SUk?Jl UJapoyy put3 lua!3uv

UO!SJc3/\pas!Aau uw!Jaw\d se aLlIeS

SUO!l-ElSUEJl /(uW.i put? ‘1JOH PUE

110x3~ 'snlaa33tj snixal

SUO!l

-elsueJ1 AUBUI PUE? 1JOH. Put3llO%aM ‘sn1da3atj snixal

CL61

suo!lt?u!Luouap put3suo!\eu Auw WOJ)SJt?lOlj3S 40 saJo3S

UO!SJa/\ lWJO!l

-E?UJalU I ME’N

SUO! 1

-T3u!wouap qs!l!Jg a19191961 lSOW 40 SJtzlOl@S Ys! 16~3 MaN

‘V’S’rl Pue('1'0) ZS61 &?peueI) U! SUO!lW! UO! SJa/\ PJep

(TN) 9P61 -luouapOp 40 sJe(oq3S -Ut3jS pas!Aatj

UO! S.Ja/\ pas! AC3)j

~16~3 WI 'JJoJ4 uo!sJaA

1061 SJIZlOlj3S lJEXl!JWlV fXX!Aatf UE’!JW~

('l'Oh881 l v*S*n pue pusl6u3 uo!sJay\

(TN) 1881 U! SJt?lOlj3S StlO!JE/\ paS!Aau L./S! 1 ~U=J

3iva tfoF-l1nv NOIStl3A

(6.) Dictionaries and EncyclopediasThe interpreter of Scripture wil I need to make frequent useof a good dictionary and encyclopedia in his own language.

In addition a dictionary of the Bible and an encyclopedia ofreligion will be of great help in Bible study. The followingare recognized as generally trustworthy: Dictionary of theBible, J. Hastings, (5 vols., Edenburgh, 1898-l 904: 12th im-pression, 1936); Revised in one volume and edited by F. C.Grant and H. H. Rowley (New York, 1963); The New BibleDictionary, edited by J. D. Douglas, et al Grand Rapids,1962); The Westminster Dictionary of theBible, edited byH. S.Gehman (Philadelphia.1944);Unger’s Bible Dictionary,M. Unger, editor (Moody, Chicago, 1957); The InternationalStandard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr, General editor(Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1952).

(7.) Theological Diet ionaryTheological dictionaries and wordbooks offer valuable helpin understanding the meanings of important biblical words.These are a complement to grammars, lexicons, and concor-dances. To be recommended are: Theological Dictionary ofthe New Testament, trans. by G. W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids,1964-65); Biblico-Theological Dictionary of New TestamentGreek, H. Gremer (T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh); A TheologicalWordbook of the Bible,edited by Alan Richardson (New York,*1950); A Companion to the Bible, edited by J. J. von Allmenand trans. by H. H. Rowley (New York, 1958); Bible KeyWords, (New York, 1949-64); and A New Testament Wordbook.(London, 1955); and More New Testament Word% (London,1958) by Wm. Barclay; Word Studies in the New Testament,M. Vincent (4 vols., New York, 1897-1900); and Wuest’s_Word Studies, Ken. Wuest (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1950).

(8.) Bible Atlas and History.Baker’s Bible Atlas, Chas. Pfeiffer (Grand Rapids, 1961);The Oxford Bible Atlas, edited by H. G. May (London, 1962)Hammond Atlas of the Bible Lands (Maplewood, N. J., 1956);Atlas of the Bible, L. H. Grollenberg, trans. & edited byM. H. Reid and H. H. Rowley (New York 1956); HistoricalGeography of the Holy Land, Geo. Smith (New York, 1895);A Bible Atlas, Hurlbut, (Rand McNally & Co., New York,1954).

16

(9.) Biblical Culture and Archaeology.Aids such as the ones below are indispensable in knowingthe background of biblical, social, religious, civic, and do-mestic customs. Manners and Customs of the Bible, Jas.Freeman (Logos International Plainfield, N. J., 1972); BibleManners and Customs, Geo. Mackie (Revell, New York);Arch-aeology and Bible History, J. P. Free (5th ed., ScripturePress, Wheaton, 1956), Archaeology and the PrechristianCenturies, J. A. Thompson (Eerdmans, Grand Papids, 1958).

(10.) Commentaries.Commentaries are just what the word denotes-comments orinterpretations of the Scriptures. They are by style critical,expositional, theological,homiletical or devotional,and somes&s combine all of these approaches. There are a multitudeof commentaries some by single authors and others by a hostof scholars; some in a single volume and others in massivesets. They are alsb quite varied in their worth and should beused with great discretion. The following are noteworthy:The Pulpit Commentary (Funk and Wagnalls, New York);Clark’s Commentary (Abingdon New York); Matthew Henry’sCommentary, (Fleming H. Revel1 Co.); Lange’s Commentaryon the Holy Scriptures (Zondervan, Grand Rapids); The GreekNew Testament (Lee & Shepard, Boston); An American Com-mentary on the New Testament (Amer. Bap. Pub., Philadel-phia); The Evangelical Bible Commentary (Zondervan, GrandRapids); The New Bible Commentary (Eerdmans, Grand Ra-pids); The New International Commentary on the New Test-ament (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids); Word Pictures in the NewTestament (Harper, New York); The Tyndale New TestamentFommentaries (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids).

The interpreter of Scripture should seekto understand his passage withthe use of grammars, Lexicons, concordances, and cross references beforeturning to the commentaries. Only after making an original study should heIconsult the comments and interpretations of others.

Before purchasing aids from the suggested list above,or from any otherrecommendations, spend a great amount of time checking the content, style,and format to be sure that the book pleases you. The options are as varied asare personal tastes and needs. Once careful selection is made you wi II receiveimmeasurable help from these aids in the interpretation of Scripture.

17

BASIC TECHNIQUES OF NOTE KEEPING

It is very important to keep notes of your studies. These Bible studynotes can be preserved in the following ways:

1. In a Study Bible.You should secure foryourself a study Bible which has good paperand a wide margin. Do not be reluctant to mark this Bible and addnotations of important data. Use a pen with permanent ink so as tonot smudge the pages. Develop a marking system to suit your ownneeds. Some of the following suggestions might help you:

(1.) Use underscoring, circling, brackets, parentheses, and etc.to mark important passages, persons, places, dates, truths,and etc.

(2.) Use a color-coding system to mark major doctrines. Exam-ples; use red ink to mark references to the atonement, greenfor resurrect ion, etc.

(3.) Use symbols to mark certain significant truths. Examples;use the symbol of a dove to mark references to the Holy Spirit,a cross to mark references to salvation, a steeple to markreferences to the church, etc.

(4.) Use a system of footnotes of your own. This will enable youto add important notations and references of your own, or re-ference to other sources of information on that Scripture orsubject.

2. In Notebooks.Secure a loose leaf notebook, preferably 8%” x 11” so that thepages will be transferable to standard 8%” x 11” file folders. In-stall a divider for each study you are making and keep careful notesof your studies, and bibliographical data in this notebook. When astudy is completed or set aside for a while you may leave it in yournotebook and install it on a shelf in your study and begin a newnotebook for other studies. Or, if you prefer, you may transfer thestudy notes to file folders in a file system and use the notebookfor your next studies.

3. In a Filing System.Develop a filing system so that you can index, file, and preserve,

18

in an accessible manner,your studies,sermons,clippings,articles,bibliographical data, and references to material in periodicals andbooks. This filing system should utilize letter-size manila foldersin an alphabetical order. The topics should include each of thebooks of the Bible, each main division of theology, each divisionof the minister’s work, each department of the church, each impor-tant religious topic, and other areas of interest to you. In order tonot break the narrative on how to study and interpret the Bible, Ihave included “The Basic Process of Filing” as an appendix atthe end of the book.

BASIC METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY

There are two basic methods of study. These are the deductive and in-ductive methods, and they apply to both biblical and extra-biblical study.There are assets and liabilities in each method. The interpreter of Scripturemust know these in order to maximize the assets and minimize the liabilitiesas he draws from each method in his study of the Scripture. The use of onemethod exclusively will not produce the fullest understanding of Bible truth.

The deductive method, as a logica I process, reasons from a general prin-ciple to a particular conclusion. It begins wtih an hypothesis and seeks veri-fying proof. When using this method the biblical interpreter begins with’ a to-

pit, doctrine, or idea. He then searches throughout the Scriptures for any sup-port or “proof” which can be found for that topic, doctrine,, or idea. The as-sets of the deductive method are that it lends itself to synthesis and corre-lation. The liabilities of this method are that the interpreter may fall prey tosubjectivity, preconception,and unobjective “proof-texting,” i.e.,reading theinterpreter’s theology intothe Scriptures.The deductive method usually adaptsreadily to the synthetical approach (explained below) and the topical type ofBible study.

The inductive method, as a logical process, reasons from the particu-lars to a general conclusion. In direct contrast- to deduction, induction be-gins with the “proof” (Scripture) and draws the “hypothesis” (general con-clusion) from the Scriptural data. The assets of the inductive method are thatit lends itself to objectivity and analysis. The interpreter can let the Scrip-ture speak its own message and avoid the extremes of subjectivity and pre-conception. The inductive method adapts readily to the analytical approach(explained below) and the expository type of Bible study.

BASIC APPROACHES TO BIBLE STUDY

There are two basic approaches to Bible study. These are the synthe-

19

tical approach and the analytical approach, corresponding to the deductive

and induct ive methods respectively.

The synthetical approach attempts to achieve an overview or panoramaof the entire Bible, or of a whole book of the Bible. Synthetical (from synthe-sis) refers to the combination of parts or elements into a complex whole. Thiscan be illustrated from science. In chemistry synthesis is the uniting of ele-ments into a compound, As an example Hydrogen plus Oxygen equals Water.

The synthetical approach to Bible study highlights the unity of Scripture. Itcan be readily conceived of as the “telescopic approach” to Bible study.

In the synthetical approach to the study of the Scripture the follow-ing stages are involved:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Survey the whole.Read the book, or passage straight through in the interest of get-ting a general impression or overview of its message.Do not stopreading to study the details, Write this general impression downin a brief paragraph.

Establish the theme.Read the book or passage again in the interest of finding its maintheme. In the same reading look for the sub-themes in the naturaldivisions of the book or passage, These divisions will not nec-essarily parallel the chapter, paragraph or verse divisions of thevarious versions. Write down the theme and sub-themes in the or-der of their occurance.

Observe the outstanding data.Read the book or passage once again in the interest of locatingand learning as much as you can from the book or passage aboutthe outstanding data which it contains. This data includes: theauthor and his stated purpose for writing, persons, places, dates,doctrines, topics, and etc. List these outstanding data and brief-ly note any information given about them within the book or pas-sage. Later you will research these items throughout the Scrip-tures and in the secondary sources.

Out line the content.Utilizing the material and knowledge gathered in the three read-ings of the book or passage,outIine its content . Th is step wi l lreveal the natural structure of the content.The interpreter shouldnot force his own structure on the author’s message, Watch for

2 0

5.

6.

natural transitions, key verses, abrupt changes in subject matter,repetition of topics, terms and words. This outline can be a sen-tence, phrase, or word out line.

Correlate the study.Using marginal references,a concordance, and a topical textbook,read the related Scripture references in order to correlate themessage discovered in the book or passage with the truths pre-sented else-where in Scripture. Write down the significant Scrip-ture references and note the ways that they qualify, modify, orsupplement the message of the book or passage being studied.

Confirm the interpretat ion.Turn now to your secondary sources in order to check your inter-pretations with all of the fine aids for Bible study which we con-s idered under “Basic Aids For Biblical Interpretation”. Thisstep is delayed until the last in order to encourage originality instudy, and direct dependence upon the Holy Spirit. This is thepoint in synthetic study at which you can learn relevant intro-ductory, cultural, chronological, geographical, and historical in-formation that may not appear in the Scriptures.

This is also the juncture at which you will do any word studiesor detailed study which may be necessary.However,indepth studymoves the interpreter into the analytical approach to Bible study.

The analytical approach attempts to achieve a detailed understandingof a given part of the Scripture. Analytical (from analysis) refers to the re-duction of a complex whole into elements or constituent parts. This can alsobe illustrated from science. In chemistry analysis is the separation of a com-pound into its constituent parts. Thus Water equals Oxygen plus Hydrogen.The analytical approach to Bible studylhighlights the diversity and depthof Scripture. It can readily be conceived of as the “microscopic approach”to Bible study.

The most complete biblical interpretation requires both the syntheti-cal and analytical approaches. While these two approaches do have theirdistinguishing characteristics they overlap in practice. In a sense the ana-lytical approach begins where the synthetical approach stops. I am describ-ing each approach with sufficient scope so as to allow either to be an op-tion.The synthetical approach being the best option for survey and the ana-lytical approach being the best option for detailed study.

21

Analytical Bible study involves the following stages:

1. Introduction of the passage.In this first stage of analytical study the interpreter seeks tolearn all he can, first from the passage and then from secondarysources, about the following introductory data:

(1) Biographical informat ion about the author.(2) Purpose, theme, and literary form of the passage.(3) Date, place, and historical circumstances of the writing.(4) Historical, geographical, religious, and cultural circum-

stances of the recipients.

Much of this introductory information can be discovered by uti-lizing thewell-known “Five W’s and an H” i.e., by asking Who’?,Where?, What?, When’?, Why? and How? After setting this intro-ductory information down the next stage is:

2,

3.

Setting the passage into context.This second stage involves showing how the passage under stu-dy relates to the book, and how the book relates to the Bible.

Translation of the passage.Before any meaningful study of the biblical passage can be madethe interpreter must determine the true text. This is best accom-plished by making a translation from the most accurate originaltext available.

If the interpreter does not have the ability to do his own transla-tion from the original text he can build himself a version by com-paring his passage in several good versions and using word stu-dies, concordances, dictionaries, and commentaries, in his own

language, to derive an accurate version of the passage.

4.

5.

Overview of the passage.After achieving an accurate translation or version of the passagethe interpreter gives an overview of the passage, This is a pre-liminary survey noting high points; signif icant doctrines, topics,events, persons, places, difficulties, and etc.

Out line of the passage.In this fifth stage the interpreter should endeavor to discover andset forth the author’s structure, not force the author’s message

22

6. Detailed study of the passage.This stage of the study is to follow the principles of hermeneu-tics (given later in this booklet) and is to be exegetical i.e

verse by verse and word by word. It is to include at least the fo;:lowing items, taking them just as they come in the order of theirScriptural arrangement.(1) Literary and grammatical (word) studies.(2) Theological (or doctrinal), and topical studies.(3) Biographical, chronological, geographical, psychological,

cultural, political, and etc. studies.(4) Homiletical studies.(5) Pratt ical (ethical) studies.

In the detailed study the interpreter should get the most he canfrom the passage by observation, analysis, meditation, and inter-pretation before turning to secondary sources. He-should then dis-cretely utilize all of the aids mentioned under “Basic Aids forBiblical Interpretation” in order to get the maximum fruition inBible study.

7. Correlation of the passage.Analytical Bible study, while concentrating on the minute exam-ination (microscopic) of a passage, must not conclude withoutcorrelating (telescopic) the truths of the passage with those ofthe chapter, book, and Bible as a whole. This is in keeping withthe biblical hermeneutical principle of comparing Scripture withScripture.

8. Summaries, conclusion, and applications of the passage.In this stage of study summaries, conclusions and applicationsof the detailed study are to be set forth. The summaries shouldinclude at least:(1) Summaries of word studies.(2) Summaries of doctrinal and topical studies.(3) Summaries of homiletical studies.(4) Summaries of practical (ethical) studies.

These summaries may be made by paragraph, outline, dia-gram or chart.

into his own mind set or preconceptions, It is preferable that theinterpreter analyze the passage carefu I ly and prayerfu I ly in order

to derive the outline. If help is needed,commentaries may be uti-lized in order to build an outline from several others,

23

The applications should include personal and Christian servicecategories. As has been indicated earlier under “Spiritual Quali-fications for the Biblical Interpreter”, the interpreter must res-pond to the revelation of truth by obeying it in his own life. Outof each Bible study there will be: exhortations to obey, promisesto receive, truths to believe,attitudes to adopt, examples to emu-late, actions to avoid or perform, and sins to shun.

We also suggested in “Spiritual Qualifications for the BiblicalInterpreter”, that the interpreter must be involved in Christianservice if he is to get the fullest revelation of truth. Once thetruth is received the interpreter is obligated to share it by wit-nessing, preaching and teaching.

BASIC TYPES OF BIBLE STUDY

There are many types of Bible study.Twelve basic types are present-ed here as affording sufficient variety to enable the interpreter to discoverthe fullest meaning of the Scriptures.

1. Biographical study.The biographical type of Bible study is one of the easiest, mostenjoyable, and most productive. The study of the lives of greatpersons is most productive of inspiration and guidance, and theBible which mentions 2,930 personsaffords the greatest biograph-ical study, Biographical Bible study involves the following stages:(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Collect the biographical data.Using a concordance, search every Scriptural reference tothe person being studied.Make a biographical sketch.Assemble all essential data about the person including: themeaning of the person’s name; their ancestry; the time,place, and circumstances of their birth, life and death.Do a character study,Analyze their relation to God, their relatives, others of theirown day, and to us; analyze their strengths, weaknesses,crises, successes, failures, contributions,Indicate the lessons.Show the benefits which can be derived from the study ofthe person’s life in terms of inspiration to be received, ex-amples to be emulated, truths to be believed, and mistakesto be avoided.

24

2. Book study.The book type of Bible study is basic because each biblical bookis a self-contained unit with a distinct message, set of personal-ities,style,vocabulary,and etc. The synthetical approach, whichwas presented in detail earlier in the boolket, is the best approachto the book type of Bible study and need not be repeated here.

3. Chronological study.In chronological study there are two important aspects-time stu-dies and dispensational studies.

In order to gain the fullest understanding of the biblical messageit is necessary to be able to locate the passage, person, or topicbeing studied in its appropriate time context. This means relat-ing the passage, person or topic timewise to important persons,movements, events, and etc., which preceeded, followed, andwere contemporaneous with it.The study should include both bib-lical and extra-biblical chronology.

In time studies the interpreter should be observant of time state-ments of both New Testament events and dates in secular his-tory, also chronological connectives such as after, before, then,when, while, unti I, and etc.

Dispensational studies are important due to the fact that God hasdealt with mankind on certain bases during various eras of time.By dispensation we mean the various ages or epochs into whichGod’s dealings with mankind are divided. Bible scholars general-ly distinguish seven dispensations,each marked off by time boun-daries (usually climactic events), moral tests, conditions forpleasing God, transgressions, and etc.

The interpreter of Scripture must know the above features of eachdispensation in order to correctly understand the biblical mes-sage, otherwise the interpretation will be characterized by con-fusion and contradiction. An understanding of the key featuresof each dispensation can be achieved by personal search of theScriptures and by reading one or more of the special studies ondispensations.

4. Cultural study.,Since the divine message was delivered in an ancient orientalculture at a time in history from 2,000 to 3,500 years prior to our

25

day, the interpreter must acquaint himself with that culture. H eshould search both the Scripture and outside sources to learn asmuch as possible about social, political, anthropological, andother cultural information related to his biblical study.

5. Devotional study.Devotional study is basically fulfilled by praying, reading, me-ditating, and memorizing. If the Bible student is to mature spirit-ually and morally he should approach each type of Bible studywhich he does in a devotional spirit and also do much devotionalstudy as such. The following approach to devotional study is re-commended.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Preface the study with a time of praise for God’s blessingsand prayerfor His enlightenment. Maintain a prayerful spiritthroughout the study.Read the passage prayerfu I ly.Devotional study is readily fulfilled by what I have called“Praying the Bible Through”. After choosing a passagewhich is rich in spiritual and moral content begin reading.When you come to a truth you don’t understand, stop andpray for the Spirit’s tutorship.When you come to a truth thatconvicts you or in which you fall short, stop and pray forthe ability to obey that truth. Do not read on until you havemade an appropriate spiritual response to each truth thatthe Holy Spirit quickens to you, Read the devotional passageslowly and silently one time and then read it again aloud,

Meditate upon the passage.Do not rush through the devotional study, Meditate upon thetruths which the Holy Spirit has revealed.Meditate upon the

.truths which are to be believed; promises to be received;exhortations to be obeyed; attitudes to be adopted; exam-ples to be emulated; actions to be avoided or performed;and sins to be shunned.

Memorize the “golden texts”.The most inspiring and helpful truths and verses should becommitted to memory for perpetual spiritual benefit. Onlythe parts of God’s Word that we have hidden in our heartswill give us that instantaneous inspiration, guidance, andstrength which we need in daily life.

6. Geographica I study.

26

An understanding of biblical geography is essential to correctinterpretation of the Scripture. The interpreter should search theScriptures first,and then turn tothe secondary sources mentionedunder “Basic Aids to Biblical Interpretation”, in order to learnas much as possible about the following geographical data.(1) Location of the populace and the effect of geography upon

the people-upon their dress, housing, travel, vocations,economy, etc.

(2) The location of towns and cities-their elevation, surround-ing topography, population, etc.

(3) Countries and districts-their boundaries, size, topography,resources, climate, quality of soil, crops, bodies of water,and etc.

7. Grammat ica I study.Since God chose to reveal His message in an historical settingand in human language we are required to follow what is calledthe “grammatico - historical” interpretation which would be uti-lized with any other document in order to understand its histori-,cal setting and grammatical communication. Historical study willbe treated separatelyfollowing this section ongrammatical study.

Since language consists primarily of words, it is necessary, firstof all, to know the meaning of biblical words. Biblical wordsshould be studied with respect to their(1) Etymology

Etymology means the study of the derivation (componentsand formation), and of the historical change in the meaningof words. This type of study is reserved for the linguisticspecialist ratherthan the average minister.Howeveryou willfind much help in this area of study in “Basic Aids for Bib-lical Interpretation” numbers 1, 7 and 10.

(2) Common useThe etymological study of a word will herp to show its deri-vation and evolution of meaning,but it remains to discoverits common use, ( loguendi) in the Bible. The commonuse of a word may be quite different than its historical orclassical meaning. The common use of a biblical word maybe discovered by studying: the context of the word; the wri-ter’s definition of the word when given; the use of the wordin contrast or opposition; its use in parallel passages; itsuse in biblical poetic parallelism.

27

(3) SynonymsLight can be cast upon a word by studying the use made ofits synonyms-that is the words which have the same mean-ing, or some meanings in common while other meanings maydiffer. Quite often synonymous words have the same pri-mary meaning with each having different secondary conota-tions. In the study of synonyms it is important to discoverthe points at which the words have the same meaning andwhere they have different conotat ions,

(4) Grammat ical useIt is important to identify the word as to its part of speech.Is it a noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction,preposition?

It is important to study the inflection of the word, For nounsand pronouns: person, number, gender, and case; for pro-nouns: are they personal, relative, demonstrative, or inter-rogative?; for verbs: person, number, gender, voice, andmood.

It is important to study the grammatical relationship of theword: subject to verb; verb to predicate, modifier and’ thatwhich it modifies; phrases to other parts of the sentence;dependent to independent clause; and independent clauseto independent c lause.

In addition to the study of individual words it is necessaryto study the larger unit grammatically. This includes:(1)

(2)

(3)

L iterary formIt is important to know whether the passage involvesprose, poetry, parable, discourse, and etc.StructureStructure refers to the overall design, or organizationof the passage. In addition, the study of structure in-cludes a consideration of the relationships betweenwords, phrases,clauses, sentences, paragraphs, chap-ters, and divisions of books.Construct ion of ideasStudy the various literary use of ideas to convey thethe message. The authors convey their ideas by theuse of: comparisons, contrasts, repetitions, progres-sions, generalizations, quest ions, reason and results,

28

cause and effect, and etc. In studying the constructionof ideas always observe connecting words. Watch forlogical connectives such as: for, but, because, like-wise, however, therefore, yet, in order that, and etc.Also watch for emphatic connectives such as: behold,indeed, truly, verily, and etc. Chronological connect-ives such as: finally, after, as, before, then, until,when, while, last of all, and etc. should be observed.

Even the Bible student who cannot work in the origi-nal languages can learn a great amount in grammaticalstudy. Don’t hesitate to use the items listed undernumbers 1, 4, 7 and 10 of the “Basic Aids for Bibli-cal Interpretat ion.” Just a Young’s or Strong’s con-cordance gives much understanding about word mean-ings when their Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek diction-aries are used to the fullest extent.

a. Historical study.Since the Bible is historical in its setting, correct interpretationof many passages cannot be made without a know ledge of the cir-cumstances in which they were written. It is essential to knowboth the biblical and extra-biblical history. This historical stu-dy should include the significant persons, movements, events,philosophies, and etc. which preceeded, followed, and were con-1temporaneous with the biblical record,

It is important to understand the author’s view of history.

It is also necessary to comprehend the historical lesson or datawhich the passage presents as well as the biblical history whichrelates to the passage under study.

9. Literary study.While the Bible is divinely given it is also humanly conveyed.The interpreter approaches it with reverence for its divine char-acter but with recognition also of its human character-it is liter-ature and should be studied objectively as any other literatureis studied. The literary study of the Scripture, as with any otherliterature, should include an examination of its introductory dataand its style.(1) Literary introduct ion

It is important to learn

29

the most possible, first from the

Scripture and then from secondary sources, about the fol-lowing introductory data: biographical data about the author;purpose and theme; date, place, and historical circumstancesof the writing; historical, geographical, religious, and cul-tural circumstances of the recipients.

(2) Literary styleOnce again, in the interpretation of Scripture, as with anyother literature, it is necessary to determine the style (aen-re) of the literature and interpret it according to the appro-?;;iate guidelines. By”the stylewis meant the type of writingwhich the author uses. The principle styles used in Scrip-ture are: discoursive style, prose narrative style, poeticstyle, parabolic style, and apocalyptic style. Each styleof literature must be interpreted according to specific guide-lines which will be presented later.

In addition to the principle styles of literature mentionedabove, the biblical authors make extensive use of figuresof speech, These figures of speech include: metaphors,simile, synecdoche, personification, apostrophe, hyperbole,irony, parable, allegory, type, symbol, fable, riddle, andenigma. Figures of speech must be interpreted according tospecific guidelines which will be presented later.

10. Prophetic studyA great portion of the Bible is given to prophecy. We should notbypass the study of prophecy even though it is attended with dif-ficulty of interpretation, Prophecy is being rapidly fulfilled andwe need to understand it and teach its message correctly to ourgeneration. If we will do so we will find the study and teachingof prophecy to be highly sanctifying and motivating experiences,

The study of prophecy requires the most careful, consistent useof hermeneutics. Special guidelines are required in the interpre-tation of prophetic style of literature due to its nature and pur-pose. The following are essential guidelinesforthe interpretationof prophecy.

(1) Prophecy should be interpreted Christologically.Christ is the central theme of the Bible. Christ is the keyto the interpretation of the Bible in general and of the NewTestament in particular, He is most assuredly the key tounlock the prophetic portions of the Scripture,

30

(2

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Prophecy should be interpreted grammat ica I ly,It requires the same principles of interpretation with respectto words, grammar,and context as were mentioned previous-ly under grammatical study (review these principles). In ad-dit ion let me emphasize that the words of prophecy shouldbe taken literally, rather than figuratively, unless the con-text and related prophecies would indicate otherwise. Care-ful study should be made in order to determine if the pro-phecy is forthtelling (teaching a lesson for the people of theprophet’s days) or foretelling (predicting the future).Prophecy should be interpreted I iterara I ly.The language of the prophecy must be carefully studied todetermine if it is symbolic, figurative, poetic, etc. Followall of the principles given previously under literary study.Prophecy should be interpreted historically.The occasion of writing, background, and circumstances ofthe writer and recipients must be carefully considered, Uti-lize all of the principles given previously under Historicalstudy.Prophecy should be interpreted Scripturally.There is usually one meaning of prophecy. Where the Scrip-tures use symbols they will usually tell you so. If a doublemeaning (the law of double reference) is required, one ap-plying to the actual person or event and one applying to thefigurative or future person or event, the context or otherScripture will give some clue to such interpretation,Prophecy should be interpreted in perspective.Take the events of prophecy as viewed in perspective ratherthan in a systematic or rigidly outlined sequence in the mo-dern sense. In much of biblical prophecy only the mainevents are given and then through progressive revelation(other prophecy) the details are filled in.Prophecy should be interpreted with correlation.The meaning of prophecy must be interpreted in coordinationwith all other Scriptures and the whole prophetic program.II Pet. 1:20 “ ,..no prophecy of the Scripture is of any pri-vate (independent) interpretat ion.”

11. Topical studyThe study of the Bible by topics is one of the simplest, easiest,and most productive in the sense of time investment. A great a-mount can be learned about doctrines and other biblical truthwith a minimal amount of time involved, In addition topical stu-

31

dy is important in that it helps the interpreter to have an over-view or coordinated understanding of Scriptural teaching. Justthe analytical study of passages, standing in isolation to eachother, can lead to distorted and contradictory interpretation.

Topical study can be readily adapted to the study of doctrines,problems, events, persons, places, words, dispensations, andtopics. Enough has been said about each of these, under the othertypes of study, except the study of doctrine and problems. Doc-trinal and problem studies are twolof the important studies whichyield great dividends through topical study.

(1) Doctrinal studyIt is most important that the interpreter of Scripture studyand know the great doctrines of the Scripture (I Tim. 1 :lO;4:3,6; 6:3; II Tim. 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9,13; 2~7; and Heb.13:9).

The Bible itself is the only source of Christian doctrine,and the only way to avoid false doctrine is to go directlyto this primary source with a prayerful, objective, topicalstudy.

The word doctrine comes from two New Testament words.Didache meaning “teaching” and Didaskalia meaning “thepractice of teaching”. Thus doctrine means “the teaching”,or “the instruction”. This “teaching” is not given in theScripture as a “systematic theology” in the sense of mo-dern logical process. The interpreter of Scripture must stu-dy the doctrines presented in the Bible and systematizethem for himself and for those to whom he ministers. This,when done through topical study, involves studying an indi-vidual book or the whole Bible in order to collect, analyze,compare, organize and apply biblical doctrines.

There are two principle ways of doing doctrinal study. Oneis known as the direct method and consists of studying aword throughout the Scriptures. Examples are: grace, HolySpirit, law, love, sin, sanctification, and etc. This way ofstudy is characteristically “word” study.

The second principle way of doing doctrinal study is knownas the indirect method and consists of studying all ideas orconcepts which relate to a given theme as they appear

32

throughout the Bible. The theme is developed indirectly byexamining each word or concept which is related to it. Asan example the doctrine or theme of sin could be developedby studying such synonyms as “trespass”, “iniquity”, andetc. Also by studying such related concepts as “judgement”“atonement” and etc.

The interpreter of Scripture should. carefully study all of themajor Christian doctrines and not just concentrate on a fewwhich are easily understood, or are personally appealing tothe interpreter,

(2) Problem studyThe problem-centered approach in topical study is very ap-pealing and productive. It begins with a human problem andsearches throughout the Scriptures for the answers or forany truth which relates directly or indirectly to the dilem-ma. Sample problems for topical study would include:How to be savedHow to know if one is savedHow to overcome temptationHow to I ive the abundant lifeHow to be a soul winnerHow to overcome fearsHow to have a sanctified temperamentHow to be filled with the SpiritHow to live in the SpiritHow to know and follow God’s willHow to find the right companionHow to have a Christian home

(3) How to do topical studyTopical study is accomplished in the following steps:A. Choose the topic.B, List the references where it appears.

With the use of a concordance, topical text book andBible marginal references make a comprehensive listof the passages where the topic or word is f,ound. Theinterpreter must be very careful to study all referencesand be very objective at this point. Otherwise by study-ing some references and ignoring others (prooftexting)he cou Id “prove” just about anything from the Bibleitself.

33

c.

D.

E.

F.

Analyze the findings.Study the meaning and use of words, in their contexts,in order to develop the topic. This can be done with thehelp of various Bible versions, Bible dictionaries, wordstudy books, and commentaries.Correlate the data.Compare the data about the topic, discovered in vari-ous passages,in order to correlate the truths uncovered.This comparison of parallel passages is an essentialpart of topical study.Arrange the results.Summarize and arrange the results into a logical orderand into meaningful divisions of thought,Apply the truth.

12. Typological studyAs we have noted earlier the Scriptures make abundant use offigures of speech such as allegories, metaphors, parables, simi-lies, symbols, and types. The latter is one of God’s outstandingmediums through .which He has progressively revealed spiritualtruths to humankind.

A type is that person, place, event, thing, ceremony, or institu-tion which represents or points to a future person, place, event,thing, ceremony,or institution (antitype) in such a way as to con-vey spiritual truth.

The word “type” comes from the Greek word tupos and refers toa mark made by a blow or an impression made by a die. The mostfrequent biblical meaning is a pattern, or in Paul’s words “...ashadow of things to come,” (Col, 2:17). Tupos is used sixteentimes in the original text of the New Testament, but the word“type” is not used to translate Tupos in the king James Ver-sion. Tupos is variously translated as: “sign”-Matt. 12:39;“ p r i n t ” -- % . 20:25; “seal”-Ram. 4:ll ; “le!ter”-II C o r . 3:6;“a l legory ” -Ga l . 4:24; “ shadow” -Co l . 2:16, 17; “pat tern”-Titus 2:7; “example’AHeb. 8:4, 5; “f igure”-Heb. 11 :19.

The spiritual reality or antitype to which the type correspondsis represented variously as follows: “the spirit”-11 Cor. 3:6;“ b o d y ” -Col. 2:17; “things in the heavens”-Heb. 9:23; “thetrue”- Heb. 9:24; “very image”-Heb. 1O:l; “good things tocome”- Heb. 1O:l ; “figure”-1 Pet. 3:21 ; “ s p i r i t u a l i t y ” - R e v .11 18.

34

It will be seen in reviewing our definition of types that there are:typical persons, typical places, typical events, typical things,typical ceremonies, and typical institutions. Types can be dis-covered in the Scripture on the following bases:(1) Those which the Scriptures describe as types;(2) Those which the Scriptures show indirectly to be types by

applying the name of an Old Testament person, place,thing,and etc. to a New Testament person, place, thing, and etc.and ;

(3) Those where a clear analogy can be seen between an OldTestament person, place, thing, and etc. and a New Testa-ment person, place, thing, and etc. The topical method ofBible study is the best approach to the study of typeology.

The following guidelines are essential to the correct interpretationof types.

(1) There must be Scriptural evidence that the type is divinely in-tended.

(2) There must be a clear analogy between a type and anantitype.

(3) There must be only one meaning in a type, and no type and anti-type are expected to have correspondence in all points.

(4) There must be a future antitype to which the type points or it isprobably a symbol, Thus typeology is actually prophetic.

(5) There must be an ascendance in spiritual revelation from thetype to the antitype. The antitype transcends the type.

(6) There must be no evil person, place, thing, and etc. interpretedas a type of some righteous antitype.

This concludes the section on basic types of Bible study. Before go-ing on to the final section of the book go back overthe twelve types of Biblestudy to be sure that you have a good understanding of them.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATtON

In this final section it remains for us to consider the basic principlesof biblical interpretation. Many pointers have been worked into the previoussections as they related to special types of study. The following are basicprinciples for general biblical interpretation.

35

1. The Scriptural principle (analogy of faith).The fundamental principle of interpretation is that Scripture is itsown best interpreter, This requires the careful consideration ofthe context of the passage and the correlation of its message withthe whole of Scripture. The teaching of a given passage must beharmonized with the general teaching of the Bible,

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

2. The

A passage of Scripture may have only one interpretationwith several applications.

The most simple andlikely the true one.

natural meaning of the passage is most

If there seems to be twothe clearest meaning.

interpretat ions for a passage take

If there seems to be two interpretations with equal supportaccept both and consider them to be a paradox.

Study the parallel passages and they will enhance and qual-ify the message of the passage under consideration.

literary principle.Interpret the Bible just as you would any other book (so far as itis like any other book).

(1) Interpret in the light of introductory data.This includes biographical information on the author; cir-cumstances of the writing; and circumstances of the reci-pients.

(2) Interpret according to the literary sty le.

(3) Interpret according to the purpose of the book or passage.

3. The grammatico-historical principle.This is adhering to the principles of interpretation which are re-quired by the rules of grammar and the facts of history.

(1) Interpret according to accepted rules of grammar.This includes: word meanings; literary form; structure; andconstruction of ideas.

(2) Interpret according to the facts of history.

36

AND

This includes the significant persons, movements, events,and philosophies which preceeded, followed and were con-temporaneous in both biblical and extra-biblical history.

4. The contextual principle.Since the original message was conveyed within a given contextcorrect interpretation is dependent upon the restoration of thatcontext as much as possible,

(1) Interpret according to the grammatical context.

(2) Interpret according to the literary context,

(3) Interpret according to the historical context.

(4) Interpret according to the cultural context.

Careful study of the context will make many difficult passagesplain; remove apparent contradictions; and enrich and fi II in the

G meaning of passages which seem to be unproductive.

5. The figurative principle.The Bible makes abundant use of figurative language in the at-tempt to reveal spiritual truths in human terms. This is accom-plished by drawing analogies between spiritual truths and fami-liar objects. The interpretation of figurative passages requiresthe following:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Determine if the language is figurative or literal.

The nature of the subject gives a clue as to whether it isto be taken literally or figuratively. Common sense and con-text are helpful here.

Comparison of the literal and the figurative meanings of thepassage with other Scriptural teachings will help in the de-cision.

Interpret the passage as Iliteral unless it is clearly in con-tradiction with the context and the whole teaching of Scrip-ture to do so,

While much more could be added to this booklet on HOW TO STUDYINTERPRET THE BIBLE, it has purposefully been kept short and

37

simple in order to set only the “basics” before the Bible student. While itis hoped that this booklet will only be the beginning of much reading in thearea of hermeneutics, the mastery of the principles and.methods which arepresented here w il I enable you to have a most productive understanding ofthe blessed holy Word of God.

38

HOW TO STUDY AND INTERPRET THE BIBLE

Append ix

BASIC PROCESS OF FILING

Every minister and Christian worker accumulates an abundance ofstudy material in his or her library which must be filed in some systematicway if it is to be preserved and located with ease. Therearean abundanceof filing systems on the market, most of which are too complex and expen-sive for the average minister and Christian worker. The following “BasicProcess of Filing” is designed with the average minister in mind. It is sim-ple enough to also fit the need of Christian workers and comprehensiveenough to be used by ministers with greater than average filing needs. Thebenefits of the system presented here are:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Simplicity .This filing system does not require special abilities or trainingon the part of the person who wishes to develop and use it. Thematerials are located in four places-book shelf/shelves; filedrawer/s; notebook/s and; perodicals. There are no repetitiouscard indexes and cross reference systems.EconomyThe details in this book present the whole filing process. Thereis no need to purchase expensive and overly elaborate instruc-tions, materials, and equipment. You can begin with an econo-ical shelf, file drawer (even a heavy weight cardboard box willsuffice), a cheap notebook, and notebook paper plus a few let-ter size (9 x 12 inch) manila file folders.EfficiencyThis process is designed to be as efficient in the expenditure oftime, both for filing and finding, as is possible, The user willget the maximum benefit from the minimum effort.Expandabi I ityThe alphabetized system is expandable to a comprehensivenessequal to the needs of the minister from the rudimentary need ofearly minstry through the expansive need of mature years.

THE FILING SYSTEM

The filing system is designed to gather all of the material on a giventopic,and a reference index to material on the topic in books, periodicals,and notebooks, into one folder for easy location. In order to accomplish this

39

the following guidelines should be followed.

(1) FoldersPurchase, or make from strong cardboard, a file divider for eachletter of the alphabet. Distinguish these from the file folders bytyping a letter of the alphabet on colored preglued file tabs. Allof the dividers should have the same color tab. For economy youcan print the letterdirectly on the dividertab with aquickmarker.Print it larger than you will later print the topics on the file fol-der tabs. The alphabetical dividers can be further distinguishedfrom the file folders by making the divider tabs full cut (the tabthe full width of the divider) and the file folder tabs 1#/3rd cut(the tab 1/3rd of the width of the folder),

. .KJ.-

_cW

2.--Y

8---.-

3UJ

bw.->.-u2.-v-

z

40

. .ul.-cc

22.--50---.-32%.->GQ)-G

2-xE.-5-22w-

41

. .cn.-c.#-I

B.--Y00---.-3ul

b902z

2.a-

BE.-Pz2--

(2)

(3)

Purchase at least one hundred fifty folders initially in order tobegin the filing system. This will be enough to assign a folderto each of the sixty six books of the Bible; one to each of thefundamental topics of theology; and one to each of the basic de-partments of the church. Additional folders can be added to thefiling system as the need arises.

ArrangementThe entire filing system is arranged by topics, alphabetically,with the exception of the books of the Bible. It is recommendedthat these be filed behind BIBLE in the alphabetical scheme,but with each book of the Bible having an individual folder whichis filed according to, the biblical order. Since we handle theBible daily, and are acquainted with the arrangement of its books,nothing is to be gained by having to learn and follow a differentarrangement in filing and finding material.

MaterialsThe data to be filed includes studies, clippings,articles, tracts,illustrations, quotations, poems, songs, art work-anything fil-able which contributes to the topic.

A second type of data which will be filed under each topic is thebibliographical reference sheet.

Every piece of data should have the exact topic, as it appearson the file folder in which it is to be filed, typed or printed onthe top righthand corner of the material.This is essential for therefiling of the material after it has been pulled for use.

The tract below is marked for filing under the folder, “SALVA-TION: The Way to”.

4342

3dI’I 60 111/lllll// IIsi!xm 3HJJ

II

(5) NotebooksYou can begin with one looseleaf notebook with divisions as fol-lows:SermonsSermons WorkingBible StudiesBible Studies WorkingSpecial Studies, Guidelines, PlansI I lustrat ions, Quotations, PoemsSongsYou will eventually need several notebooks in which to keep acollection of material in the categories listed above, The use ofnotebooks is recommended so as to make the data which the min-ister uses day by day portable. Also to concentrate the materialso as to make it convenient to brouse through in preparation forpreaching, teaching, or for use in other types of meetings. Asan example the pastor might find it convenient to maintain anotebook in which he keeps a division for each department of thechurch-Christian Education, Missions, Music, Youth, and etc.Under each division important guidelines, job descriptions,plans, and other data can be kept for easy accessability andportability. There are also many occasions when the ministerwill want to carry a series of sermons, Bible studies,songs,etc.as he or she travels.

(6) Per iodicalsPeriodicals may be kept conveniently either in horizontal stacksarranged chronologically from bottom to top, or placed in card-board binders by years. Many periodicals issue an annual indexwhich is very helpful in locating material on various topics.Most ministers will not subscribe to enough periodicals to re-quire anything more by way of cata,loguing, than to just arrangethe periodicals on shelves alphabetizing them from left to rightby the most significant word in the name of the periodical.

(7) BooksThe books in the average minister’s library can be cataloguedquite simply and efficiently as follows. Arrange the books onthe shelves by topics (rather than by author’s name). Any arrange-ment of the topics that the user desires will be suitable as mostpersons can remember that a given book belongs to a certaintopic by logical relationship, and remember the location of thetopic in the room through geographical association. Books can

read i ly be located by this process unnumber in excess of three thousand.

til the volumes in the I i brary

The user should decide on his own topical arrangement and thendivide the topics on the shelves visually. This can be done eco-nomically be the use of “L” shaped pieces of stiff cardboardwith the topic printed on the short base of the “L”. The longpart of the “L” is placed between the books that comprise themeeting point of two topics. An alternate way of separating to-pics is to cut wooden blocks 3~ x 4 x 6 inches and paint the to-pics on the edges of these blocks. Install the correct block be-tween the two books that comprise the meeting point of two to-pics.

The following divisions of the books on the library shelf are recom-mended as sufficient for the average minister. One may begin with fewerdivisions and then add other divisions as books are purchased and the Ii-brary is expanded. It is not suggested that divider blocks be utilized foreach of the subdivisions of the topics given below as the subdivisions aresonly suggestive of the type of subjects which should be grouped together.Neither are the subdivisions intended to be exhaustive, as those given arefurnished as examples.

1.

2.3.

4.5,

6.

7.8.

9.

10.

11.12.13.

ART (Art, Architecture, Lettering, Mechanical Drawing, Postering, andetc.)BIBLES (Translations and Versions)BIBLE REFERENCE WORK!S (Concordances, Dictionaries, Encyclope-dias, Word Studies, and etc.)BIOGRAPHIES (Bible, Church, Secular)CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (Bussing, Curriculum, Sunday School, Teach-ing, and etc.)CHURCH ADMINISTRATION (Church Govt., Deacons, Depts., Leader-ship, etc.)COMMENTARIES (Introductions and Commentaries on the whole Bible.)COMMENTARIES (Introductions and Commentaries on the New Testa-ment.)COMMENTARIES (Introductions and Commentaries on the Old Testa-ment.)CURRENT STUDIES (A shelf reserved for books on a topic, or topicswhich are under study.)ETHICS (General, Christian, Ministerial, and etc.)GEOGRAPHY (Bible, Other.)HISTORY (Bible, Church, Denominational, Secular, and etc.)

46 47

ing, Marital Conflict, Family Devotion, Planning, and etc.)21. MISC., SECULAR22. MISC., RELIGIOUS23. MINISTRY (Minister’s Call, Character, Duties, Qualifications, Ministry-

New Testament, Types, and etc.)24.

25,26.27.28.29.

30.

31.

32.33.

34.

35.36.37.

38.39.

40.

41.

42.43.

MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM (Bible and Missions, Fields, Missionaries,Personal Evangelism, Revivals, and etc.)MUSIC (Hymn Books, Hymn Stories, Rudiments, Harmony, and etc.)NOTEBOOKS (Personal Bible Studies, Sermons, and etc.)PHILOSOPHY (Ancient, Greek, Modern, Oriental, Religious, and etc.)POETRY (Nonreligious,Religious.)PRAYER AND WORSHIP (Bible Prayers, How To Pray, Prayer Books,and etc.)PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING (Nonreligious-Gen. Psy., Personal-ity, Schools of Psy., and etc.)PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING (Religious-Pastoral Counseling, Per-sonality, Psychology of Religion, and etc.)PHYSIOLOGY (Diet, Health, Recreation, Sports, and etc.)PUBLIC RELATIONS (General Public Relations, Church.Public Rela-tions, Media Ministry, and etc.)REFERENCE WORKS (General Reference Works-Dictionaries, Encyclo-pedias, Thesaurus, and etc.)RELIGIONS (Cults, Religions, Sects, and etc.)SCIENCE (Astronomy,, Giology, Chemistry, and etc.)SOCIAL SCIENCE (Civics, Culture, Economics, Government, Social Work,and etc.)SPEECH (Speech, Speeches, Voice, and etc.)THEOLOGY (Theology Proper-Systematic Theologies, Attributes of God,The Trinity, and etc.)ANGELOLOGY (Angels, Demons, The Occult, Spiritism, Witchcraft, andetc.)ANTHROPOLOGY (Origin, Nature, Fall of Man, Sin, Punishment, Reme-dy, etc.)BIBLIOLOGY (Hermeneutics, Inspiration, Origin of the Bible, and etc.)CHRISTOLOGY (The Divinity, Humanity, Incarnation, Works, Suffering,Glorification, and etc. of Christ.)

14. HOMILETICS (Books on Preaching, Sermons, Sermon Outlines, and etc.)15. ILLUSTRATIONS (Epigrams, Humor, Stories, Quotations, and etc)16, JOURNALISM (Publishing, Style, Writing, and etc.)17. LINGUISTICS, BIBLICAL (Dictionaries, Grammars, Lexicons, and etc.)18. LINGUISTICS, GENERAL (Dictionaries, Grammars, and etc.)19. LITERATURE (American, English, World, Short Stories, and etc.)20. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (Communication, Courtship, Marital Counsel-

48

44. ECCLESIOLOGY (The Doctrine, Orders, Ordinances, Organization, Pur-pose, Services, and etc. of the Church.)

45. ESCHATOLOGY (Armageddon, Heaven, Hell, Judgements, Millennium,Rapture, Resurrect ion, and etc.)

46. PNEUMATOLOGY (Baptism, Diety, Personality, Works of the Holy Spirit,Fruit of the Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, Pentecostalism, and etc.)

47. SOTERIOLOGY (Justification, Salvation, Security of the Believer, Re-demption, and etc.)

48. TRAVEL (Agencies, Accommodations, Data on Countries, Maps, and etc.)49. VOCATIONS (Hobbies, Skills, Vocations, and etc.)50. YOUTH (Devotions, Leadership, Programs, and etc.)

The user will want to arrange the most used, of the fifty divisionswhich are listed above, nearest his or her desk. I have arranged my study sothatdivisions number 2, 3, 10, 15, 26, 34, and 17 are located on shelves be-hind and around my desk and are within reach as I sit at the desk.Divisionsnumber 7, 8, 9, and 39-47 are located next in proximity to the desk. Otherreligious divisions come next in relation to how much I use them, with thesecular subjects and least used religious subjects being fartherest away.

F i le TopicsThe following list of topics should meet the need of the averageminister with a little adding and subtracting to meet individualneeds. Do not prepare a folder for each topic at once as you maynever use some of the topics. Begin your system with the topicswhich are marked with an asterik plus the other topics for whichyou already have material and books. Then you can add foldersfor the topics on which you wish to file material as the need oc-curs. To do this, when you discover material for which you donot have a folder just turn to the alphabetized list of topics be-low and pick out the topic which the material fits under best andprepare a folder for it and add it to the file. If the list below doesnot have a topic which fits the subject of the material which youwish to file just add the new topic to the list in alphabetical or-der, make a folder bearing the name of the new topic on the tab,and file the material in alphabetical order.1 have included in thebasic group of topics (marked with asteriks) three expanded to-pics. One is the “Advance” magazine divisions. “Advance” isthe official promotional magazine for the departmental ministriesof the Assemblies of God. Assembly of God ministers wi II findit advantageous to file the pages of “Advance” or index its arti-cles undereach division, Ministers ofother denominations shouldset up their file to incorporate the departmental ministries of their

denomination. The second expanded topic which I have includedin the basic topics is the books of the Bible. It will be notedthat these follow the biblical order. The third expanded topic is“THEOLOGY”. The main divisions of theology are listed alpha-betically behind “THEOLOGY”. If you desire to add subtopicshelp may be gained by looking at the table of contents in syste-matic theology books. In the same way help can be gained in de-veloping subdivisions in other topics by looking at the tables ofcontent in books on the main subject. As an example if you de-sireto subdivide the topic on “PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSEL-ING” turn to the table of contents in General Psychology and inbooks on counseling and you can derive logical subtopics.

You will also find it helpful to make an index of some of the ma-jor topics and file this in the front of the folder for the topic. Aneasy way to prepare such an index is to write down the most im-portant subdivisions as they appear in the table of contents of agood book on the topic. In some cases it might be a permissabletimesaver to make a photocopy of the table and file it as yourindex on the topic. This will be helpful in knowing what a topicdeals with and in knowing what to file under a given topic.

FILE FOLDER TOPICS

ABORTIONABRAHAMABSOLUTION (FORGIVENESS)ABSTINENCE, TOTALADAMADDICTION, DRUGADMINISTRATIONADOLESCENCEADOPTION OF CHILDRENADOPTION, SPIRITUALADORATION (PRAISE)ADULTADULTERYADULTERY, SPIRITUAL

l ADVANCE MAGAZINEl ADVANCE, ADMINISTRATION* ADVANCE, ADVERTISINGl ADVANCE, AUDIO-VISUALl ADVANCE, BENEVOLENCES

l ADVANCE, BIBLE READING* ADVANCE, BOOK REVIEWS* ADVANCE, BULLETIN CLIPSl ADVANCE, CALENDAR* ADVANCE, CHRIST’S AMBASSADORSl ADVANCE, COLLEGE YOUTHl ADVANCE, SERVICEMENl ADVANCE, SPEED-THE-LIGHTl ADVANCE, CHURCH MEMBERSHIPl ADVANCE; CHURCH SCHOOL LITERATURE* ADVANCE, CONVENTIONSl ADVANCE, EDUCATION* ADVANCE, FOREIGN MISSIONS* ADVANCE, HOME MISSIONS+ ADVANCE, MEN’S FELLOWSHIPl ADVANCE, LIGHT-FOR-THE-LOSTl ADVANCE, ROYAL RANGERSl ADVANCE, MINISTERIAL AIDSl ADVANCE, MUSIC* ADVANCE, NEWSl ADVANCE, PENTECOSTAL EVANGEL* ADVANCE, PRAYER WEEKl ADVANCE, PUBLIC REALTIONSl ADVANCE, RADIOl ADVANCE, SERMON IDEASl ADVANCE, SONGSl ADVANCE, SPECIAL DAYSl ADVANCE, CHRISTMASl ADVANCE, EASTERl ADVANCE, FATHER’S DAYl ADVANCE, INDEPENDENCE DAYl ADVANCE, MEMORIAL DAYl ADVANCE, MOTHER’S DAY’ ADVANCE, NEW YEAR’S DAYl ADVANCE, THANKSGIVING DAYl ADVANCE, VALENTINE’S DAYl ADVANCE, SPIRITUAL LIFE-EVANGELISMl ADVANCE, STEWARDSHIPl ADVANCE, SUNDAY SCHOOL* ADVANCE, B. G. M. C.l ADVANCE, CH I LD EVANGE LlSMl ADVANCE, ENLARGEMENT CAMPAIGNl ADVANCE, LOYALTY CAMPAIGNl ADVANCE, V. B. S.

* ADVANCE, WOMEN’S MISSIONARY COUNCIL* ADVANCE, MISSIONETTES* ADVANCE, Y. W. M. C.

ADVENT, FIRSTADVENT, SECONDADVERSITY (AFFLICTION)ADVERTISINGADVOCATEAESTHETICSAGED (GERONTOLOGY)AGNOSTICISMAGRICULTUREALCOHOLICS ANNONYMOUSALCOHOLISMALLEGORYALTAR CALLALTAR, FAMILYALTAR, IN JUDAISMALTRUISMAMENAMERICA, CENTRALAMERICA, NORTHAMERICA, SOUTHAMERICANISMAMERICAN LEGIONANABA PT ISTANALOGY OF FAITHANCESTOR WORSHIPANGELOFTHE LORDANGER (WRATH)ANIMALSANNIHILATIONISMANOINTINGANTHEMSANTHEM, NATIONALANTHROPOMORPHISMANITNOMIANISMANTI-SEMITISMANXIETYAPOCALYPTIC LITERATUREAPOCRY PHAAPOCRYPHALAPOLOGETICS (EVIDENCES)APOSTASY (BACKSLIDING)

APOSTASY, OF ISRAELAPOSTASY, THE GREAT (FALLING AWAY)APOSTLEAPOSTLES, TWELVEAPOSTLE’S CREEDAPOSTOLIC AGEAPOSTOLIC FATHERSAPOSTOLIC SUCCESSIONARCHAEOLOGYARCHITECTUREARIANISMARKOF THECOVENANTARMINIANISMARMOR, SPIRITUALART AND RELIGIONARTICLES OF FATIHARTIFICIAL INSEMINATIONASCETICISMASTROLOGYASTRONOMY (STARS)ATHLETICS (SPORTS)ATOMICAUDIO-VISUAL AIDSAUTHORITY, SUBMISSION TOAUTOMOBILEAVARICEAWAKENING, THE GREATAWE (REVERENCE)BABYLONBACCALAUREATE SERVICEBACKBITINGBAPTISM (GENERAL ARTICLES)BAPTISM, OF CHRISTBAPTISM, MODE OFBAPTISM, OF INFANTSBAPTISM, OF JOHN BAPTISTBAPTISMAL REGENERATIONBATTLESBEATITUDESBEAUTYBEHAVIORBELIEF 8, UNBELIEFBELIEVERSBENEDICT IONS

52 53

BENEVOLENCEBEREAVEMENTBETRAYAL OF CHRIST

* BIBLE (GENERAL ARTICLES)* BIBLE, BOOK OF GENESISl BIBLE, BOOK OF EXODUS* BIBLE, BOOK OF LEVITICUS+ BIBLE, BOOK OF NUMBERS* BIBLE, BOOK OF DEUTERONOMYl BIBLE, BOOK OF JOSHUAl BIBLE, BOOK OF JUDGES* BIBLE, BOOK OF RUTHl BIBLE, BOOK OF I SAMUEL* BIBLE, BOOK OF II SAMUEL* BIBLE, BOOK OF I KINGS* BIBLE, BOOK OF II KINGSl BIBLE, BOOK OF I CHRONICLES* BIBLE, BOOK OF II CHRONICLESl BIBLE, BOOK OF EZRAl BIBLE, BOOK OF NEHEMIAHl BIBLE, BOOK ESTHERl BIBLE, BOOK OF JOB* BIBLE, BOOK OF PSALMS* BIBLE, BOOK OF PROVERBS+ BIBLE, BOOK OF ECCLESIASTESl BIBLE, BOOK OF SONG OF SOLOMONl BIBLE, BOOK OF ISAIAHl BIBLE, BOOK OF JEREMIAHl BIBLE, BOOK OF LAMENTATIONSl BIBLE, BOOK OF EZEKIELl BIBLE, BOOK OF DANIEL* BIBLE, BOOK OF HOSEAl BIBLE, BOOK OF JOELl BIBLE, BOOK OF AMOS* BIBLE, BOOK OF ODABIAH* BIBLE, BOOK OF JONAHl BIBLE, BOOK OF MICAHl BIBLE, BOOK OF NAHUM+ BIBLE, BOOK OF HABAKKUKl BIBLE, BOOK OF ZEPHANIAHl BIBLE, BOOK OF HAGGAIl BIBLE, BOOK OF ZECHARIAH’ BIBLE, BOOK OF MALACHI

54

* BIBLE, BOOK OF MATTHEW* BIBLE, BOOK OF MARKl BIBLE, BOOK OF LUKEl BIBLE, BOOK OF JOHNl BIBLE, BOOK OF ACTSl BIBLE, BOOK OF ROMANSl BIBLE, BOOK OF I CORINTHIANS’ BIBLE, BOOK OF II CORINTHIANS* BIBLE, BOOK OF GALATIANS* BIBLE, BOOK OF EPHESIANSl BIBLE, BOOK OF PHILIPPIANSl BIBLE, BOOK OF COLOSSIANSl BIBLE, BOOK OF I THESSALONIANS* BIBLE, BOOK OF II THESSALONIANSl BIBLE, BOOK OF I TIMOTHY* BIBLE, BOOK OF II TIMOTHY* BIBLE, BOOK OF TITUSl BIBLE, BOOK OF PHILEMONl BIBLE, BOOK OF HEBREWS* BIBLE, BOOK OF JAMES* BIBLE, BOOK OF I PETER+ BIBLE, BOOK OF II PETERl BIBLE, BOOK OF I JOHN* BIBLE, BOOK OF II JOHNl BIBLE, BOOK OF III, JOHNl BIBLE, BOOK OF JUDEl BIBLE, BOOK OF REVELATION

BIBLE, IN PUBLIC SCHOOLSBIBLE SOCIETIESBIBLICAL CRITICISMBIGOTRYBIOGRAPHIES, BIBLICALBIOGRAPHIES, NONBIBLICALBIRTH CONTROLBIRTH OF CHRISTBIRTHRIGHTBIRTH, VIRGINBLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRITBLESSINGS, PROMISE OFBLESSINGS, TEMPORALBLESSINGS, SPlRlTlJALBLINDNESS, NATURALBLINDNESS,SPIRITUAL

55

BLOOD (GENERAL ARTICLES)BLOOD, OF CHRISTBLOOD, OF THE COVENANTBOASTINGBODYOF CHRIST (CHURCH)BONDAGE, NATURAL & SPIRITUALBOOK, OF JUDGEMENTBOOK, OF LIFEBOOKS, TO BUYBOTANYBOY SCOUTSBOYSBREAD OF LIFEBREATH OF LIFEBRETHRENBREVITY OF LIFEBRIDE (CHURCH)BRIDEGROOM (CHRIST)BROTHERHOOD OF MANBUDGET, CHURCHBUDGET, FAMILYBULLETINSBURIAL SERVICESBURNT OFFERINGSCALLING (ELECTION)CALVARYCALVINSIMCAMPAIGNSCAMPINGCAMPMEETINGSCANAANCAPITALISMCAPTIVITY OF ISRAELCARD PLAYINGCARNALCASTING LOTSCATACOMBSCATECHISMCATHEDRALSCELEBRATIONCELIBACYCEMETERIESCEREMONIAL LAW

CEREMONIALISMCEREMONIES, VARIOUSCHAPLAINCY, INDUSTRIALCHAPLAINCY, INSTITUTIONALCHAPLAINCY, MILITARYCHARACTERCHARGE, TO MINISTERSCHARITYCHASTISEMENTCHEERFULNESSCHEMISTRYCHILD EVANGELISMCHILDREN, ADOPTION OFCHILDREN, DISCIPLINE OFCHILDREN, OF GODCHILDREN, OF SATANCHOIRCHRISTENINGCHRISTIAN EDUCATIONCHRISTIAN LIBERTYCHRISTIANSCHOOLSCHRISTIAN VIRTUESCHRONOLOGYCHURCH, ADMINISTRATIONCHURCH, ARCHITECTURECHURCH, ATTENDANCECHURCH, AUTHORITY OFCHURCH, BUDGETCHURCH, COMMITTEESCHURCH,DEDICATIONSCHURCH, DEPARTMENTSCHURCH, DISCIPLINECHURCH, EQU I PMENTCHURCH, GOVERNMENTCHURCH, LIBRARYCHURCH, MEMBERSHIPCHURCH, OFFICERSCHURCH AND STATECHURCH, STATISTICSCHURCH, SUPPLIESCHURCH, YEARCIRCUMCISIONCITIZENSHIP, HEAVENLY

5G

57

CITIZENSHIP, NATURALCITYCITY, THE HOLYCIVIC DUTIESCIVIL DEFENSECIVIL LAWCIVILRIGHTSCIVILIZATIONCLEANSING (PURIFICATION)CLERGYCLOTHINGC LOTH ING, IMMODEST, MODESTCLOTHING,SPIRITUALCOLLECTIONS (HOBBIES)COLLECTIONS (MONETARY)COLLEGES, CHRISTIANCOLLEGES, PRIVATECOLLEGES,STATECOMFORTCOMFORTER (HOLY SPIRIT)COMMENCEMENTCOMMISSION, THE GREATCOMMITTEESCOMMUNION (LORD’S SUPPER)COMMUNION, ELEMENTS OFCOMMUNION, OF SAINTSCOMMUNION, WITH GODCOMMUNISMCOMPANIONS, GOOD & EVILCOMPANIONSHIPCOMPASSION, DIVINECOMPASSION, HUMANCONCEPTION, IMMACULATECONDUCTCONFIRMATIONCONGREGATIONALISMCONSCIENCECONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORSCONSECRATIONCONSTITUTION & BYLAWSCONVERTSCONVICT ION OF SINCORNERSTONES, LAYING OFCOSMOLOGY (CREATION)

COUNCIL, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (GENERAL)COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (DISTRICT)COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (SECTIONAL)COUNCILS,CHURCHCOUNSELING, CASESCOUNSELING, PASTORALCOUNSELING,SECULARCOUNSELING, TECHNIQUECOUNSELING,THEORIESCOUNTER-REFORMAT IONCOURAGECOURTESYCOURTSHIPCOVENANT, ARK OF THECOVENANT, OF GRACECOVENANT, THE NEWCOVENANT, THE OLDCOVENANT-BREAKERSCOVETOUSNESSCRADLE ROLLCREATORCREEDSCREMATIONCRIMECROSS-BEARINGCRUCIFIXCRUSADESCULTURECURSING{PROFANlTY)DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLDANCINGDARKNESS, NATURAL & SPIRITUALDARKNESS, WORKS OFDAYDAY, OF JUDGEMENTDAY, OF THE LORDDAYS, LATTERDEADSEA SCROLLSDEAFNESS, NATURAL & SPIRITUALDEATH (GENERAL ARTICLES)DEATH, PHYSICALDEATH, SPIRITUALDEATH, ETERNALDECEIT

5958

DELINQUENCY, JUVENILEDELUSIONSDEMOCRACYDEMONIACDENOMINATIONALISMDENOMINATIONS (GENERAL ARTICLES)DENOMINATION, ANGLICANISMDENOMINATION, ASSEMBLIES OF GODDENOMlNATION,BAPTISTDENOMINATION, CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCEDENOMINATION, CHURCH OF CHRISTDENOMINATION, CHURCH OF GODDENOMINATION, CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRISTDENOMINATION, DISCIPLES OF CHRISTDENOMINATION, EPISCOPALIANISMDENOMINATION, FOURSQUARE GOSPELDENOMINATION, GREEK ORTHODOXDENOMINATION, LUTHERANISMDENOMINATION,MENNONITESDENOMINATION,METHODISMDENOMINAT ION, NAZAR INEDENOMINATION, PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF CANADADENOMINATION, PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GODDENOMINATION, PENTECOSTAL HOLINESSDENOMINATION, PRESBYTERIANISMDENOMlNATION,QUAKERISMDENOMINATION, ROMAN CATHOLICISMDENOMINATION,OTHERSDEPRAVITYDEPRESSIONDESECRATION OF THE SABBATHDETERMINISMDEVOTIONS, FAMILYDEVOTIONS, PERSONALDICTATORSDISAPPOINTMENTDISCIPLESDISCRIMINATIONDISEASEDISHONORDISOBEDIENCEDISPENSATIONS (GENERAL ARTICLES)DISPENSATION,OF INNOCENCE

60

DISPENSATION, OF CONSCIENCEDISPENSATION, OF CIVIL GOVERNMENTDISPENSATION,OF PROMISEDISPENSATION, OF LAWSDISPENSATION, OF GRACEDISPENSATION, OF THE KINGDOMDISPERSION, OF ISRAELDIVINATIONDIVORCEDOGMATISMDOMESTIC RELATIONSDRAMADREAMSDRIVESDUALISMEARNESTNESSEARTHECONOMICSECUMENICITYEDUCATIONEGOELECT, THEELECTIONELECTRIC ITYELECTRONICSEMOTIONSEMPLOYERSEMPEROR WORSHIPENTERTAINMENTENTHUSIASMENVYEPISTEMOLOGYEPISTLES, GENERALEPISTLES, PASTORALEPISTLES, PRISONETERNITYETHICSETIQUETTEEUTHANASIAEVANGELICALISMEVANGELISMEVANGELISTSEVI L

61

EVOLUTIONEXALTATIONEXCOMMUNICATIONEXEGESISEXHORTATIONEXTORTIONFABLESFAITH (GENERAL ARTICLES)FAITH,ARTICLES OFFAITHFULNESSFALL, OF MANFAMILYFAMINEFASTINGFATALISMFATHERFATHERHOOD, OF GODFAULT-FINDINGFEARFEASTSFEDERAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF CHRISTFEE L INGSFEET WASHINGFELLOWSHIPFICTIONFILTHINESSFIG TREEFIRSTAIDFIRST-BORNFISHFLESHFLOODFOODFOOD, SPIRITUALFOOLSFOOLISH QUESTIONSFORCEFOREIGNFOREKNOW LEDGEFOREORDINATIONFORGIVENESSFORMCRITICISMFORMALISMFORNICATION

62

FORTUNE TELLINGFREEWILLFREE WILL OFFERINGSFREEDOM (GENERAL ARTICLES)FREEDOM, OF RELIGIONFREEDOM, OF SPEECHFREEDOM, SPIRITUALFREEDOM, OF THE PRESSFRIENDSHIPFRUITFUND RAISINGFUNDAMENTALISMFUNDAMENTALS, THE SIXTEENFUNERAL SERVICESGALILEEGAMBLINGGAMESGARDENINGGEHENNAGENEAOLOGIESGENERATIONGENEROSITYGENTILESGEOGRAPHYGEOLOGYGETHSEMANEGIFTSGIRLSCOUTSGIVINGGLUTTONYGNOSTICISMGODLINESSGODS, FALSEGOLDEN RULEGOSPELGOSPEL,SOCIALGOSSIPGRACEGRADUATIONGRATITUDEGREEDGREEKGRIEFGUIDANCE, DIVINE

63

GUILTHABITSHADESHALLUCINATIONSHALLOWEENHANDSHANDS, LAYING ON OFHAPPINESSHARLOTSHATREDHEALING, DIVINEHEARTHEATHEN, THEHEAVENHEAVENSHEIRSHELLHERESYHERMENEUTICSHIGH PLACESHIGH PRIESTHIGHERCRITICISMHISTORY (GENERAL ARTICLES)HISTORY,ANCIENTHISTORY, BIBLICALHISTORY, CHURCHHISTORY. MEDIEVALHISTORY, MODERNHOBBIESHOLIDAYSHOLINESSHOLY DAYSHOMEHOMICIDEHOMILETICSHONESTYHONORHOPEHOPE, MESSIANICHOSPITALHUMANHUMAN NATUREHUMAN RELATIONSHUMILITY

HUMORHUNGER, NATURALHUNGER, SPIRITUALHUSBANDSHYGIENEHYPOCRISYIDIDLE WORDSIDLENESSIDOLATRYIGNORANCE, NATURAL & SPIRITUALILLEGITIMACYILLITERACYILLNESS (GENERAL ARTICLES)ILLNESS, MENTALILLNESS, PHYSICALILLNESS, PSYCHOSOMATICIMAGINATIONIMMIGRATIONIMMORTALITYINAUGURALINCENSEINCESTINCOME TAXINFIDELITYINGRATITUDEINHERITANCE, NATURAL & SPIRITUALINJUSTICEINQUISITIONINSANITYINSCRIPTIONSINSTINCTSINSURANCEINTEGRATION & SEGREGATIONINTERMEDIATE STATEISRAELISRAELITESJEALOUSYJERUSALEMJERUSALEM, THE NEWJOKESJORDANJOURNA LISM (WRITING)JOURNEYS OF PAUL

6564

JOYJUBILEE, YEAR OFJUDAHJUDAISMJUDGEMENTJUDGEMENT, SEATJUSTICEKERYGMA (GOSPEL)KEYS, OF THE KINGDOMKILLING, MERCYKINDNESSKN-OWLEDGEKORANLABOR,UNIONSLAITYLANGUAGESLAWLAZINESSLEADERSHIPLEARNINGLECTURESLEAVENLEGALISMLEGENDSLENTLEPROSYLEVITESLEWDNESSLIBERALISMLIFE, BOOK OFLIFE, BREVITY OFLIFE, TREE OFLIGHTLITERATURE (GENERAL ARTICLES)LITERATURE, DEVOTIONALLITERATURE, OBSCENE (PORNOGRAPHY)LITURGYLODGES (SECRET SOCIETIES)LONGEVITYLONGSUFFERINGLORDLOST, THELOST.COIN

LOST, SHEEPLOVE (GENERAL ARTICLES)LOVE, BROTHERLY (PHILEO)LOVE, CONJUGAL -LOVE, DIVINE (AGAPE)LOVE, OF ENEMIESLOVE, TO GODLOVE, TO NEIGHBORLOVE, PHYSICAL (EROS)LUKEWARMNESS -LUSTLUXURIESLYINGMAGICMAJESTYMALICEMANMANNAMARANATHAMARRIAGE, CEREMONYMARTYRDOMMASTERSMATERIALISMMATHEMATICSMEASURES (AND WEIGHTS)MEDICINEMEDITATIONMEEKNESSMEMORIAL SERVICESMEMORIZINGMERCYMETAPHYSICSMILITARYMINDMINISTERS (GENERAL ARTICLES)MINISTER, CALLING OFMINISTER, CHARGES TOMINISTER, DUTIES OFMINISTER, ORDINATION OFMINISTER’S CHARACTERMINISTER’S ETHICSMINORITIESMIRACLESMISSIONARIES

66 67

MISSIONS,BIBLICALMISSIONS, FOREIGNMISSIONS,HOMEMODESTYMONASTICISMMONEYMONOGAMYMONUMENTSMORALSMOTHERSMURDERMUSIC (GENERAL ARTICLES)MUSIC,CHURCHMUSIC, DIRECTOR OFMYSTERIESMYSTICISMMYTHOLOGYNAMENARCOTICSNA-TIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALSNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHESNATURENATURE,WORSHIPNAZARITESNEGROESNEIGHBORNEO-ORTHODOXYNEW, BIRTHNEW, CREATIONNEW, HEARTNEW, NAMENEW, YEARNEWSPAPERNUMBERSNUNSNURSESOATHSOBEDIENCEOBSTINACYOFFICE SUPPLIESOFFSPRINGOPPRESSIONOPTIMISM,ORGANS

68

ORPHANSPACIFISMPAGEANTSPAINPALESTINEPARABLESPARABLES OF CHRISTPARADOXPARDONPARENTHOOD, PLANNEDPARENTSPARLIAMENTARY PROCEDUREPAROCHIAL SCHOOLSPAROUSIAPASSIONPASSIONSPASSOVERPASTORSPATIENCEPATRIARCHSPATRIOTISMPEACE (GENERAL ARTICLES)PEACE, OF GODPEACE, ON EARTHPEACE, PROMISES OFPEACEMAKERSPEARL OF GREAT PRICEPELAGIANISMPENITENCEPENSIONP E N T A T E U C HPENTECOSTPENTECOSTALPENTECOSTAL, HISTORYPERFECTIONISMPERIODICALS, RELIGIOUSPERIODICALS, SECULARPERJURYPERSECUTIONPERSERVERANCE, OF THE SAINTSPERSONALITYPESSIMISMPETTINGPHAR ISA ISM

69

PHARISEESPHILANTHROPYPHILOSOPHY,CHRISTIANPHIl_OSOPHY,SECULARPHOTOGRAPHYPHYSICSPICTURES, MOTIONPIETISMPOETRY, RELIGIOUSPOETRY, SECULARPOLITICAL, PARTIESPOLITICSPOLYGAMY (BIGAMY)POOR, THEPOPE, THEPOWERPRACTICAL THEOLOGYPRAISEPRAYER (GENERAL ARTICLES)PRAYER,BOOKSPRAYER,MEETINGSPREACHERSPREJUDICEPRIDEPRIESTHOOD, OF BELIEVERSPRIESTHOOD, IN JUDAISMPRINCE, OF THIS WORLDPRISONPROCRASTINATIONPROHIBITIONPROMISESPROPHECIES, OF ISRAELPROPHECIES, MESSIANICPROPHECY, FULFILLMENT OFPROPHETSPROSPERITYPROSTITUTIONPROTESTANT ISMPROVIDENCEPSALTERPSYCHIATRYPSYCHOLOGY (GENERAL ARTICLES)PSYCHOLOGY, OF RELIGIONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

70

PUBLICSPEAKINGPUBLICANSPUBLICITY,CHURCHPUBLICITY,GENERAL .PUNISHMENT, CAPITALPUNISHMENT, OF CHILDRENPUNISHMENT, ETERNALPYRAMIDSQUARRELSQUICKENINGQUIETNESSRACE, PROBLEMSRACESRADIORATIONALISMREALISMREASONREBUKEREFORMATIONREFORMATION, DAYREFORlMED THEOLOGYREFORMERSREFUGEESREINCARNATIONREJOICINGRELICSRELIGIONS (GENERAL ARTICLES)RELIGION, ANIMISMRELIGION,BUDDHISMRELIGION, CHRISTIANITYRELIGION, CONFUCIANISMRELIGION, HINDUISMRELIGION, ISLAMRELIGION, JAINISMRELIGION, JUDAISMRELIGION, SHINTOISMRELIGION, TAOSIMRELIGION, ZOROASTRIANISMREMEMBERINGPEM’NANT OF ISRAELRENAISSANCEREPUTATIONRESPECTRESPONSIBILITY

71

.RESTRESTORATION, OF ISRAELRETRIBUTIONREVELATION; GENERALREVELATION, NATURALREVELATION, SPECIALREVELATION, SPIRITUALREVENGEREVERENCE, FOR GODREVIVALSRIGHTEOUS INDIGNATIONRIGHTEOUSNESSSABBATH DAYSACRAMENTSACRIFICESADDUCEESSAINTSSANCTUARYSANHEDRINSARCASMSTATE, AUTHORITY OFSCHISMSCHOLASTICISMSCIENCE AND RELIGIONSCIENTIFIC METHODSCRIBESSCROLLS, DEAD SEASEASONS, THESECTS (GENERAL ARTICLES)SECT, BAHA’ISMSECT, BRITISH ISRAELISMSECT, CHRISTIAN SCIENCESECT, JEHOVAH’S WITNESSSECT, MORAL RE-ARMAMENTSECT, MORMONISMSECT, OCCULTSECT, ROSICRUCIANISMSECT, SATANISMSECT, SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISMSECT, SPIRITISMSECT, SWEDENBORGIANISMSECT, THEOSOPHYSECT, UNITARIANISMSECT, UNITY SCHOOL

SECULAR ISMSEEDSELF, CONTROLSELF,DENIALSELFISHNESSSELF-RIGHTEOUSNESSSENSUALITYSEPTUAG INTSERMON, ON THE MOUNTSERVICE CLUBS (CIVIC CLUBS)SEXSEX, EDUCATIONSEXUAL, PERVERSIONSEXUAL, PROMISCUITYSEXUAL, PURITY (CHASTITY)SHAMESHEOLSHEPHERDSSHRINESSICK, VISITING THESIGNS, OF THE TIMESSINAISINCERITYSINGINGSKEPTICISMSLANDERSLAVERYSLEEP, SOULSMOKINGSOCIAL, DISEASESSOCIAL, SECURITYSOCIAL, SERVICESOCIALISMSOCIETIES, BIBLESOCIETIES, RELIGIOUSSOCIETIES, SECULARSOCIOLOGYSONSORROWSOULSOUL, WINNINGSPIRITUALITYSTERILITYSTEWARDSHIP

7372

STOICISMSTRENGTH, DIVINESTRENGTH, HUMANSTRIFESUFFERINGSUICIDESUNDAYSUNDAY, SCHOOLSUPERNATURALSUPERSTITIONSWORD, OF THE SPIRITSYMBOLISMSYMPATHYSYNAGOGUESYNODSSYNOPTIC, GOSPELSSYNOPTIC, PROBLEMTABERNACLETABERNACLES, FEAST OFTALENTTALMUDTEACHERSTEACHINGTEARSTELEVISIONTEMPERTEMPLETEN, COMMANDMENTSTEN, LEPERSTEN, VIRGINSTESTINGTHANKFULNESSTHEATER

l THEOLOGY* THEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLES

THEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), ANGEL’S NATURETHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), GOOD ANGELSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), WORK OF GOOD ANGELSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), EVIL ANGELSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), WORK OF EVIL ANGELSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), DESTINY OF ANGELSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), DEMONSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), WORK OF DEMONSTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), DESTINY OF DEMONS

74

THEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), SATANTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), SATAN’S NATURETHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), WORK OF SATANTHEOLOGY (ANGELOLOGY), DESTINY OF SATAN

l THEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), ORIGIN OF MANTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), CONSTITUTION OF MANTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), FALL OF MANTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), NATURE OF MANTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), DEPRAVITY OF MANTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), ORIGIN OF SINTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), NATURE OF SINTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), CONSEQUENCE OF SINTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), VARIOUS SINSTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), PUNISHMENT OF SINTHEOLOGY (ANTHROPOLOGY), REMEDY FOR SIN

l THEOLOGY (BIBLIOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (BIBLIOLOGY), DIVINE REVELATIONTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGY

l THEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGY‘THEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGYTHEOLOGY

(BIBLIOLOGY), DIVINE INSPIRATION(BIBLIOLOGY), EVIDENCE OF INSPIRATION(BIBLIOLOGY), ORIGIN & TRANSMISSION OF BIBLE(BIBLIOLOGY), TRANSLATIONS & VERSIONS(BIBLIOLOGY), CANONIZATION:CHRISTOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLES(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS BREAD OF LIFE(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS BRIDEGROOM(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS HEAD(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS JUDGE(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS KING(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS LAMB(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS LOGOS(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS MESSIAH(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS PRINCE OF PEACE(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS PRIEST(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS PROPHET(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS SERVANT(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS TRUE VINE(CHRISTOLOGY), CHRIST AS VICTOR(CHRISTOLOGY), ASCENSION OF CHRIST(CHRISTOLOGY), ATONEMENT OF CHRIST(CHRISTOLOGY), BAPTISM OF CHRIST(CHRISTOLOGY), BIRTH OF CHRIST(CHRISTOLOGY), BLOOD OF CHRIST(CHRISTOLOGY), BODY OF CHRIST

THEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), CHANGELESSNESS OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), CONFESSION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), CROSS OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), CRUCIFIXION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), DEATH OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), DIVINITY OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), GLORY.OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), HUMAtdITY OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), HUMILIATION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), INCARNATION OF CHRIS?THEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), INTERCESSION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), KINGDOM OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), LIFE OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), MINISTRY OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), MIRACLES OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), NAMES OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY(, NATURES OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), PROPHECIES OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), RESURRECTION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), SINLESSNESS OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), SUFFERINGS OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), TEMPTATION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), TRIAL OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (CHRISTOLOGY), WORKS OF CHRIST

* THEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), DEPARTMENTAL MINISTRIES OF THETHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), DESTINY OF THE CHURCH CHURCH

THEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), DISCIPLINE IN THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), MINISTERS IN THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLE,SIOLOGY), MISSION OF THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY),ORDlNANCES OF THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), ORIGIN OF THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (ECCLESIOLOGY), ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

* THEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), ANTICHRISTTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), ARMAGEDDONTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), DEATH - Spiritual, Physical, EternalTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), ETERNAL LIFE

THEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), FINAL STATE - Heaven, Hell, EarthTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY),FUTURE OF ISRAELTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), FUTURE OF NATIONSTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), JUDGEMENTSTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), MILLENNIUMTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), RAPTURE OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), RESURRECTIONTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), REVELATION OF CHRISTTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), REWARDSTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), SEVENTIETH WEEKTHEOLOGY (ESCHATOLOGY), TRIBULATION

* THEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), BAPTISM OF THE SPIRITTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), FRUIT OF THE SPIRITTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), GIFTS OF THE SPIRITTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), HISTORY OF THE DOCTRINE OF THETHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), NAMES OF THE SPIRIT SPIRITTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), PERSONALITY OF THE SPIRITTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), THE SPIRIT IN THE CHURCHTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), THE SPIRIT IN THE FUTURETHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), THE SPIRIT IN THE NEW TEST.THEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), THE SPIRIT IN THE OLD TEST.THEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), SYMBOLS OF THE SPIRITTHEOLOGY (PNEUMATOLOGY), WORKS OF THE SPIRIT

l THEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), ATONEMENT, THEORIES OFTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), ATONEMENT IN THE NEW TEST.THEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), ATONEMENT IN THE OLD TEST.THEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), CONVERSIONTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), DIVINE PURPOSETHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), FAITH & LAWTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), JUSTIFICATIONTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), SALVATIONTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), SANCTIFICATIONTHEOLOGY (SOTERIOLOGY), REPENTANCE

* THEOLOGY (PROPER), GENERAL ARTICLESTHEOLOGY (PROPER), ATTRIBUTES OF GODTHEOLOGY (PROPER), DECREES OF GODTHEOLOGY (PROPER), ESSENCE OF GODTHEOLOGY (PROPER), EXISTENCE OF GOD (PROOFS)THEOLOGY (PROPER), NAMES OF GODTHEOLOGY (PROPER), NATURE OF GODTHEOLOGY (PROPER), PROVIDENCE OF GODTHEOLOGY (PROPER). SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

76 77

THEOLOGY (PROPER), THEORY OF ATHEISMTHEOLOGY (PROPER), THEORY OF DEISMTHEOLOGY (PROPER), THEORY OF MONOTHEISMTHEOLOGY (PROPER), THEORY OF PANTHEISMTHEOLOGY (PROPER), THEORY OF POLYTHEISMTHEOLOGY (PROPER), THEORY OF THEISMTHEOLOGY (PROPER), THE TRINITYTHEOLOGY (PROPER), WORKS OF GODTHEOLOGY, MODERNTHEOPHANYTITHINGTRACTSTRADITIONSTRUTHTY POLOGYUNITED NATIONSUNIVERSE .UNPARDONABLESINUSHERINGUTILITARIANISMVALLEY OF HINNOMVANITYVIOLENCEVISIONSVISITATION, PROGRAMVOCATIONVOCATIONALGUIDANCEVOLITIONVOTINGvowsVULGATEWALKINGWARWARFARE, SPIRITUALWIDOWSWILLWILLSWINEWISDOMWITCHCRAFTWIVESWOMANHOODWOMEN, IN THE BIBLEWORK

78

WORKSWORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHESWORLDLINESSWORRYWORSHIPWRATH, OF GODWRATH,OF MANXRAYY .M.C.A.YOUTH (GENERAL ARTICLES)YOUTH, MOVEMENTSY.W.C.A.ZION, MOUNTZIONISMZOOLOGY

79

, .t

6

b A E$O&-EVERY BIBLE SCHOLAR.

****WHAT THE BOOK CONTAINS****

* The Need For Hermeneutics

* Bas ic Convictions For Biblical interpretat ion

* Bas ic Qualifications .Of The Bi blical lnterpre ter

* Bas ic

l B a s i c

* Bas ic

Aids For Biblical Interpretation

Techniques Of Note Keeping

Methods Of Bible Study

* Basic Approaches To Bible Study

* Basic Types Of Bible Study

Principles Of Biblical Interpretation

Process Of F i I ing

* Bas ic

_ * Basic

TO HELP YOU “RIGHTLY

DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH”

Write to the author for a list of other booklets,books, and memographed studies.