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The Lens of Glory

Slide 1

Some basics on Biblical Interpretation

•The art of interpretation has also been called “Hermeneutics”• (Named after the Greek god

Hermes, the messenger)

• Distinguish between what a text says and what it means

• Understand the role of context•Recognize the type (genre) of the text which you are reading

and interpreting

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Distinguish between what a text says and what it means• Read Matthew 12:38-40

 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.”  He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

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The text refers to three days and three nights.

Does this mean this had to involve an elapsed

time of 72 hours?

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Three days and three nights involves a figure of speech in Israel at that time would allow

for any part of a calendar day to be included as a day.

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Consider the importance of context

Without context, the Bible could even be used (misused) to make a case for atheism.

“There is no God.”Psalm 14:1

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Consider the importance of context

 

In context though:The fool says in his heart,

    “There is no God.”They are corrupt, their deeds

are vile;    there is no one who does

good.Psalm 14:1

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Types of literature within the Bible:•Narrative (Gospel accounts)•Parables (Within Gospel accounts)•Genealogy (1 Chronicles)•Poetry (Psalms; Song of Songs)•Apocalyptic (Daniel; Revelation)•Teaching/Didactic (Epistles)

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Types of literature within the Bible:•One must not read one type/genre within the Bible as if it were another• Parables are not narrative (i.e. numerous sermons/commentaries often seem to treat the parable of the prodigal son [Luke 15:11-32] as a narrative)

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Types of literature within the Bible:•Care must be drawn in attempting to extract principles for doctrine and behavior from narrative passages, especially in light of clearer teaching passages (i.e. the narratives in the book of Acts concerning the early church settling as a commune in Jerusalem must not be understood to be an ongoing command for all Christians)

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When you read the Bible, have you

ever thought about the way that you

interpret what you read?

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Some possible factors:•Gender•Age•Nationality•Economic Class•“Canon within a Canon”•Red Letters•Others?

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Consider how someone who does not believe in the supernatural will interpret the Bible.•Read John 6:1-14; Matthew 28:1-10•What conclusions would that person draw?