SQLite format 3@  O{tableTopicsTopicsCREATE TABLE 'Topics' (Title NVARCHAR(100), Notes TEXT)?f=02 Is Anybody Listening?{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fK-y01 Words of Life{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\r Yaa00 SmithR - Basics of Bible Interpretation{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sl240\slmult1\lang2058\b\f0\fs28 Basics of Bible Interpretation\par \b0\i\fs24 by Bob Smith\par \i0\fs20\par Con w43 Acknowledgments\par \par \b PHASE 1: BACK TO BASICS\b0\par For everyone who wants to understand what God has said to man in his Word.\par \par 1. Words of Life\par 2. Is Anybody Listening?\par 3. The Goal of Bible Study\par 4. Interpretive Principles\par 5. The Interpretive Process\par 6. Bible Study Approaches\par \par \b PHASE 2: FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE\b0\par A look at the fascinating world of metaphoric and symbolic language.\par \par 7. Figures of Speech\par 8. The Language of Analogy (especially Parables)\par 9. Allegories and Types\par \par \b PHASE 3: BIBLICAL LANGUAGES\b0\par A bit of insight into the thought patterns of the Hebrew and Greek language behind our English text.\par \par 10. The Greeks Had a Word for It\par 11. Helps on Hebrew: What Every Bible Student Needs to Know About Hebrew (by David H. Roper)\par \par \b PHASE 4: STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS\b0\par The final step: analyzing structure and summarizing in outline form.\par \par 12. Getting It All Together\par \par INDEX to the APPENDIX and APPENDICES\par \par \b\fs24 Introduction\par \b0\fs20\par A constant source of encouragement to me and to many others has been the example of my dear friend and compatriot, Bob Roe. His diligent, careful study of God's Word, his obedient response to its truth, and his able teaching ministry which is the result, are a challenge to anyone who sees the possibility of being taught by God. Without formal theological training, he rates in my book as able apologist, thorough theologian, compassionate pastor and all-around man of God. I'm glad he's also my friend. I dedicate this book to him. May his tribe increase.\par \par I hope that this book will meet a need. Many of God's people have expressed to me that they do not have a handle on how to approach the Bible to become good, accurate interpreters of its contents.\par \par There are seminary courses on hermeneutics (the art of Bible interpretation) and books on the subject, but the courses are out of reach for most and the books are often too voluminous and imposing to invite reading. Yet I believe that God wants all of us to be able to study the Bible intelligently and understand its message...hence this book.\par \par I have a thing about thick books and big words, so if you're expecting an exhaustive (and exhausting) tome, replete with all the theological jargon, you'll be disappointed. This is not a scholarly treatise with a high fog rating. As did Paul the apostle, I want to use great plainness of speech, for no one should be excluded from the profitable and exciting possibility of discovering the truth of God through his own independent study of the Bible.\par \par I have tried to assume as little as possible on the part of the reader, so some of the material is on a rather elementary level. If it seems too basic, remember that every year football teams go back to the basics of blocking, tackling, running, kicking, and passing--so reviewing the basics of Bible interpretation is not altogether bad. I believe you may find plenty to challenge your thinking, however, even if you are already somewhat skilled in interpreting the Scriptures.\par \par This is a study book. If you do not have your Bible side by side with it as you study you will miss much of its value. The format I have used is simple. I have cited principles by which one can interpret the Scriptures, then I have illustrated the use of those principles to analyze a portion of scripture. You will want to follow my analysis step by step in your own Bible to really appreciate what I'm trying to do. You may not agree with all of my interpretive opinions, but I hope you will have gained the capability of reaching your own conclusions based on your personal application of interpretive principles.\par \par The theme song you should be singing throughout is:\par \par "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4).\par \par God has spoken! His are words to live by! So we must seek to understand the Basics of Bible Interpretation.\par \par Acknowledgments\par \par While I will attempt to acknowledge sources where possible, I'm sure I have borrowed much from many faithful teachers and authors whose material I have absorbed over the years so that they seem like my own. I am especially indebted to Milton S. Terry's Biblical Hermeneutics, a comprehensive treatment typical of the careful scholarship of the nineteenth century. I marvel that anyone had the time and scholarly persistence to produce such a thoroughly documented and illustrated volume. I'm also amazed I got through its 782 pages! This book won't be half that hard, but I hope it will be at least half as helpful.\par \par I owe so much to so many, I hardly know where to start and where to stop in acknowledgment of my indebtedness. But I must say "thanks" to many of my fellow-workers for their help in the preparation of this book, to those whose kindly critiques have been so valuable: Bob Roe, Dick and Judy Grant, Jim Blain, David Roper, Ron Ritchie, Steve Newman, Bev Blake, Patrick Cunningham, Carleen Brooks, Jean McAllister, Paul Winslow, Steve and Erica Lawry.\par \par Special thanks are due David Roper for his contribution on Old Testament Hebrew and his study questions on 2 Timothy. Then, last but far from least, there is the labor of love represented in the multiple typings and retypings by Dottie Canoose. Thanks, Dottie.\par \par It's always a special joy to work with our son, Dave Smith, on the art work for my books. I like the father/son act. Besides, it means he has to read what his "ole dad" writes, and I love to share the great truth God has given us with him and all our loved ones.\par \par About the Author\par A Tribute\par \par \par The man---a combination of lively intelligence, subtle humor, keen insight into people, gentleness of spirit plus an aggressive attitude of "Let's get the job done."\par \par The pastor---an engin eer by training with thirteen years of experience in steel fabricating prior to an equal number of years as an associate pastor at Peninsula Bible Church. His impact on PBC has been greatest in expository Bible teaching to adult groups, scriptural marriage counseling, home Bible class development, and church government.\par \par The believer---an overwhelming belief that Christ will be head of his church and head of each believer if only w allow him opportunity; a quiet unshakable confidence in Christ's power to live in and through each member of his Body. An acceptance of responsibility as an elder and pastoral spiritual leader which is based on total commitment that the ministry of the church is to be carried out by each believer.\par \par The husband and father---a successful husband of thirty-seven years and father of twin sons. A compassionate neighbor and father figure to many youngsters and young adults who prize highly their friendship with Bob Smith.\par \par \par Online version created April 7, 1997.\par \par First published in book form in 1978 by Word Books, Waco, Texas. Copyright (C) 1997 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. This data file is the sole property of Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. It may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice. This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Discovery Publishing. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to Discovery Publishing, 3505 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94306-3695.\cf1\par \cf0{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.raystedman.org/leadership/smith/"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf2 http://www.raystedman.org/leadership/smith/}}}\cf1\f0\fs20\par \cf0\par \pard\cf1\fs23\par } ed0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sl240\slmult1\lang2058\f0\fs20 Basics of Bible Interpretation: Phase 1. Chapter 1\par \b\fs28\par Words of Life\par \b0\fs20 \par God wants everyone to be able to understand the Bible, for its message is essentially how we can have and enjoy the greatest kind of life, free from the futility of pointlessness, free from the limitations of our human, earthly thought patterns, free from the fear of death and dying.\par \par Not everyone understands it this way. In fact, many are so convinced they can't understand the Bible that they never give it a second look. It's strange how we will study most any other subject with diligence only to have the acquired knowledge perish with us. But the words of the Bible are words of life!\par \par ...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice , and cleaving to him; for that means life to you...(Deut. 30:19, 20, italics mine).\par \par Even here in the Old Testament, which many think offers only wrath, God plainly wants us to choose life. And there are many similar expressions in the Old Testament:\par \par Thou cost show me the path of life...(Ps. 16:11).\par \par The fear of the Lord leads to life: and he who has it rests satisfied...(Prov. 19:23).\par \par ...the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore (Ps. 133:3).\par \par Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.\par \par I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation.\par \par I understand more than the aged, for I keep thy precepts.\par \par I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word.\par \par I rejoice at thy word like one who finds great spoil. (Ps 119:98-101, 162).\par \par Then there is Isaiah's word:\par \par For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace...(Isa. 55:10-12).\par \par Notice, in the same way God blesses man with rain and snow--to feed him and sustain his life--so he also sends forth his word. His purpose is that we may have joy and peace (v. 12).\par \par As one might expect, the New Testament overflows with the same thought. Listen to the words of the Lord Jesus:\par \par Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24).\par \par ...the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life (John 6:63).\par \par  ...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10: 10).\par \par The rest of the New Testament uses terms like: "holding fast the word of life" (Phil. 2:16) and "...the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance..." (Acts 20:32). Peter calls it "the living and abiding word of God" (1 Peter 1:23).\par \par The writer of Hebrews tells us: "...the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit...and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).\par \par So we seem to have ample evidence from the Bible itself that it is eminently worthwhile for us to read and understand the Bible. From the Scriptures we have cited, we could even put it stronger: it is really a "life and death" matter.\par \par God's Problem\par \par But God had a problem. Since he is obviously bigger than both of us--infinite, eternal and utterly unchanging--he could find it difficult to communicate with the likes of us who live on an entirely different plane. As Isaiah puts it, speaking for the Lord,\par \par For just as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours (Isa. 55:9, Living Bible).\par \par Yet God was so concerned that we know the beauty of his plan and the surpassing scope of his love for us that he broke through the communication barrier. He took the trouble to put his thoughts toward us in a book, so we can know what life is all about, in time and eternity. But more than that, we can know him, this God who cares about us. His communication went even further: He sent his personal emissary, his Son, to show us what he is like and what we should be like. So we have both a written and a personal revelation.\par \par In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature...(Heb. 1:1-3, italics mine).\par \par First we are told, "God spoke in many and various ways by the prophets..." Multi-media communication we call it today. Then the Bible tells us he sent his Son, a living, walking, talking, loving demonstration of his own nature, in three-dimensional, living color. He really wants us to understand and know him! I suspect that no one has ever taken such initiative and such care to be understood.\par \par His Book tells us more. It says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth...(John 1:1 and 14).\par \par He even called his Son "the Word" (and, I might add, the last word ) so concerned is he about communication with man--for "No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known" (John 1:18). God records the life and love of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus, in his Book in written words. The concern of God's heart to reveal himself to us is beautifully expressed by the apostle Paul in these words:\par \par ...we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written,\par \par "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him."\par \par For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (1 Cor. 2:7-13 NASV, italics mine).\par \par Did you catch the import of that?\par \par * What man could not understand through his eyes, or ears, or heart, God has revealed to us. Some revelation, I'd say! Just what I always wanted to know, but could never find out. But that's not all.\par * We have received the Spirit who is from God--that we might know the things God has freely given us. God sent us a private tutor to teach us of his good gifts so we might enjoy them. That's illumination. How good can it get? But that's still not all.\par * He communicated in words taught by the Spirit, matching up spiritual concepts with spiritual words! That's inspiration. He took man's words, used human writers and speakers with all their fallibility and frailty, to say exactly what he wants us to know--in human language. \par \par And what did he say? Well, you'll have to read his Book to get it all, but primarily he wants us to know that he loves us and is available to live our lives with us and in us to make life great--in time and eternity. But he doesn't kid us about the real problems and difficulties we'll face either. He just tells us the truth.\par \par How does he say it? He isn't stuck with limited imagination and creativity as we often are, so he uses all of the various and varied means of communication available in human language. He uses straight-from-the-shoulder talk like logical, reasoning discourse; commands as to exactly what we must do; real-life stories about real people; as well as less direct but equally effective teaching through parables, figures of speech, poetry, songs, history, intrigue, prophecy, and all kinds of blood-and-thunder stories.\par \par But in all of its various moods and modes of expression he tells us the truth about himself--and about us.\par \par \par Phase 1:\cf1 \cf2\ul <\cf0\ulnone Chapter 2\cf2\ul >\cf1\ulnone\par \cf0 Page\par \par First published in book form in 1978 by Word Books, Waco, Texas. >Copyright (C) 1997 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. This data file is the sole property of Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. It may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice. This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Discovery Publishing. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to Discovery Publishing, 3505 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94306-3695.\par \par \par \pard\cf1\fs23\par } charset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sl240\slmult1\lang2058\fs20 Basics of Bible Interpretation: Phase 1. Chapter 2.\par \par \par Is Anybody Listening?\par \par \par God still has a problem. It's this: Is anyone really listening? Most everyone (in the Western world, at least) has access to a copy of his Book, but not everyone reads it and understands it. As a matter of fact, though there are parts of the Bible that anyone can understand, no one understands all of it. But God is only concerned that we keep listening and learning so he can communicate to us what we need to know when we need to know it. He is so lovingly practical that he doesn't want to burden our minds and hearts with a lot of academic, unlived truth. He just wants to keep equipping us for all we face in life. So there's no graduation from this course of study--it's a lifetime curriculum.\par \par It's also a tough curriculum. It's not easy to understand God's Book. He has things to say that are beyond the realm of our experience, so no wonder it's difficult. But the Lord says repeatedly, "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear." Since he made us with two ears, he's not questioning our anatomy, only whether we're really listening and responding to his Word.\par \par He knows that his are words to live by, for he said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4 and Deut. 8:3). Our Lord Jesus Christ lived by the vital truth of God's Word. His life was a pattern of obedience to God's Word and he was ever quoting it and teaching it as the word of truth. He said to the Father, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17b).\par \par Regarding the Old Testament scriptures he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it" (Luke 11:28). And to proud Pharisees he said, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition...thus making void the word of God..." (Mark 7 :9, 13).\par \par He attested to the Old Testament record concerning Adam and Eve, Moses, and Jonah. He attested to the unchanging truth of "the law and the prophets" (a term for the Old Testament Scriptures) with complete confidence in their credibility and reliability as the Word of God.\par \par * He speaks concerning Adam and Eve: \par \par He answered, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?'" (Matt. 19:4, 5).\par \par Here he quotes from Genesis 1 and 2, the creation story, treating it as authoritative.\par \par * He has confidence in Moses' writings, and the prophets: \par \par And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27).\par \par * He quotes the Psalms and prophets: \par \par "I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me'" (John 13:18, a quotation from Ps. 41 :9).\par \par ...and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:17-19, a quotation from Isa. 61: 1-2).\par \par And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21).\par \par * He insists on the authority and permanence of the Old Testament scriptures: \par \par Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished (Matt. 5: 17, 18 NASV).\par \par # He claims to speak for God in his earthly ministry:\par \par ...The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works...He who does not love Me does not keep My words: and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me (John 14: 10, 24 NASV).\par \par * He gives warrant for New Testament revelation: \par \par These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you....But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning....I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you (John 14:25, 26, 15:26, 27; and 16:12-14).\par \par After all, we who are called by his name should take no other view than that of Jesus Christ, our Lord.\par \par That means we must listen to God's word with both ears.\par \par The Attitude That Promotes Understanding\par \par But how do we make sure we're getting it straight? I can't tell you how many times I've heard the objection, "There are so many interpretations of the Bible I don't think we can be sure of what it means. So why study it?" My usual reply is to ask the objector to interpret a verse like John 3: 16. He usually finds he can understand it. Hopefully, this approach will get people started.\par \par I hope differences of interpretive opinion don't deter you, for there is a simple explanation for them. It is this: we all have limited understanding of the truth, so our areas of ignorance can easily explain our lack of agreement. After all, scientists often disagree in their interpretation of the physical world, but this only spurs their interest and stimulates them to deeper study.\par \par Regarding the Scriptures, through the Apostle Paul, God testifies of all of us, "Now I know in part" (1 Cor. 13:12b).\par \par So we, like many scientists do, should take the humble place of the learner, for a lifetime. The most important issue is the attitude with which we approach the Scriptures.\par \par The Book That Goes with Man\par \par As we view man, we see that he is unique. He is uniquely capable of thinking and reasoning. When I talk to some of my scientific friends, I marvel at their ability to think in abstract, unseen, and unseeable realms of investigation. When I hear a great symphony orchestra, I am amazed at the ability of the composer and the orchestra to create and execute such a masterpiece of sound and rhythm which can profoundly move my feelings and responses. These marvelous talents are God-given and unique to the human species.\par \par Turning to the Bible, I am equally amazed at its richness of expression of the great themes of the grace and mercy of God extended to us because he loves us. I am amazed by the honesty with which he tells us the truth about ourselves even when it hurts, and then assures us of his redemptive answer to the hurt. The clarity with which the Scriptures see what I'm like suggests that its authors must be reading my mail or my mind--or else, the ultimate Author must be the one who made me and knows me through and through.\par \par This knowledge could be deadly, and totally unwelcome, if God were not concerned about my ultimate good through it all. But since he is concerned about my well-being, it seems to me I can handle anything God has to say to me.\par \par So ours should be an attitude of openness and expectancy when we study the Bible. If we examine the finished products, man and God's Book as they exist, we come to the conclusion that they correlate, and the Bible is the Book that goes with man. For the truth of the Bible speaks so clearly and forcefully to the crucial issues of life that the correlation is unmistakable.\par \par I don't want myself, or you, to be naive and gullible in these matters, but neither do I want to be like a stubborn, unreasoning donkey. A teachable spirit is a joy to see--in mules or in men. The Bible talks about the "simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3 KJV). The word in the Greek text for "simplicity" means mental honesty, or openness of heart. This attitude of approach to the Scriptures is not simplistic, but rather it leads to the discovery of the most profound truth --truth that applies to life.\par \par Understanding Language\par \par The use of language for communication is uniquely a faculty of man. As early in the Bible as the second chapter of Genesis, God instructed Adam to name the animals. Thus it seems basic to man's nature to use language to express what he sees and feels.\par \par It would appear that the earlier forms of writing were in pictographs, in which the written character pictured, in stylized fashion, the object observed. The development of more sophisticated expression through alphabets, words, grammatical usage, and the various parts of speech is virtually untraceable. It seems, though, that communication through spoken or written symbols is inherent in man.\par \par Communicating through Symbols\par \par Languages are basically symbolic, whether spoken or written, and if one does not have an understanding of how the symbols are employed to communicate thoughts and concepts, there is no communication. If you have ever visited a foreign country where you did not understand the language, this fact comes home to you with a bit of a shock. All communication in human language i s based on a common understanding of the symbols used, and includes a mutual understanding of words in their meaning and also in their grammatical relationships. In familiar surroundings and in a familiar tongue, we ordinarily take this common information for granted and never consciously apply the rules that govern our expression. Most of us who studied English grammar thought it was a bore and tried to forget it as soon as we passed the course. Nevertheless, all our communication in English is based on this foundational content. But if we seriously study the English Bible with any confidence that God is speaking through it in verbally-inspired tones, we had better pay conscious attention to language in its detailed use of words, sentences, paragraphs, idioms, grammatical structure, and all. For those of you who feel the need of a quickie refresher course on English grammar, Appendix A in the back of the book will be of interest.\par \par We need to remember that originally the Bible was not written in! English but in Hebrew and Greek. What we are reading today are simply translations into English. In this connection, we must also recognize that each language has its peculiar word usage and grammar, and that a knowledge of these peculiarities will enhance our understanding of the text. We should also recognize that languages are living, growing things--constantly changing with changes in usage. Words start with a root meaning, are adapted to various derived meanings, and sometimes end up expressing the very opposite of their original content.\par \par We can see that the Bible interpreter's task is complicated by these facts: (1) the Bible was recorded centuries ago in what are now ancient languages, (2) most of us don't read it in its original language, and (3) it was delivered to people with widely different cultural backgrounds from ours. Thus, we must be careful to hear the word in its cultural and temporal setting: yet its truth transcends all temporal, racial, language, and cultural boundaries.\"par \par Some Encouraging Words\par \par In case you're getting discouraged, let me hasten to add that there is ample source material in English for you to delve into the Hebrew language without knowing Hebrew, and the Greek language without knowing Greek. How does that strike you? To me it adds an additional element of intrigue, and encourages me to be a good word detective. It's amazing what one can discover with a little bit of diligent research.\par \par Which Version?\par \par People often wonder which English translation of the Bible they should use, and they are troubled by the multiplicity of versions available today. I'd like to suggest that this is not a problem, but a blessing. Each translation represents untold hours of careful scholarship through which the translators endeavored to carry over the best sense of the original language. No translation is a perfect expression of the original, simply because there are often no word-for-word equivalents in the two languages. That's why bibli#cal scholars study Hebrew and Greek, plus a number of related languages, to get as close as possible to the original intent. All of the scholarly translations, however, are sufficiently accurate to be trusted to give us an understanding of the truth. So, whether you choose to study the New American Standard Version, the Revised Standard Version, the New International Version, or the older King James Version, you can hear God speak to you through any of them.\par \par The most practical way to resolve a problem in the English text is to compare translations when in doubt, even utilizing the paraphrases, such as Phillips' New Testament and The Living Bible. When using these, however, it is wise to rest your confidence more heavily on the standard versions. In my opinion, the Phillips translation has stayed much closer to the original language than The Living Bible, but either paraphrase is useful if you are careful to compare and weigh the different renderings. Eternity magazine published a helpful review of English versions which is listed in the bibliography in the Appendix.\par \par \par Phase 1: Chapter 3\par \par First published in book form in 1978 by Word Books, Waco, Texas. >Copyright (C) 1997 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. This data file is the sole property of Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. It may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice. This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Discovery Publishing. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to Discovery Publishing, 3505 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94306-3695.\par \par \pard\cf1\f1\fs23\par } %he high-pressure appeals of the conference for personal witnessing, world missions, and consecration, this would be one glad hour in which we would shut out the appeals of man and contemplate the inexhaustible word of God. The Scriptures were opened and read. My soul now drew near, eager for the exposition of the word of God. But down my open throat was stuffed another sermon! It was a good and proper sermon, but it wasn't Bible study. The speaker wheeled back and forth like an eagle over the text, but he never came to rest upon it. I left the hall as hungry as I came and quite sure that the speaker could not distinguish between a sermon and a Bible study. Sermonizing is not Bible study.\par \par Scene II\par \par The honorable reverend stood before the audience and announced that he had the responsibility for the Bible study and would we all turn to a certain passage in the Old Testament. I thanked the Lord for a man who took his Bible study seriously, and eagerly anticipated a fruitful 45 minutes of& real Bible exposition. After the text was read there issued a torrent of words exhorting us to five different things. God knows that we needed at least ten exhortations, but God also knows that the relationship of the text to the exhortations was completely accidental. Although I left the auditorium completely equipped with exhortations my added insight into the text was zero. Whipping up three or four good exhortations from a text is not Bible study.\par \par Scene III\par \par I crouched low in the pew. It was eventide Bible hour and I was praying for grace to endure another sermon or a fist full of miscellaneous exhortations falsely known as "Bible" study. The first paragraph of the speaker brought me snappily out of my crouch. I was not going to get various and divers exhortations but real, honest, undiluted Bible study! He opened the Bible and went after the text!\par \par But at the third paragraph I was dismayed. From Bible study we slipped into exegesis. "The jussive means this" was followe'd by "the aorist participle means that." The housewives present did not know the difference between the jussive and lemon juice and their blank faces were rather faithful counterparts of their minds at this moment. For the first time in their lives the laymen heard the word "aorist" and surmised it was one of the pagan gods of the Hittites. Next we were hurriedly pulled past the opinions of Robertson, Denney, Cullmann and Broadus. By this time most of the little group was wool-gathering or day-dreaming or thinking how to damn with faint praise in the post-benediction chit-chat. Academic exegesis is not Bible study.\par \par Scene IV\par \par I mingled with a crowd of university students as we retreated from the hot sun into the cool auditorium. Certainly this crowd would put the speaker on the spot and force him to give out with good Bible study. The reputation of the Bible teacher preceded him like the runners preceded the ancient chariots. Away from the warm southern sun I sat smugly in my seat and (said to myself, "This is it--real Bible study"!\par \par The great Bible teacher strode across the platform like a great musician and putting his Bible upon the pulpit waited for the audience to quiet down before he played the first note. The concert began. Like the fingers of the pianist race up and down the keyboard, so his fingers raced through the Bible finding relevant verses. Plunk, ping, plunk! It did not take long before I realized that we were not having Bible study but a party line. The Bible was the keyboard and the teacher was playing his own tune upon it. The melody was not that of the Scripture but one imposed upon it by the Bible teacher. When the last embellishments were over, and when we were assured with a certainty the papacy could envy that we had the truth we were dismissed.\par \par I did not feel blessed nor fed nor led deeper into the Scriptures. I felt brain-washed. I felt my share in the priesthood of the believers as it pertained to Bible study had been violated by the arrog)ant dogmatisms of a party line. Propagandizing is not Bible study.\par \par Scene V\par \par Every church has its Bible study time at the prayer service. Here there is no urgency to evangelize or exhort. The pastor may unhurriedly open the Sacred Text and feed the flock from its riches.\par \par But as I watched the good man I almost cried. He announced his passage for the study and went to work--but what work! In his attempt to explain the text he was like a chicken with defective pecking aim. The poor hen pecks all around the corn but never hits it. She squints with her beady eye, she cocks her head, and then she pecks--and misses. She over-shoots or under-shoots.\par \par So the poor man of God does everything but explain the text. I got 30 minutes of various and divers unrelated and uninspiring pious observations. Each observation was a worthy one. But the passage itself remained untouched. We had been all around the text but never in it. Pious observations are not Bible study.\par \par The *tragedy is that Bible study is so simple, yet so elusive. It is unfortunate that there is so much stamping around the scriptures with no real Bible study. Let me set down a few principles of what I believe constitutes real study of the Bible.\par \par REAL BIBLE STUDY\par \par First, Bible study is in the language of the people, and in a fairly common translation. Bible study intends to acquaint Christians with the contents of the Bible in their language, and in the Bible they read. An expert Bible teacher will know his Hebrew and Greek and will have consulted the authoritative works of reference. But when he stands before his class all this must be veiled or cloaked. The bones of basic research must not protrude. He must translate all his learning into the common language. Some reference to the original languages is not objectionable but the main burden of the study must rest upon the English language and a common translation.\par \par If Bible study is to have staying power it must be in the commo+n language and in a common text. The people will grasp the content of Scripture only as it is taught to them in the language in which they converse, pray, read and sing.\par \par Exegesis is for the scholars and Bible study is no substitute for scholarly exegesis. But academic exegesis is not for the popular platform. Here God's people must be fed in their mother tongue.\par \par Secondly, the actual goal of Bible study is to convey the meaning to the people of a set number of verses. Unless a manageable length is determined in advance the Bible study will be frustrating. Too much will have to be said in too short a time. Care must be taken to limit the scope of the study unless the teacher is giving some sort of general survey.\par \par Next, the Bible teacher must attempt to convey the essential meaning of the text or passage. This is by far the most difficult task in Bible study--this is Bible study! Here is where the men are separated from the boys. Here is where fuzzy thinking is unfortunately ,put upon public display; or where real skill in handling the Word of God blesses the audience.\par \par It is the presupposition of all interpretation of documents that the authors of these documents intended to set down a meaning in writing. Therefore, if sufficient pains are taken, the meaning of the author may be recovered. All interpretation of documents-- be it a fragment of the pre-Socratic philosophers or a page from some medieval mystic--has as its goal the recovery of the meaning of the author.\par \par Bible exegesis is the recovery of the meaning of the writers of Holy Writ; Bible study has the same goal only is less technical and less scholarly, and more popular and more devotional The heart of Bible Study must always be the matter of meaning The first question of Bible study is not: "What is devotional here?" nor What is of practical importance here?" nor "What is inspirational ere." but "What does this passage mean?"\par \par If the Bible teacher has no sensitivity to the question of m-eaning, there will be no real Bible study, but only a series of pious observations or a quiver full of exhortations or some interesting but pointless story-telling. The one trait all great teachers of Scripture have had in common is their sensitivity to the meaning of the text.\par \par Sensitivity\par \par This means sensitivity to words. The good interpreter never looks at a word without a question mark in his mind: He may consult his Greek lexicon, or his Webster's, or a commentary; or a concordance. But he fusses around among his books till the word upon which he has fixed his attention begins to glow with meaning.\par \par An experienced doctor has a wonderful sensitivity in his fingers. He has spent a lifetime feeling lumps, swellings, growths, tumors, and wens. He knows their textures, their shapes and their peculiarities. Where our fingers tell us two things, a doctor's finger might tell him a dozen things. Just as a doctor's fingers have a feel for lumps and growths, so a Bible teacher must. have feel for words. He must pass the fingers of his mind over their shapes, textures, and peculiarities.\par \par This means sensitivity to phrases, clauses, paragraphs, and idioms. A good Bible teacher is restless; he takes nothing for granted. He is the detective whose victim is the meaning and the words in their various combinations of phrases, sentences, and paragraphs are the clues. Out of the various configurations of the words he delves for the meaning. He looks for the train of thought (i.e., the sequence in meaning) and tries to follow it throughout the passage. He works, digs, meditates, ruminates, and studies until the meaning of the text shines through.\par \par It is right at this point where the poor teacher fails. He is content with his efforts even though his thoughts are vague, and his impressions are indistinct. As soon as he gets a good exhortation or practical application he is content and rests at that point. He does not sit with a restless mind and dig and sweat till he has ach/ieved the meaning of the text. He does not reconstruct the brief of the Biblical text so that he can recite it to his audience. Failing to recover the essential meaning of the text, all he can do is offer a series of religious observations or a sermon in the place of a Bible study.\par \par The good teacher, to the contrary, keeps up a running flow of questions about meanings. What does this word mean? What is the import of this phrase? Is this expression an idiom? What figure of speech is this? What is the connection of this verse with those before and after it? Who is this man? Where is this city? What Jewish custom is behind this practice? Where else in Scripture is this person or this theme treated? And certainly the good teacher will surround himself with those books which can answer these kind of questions.\par \par Thirdly; Bible study always includes the relevant application of the text to the lives and times of the hearers. The Scriptures are the milk for babes in Christ, and strong food for 0the men in Christ. Bible study is feeding the people of God. But this feeding looks in two directions: (1) it looks to the truth of Scripture as it is in itself; and (2) it looks to the actual concrete situation of the listening audience. The meaning of Scripture must be meaningfully applied to the lives of tthe Christians if Bible study is to be a meaningful activity.\par \par A good Bible teacher will make the proper doctrinal application. He may call attention to the doctrinal importance of a passage. If, for example, he is discussing II Corinthians 5 he can readily explain the great doctrines of reconciliation and atonement found in the chapter. Or, he may show how a cult or a sect abuses the doctrinal content of a passage; or he may indicate how the passage rebuts some view of a cult or sect.\par \par A good Bible teacher explains the correctives for our spiritual life or Christian work found within the passage. If the selection is about prayer he will point out how our present practice of prayer1 needs the correction of this passage.\par \par A good Bible teacher calls attention to the comfort and encouragement for God's people found in the text. It may be the invitation to prayer; or the certainty of the divine hearing. It may be the power of the intercessory work of Christ, or the enabling of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or the consolation of the providence\par \par Finally, a good Bible teacher calls attention to the devotional elements of the text. He shows wherein we should love God, or why we must follow Christ. He dwells upon the wonders of God's love, or Christ's death, or the Spirit's ministry to the saints. He attempts to excite our love and adoration, and seeks to lead us to a deeper spirit of consecration.\par \par I feel that I have experienced a good session of Bible study:\par \par * when I felt that the teacher took me right into the text and not around it.\par * when I felt we interacted with the text itself and not with the party-line beliefs of the teache2r.\par * when I felt that I had a better understanding of the text than when I came into the session.\par * when I felt that the time was basically spent in meanings and not in a miscellany of religious platitudes.\par * and when I have felt challenged, comforted, encouraged, and practically instructed. \par \par * From Eternity Magazine, February 1960 and used by permission of the publishers, the Evangelical Foundation Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.\par \par Conclusion\par \par This is such a good explanation of what really constitutes Bible study that I find myself rereading it periodically to renew my own approach to study and teaching.\par \par Before we leave this consideration, I'd like to highlight two pertinent points:\par \par (1) the good Bible student seeks to develop a sensitivity to words, including grammatical and idiomatic usage, and\par \par (2) he keeps up a running flow of questions about meanings.\par \par Whether we study for our own personal profit and growth or to teach the truth to others, the objective is the same--to get at the real meaning and significance of the text.\par \par \par \par \par Phase 1: Chapter 4\par \par First published in book form in 1978 by Word Books, Waco, Texas. >Copyright (C) 1997 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. This data file is the sole property of Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. It may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice. This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Discovery Publishing. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to Discovery Publishing, 3505 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94306-3695.\par \par \pard\cf1\f1\fs23\par } f=02 Is Anybody Listening?{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fK-y01 Words of Life{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\r Yaa00 SmithR - Basics of Bible Interpretation{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sl240\slmult1\lang2058\b\f0\fs28 Basics of Bible Interpretation\par \b0\i\fs24 by Bob Smith\par \i0\fs20\par Contents\par Introduction\par GGaC04 Interpretive Principles.{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil Arial;}{5}AI03 The Goal of Bible Study{\rtf1\ansi\deff0\deftab709{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sl240\slmult1\lang2058\fs20 Basics of Bible Interpretation: Phase 1. Chapter 3\par \par \par The Goal of Bible Study\par \par \par It is imperative to have some idea of the goal of our study of the Bible. Otherwise our motivation fades and we fail to be serious about our interpretive efforts. The most encouraging article I have ever read in this regard is the serious but keenly humorous piece written by Bernard Ramm. *\par \par BUT IT ISN'T BIBLE STUDY\par \par By Bernard Ramm\par \par Scene I\par \par I hurried to the morning hour hungry of soul. It would be the "Bible" hour. Amidst t$6\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red131\green105\blue103;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sl240\slmult1\lang2058\fs20 Basics of Bible Interpretation: Phase 1. Chapter 4\par \par \par Interpretive Principles\par \par \par So you have your Bible in hand. Now, what are the basic principles to observe as you begin to study it? Let me list some for you, then discuss each one. Please check out the references given for illustration on your own, as we seek to illustrate and apply these principles, will you?\par \par Principles of Bible Interpretation\par \par 1. Listen to Your Teacher!\par \par Approach your study with a teachable, expectant attitude, desiring to be taught of God.\par \par 2. Discover the Writer's Intent\par \par Put yourself in the writer's sandals, and setting aside your preconceptions, aim to recover the writer's intent--including the intent of the ultimate Author, which sometimes goes beyond even the understand7ing of the human writer (e.g., 1 Peter 1:10-12 on the prophets).\par \par 3. Interpret Literally\par \par Accept the usual, literal sense of the words unless you have reason to believe they are figurative or allegorical. Interpret figurative language in the same way we use it in normal speech.\par \par 4. Observe the Context\par \par Interpret in the light of the setting. Harmonize with the local and larger context, also the total context of biblical truth.\par \par 5.Relate to the Historical/Cultural Setting\par \par Interpret with the historical and cultural setting in mind. It can make a great difference as to how we understand what is being said.\par \par 6. Consider the Literary Mold\par \par The literary mold in which the language is cast is often crucial to our interpretation. Is it poetry? If so, that makes a difference, e.g., the Psalms.\par \par 7. Observe the Author's Scope and Plan\par \par Every portion of the scripture does not cover every subject, so 8we must interpret in accord with the author's scope and plan, being consistent with the aim of God's total revelation.\par \par 8. Compare Scripture with Scripture\par \par View corollary passages alongside the passage you are studying. Clear up problem areas with the clear teaching of other passages relating to the same subject.\par \par 9. Study Word Meanings and Grammar\par \par Our normal tendency is to assume more than we really understand, thus arriving at a superficial view. We must observe word meanings and grammatical relationships carefully.\par \par 10. Remember, God Speaks in Human Terms\par \par Recognize God's gracious accommodation of our limited, finite understanding by the use of human language in terms that men can grasp.\par \par 11. Use the Original Languages\par \par In difficult interpretive problems, check the original language as the final authority. Many times (though not always), this will give the added light we need.\par \par Now let's look at 9these interpretive principles in somewhat greater detail.\par \par Basic Principles of Bible Interpretation\par \par 1. Listen to Your Teacher!\par \par It always amazes me to recall that God himself wants to be our teacher. His word on the subject is this:\par \par And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need to have anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about an things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him (1 John 2:27 NASV, italics mine).\par \par By this we understand that the Spirit of God, who lives in each believer, is our private tutor. Though God has given us pastors and teachers for our good (Eph. 4: 11, 12), they are in addition to (and no substitute for) the Holy Spirit. This means that the humblest believer in Christ may be taught of God through his Word, even when human teachers are lacking.\par \par The Lord Jesus makes it abundantly clear in these words,\par \par Whe:n the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into an the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you (John 16:13, 14, italics mine).\par \par Though the primary application of these words is to the eleven disciples whom he was addressing in this upper room scene, our Lord makes it clear that the Spirit's ministry of teaching would extend to all believers in Christ. For he says:\par \par I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word (John 17:20).\par \par 2. Discover the Writer's Intent\par \par Much Bible study is done to verify men's preconceptions, since all of us bring our personal opinions and biases with us. But honesty demands that we start with a clean page on which God may write his thoughts. If we can use our sanctified imagination to put ourselves in the writer's place and ;see things through his eyes, we will open up the windows of our minds to let in the light of God's truth. If God has really spoken through the pen of the human author, let's not try to rewrite the script. Proof-texting, i.e., quoting only those biblical texts which are useful to prove our own preconceived opinions and theological biases, is a favorite trick of the cultists and only succeeds in confusing the issue. We don't want to play that game. On the other hand, it is truly remarkable what we can discover when we let God say what he has said. We need to adopt this attitude:\par \par ...and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:4, 5, italics mine).\par \par We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to ever