Session #4: Interpretation Landscape with Christ on the Road to Emmaus, Claude Gellee (c. 1660) State Hermitage Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Bible Study MethodsSession #4: Interpretation

Landscape with Christ on the Road to Emmaus, Claude Gellee (c. 1660)State Hermitage Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia


LU Session #4: Interpretation

Class Outline• Homework Review – 2 Corinthians 4, Correlation• Lesson: Interpretation• Practicum: Interpretation• Next Steps: Thinking Through Hermeneutics



WEEK TOPIC READ PGS7/12 Intro. Bible Study Methods 7/19 Observation 77-987/26 Correlation 103-1288/2 Interpretation 99-102, 147-1798/9 Hermeneutics Handout

8/16 Application 129-134

8/23 Group project: Review Scripture Analysis (passage assigned on 1st week)



Bible Study MethodsHomework Review


2 Corinthians 4• What was important about the OT

references?• Any charts? How creative are you?• Were there pericopes that resonate

with you? What section and why?


• The action of explaining the meaning of something• An explanation or way of explaining

Synonyms: elucidation, expounding, exposition, exegesis, clarification

What is Interpretation?

Can Scripture passages have more than one interpretation? Why or why not?

No.


One Correct Interpretation

God is the author, He chooses the meaning• 2 Timothy 3:16• 2 Peter 1:19-21• Acts 8:25-39

We are prone to error, especially with Scripture• 2 Corinthians 4:2• 2 Peter 3:15-16• Galatians 1:6-7• Jeremiah 17:9

“It ain’t those parts of the Bible I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”Mark Twain


Those who are not regenerate are not able to understand Scripture.

The unsaved are called “dead” (Eph. 2:1-3), “spiritually dead” (1 Peter 4:4-7), “blind” (Is. 6:10), “fools” (Ps. 14:1), and “undiscerning” (1 Cor. 2:14) among other things.

One Correct Interpretation

Being saved, you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit who makes correct interpretations known to you.

• Acts 1:15-26 (cf. Ps. 69:25; 109:8); 17:10-13• 2 Timothy 3:16• 2 Peter 1:21


One Correct InterpretationIf there can be one correct interpretation, why so many variances?

Ambiguity barrier: The meaning of the author isn’t very clear, or can be understood in multiple ways (e.g. John 10:28; Col. 1:15; 1 Cor. 15:29).

Hermeneutic barrier: Improper use, disagreement, or misunderstanding of the rules for interpretation.

Chronological distance barrier: We are far removed from the times of the original authors.

Linguistic barrier: We speak little Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic and have difficulty relating to cultural nuance.

Spiritual barrier: The Bible is written from God, about God. He is infinite and we try to understand with finite minds.


How Would You Interpret…

As a Protestant I cherish the NT teaching on the priesthood of believers—that each Christian has the right to his own interpretation, but also that each Christian has the responsibility to get it right. ―Daniel Wallace

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20


How Would You Interpret…

As a Protestant I cherish the NT teaching on the priesthood of believers—that each Christian has the right to his own interpretation, but also that each Christian has the responsibility to get it right. ―Daniel Wallace

“For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

Hebrews 6:4-6


Hermeneutics, Rules of InterpretationBiblical Hermeneutics is the art, science, rules, and guidelines of interpreting the Bible consistent with God’s intended meaning.

There are four principles the hermeneutical rules are fall into:• General Principles• Grammatical Principles• Historical Principles• Theological Principles


General Principles

For interpretation to be correct, we must rely on a primary authority in addition to secondary sources.

Several authorities we rely on to help us understand Scripture:• Tradition: Roman Catholicism• Rationalism: Liberalism/Modernity• Scripture: Evangelicalism


Scripture As AuthorityEvangelicals believe:• Scripture is Inspired by God

• 2 Tim 3:16• 2 Sam 23:2• Mark 12:24

• Scripture will interpret itself• Is. 7:14 (cf. Matt. 1:23)• Jonah 1:17 (cf. Matt. 12:39-42)

• Experiences will be understood in light of Scripture• Luke 24:13-32

• God’s word will accomplish what He sets out to do• Is. 55:11

This means the Bible is the final authority.• Matt 7:29• John 7:17

• Read handout, The Hermeneutical Spiral• Continue reading 2 Corinthians 4• Review your observations• Continue working on correlation, and be creative• Of the sections the Holy Spirit is highlighting for you, start asking what

the text means and take notes.

Weekly Assignment


Session #4: Interpretation Landscape with Christ on the Road to Emmaus, Claude Gellee (c. 1660) State Hermitage Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Documents

interpretation slide

interpretation lu session

interpretation class

interpretation practicum

interpretation landscape

correct interpretation

homework review lu session

week slide