Interpreting The Scriptures - Church Leadership Resources
Interpreting theScripturesTeacher Manual
Interpreting the ScripturesContentsLesson 1-4 – Introduction to Hermeneutics .3-36Lesson 5 – Bridging the Gaps 37-46Lesson 6 – Foundations for Biblical Study 47-58Lesson 7 – The Context Principle .59-68Lesson 8 – The Comparative Mention Principle .69-76Lesson 9 – The Progressive Mention Principle 77-86Lesson 10 – The Complete Mention Principle .87-95Lesson 11 – The Covenantal Principle .96-103Lesson 12 – The Ethnic Division Principle .104-115Lesson 13 – The Chronometrical Principle .116-123Lesson 14 – The Breach Principle .124-133Lesson 15 – The Christocentric Principle .134-143Lesson 16 – The Moral Principle 144-150Lesson 17 – Identifying Figures of Speech 151-160Lesson 18 – Interpreting Symbols .161-168Lesson 19-20 – Interpreting Types .169-184Lesson 21 – Interpreting Parables .185-196Lesson 22 – Interpreting Narratives .197-202Lesson 23 – Interpreting Prophecy 203-214Lesson 24 – The Application of Hermeneutics .215-225Note to Users: The following course is intended to be studied in conjunction with thebook Interpreting the Scriptures by Kevin Conner and Ken Malmin.Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual2
Lesson 1-4Introduction to HermeneuticsWho has ever heard someone say that we need to have a healthy love for ourselves if we aregoing to be able to love others? They will use Luke 10:27 where Jesus says that we are to “loveour neighbors as ourselves.” Yet when you look at the context you find out very quickly that thepassage has nothing to do with loving ourselves, but loving others in a sacrificial way (The GoodSamaritan).Who has ever heard someone commenting on how a person’s talents or gifts will open doors forthem causing them to rise in leadership opportunities and then quote Proverb 18:16 from theKing James Version of the Bible, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him beforegreat men”? Later they come to find out that this passage is actually talking about bribing yourway to the top.A gift will get you in to see anyone. –CEVWho has ever indicated that it is good for people to enter into the experience of their teachingfirst before they expect others to do so and then quote II Timothy 2:6 from the KJV, “Thehusbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits”? Later they come to realize thatthis passage is suggesting that the people who do the work should be able to take a portion of thespoils first.The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. –NIVThese illustrations all point out the need for a study of biblical interpretation. The Bible is themost important book in the world. The Bible is still the bestselling book of all time. But theBible has been abused and misused by many. It has been used to justify all manner of strangedoctrines. It has been used to justify all kinds of bad behavior. Even atheists will throw wordsof the Bible back at Christians when they use phrases like “judge not.” They do not realize whenthey say things like this that they are totally misunderstanding the intent of the Scripture that theyhave quoted.The Bible is open to being used in these ways because people do not utilize proper principles ofinterpretation. That is what this course is about. Studying proper principles of interpretation sothat when we stand up and preach or quote from the Bible we can do so with a sense of authority.We can do it in a way that we know God will back us up.I.Is the Bible an open or a closed book?Do you have to have a seminary degree to understand the Bible? Can the averageChristian understand the Bible or is it a futile endeavor? Must we go to the clerical eliteto understand the truth of God’s word?A. The Bible is a closed book to the lost (I Cor. 2:14; II Cor. 4:3-4).Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual3
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they arefoolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.I Corinthians 2:14But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose mindsthe god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of theglory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. II Corinthians 4:3-4B. The Bible is an open book to the believer.God has given the Holy Spirit to the believer to help lead and guide them into all truth(John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is the “anointing” Who will instruct us through theword (I John 2:27).However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; forHe will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and Hewill tell you things to come. John 16:13But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do notneed that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning allthings, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide inHim. I John 2:271. The basic message is clear to all.Even though many Christians disagree on many of the particulars of Scripture,there is very little disagreement when it comes to the central message and thebasic truths taught in the Scripture.While everything in the Bible is not equally clear (II Pet. 3:15-16), the mainmessage is sufficiently clear for us to be saved and accomplish God’s purpose.And remember, the Lord is waiting so that people have time to be saved. This isjust as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him-speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard tounderstand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his lettersaround to mean something quite different from what he meant, just as they do theother parts of Scripture--and the result is disaster for them. –NLTa. The Bible was written to average Christians. The writers assumed that thereaders of their material would understand it (John 20:30-31; I Pet. 2:1-3).And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, whichare not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe thatInterpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual4
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in Hisname. John 20:30-31 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may growthereby I Peter 2:2b. The Bible was given to enlighten everyone from children to adults (II Tim.3:14-15).But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assuredof, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood youhave known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise forsalvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.The very fact that the Bible was written in the common Greek of the dayrather than that of the educated elite supports the fact that the Bible waswritten to the common man.c. The Bible in and of itself is able to direct people to salvation in Christ (I John1:1-4).That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we haveseen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,concerning the Word of life--the life was manifested, and we have seen, andbear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Fatherand was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard we declare toyou, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship iswith the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write toyou that your joy may be full.This is why reformers over the years, beginning with Martin Luther, were somotivated to get the Bible into the common language of the people. Theyknew that if people could just read the Bible without any other assistance theywould be changed forever.d. The Bible is written in a language that is fundamentally clear.If you sit down with the Bible (especially the New Testament) and read it likeany other book, you would find the main message to be understandable.Modern translations help us a great deal with this. Sometimes we strugglewith understanding the Bible the same way we would struggle understandingShakespeare. If we are reading archaic English that is no longer used, we canbe misled.How about this verse from the King James Version?Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual5Psalm 59:10
The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire uponmine enemies.Notice how more modern translations render the first half of this verse:My God of mercy shall come to meet me –NKJVIn his unfailing love, my God will come and help me. –NLTGod in dependable love shows up on time –MsgThe word “prevent” in early English meant “come before” and is derived fromthe Latin words “prae” meaning “before” and “ventus” meaning “come.”Later in the evolution of language the principle meaning of the word“prevent” became “to keep from happening, to thwart, to hinder or forestall.”Quite a difference!This is just one example of obsolete words that can confuse the believer whois reading older versions. But as a rule the principle message of the Bible isclear.When it comes to the overall clarity of the Bible, one author put it this way toillustrate what is being said.“Consider this statement: ‘Go to the Kroger store and buy 10 pounds ofpotatoes.’ Now we might reasonably ask which Kroger store and which kindof potatoes. If we were unfamiliar with American culture, we might even askwhat a potato is and how much a pound is. But would it never be acceptable tointerpret this statement to mean: ‘Go to the Himalayan Mountains andmeditate on your navel?’ Would it be correct to say no one can be confidenthe understands this statement?“Now consider this statement: ‘He who believes in the Son has eternal life;but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Godabides on him’ (John 3:36). We might reasonably ask who the Son is, what‘believe’ means, or if ‘believe’ and ‘obey’ are being used synonymously. Butwould it ever be acceptable to interpret this statement to mean: ‘It doesn’tmatter what religion you believe because everyone goes to heaven?’ Would itbe correct to say that no one can be confident he understands this statement?”e. The main message of the Bible is continually repeated.While some of the doctrines of the Bible may receive more or less treatment,the primary tenets of the Christian faith are repeated continually throughout.This is why the Early Church fathers were able to settle on creedal statementsuch as the Apostles’ Creed.James Sire puts it this way Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual6
“When it comes to the central core of the Christian faith . . . the biblical evidenceis overwhelming. The deity of Christ, the triune nature of God, the creation of theworld by God, the sinfulness of all humanity, salvation by grace through faith, theresurrection of the dead—these and many other such matters are clearly taught inscripture." --James Sire, Scripture Twisting (InterVarsity Press, 1980, pp. 12-13)R.C. Sproul puts it this way “The Bible is basically clear and lucid. It is simple enough for any literate personto understand its basic message. This is not to say that all parts of the Bible areequally clear or that there are no difficult passages or sections to be found in it.Laymen unskilled in the ancient languages and the fine points of exegesis mayhave difficulty with parts of scripture, but the essential content is clear enough tobe understood easily.”–R. C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture (InterVarsity Press, 1977, p 15.)2. There is revelation reserved for those with a “hearing ear” (Mt. 13:12-17).And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them inparables?” 11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to youto know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; butwhoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, andhearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy ofIsaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,and seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people havegrown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lestthey should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they shouldunderstand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ 16 But blessedare your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say toyou that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and didnot see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.3. There is revelation reserved for those who hunger and thirst (Pro. 25:2; Mt.5:6).It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out amatter. Proverbs 25:2Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.Matthew 5:64. There is revelation reserved for certain prophetic seasons in God’s program(Dan. 12:4, 9; Rom. 16:25-27; Eph. 3:5; Col. 1:26; Rev. 5:1-2).Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual7
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end;many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Daniel 12:4Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and thepreaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secretsince the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scripturesmade known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlastingGod, for obedience to the faith--to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christforever. Amen. Romans 16:25-27When we say that there is “revelation reserved” we mean that the more responsivewe are to the word, the more we hunger and thirst after the living God, the morewe have yield to the Holy Spirit of God the more we will be able to understand.II.What does the word “hermeneutics” mean?A. The simplest definition of “hermeneutics” is “the science or art of interpretation.”Hermeneutics is a word that is derived from the name of the pagan god Hermes whobrought messages from the pagan gods to mortals, “translating” them as it were. Therelated Greek verb hermeneuo means to bring someone to an understanding of what isconveyed in another language, making it clear and intelligible and thus in a sense“translating” it.1. It is a science because it involves the quest for truth by means of the recognitionand application of ordered principles of research.Just like a scientist applies the laws of nature to search for truth, so the student ofthe Bible searches for truth—not in a careless or a random way, but by applyingprinciples or laws of interpretation to the task.2. It is an art because it involves the skillful application of knowledge and naturalability to the task of interpretation.3. It is interpretation because it seeks to translate the thoughts and intents of theoriginator into the language and understanding of the recipient.Webster defines “interpretation” as explaining or telling the meaning ofsomething and presenting it in understandable terms.In interpretation you are seeking to place yourself in the writer’s shoes, settingaside any preconceived ideas with the ultimate goal of arriving at the author’soriginal intent.Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual8
B. Other definitions include:The science of interpretation, or of finding the meaning of an author’s words andphrases, and of explaining it to others. –Webster’s DictionaryHermeneutics is the study of interpretation theory. Traditional hermeneutics - whichincludes Biblical hermeneutics - refers to the study of the interpretation of writtentexts, especially texts in the areas of literature, religion and law. –WikipediaEssentially, hermeneutics involves cultivating the ability to understand things fromsomebody else’s point of view, and to appreciate the cultural and social forces thatmay have influenced their outlook. Hermeneutics is the process of applying thisunderstanding to interpreting the meaning of written texts and symbolic artifacts(such as art or sculpture or architecture), which may be either historic orcontemporary. –UnknownGeneral hermeneutics refers to the various sets of rules which are used in theinterpretation of materials presented through many forms of communication.Communication is the transmission and reception of thoughts and feelings in amedium common to both sender and receiver. All forms of communication, includingspeech, literature and the arts, present subject matter which require interpretation bythe proper application of rules of general hermeneutics.–Interpreting the Scriptures, Conner, Malmin, pp. 3-4Principles of hermeneutics are used commonly (almost subconsciously) when welisten to music, read poetry, study history, analyze literature and enjoy a work of art.The person who observes the work of art seeks to understand the meaning or theintent of the artist. What was the artist trying to communicate?C. Biblical hermeneutics differs from other hermeneutical forms in several ways.1. Biblical hermeneutics deals principally with applying hermeneutical principles tothe Bible.2. Biblical hermeneutics deals with interpreting words from God to man as opposedto other forms that seek to interpret communication from man to man.D. A biblical encouragement toward hermeneutical study can be found in II Timothy2:15.Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to beashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, forthey will increase to more ungodliness.1. We must be diligent.Interpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual9
This means that we must “exert ourselves with earnest diligence” because thereare obstacles and difficulties involved. Other translations say Study --AmpEarnestly endeavor --ABUVDo your best --NIVWork hard --NLT2. We must do it to please and be approved of by God.This verse tells us that we should be more concerned about the approval of God.After all, it is God’s word that we are handling.Other translations say it this way Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God --WeyTry hard to show yourself worthy of God’s approval --NEBAim first at winning God’s approval --KnoxWork hard so God can approve you --NLTConcentrate on doing your best for God --Msg3. We must be willing to do the work of it.When it comes to the Word, you must see yourself as a worker. This is yourlivelihood. Paul speaks of laboring in word and doctrine (I Tim. 5:17). We needto get good at this. Leaders are to give themselves to the Word (Acts 6:4).Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially thosewho labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzlean ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”I Timothy 5:17-18The word “labor” in this passage literally means “to feel fatigue.” This is not acasual work. The analogy given is that of an ox treading out the grain.4. We must rightly divide or be accurate in our use of the word.To rightly divide literally means to “cut straight.” This implies that there is aproper interpretation of what is being said. Other translations state it this way:Ever cutting a straight path for the message of truth. –MonDriving a straight furrow, in your proclamation of truth. –NEBInterpreting the Scriptures Bill ScheidlerTeacher’s Manual10
Rightly laying out the Word of Truth. –AlfCorrectly analyzing the message of truth. –BerSkillfully handling th
concerning the Word of life--the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fel
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Searching the Scriptures: Ideas and Computer Resources 17 Feb. 2017 . The scriptures and modern prophets encourage us to search and study the scriptures. (John 5:39; Alma 33:1)Search the scriptures. GR. search, explore, examine, investigate They searched the scriptures daily (or . diligently). (Acts 17:11; Jacob 7:23; Alma 17:2)
Interpreting the Wisdom Books: An Exegetical Handbook (forthcoming) Edward M. Curtis Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook Mark D. Futato Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook Gary V. Smith Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook Richard A. Taylor. HANDBOOKS FOR OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS INTERPRETING
