Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

of Daniel, and the most distinctly apocalyptic book in Scripture, the book of Revelation. Three broad principles can help us rightly interpret prophetic and apocalyptic genres: focus on the person of Jesus Christ, refer the prophetic messages to the call of the Kingdom of God, and seek to emphasize the fulfillment of God’s sovereign purposes even in the face of evil, suffering and injustice. If you are interested in pursuing some of the ideas of Biblical Literature: Interpreting the Genres of the Bible , you might want to give these books a try: Adler, Mortimer, and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book . New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972. Ryken, Leland. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible . 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1992. Opening yourself to the Bible as literature can do wonders on every facet of your preaching, teaching, and communication of the Word of God. Not only will you begin to see things that typically you would have missed in your study, but the imagery of the world of Scripture will awaken your imagination in such a way as to rediscover the “native tongue” of the Bible. Rather than merely focusing on ideas, concept, and propositions, you will begin to live in the world of imagination, storytelling, and faith, and this will enable you to “stretch your wings” in the way in which you share Christ in the various dimensions of your ministry, at home, on the job, and through your church. Be open to ways in which the Holy Spirit might want you to incorporate these approaches in every dimension of our witness and ministry, and spend good time this week meditating on the power of the imagination and story in your life and work. As you consider your ministry project for this module, you can possibly use it to connect to these truths in a practical way. Seek the face of the Lord regarding your own understanding and application of the principles related to genres in biblical interpretation, and do not hesitate to find a partner in prayer who can share the burden and lift up your requests to God. Ask your instructor for counsel and direction as you pursue the lessons and insights gained from this session in your own life and study. Above all, be open to the Lord ------. How to Read the Bible as Literature . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.

Resources and Bibliographies

Ministry Connections

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Counseling and Prayer