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

A Literature or a Living Word of God, or Both?

For the last few decades a few scholars have emphasized the need to understand the Bible as literature in order to discover its meaning for our lives. Literature, they argue, functions according to defined rules and forms, whether biblical or not. Rather than reading the Bible as a human book with human forms and conventions, these scholars claim that we have cut the Bible into little pieces, ignored the forms of literature, and sought to use the Bible primarily as a proof text to make theological claims about this, that, or the other subject. Others claim that although the Bible was written by human authors, the text goes well beyond just forms of convention and literary rules. It is the living Word of God, and we ought to discover within it (and, for that matter, everywhere within it) the meaning regarding salvation and our faith in Jesus Christ. What is your reaction to this kind of discussion: is the Bible a book of literature, the living Word of God, or both?

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Biblical Inspiration: The Origins and Authority of the Bible

Segment 1: Preparing for Solid Biblical Interpretation

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Hermeneutics is that discipline and branch of knowledge which focuses on interpretation, especially the interpretation of texts. As a methodology, hermeneutics seeks to understand the way in which the Bible must be interpreted as both a divine and human book, with both dimensions needed to appreciate and fully understand the nature of Scripture. Historically orthodox Christians have, from the beginning, believed in the inspiration of Scripture, the need for Scripture to interpret Scripture, and the idea of progressive revelation that culminates in the revelation of Christ. Only through the Holy Spirit can the Scriptures be understood. The Three-Step Model of biblical interpretation includes understanding the original situation, discovering biblical principles, and applying the meaning of Scripture to our lives. In order to rightly interpret the Word of God, we must prepare our hearts, minds, and our wills to humbly and rigorously study it, carefully analyze it, and heartily obey it, all to God’s glory.

Summary of Segment 1