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

Put away your notes, gather up your thoughts and reflections, and take the quiz for Lesson 1, Biblical Inspiration: The Origins and Authority of the Bible .

Quiz

Scripture Memorization Review

Review with a partner, write out and/or recite the text for last class session’s assigned memory verse: 2 Peter 1.19-21.

Turn in your summary of the reading assignment for last week, that is, your brief response and explanation of the main points that the authors were seeking to make in the assigned reading (Reading Completion Sheet).

Assignments Due

Only Formal Training Will Do

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Many churches and denominations today are convinced that those who desire to go into ministry must have some formal training in a Bible Institute, Christian liberal arts college, or graduate school/seminary. Those who hold such a view are simply convinced that the rigors, problems, and situations of ministry cannot be left to one’s own personal preparation. Rather, the likelihood that one will be successful in urban ministry increases greatly, they argue, if a student is given the opportunity to receive formal training. Unfortunately, for those able neither to afford nor to qualify for such training, they are de facto eliminated from the candidate pool of ministry. What is your opinion about the role of formal training in biblical, theological, and pastoral training and the prospect of urban ministry? Is it possible to have a fruitful urban ministry without having been trained formally? If it is, then what is the role and function of formal academic preparation for urban ministry?

Discerning the Mind of the Holy Spirit Is My Method

While many believe that having a clear, rational method for approaching Bible study is essential to discern the meaning of Scripture, a great many today remain skeptical of the role of method for spiritual discernment. Having seen the doubt and confusion produced by modern historical criticism of the Bible, many hold that any allegiance to a form of method is dangerous in study. Rather than using scientific methods of approach, these often argue for a more spiritual, intuitive approach to