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

3. Our personal opinion filters constantly interfere with our understanding of the original situation.

4. We are conditioned to read it the way we’ve always read it (i.e., we allow past readings to bias our present readings).

5. We jump to conclusions without considering what it meant to the people.

C. Key attitude needed: humility , James 1.5

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1. Acceptance of the distance between ourselves and the actual situation of the text

2. Willingness to admit the differences and the barriers that exist between our own time and that of the authors and audiences of the text

3. Openness to suspend judgment until we learn more of the situation before we pass judgment on what the text meant

4. Cultivating a deep respect for the original meanings and situations

D. Steps in understanding the original situation

1. Take the time to do your homework on the original situation, Prov. 2.1-6.

2. Respect the process of critical analysis, Ezra 7.10.