How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor
How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor
By Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough
By Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough
"Interpretation isn't open to subjective experience. Our experiences don't change the information presented by the author. Interpretation is the process of understanding what an author has stated. In this respect, we read the Bible the same way we read other books. Our opinions to not shape the meaning of the text; the text tells us how we are to think and behave. That's how seminary professors approach it" (Introduction, p.xiv).
"If you want to read the Bible like a seminary professor, you need to establish a basic method for studying our sacred text" (p.3)
Know it - Understand the structure, story, and substance of Scripture.
Work it - Learn the rules for studying Scripture.
Live it - Use the instruction from Scripture for everyday life.
Know it will be the focus of the next few chapters:
Develop a framework of the Bible's overall narrative/big picture story.
Understand the core/essential content (message) and convictions (beliefs) of the Bible.