Week 2 Summary:

We started off this class with a brief review of Week 1, Observation before we jumped into the Week 2 content. We looked back at the reason it is important to study the bible, and not just read it! After the review, we moved quickly into the theme of the week, which was 'Interpretation'--stating that interpretations was asking questions or querying the observations that were made in the 'observation' stage. The overall goal of the interpretation is to answer the question, "What does it mean?" --while never asking the question, "What does this mean to you?". This is a direct violation of guideline #4 and leads to lazy interpretations by letting your personal situation and experience interpret scripture compared to letting scripture speak give meaning to your personal situation and experience. The bottom line is this, I don't care what it means to you..n and you should not care what it means to me! We should only care about "What it means"! This is called 'Hermeneutics' I am not saying this not to be rude or insensitive. I am not saying this to be shocking or offensive. I am saying this because it is important that we find the meaning and truth in scripture as God intended. We must let scripture speak for itself. In order to do this, we must range out in multiple directions and with multiple lines of questioning such as: who, what, why, where.

We covered a few funny scenarios in the presentation that highlighted the importance of making accurate interpretations of scripture. We then moved on to cover 13 recommended guidelines for making accurate interpretations.

• • 1. Work from the understanding that the bible is authoritative.

    2. The bible interprets itself.

    3. The Holy Spirit is necessary for us to understand and interpret (this means prayer is essential also).

    4. Interpret personal experiences through scripture, not interpret scripture through personal experience.

    5. Biblical examples are authoratitative only when supported by a command.

    6. The primary purpose of the bible is not to increase in knowledge, but to change our lives.

    7. Each Christian has the right and responsibility to investigate and interpret the Word of God.

    8. Church history is important, but not decisive, regarding interpretation.

    9. The church does not determine what the bible teaches. The bible determines what the church teaches.

    10. The promises of God throughout the bible are available for believers of every generation.

    11. Interpret a verse in harmony with its meaning.

    12. Interpret in harmony with its context [Bracket - from word > to sentence > to passage > to book > to other writings by the same author > to the bible]

    13. Scripture has only one meaning and should be taken literally (do not micromanage a parable)

Next we covered the 5, C's. Which are:

• • • Context

    • Cross-Reference

    • Concordance

    • Culture

    • Commentaries

Notice that the first three are directly from scripture and the last two are anecdotal notes and thoughts from other people, respected as they may be. It is important for us to exercise discipline and stay within the scriptural context before running to commentaries of modern theologians--NO MATTER HOW TRUSTED THEY ARE! In the class presentation, I use a illustration (one that is sure to become an episodic memory due to shock) of why this practice is dangerous.

The steps for 'interpretation are:

• • 1. Read the Chapter (except for some chapters in Proverbs)

       • This helps with #2 and #3.

    2. Answer the questions from 'observation' stage

       • if you run out of time--take an extra day. DO NOT RUSH THIS STAGE

       • take care of the 5, C's in this stage

    3. Identify/Define the principles

       • this is week 3