Week 4 Wrap-up

Old Testament narratives make up large portions of the Bible.  The most common hermeneutical mistake is to assume that the stories are there as “object lessons,” where we should do or not do whatever the person in the story did.

Fee and Stuart, however, point out the larger view.  Above each individual story there is the level of narrative of the history of Israel.  And above this secondary narrative is the primary narrative of the Old Testament – that of God reaching down to humanity and working to bring them into relationship with Him.

The protagonist is God.

What does this mean for our hermeneutics?

1. Each narrative has something to teach us about God.
2. Learn Hebrew literary techniques (dialogue, structure) to grasp main message
3. Implicit meaning is what the original audience would hear (Ruth as an example)
4. Do not allegorize.  There isn’t a secret, hidden “Jesus” meaning
5. Do not personalize. The story is about God, not how you should act.

Homework due Week 4: Sept. 22

Read the book of Ruth in your chosen translation.

Read Chapter 5 in Fee and Stuart: Old Testament Narratives

Week 3 Wrap-up

Week 3 was our second week studying the Epistles as an introduction to general hermeneutics.  Last week focused on exegesis (what did the Bible mean to the original hearers), while this week focuses on hermeneutics (what does the Bible mean to 21st Century readers).

Fee and Stuart argue that everyone does “commonsense” hermeneutics – separating the obviously cultural (“bring me my cloak”) from the parts that are currently relevant (“do not argue”).  The difficulty with commonsense hermeneutics is placing the directives that are less obvious (“Women should remain silent in the churches”).  In this class, we discussed the seven guidelines the authors provide.  Three are given here:

1. Is the directive in a list of clearly labeled sins?  If so, then they are still sins for us today.  If not, it is possible the directive was in response to a particular need of the epistle’s audience.
2. Is it always wrong, throughout the Bible?  If the directive varies (eating of food sacrificed to idols), then the directives are likely only cultural.
3. Be nice.  When your opinion varies from that of another Christian, our primary responsibility is to love them, not hound them.

The Bible in Sign Language

We spent some time last week talking about the challenge of translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into different languages.  Imagine what additional complexities are added if the language isn’t written!  Read this account of a group that is working to create an American Sign Language translation for the Deaf: Deaf Missions.

Homework Due Week 3: Sept. 15

The required homework is to read Chapter 4 in How to Study the Bible.  This chapter has a lot of Bible references.  Unless you are a real red-hot, you won’t know what most are about.  Read the chapter with a Bible next to you and look things up.  Mark in the margins of the book if you can.

Optional homework is to study more of Philippians.  Refine your technique, try to find a way and time to study that works for you.

For God’s glory!

Week 2 Wrap-up

Week 2 was quite an interesting conversation.  We had two weeks between meetings, so two weeks of homework.  Which, may I say, becomes rather overwhelming if one leaves it for the last minute.  Not that I’m accusing anyone, you understand.  I’m just saying.

Anyhoo, we talked about

1. how studying Philippians went, what techniques we used and what worked well.  People tried several different techniques.  It was difficult to find study times, and it is often difficult to focus.  Several people remarked how interesting and useful it was to read a version of the Bible different than their usual one.
2. Chapter 2 of our book was on Bible translations.  It is a bit startling to realize that even the best translators don’t always agree on how to interpret the original texts.  I tried to stir up a little controversy with gender neutrality, but was unable to find anyone in the group that nervous about it.
3. Chapter 3 of our book was on how to do the first half of hermeneutics, exegesis, using the Epistles as an example.  Their recommendations: read the whole book, figure out the “occasion” using the text and a dictionary, follow the author’s logic by deciphering paragraphs.
4. We also discussed how the “occasional” nature of the Letters means there are some passages we just don’t have enough information to fully understand.  The big lesson here was to let things go- don’t create interpretation just because it makes you uncomfortable to not be sure.

The Importance of Study

Our youth pastor Josh sent me this link.  It’s a short article by Mark Driscoll on “The Studying Christian”  Check it out:
http://www.theresurgence.com/the_studying_christian

Homework Due Week 2: Sept. 8

Our homework (and some helpful resources) are given below.

1. Quickly read the WHOLE book of Philipppians in two versions.
Use Biblegateway.com if you need another or better version.  See “Choosing a Bible Translation” or read Chapter 2 in “How to Study the Bible” if you need more help.

2. Study Chapters 1 and 2 of Philippians using one of the techniques we discussed.
Here is the “Three Techniques” sheet again, and here is the summary chart to fill in if you choose that method.
Here is Philippians in manuscript form (big margins, double spaced) in both NIV and New Living Translation.

Remember, you can use any technique that gets you to slow down, focus, and write.
Do you still need a Bible Handbook to find out essentials like author, audience, and time in history?  If you know of a good online handbook, please list it in the comments.  Otherwise, you can buy one from amazon.com, cbd.com, or a used one at half.com.

3. Read Chapters 2 and 3 in “How to Study the Bible.”  After you read the chapters, mark the three most interesting parts of each chapter for our discussion.

See you September 8th!

Week 1 Wrap-up

Ten people!  A great turnout.  An interesting mix of some people who study the Bible regularly but are looking for more guidance in interpretation, some people who have gotten out of the habit of regular study (me!), and some people who wish they could figure out how to read the Bible.

I’m thinking about how to balance these needs, and how to give everyone the maximum opportunity to grow.  We’ll see if I come up with anything.  In the meantime, our first meeting consisted of:

1. Introductions: name and “Why I’m here.”
2. Three scriptures on the importance of in-depth Bible study (1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Timothy 3:15-17)
3. Practicing focus while studying, using a manuscript of Psalm 119:1-8.  Basic instructions:  Pray, read entire section, focus by writing.  First I had everyone circle all words that referred to Scripture.  Next, underline ways to interact with Scripture.
4. We discussed how this technique is an option that causes a reader to stop, think, and interact with the text.
5. We spent some time discussing Chapter 1 of “How To Read” and what we found interesting.
6. I gave out homework, which was to read Chapters 2 and 3 of “How to Read” and to study Chapter 1and 2 of Philippians.  More detailed post to follow.

First Meeting Prep

Hi all,

Our first meeting is Monday, August 25.

In preparation, please read Chapter 1 in the book, marking the three sections you find most interesting.

Bring to the meeting:

1. The “How To Study the Bible For All Its Worth” book
2. A Bible that is easy for you to read
3. A notebook and pen

John and I look forward to seeing you!