1. The Bible is unified because it has one author: God.

2. Axiom #7: The first commentary on any text should be by the author him/herself.

Assumptions:

1. Synoptic parallels –Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Types of Parallels:

2. OT quotes – All NT books except Philemon and 1-3 John have them.

3. Chronological parallels –Epistles and Acts.

4. Prophetic vocabulary and symbols – Ex. Acts 2:16-21 & Joel 2:28-32.

5. Topical parallels –Suffering, women, eternal security, divorce, second coming, baptism, etc.

1. Read your Bible extensively.

How to Find Parallels

2. Use the marginal notes.

4. Use a computer concordance.

3. Use Topical Bibles. Naves: http://studylight.org/con/ntb/Treasury: http://studylight.org/con/tsk/

Write a commentary on your text using nothing but parallel passages. This is not a comprehensive commentary, but one which addresses specific theological issues that arise either from words/phrases or from ideas in your text. Identify an issue in your text you want to investigate. Then find 5-10 parallel passages which speak to that issue. In a paragraph, summarize what the Bible says about this topic. Repeat this exercise for three topics in your text.

1. Don’t abuse lists of Scripture.

Guidelines for Interpretation

c. Prioritize later revelation over earlier revelation.

d. Repeated passages get priority over single texts.

a. Allow each text to stand on its own.

b. Don’t force a text to stand next to another if it doesn’t want to.

e. Be cautious about lists.

2. Harmonize appropriately Scriptures that appear to stand in contradiction.

Guidelines for Interpretation

a. If the author has a track record for honesty and credibility, make every effort to reconcile his/her accounts.

b. If a reasonable explanation exists, the author cannot be charged with error.

c. He who asserts must also prove.

d. It takes mutually exclusive accounts to be irreconcilable.