AbundantlyAbundantlySupplying Supplying KnowledgeKnowledge

WithinWithinOurOur

FaithFaith(2 Peter 1:5)(2 Peter 1:5)

Tony E. Denton, 8/07. ASiteForTheLord.com.

Peter de-manded the recipients of this letter to...

Peter de-manded the recipients of this letter to...

Grow in the know-

ledge of our

Lord (3:18).Grow in the know-

ledge of our

Lord (3:18).

So…So…

Since Peter book-ended his second letter with the command to become more knowledgeable, and since he alluded to knowledge 33 times in

just 61 verses, then we can be certain that the inspired apostle

was emphasizing the grave importance of knowledge among

Christians. Furthermore…

Since Peter book-ended his second letter with the command to become more knowledgeable, and since he alluded to knowledge 33 times in

just 61 verses, then we can be certain that the inspired apostle

was emphasizing the grave importance of knowledge among

Christians. Furthermore…

Since the information needed for this knowledge has been supplied in God’s Word (1:3, cf. Rom. 1:16),

then our main purpose in this study is to focus on HOW to supply knowledge within our faith.

(Yes, though odd, that’s the way Peter said it.) However…

Since the information needed for this knowledge has been supplied in God’s Word (1:3, cf. Rom. 1:16),

then our main purpose in this study is to focus on HOW to supply knowledge within our faith.

(Yes, though odd, that’s the way Peter said it.) However…

Since Peter provided answers in Since Peter provided answers in 2:1-32:1-3 to the to the question question WHY?WHY?, let’s briefly notice those:, let’s briefly notice those:

1.1. There will be false teachers among you There will be false teachers among you..

2.2. They will cause truth to be blasphemed They will cause truth to be blasphemed..

3.3. They will exploit you with deceptive words They will exploit you with deceptive words..

4.4. Many of you will follow them Many of you will follow them.. And…And…

5.5. Those who follow them will be destroyed Those who follow them will be destroyed. So…. So…

Since you know these things before-Since you know these things before-hand, beware lest you are led away withhand, beware lest you are led away with

the error of the wicked; but grow in the … the error of the wicked; but grow in the … knowledge of our Lordknowledge of our Lord ( (3:17-183:17-18).). Now…Now…

How Do We Supply KnowledgeWithin Our Faith? Well…

How Do We Supply KnowledgeWithin Our Faith? Well…

There are three There are three basicbasic ways to do this: ways to do this:

1. 1. ReadRead the Bible continually: the Bible continually: Paul told Timothy to Paul told Timothy to Give attention to readingGive attention to reading ( (1 Tim. 4:131 Tim. 4:13).).

Someone once said, Someone once said, Read the Bible—it Read the Bible—it fights fights truthtruth decay decay..

Someone once said, Someone once said, Read the Bible—it Read the Bible—it fights fights truthtruth decay decay..

2. 2. StudyStudy the Bible continually: the Bible continually: James said that James said that He He who looks into the perfect law of liberty who looks into the perfect law of liberty and con-and con- tinues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a tinues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what this one will be blessed in what

he does he does ((1:251:25); the phrase ); the phrase looks intolooks into means means to to bend down and observe, to study closely bend down and observe, to study closely..

3. 3. MeditateMeditate on the Bible continually: on the Bible continually: David wrote, David wrote, Blessed is the man whose … delight is in the lawBlessed is the man whose … delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he of the Lord, and in His law he meditatesmeditates day and day and night.… Whatever he does shall prosper. [But] night.… Whatever he does shall prosper. [But] the ungodly shall not stand in judgment…. Their the ungodly shall not stand in judgment…. Their way … shall way … shall perishperish (from (from PsalmPsalm 11). ).

But…But…

Logic tells us that dis-Logic tells us that dis-covering the truth thru covering the truth thru reading, studying, and reading, studying, and meditatingmeditating comescomes much much easier if we know the easier if we know the rules of interpretation; rules of interpretation; after all, Paul did tell after all, Paul did tell Timothy to Timothy to correctly correctly handlehandle the Word of God the Word of God ((2 Tim. 2:152 Tim. 2:15), something ), something that can’t bethat can’t be accom-accom-plishedplished if theif the lawslaws areare ignored.ignored. ButBut before con-before con-sidering some of the sidering some of the most significant rules of most significant rules of interpretation (interpretation (akaaka her- her-meneutics)…meneutics)…

RulesRules

LawsLaws

Logic is the science that investigates the Logic is the science that investigates the process of “thinking”process of “thinking” (the intellectual act (the intellectual act by which knowledge is obtained); and by which knowledge is obtained); and since since wordswords are the products of logic, are the products of logic, logic is associated with the logic is associated with the meaningsmeanings of of words, sentences, and arguments words, sentences, and arguments..

Let’s briefly consider the subject of logic.Let’s briefly consider the subject of logic.

Logic also consists of three ingredientsLogic also consists of three ingredients::

A RelevantA Relevant—the evidence that tends to —the evidence that tends to prove a matter at issue; prove a matter at issue;

A ReasoningA Reasoning—the formulation of ideas —the formulation of ideas on the facts using the power of judg- on the facts using the power of judg- ment; and… ment; and…

A ResultA Result—the necessary consequence —the necessary consequence of two or more arguments. of two or more arguments. Now…Now…

Let’s observe logic at work.Let’s observe logic at work.

The Inductive ProcessThe Inductive Process reasons from the reasons from the specific to the general specific to the general.. Here are some Here are some examples: examples:

Reasoning from Signs: Jesus said, When it is evening you say, “It’ll be fair weather, for the sky is red”; and in the morning, “It’ll be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threaten- ing.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the

face of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs

of the times (Mat. 16:2-3).

Reasoning from Signs: Jesus said, When it is evening you say, “It’ll be fair weather, for the sky is red”; and in the morning, “It’ll be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threaten- ing.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the

face of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs

of the times (Mat. 16:2-3).

Reasoning from Causes: Jesus said, Whoever hears these saying of Mine and does them, I’ll liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock, & the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; & it didn’t fall, for it was founded upon a rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand, and the rain de- scended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell (Mat. 7:24ff).

Reasoning from Causes: Jesus said, Whoever hears these saying of Mine and does them, I’ll liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock, & the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; & it didn’t fall, for it was founded upon a rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand, and the rain de- scended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell (Mat. 7:24ff).

Reasoning from Examples: James wrote, What does it profit … if someone says he has faith but doesn’t have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and desti- tute of daily food, and one of you says, “De- part in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you don’t give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (2:14-17a).

Reasoning from Examples: James wrote, What does it profit … if someone says he has faith but doesn’t have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and desti- tute of daily food, and one of you says, “De- part in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you don’t give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (2:14-17a).

Reasoning from AnalogiesReasoning from Analogies of which there are of which there are two types: two types:

The Literal AnalogyThe Literal Analogy compares two things compares two things that are that are alikealike in class; e.g., just as the Gos- in class; e.g., just as the Gos- pel saved people in Jerusalem, it’ll save pel saved people in Jerusalem, it’ll save people in Rome (cf. people in Rome (cf. Acts 23:11Acts 23:11).).

The Figurative AnalogyThe Figurative Analogy compares two compares two things that are things that are differentdifferent in class; e.g., in class; e.g., the the kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mus- kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mus- tard seed tard seed ( (Mat. 13:31Mat. 13:31).).

The Deductive ProcessThe Deductive Process reasons from the reasons from the general to the specific. Consider this syl- general to the specific. Consider this syl- logism based on logism based on Matthew 22:32Matthew 22:32::

Major Premise:Major Premise: God is God of the God is God of the livingliving..

Minor Premise:Minor Premise: God is Abraham’s GodGod is Abraham’s God..

Conclusion:Conclusion: Abraham is still aliveAbraham is still alive..

So…So…

For logical conclusions, simply gather all the For logical conclusions, simply gather all the relevant evidence; determine which method relevant evidence; determine which method is best to most effectively obtain a conclu-is best to most effectively obtain a conclu-sion; then formulate a deduction. Now…sion; then formulate a deduction. Now…

On to the main point of this study:On to the main point of this study:

Let’s consider some of theLet’s consider some of themost significant rules ofmost significant rules of

interpretation. Firstly,interpretation. Firstly,we’ll consider we’ll consider somesome

General RulesGeneral Rules::

This is probably the world’s most respected book on

sacred hermeneutics.

This is probably the world’s most respected book on

sacred hermeneutics.

Read the Bible likeRead the Bible like any other book any other book (ex-(ex- cept for an attitude of cept for an attitude of infallibility towards it). infallibility towards it).

E.g.,E.g., thethe BibleBible doesn’t takedoesn’t take onon somesome spe- spe-

cial magic that changes basic literary cial magic that changes basic literary patterns of interpretation; i.e., a noun is patterns of interpretation; i.e., a noun is still a noun, and a verb is still a verb.still a noun, and a verb is still a verb.

Words should therefore be understood Words should therefore be understood in their literal sense unless such an in- in their literal sense unless such an in- terpretation involves a contradiction terpretation involves a contradiction within the immediate or even the remote within the immediate or even the remote

contexts (something which will actually contexts (something which will actually occur more often than we might like). occur more often than we might like).

Read the Bible existentiallyRead the Bible existentially..

This merely means to get personallyThis merely means to get personally involved in reading by crawling into involved in reading by crawling into the skin of the characters. the skin of the characters.

We usually do this automa-We usually do this automa- tically; e.g., when the Bible tically; e.g., when the Bible speaks of Christ’s crucifixion, speaks of Christ’s crucifixion, we attempt to place ourselves we attempt to place ourselves into His skin to feel what He felt. into His skin to feel what He felt.

Whenever possibleWhenever possible(likely most of the time)(likely most of the time) use Scripture touse Scripture tointerpret Scriptureinterpret Scripture..

Narratives are to be interpreted by Narratives are to be interpreted by teachings.teachings.

E.g., we’re taught to imitate Christ’s life E.g., we’re taught to imitate Christ’s life ( (2 Pet. 2:212 Pet. 2:21), but as we read the narrative ), but as we read the narrative of His life, we discover that He remained of His life, we discover that He remained unmarried. So what do we do? Well… unmarried. So what do we do? Well…

We learn from Paul’s inspiredWe learn from Paul’s inspired teaching ( teaching (1 Cor. 7:8-91 Cor. 7:8-9) that) that we’re allowed to marry; in fact, we’re allowed to marry; in fact, Paul even taught that he—an Paul even taught that he—an apostle of Christapostle of Christ, could marry, could marry if he wished to do so ( if he wished to do so (9:59:5).).

Interpret the obscure by the clear.Interpret the obscure by the clear.

E.g., some people claim that angels are E.g., some people claim that angels are without gender, citing without gender, citing Mark 12:25 Mark 12:25 where where Jesus said that angels don’t marry. But… Jesus said that angels don’t marry. But…

Just because they don’t marry Just because they don’t marry does does not not necessitate that angelsnecessitate that angels are genderless (cf. are genderless (cf. Rev. 12:7Rev. 12:7).).

Find and make use of all parallel passages Find and make use of all parallel passages when studying any subject or text.when studying any subject or text.

Distinguish betweenDistinguish betweenlaws and proverbslaws and proverbs..

ProverbsProverbs are catchy little couplets are catchy little couplets designed to express practical truisms; designed to express practical truisms; they reflect principles of wisdom for they reflect principles of wisdom for godly living, not moral laws to be godly living, not moral laws to be applied absolutely in every situation. applied absolutely in every situation. Let’s consider two examples: Let’s consider two examples:

Matthew 12:30Matthew 12:30 has Jesus saying, has Jesus saying, He who is He who is not with Me is against Me not with Me is against Me, while , while Luke 9:50Luke 9:50 has Him saying, has Him saying, He who is not against you He who is not against you is with you is with you, meaning that in some cases , meaning that in some cases the the lack of opposition means support lack of opposition means support, while in , while in others others thethe lacklack ofof supportsupport meansmeans oppositionopposition..

Proverbs 26:4Proverbs 26:4 says, says, AnswerAnswer notnot a fool according to his a fool according to his folly folly, while , while verse 5 verse 5 says,says, AnswerAnswer a fool according a fool according to his folly to his folly, meaning that, meaning that when we find when we find opposing pro-opposing pro- verbs we’re to understand verbs we’re to understand that they that they were meant for different were meant for different circumstances.circumstances.

LawsLaws, on the other hand, fall into one of , on the other hand, fall into one of two categories: two categories:

Casuistic LawsCasuistic Laws are conditional in na- are conditional in na- ture (“If … then”): e.g., ture (“If … then”): e.g., Exodus 23:4Exodus 23:4 reads, reads, IfIf you meet your enemy’s ox or you meet your enemy’s ox or donkey going astray, donkey going astray, thenthen you shall you shall surely bring it back to him surely bring it back to him..

Apodictic LawsApodictic Laws are are ununconditional in conditional in nature: nature: You shall love your neighborYou shall love your neighbor, , and and You shall not bear false witness You shall not bear false witness —no “ifs, ands, or buts” about them.—no “ifs, ands, or buts” about them.

Distinguish betweenDistinguish betweenthe spirit and the letter of the lawthe spirit and the letter of the law..

E.g., E.g., First John 3:15First John 3:15 reads, reads, Whoever hates his brother is Whoever hates his brother is

a murderer, and you know a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal that no murderer has eternal

life abiding in him life abiding in him. Now…. Now…

IfIf wewe neitherneither murdermurder nornor hatehate anyone,anyone, we we

obey the “letter” as well as the “spirit” obey the “letter” as well as the “spirit” of the law; however, if we don’t murder of the law; however, if we don’t murder anyone but we do hate someone, then anyone but we do hate someone, then we’ve transgressed the “spirit” of the we’ve transgressed the “spirit” of the law law whilewhile attemptingattempting to to obeyobey its “letter.”its “letter.”

As another example, in As another example, in Matthew 5:21-22Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus said, Jesus said, You’ve heard it was said of You’ve heard it was said of those of old, “You shall not murder,” & those of old, “You shall not murder,” & whoever murders will be in danger of whoever murders will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that whoever judgment. But I say to you that whoever is is angry withangry with hishis brother without abrother without a cause cause

shall be in danger of judgment shall be in danger of judgment. See…. See…

God desires us to do the one—avoid God desires us to do the one—avoid murdering, while at the same time not murdering, while at the same time not

leaving the other—loving our brother— leaving the other—loving our brother— undone (cf. undone (cf. Mat. 23:23Mat. 23:23). Now…). Now…

As we approach ourAs we approach ourconclusion, let’sconclusion, let’s

consider consider somesomeSpecific RulesSpecific Rules::

Ask Questions:Ask Questions:

Who was the author?

When was the passage written?

Where was it written from?

To whom was it written?

What were the circumstances of the reci- pients (their history, their present, etc.)?

Why was it written?

What kind of text is it: poetic, parabolic, proverbial, sermonic, etc.?

Who was the author?

When was the passage written?

Where was it written from?

To whom was it written?

What were the circumstances of the reci- pients (their history, their present, etc.)?

Why was it written?

What kind of text is it: poetic, parabolic, proverbial, sermonic, etc.?

Determine the correct meaningDetermine the correct meaningof each and every word by…of each and every word by…

~~ remembering that a word can have only oneremembering that a word can have only one fixed meaning in its connectionfixed meaning in its connection;;

~~ assumingassuming (if it’s used in the same connection (if it’s used in the same connection more than once) more than once) that a word has the same that a word has the same meaning throughout that connectionmeaning throughout that connection;;

~~ always checking to see if the writer defined his always checking to see if the writer defined his own words or phrasesown words or phrases (e.g., in (e.g., in Heb. 5:14Heb. 5:14 the the phrase phrase full agefull age is described as is described as those who by those who by reason of use have their senses exercised reason of use have their senses exercised));;

~~ remembering that subjects and predicates remembering that subjects and predicates mutually explain each othermutually explain each other (e.g., while in (e.g., while in Mark 14:24Mark 14:24 Jesus said of the cup of blessing Jesus said of the cup of blessing that that This is My blood of the New CovenantThis is My blood of the New Covenant, in, in 1 Cor. 11:251 Cor. 11:25 He said that He said that This cup is the New This cup is the New Covenant in My blood Covenant in My blood););

~~ choosing the broad meaning of a phrase or choosing the broad meaning of a phrase or word unless it’s word unless it’s necessarilynecessarily restricted restricted (e.g., (e.g., Paul applied general truths to special prob- Paul applied general truths to special prob- lems in lems in 2 The. 3:62 The. 3:6 & & 2 Cor. 6:142 Cor. 6:14));; and…and…

~~ watching out for the numerous changes in watching out for the numerous changes in tenses and pronounstenses and pronouns (cf. (cf. Eph. 1:12-13Eph. 1:12-13))..

Ascertain what’s truly figurative,Ascertain what’s truly figurative,and interpret it correctly by…and interpret it correctly by…

~~ knowing what the figure is and what it takesknowing what the figure is and what it takes to constitute that figureto constitute that figure;;

~~ remembering that the figurative force depends remembering that the figurative force depends on the literal definitionon the literal definition;;

~ ~ expressing the figure in a literal senseexpressing the figure in a literal sense (e.g., (e.g., God is love = God always acts out of love; a God is love = God always acts out of love; a good rule of thumb is to good rule of thumb is to use the definitions of use the definitions of words in the place of the words words in the place of the words)); and…; and…

~~ not taking the figure too farnot taking the figure too far—there’s usually —there’s usually only one characteristic meant only one characteristic meant.. For examples: For examples:

When God was called When God was called a rocka rock ( (Psa. 18:2Psa. 18:2), it ), it only meant that He’s only meant that He’s steadfast like a rock.steadfast like a rock.

When king Herod was When king Herod was called called a foxa fox ( (Luke 13: Luke 13: 3232), it only meant that ), it only meant that he was sly like a fox.he was sly like a fox.

In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

Since (as Peter wrote) only through the Gospel of Since (as Peter wrote) only through the Gospel of Christ can we have the promises of God, a calling Christ can we have the promises of God, a calling to salvation, faith that leads to grace, peace, godli-to salvation, faith that leads to grace, peace, godli-ness, and steadfastness, we need to have a grow-ness, and steadfastness, we need to have a grow-ing knowledge of it.ing knowledge of it.

It isn’t enough for a Bible student to It isn’t enough for a Bible student to merely read—he must study by logicallymerely read—he must study by logicallyapplying rules of interpretation. Every rule should applying rules of interpretation. Every rule should be used and skill in its use should be acquired by be used and skill in its use should be acquired by careful discipline. And let’s certainly not forget to careful discipline. And let’s certainly not forget to pray for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.pray for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.