Communication Is FundamentalCommunication Is Fundamental

• How do we communicate?How do we communicate?• How can we know what someone/anyone means?How can we know what someone/anyone means?• If we use the “law of rationality” in our conversations If we use the “law of rationality” in our conversations

with people to understand the meaning of their with people to understand the meaning of their statements, can we (or should we) not do the same with statements, can we (or should we) not do the same with the Bible?the Bible?

• If (and since) the Bible affects matters of doctrine, faith, If (and since) the Bible affects matters of doctrine, faith, practice, fellowship, salvation and eternity, one practice, fellowship, salvation and eternity, one cannotcannot afford to be wrong about them.afford to be wrong about them.

• We must know what the Bible We must know what the Bible sayssays as well as what the as well as what the Bible Bible meansmeans..

• That’s where proper interpretation becomes key!That’s where proper interpretation becomes key!

Three Steps Necessary to Properly Three Steps Necessary to Properly Interpret the BibleInterpret the Bible• First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a

Biblical Question or SubjectBiblical Question or Subject– Content:Content:• Meaning of wordsMeaning of words• Grammatical relationship of words, sentences, etc.Grammatical relationship of words, sentences, etc.

– Context:Context:• Literary ContextLiterary Context

– Specific SentenceSpecific Sentence– Immediate ContextImmediate Context– Remote ContextRemote Context

• Historical ContextHistorical Context– Time & Culture (geographical, topographical, political factors)Time & Culture (geographical, topographical, political factors)– Occasion of the book, letter, psalm, prophecy or other genreOccasion of the book, letter, psalm, prophecy or other genre

Three Steps Necessary to Properly Three Steps Necessary to Properly Interpret the BibleInterpret the Bible• First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a

Biblical Question or SubjectBiblical Question or Subject• Second – Handle the Evidence CorrectlySecond – Handle the Evidence Correctly– WHAT DID IT MEAN?WHAT DID IT MEAN?• This is exegesis, which must come first.This is exegesis, which must come first.

– WHAT DOES IT MEAN?WHAT DOES IT MEAN?• This requires proper hermeneutics, which must come This requires proper hermeneutics, which must come

second.second.

Three Steps Necessary to Properly Three Steps Necessary to Properly Interpret the BibleInterpret the Bible• First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a

Biblical Question or SubjectBiblical Question or Subject• Second – Handle the Evidence CorrectlySecond – Handle the Evidence Correctly• Third – Draw Only (and All) Such Conclusions As Third – Draw Only (and All) Such Conclusions As

Are Justified (i.e., Warranted, Demanded) By the Are Justified (i.e., Warranted, Demanded) By the Evidence.Evidence.

• To fail to follow these steps means the Bible can To fail to follow these steps means the Bible can mean whatever (subjectivity). No interpretation mean whatever (subjectivity). No interpretation is right or wrong. Anything goes.is right or wrong. Anything goes.

• Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 is proof we must do this.Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 is proof we must do this.

Sound Principles of Biblical Sound Principles of Biblical Interpretation Are RequiredInterpretation Are Required1.1. If man is made such that he seeks God, then a If man is made such that he seeks God, then a

specialspecial revelation from God is necessary. revelation from God is necessary.2.2. If there is a special revelation, then it would be If there is a special revelation, then it would be

written, oral or “straight to the heart.”written, oral or “straight to the heart.”– ““It is written.” “The things I write to you.”It is written.” “The things I write to you.”

3.3. If it is written, it would be objective.If it is written, it would be objective.– It would have to be “outside of us” for all to have.It would have to be “outside of us” for all to have.

4.4. If it is objective, then it would be propositional.If it is objective, then it would be propositional.– Written in sentences which can be understood.Written in sentences which can be understood.

5.5. If it is propositional, then principles of Biblical If it is propositional, then principles of Biblical interpretation apply.interpretation apply.

Principles of Biblical InterpretationPrinciples of Biblical Interpretation

• If propositional revelation is the case, then the these If propositional revelation is the case, then the these hermeneutical principles are hermeneutical principles are expectedexpected::– DIRECT STATEMENTSDIRECT STATEMENTS

• Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally.Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally.• Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible.Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible.

– IMPLICATIONIMPLICATION• Non-trivial statements imply something.Non-trivial statements imply something.• To say “no” begs the question.To say “no” begs the question.

– EXPEDIENCYEXPEDIENCY• No propositional revelation can be exhaustive.No propositional revelation can be exhaustive.• Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation.Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation.

– ACCOUNTS OF ACTION IN HISTORYACCOUNTS OF ACTION IN HISTORY• God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances.God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances.• God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology.God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology.