Now and ThenNow and Then© John Stevenson, 2010

Contexts

The True Object of Speech is The True Object of Speech is the Impartation of Thoughtthe Impartation of Thought

Thought Thought

Language is a Reliable Means Language is a Reliable Means of Communicationof Communication

ThoughtExpression of thought

The True Object of Interpretation is to Apprehend

the Exact Thought of the Writer

Thought

• To encourage you in the faith

• To convince you of a truth

• To urge you to action

• To lead you in praise

The Author’s Purpose The Author’s Purpose Determines the Character of His Determines the Character of His

WorkWork

Interpretation Must Be According to the Customs and the History of the Time of the

Writing

““And again I say unto you, It is easier And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a for a camel to go through the eye of a

needle, than for a rich man to enter into needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24).the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24).

When his disciples heard it, they were When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who

then can be saved?”then can be saved?”But Jesus beheld them, and said unto But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is IMPOSSIBLE; them, “With men this is IMPOSSIBLE; but with God all things are possible.” but with God all things are possible.”

(Matthew 19:25-26).(Matthew 19:25-26).

Two Writers Do Not Two Writers Do Not Independently Express Thought Independently Express Thought

AlikeAlike

Matthew John

Mark Luke

A Translation Must Be the Exact A Translation Must Be the Exact Equivalent of the Original, or Equivalent of the Original, or Else the Difference must Be Else the Difference must Be

NotedNotedNASNASKJVKJV NIVNIVNETNETRSVRSV Living Living

BibleBibleAmplified Amplified

BibleBible

And behold, two men And behold, two men were talking with Him; were talking with Him;

and they were Moses and and they were Moses and Elijah, Elijah, 3131 who, appearing who, appearing

in glory, were speaking of in glory, were speaking of His departure which He His departure which He

was about to accomplish was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31).(Luke 9:30-31).

The Bible is a Self-Interpreting Book

Truth Must Accord With TruthTruth Must Accord With Truth

Truth Must Accord With TruthTruth Must Accord With Truth

The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of

good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).

Context is KingContext is King

““For where two or three For where two or three have gathered together in have gathered together in

My name, I am there in My name, I am there in their midst.” their midst.”

(Matthew 18:20).(Matthew 18:20).

Context is KingContext is King

For if we go on sinning willfully after For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a truth, there no longer remains a

sacrifice for sins, sacrifice for sins, 2727 but a terrifying but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the expectation of judgment and the

fury of a fire which will consume the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Context is KingContext is King

Or do you not know that your body Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? and that you are not your own?

2020 For you have been bought with a For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your price: therefore glorify God in your

body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Page 122, Duval & HaysPage 122, Duval & Hays

Write a doctrinal Write a doctrinal statement of statement of

Scripture:Scripture:“The Bible is…”“The Bible is…”