7.1 - 7.4
What’s wrong with making Jerimiah 29:11 a personal life verse?
It was originally intended for God's people.
What is the goal of “deconstruction”?
Instead of trying to learn the truth about the world, they dissect an author’s words, trying to discern and then expose an author’s underlying worldview.
Why is it important to read the Bible for ourselves?
We can't grasp the Bible by reading about it. We have to get seriously into the text for ourselves.
What’s the difference between “historical context” and “literary context”?
Historical context refers to the time and culture of the author and his audience, that is the geographical, topographical, and political factors that are relevant to the setting.
Literary context refers to the genre, structure, and grammar of a text.
How did the printing press change the Bible’s impact on civilization?
Johannes Gutenberg made the printing press.
A writing by Martin Luther established a Christian tradition embraced by nearly a billion people today.
What is deconstruction?
A method of literary analysis that questions the ability of language to represent reality.
How can we ensure we’re reading the Bible in context?
By using a Bible commentary (a book written by a theologian to help people better understand scripture). It is a helpful tool in understanding both the content and the context of scripture.
What’s the difference between “descriptive passages” and “prescriptive passages”
Most of the Bible is descriptive in nature.
A prescriptive passage provides specific hallmarks of how we ought to live, make decisions, and think.
How can reading the Bible change us?
The Bible is part of the means by which, in the power of the Spirit, the living God rescues his people and his world, and takes them forward on the journey toward his new creation, and makes us agents of that new creation even as we travel.
Is Postmodernism compatible with orthodox Christianity?
No. Postmodernism focuses on self while Christianity focuses on God.
What are some tools that are helpful in studying the Bible?
Lexicon (explains the words of scripture) and a theological dictionary.
What are 3 examples of Prescriptive passages?
The 10 Commandments
The Sermon on the Mount
The Great Commission
What does it say? (________)
What does it mean? (___________)
What does it mean to me? (__________)
exegesis
hermeneutics
application
What is “hermeneutics”?
The process of devising the best methods for understanding and interpreting Scripture. The term hermeneutics mean "to interpret"
How do we go about choosing Bible translation?
Formal Equivalence Translations: attempt to keep as close to the form of the Hebrew of Greek (KJV)
Functional Equivalence Translations: attempt to keep the meaning of the Hebrew or Greek but to put their words and idioms into would be the normal way of saying the same thing in English (NLT)
Free Translations: attempt to translate the ideas from one language to another, with less concern about using the exact words of the original. Tries to eliminate as much of the historical distance as possible and still be faithful to the original text. (MSG)
How should Christians handle doubt?
Face them and share them with a trusted pastor, teacher, or mentor.
What is Postmodernism and how did it develop?
Postmodernism is a skeptical worldview that is suspicious of metanarratives.
- Postmodernism denies the existence of objective truth.
- Truth changes from person to person (there is no big "T" truth)
- Those who claim to have ultimate truth are trying to gain power over others.
Texts claiming to speak “the truth” must undergo a deconstruction to reveal their underlying assumptions and intentions.
What is “exegesis?”
The proper interpretation of a passage of Scripture is based on careful study and analysis.
Large-scale interpretation (hermeneutics) must begin with small-scale wrestling with each chapter, verse, line, and word. (exegesis)
Why is it important to understand “genre?”
It helps us determine how to interpret a passage properly and grapple with some of the uncomfortable things in the Bible’s historical narratives.
Types include: poetry, historical narratives, legal prescriptions, prophecies, psalms, proverbs, parables, letters, and apocalyptic literature.