Biblical Interpretation
One of my two courses this year is in basic Biblical Interpretation.We all know that there is more to interpreting scripture than just reading. We all bring our own biases, experience, culture, tradition, and mood to the Bible. It doesn't need to be difficult, but we need to do a better job of studying than just reading and deciding what it means for us.
This class will be instrumental in helping me to do that. I was reading the first lesson notes today (it's an on-line class) and was glad to see that the instructor is placing things in a postmodern context. He asks us to think about what it means to interpret the Bible in a time where the mere existence of truth is questioned. How can Scripture apply when everybody is entitled to their own personal truth?
It can, but we need to be aware of our own clouded perceptions, of the pure guidance of Spirit, and of all-important context. It's going to be an incredibly helpful course.
posted by Thurman8er @ 1:48 PM
3 Comments:
Let me make it really simple for you: The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.
How can anyone possibly improve on that?? :)
Oops ... make that "The King James Bible says it ...."
There are "apologists" who give their exegesis of every single WORD in the Bible, but...the texts in the original (?) or earliest Greek, plus other extant evidence of other Jewish historians are where I would go first. I'm NOT a serious student...but it seems that good old common sense also applies when applying bibical "interpretation". I think some of the BEST lessons I've read are by Al Maxey, a preacher-elder in New Mexico. He makes everything so simple and logical, while using deep, detailed lauguage to do that. Check out his web site, "Reflections". He's a warrior for truth in our faith-heritage...and the legalists thoroughly hate him!
(Regarding the KJV, how do the apologists explain the "Comma Johanneum")
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