Biblical Interpretation

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Biblical Interpretation

• Introduction

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Lindisfarne Gospels
Latin ms with interlinear translation into the
Northumbrian dialect of Anglo-Saxon. Latin
produced by Bishop Eadfrith (late 7th cent),
interlinear by a priest named Aldred in 10th cent.
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AD 995 Anglo-Saxon MS of John 316

• "God lufode middan-eard swa, dat he seade his
  an-cennedan sunu, dat nan ne forweorde de on hine
  gely ac habbe dat ece lif."

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(No Transcript)
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Recognizing the Need Translation

• Spanish bienaventurados
• Rev. 1315 in Latin America
• Matt 26 stone jar?
• Mk. 621 birthday party?
• Indians of Southern Mexico Mk 1240
• Zanaki people near Lake Victoria Rev. 320
• West Africa grace or curse?

Eugene A. Nida, Gods Word in Mans Language
(Harper, NY 1952), pp.31, 43-47
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Recognizing the Need Effects

• Origen and Matthew 1912
• Matthew 529 If right eye offends, pluck it
  out!
• No blood transfusions (Acts 1529)

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Interpretation Necessary

• Nehemiah 8 give the sense
• Acts 8 Do you understand what you read?
• 2 Peter 316 Hard to understand.
• Separated by time, culture, and language

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Reasons For Disagreement

• Difference in Backgrounds
• Difference types of Appeal to Scripture
• Different Sources of Authority
• Scripture
• Tradition
• Reason
• Experience

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Reasons For DisagreementWhen Context Doesnt
Answer It!

• Examples
• To Apostles, all people, all Christians, all
  maleswhich?
• sell your possessions and give alms
• go into all the world and preach gospel to every
  creature
• the Comforterwill guide you into all truth
• if you drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt
  you
• if you have faith size of mustard seedmove
  mountain

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MY ASSUMPTIONS

• The Bible is meant to be understood and lived.
• Proper Biblical Interpretation is done within the
  community of faith.
• The reader, the text, the context, and the Author
  (God) are at work in the activity of Biblical
  Interpretation.
• Proper interpretation moves from words of
  scripture, through the larger historical-critical
  inquiry, to the readers context, leading finally
  to the message for the community of faith.

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MY ASSUMPTIONS

• The goal of Bible study is to understand and
  follow the Master through accepting the call to
  decision, receiving the transformation of the
  Scripture, and proclaiming the gospel through
  word and life through the community of faith to
  the larger world.
• No one masters the Bible the Bible is the means
  by which God seeks to master us!
• Humility, integrity, prayer, imagination, and
  hope are key ingredients for Biblical
  Interpretation.