Read the Bible Better: Week 1
Read the Bible Better Study
Those of us who want to deepen and enliven our faith, we love to read the Bible. Here in this ancient book, we find a story that still captivates our hearts and minds, truths that we employ in our everyday life, and encouragement and endurance in both good time and bad. But the Bible is unlike most other books that we encounter. Confessing the Christian Faith we find that there is so much more to connect us to the greater and deeper truths of the universe. And this is the book that we should like to read better. Because we confess that it is a Word from God that will both benefit of our personal life and our understanding of a greater truth.
But how, you may ask, do we read our Bible better? Is there not only one way to read anything? Can we literally just understand the words on the page, just like any non-fiction writing? Or cookbook? Or historical account? Are there points of departure from literal language? Metaphors and similes? Poetry and prophesy? And how do we assess meaning from the whole lot? Can we possibly do it “better?” This study series will look at ways to improve our methods and practice of reading the Bible.
“Hermeneutics” is a long word, and some may make the argument that it is unnecessary to explore such detail about our methods of reading the scriptures. Can’t we simply read the Bible? The answer is yes, and no. Whether you recognize it or not, everyone employs some sort of principles of interpretation to help discover the meaning and intention of the Bible. Just look at the many evaluations of the same texts of Scripture, the various ideas about God’s ultimate purpose and plan, and the vast debates about points of doctrine. We all have the same words on the page, we all practice some sort of interpretation, but our methods to discover meaning and application may be fundamentally different.
PRACTICE
We are familiar with practicing interpretation, we do this without even thinking about it. Jesus says “I am the vine”. What does that mean? Perhaps he is the root and source of all faith. Perhaps he is a physical plant. Perhaps he is connecting himself to the family branch that has been growing for thousands of years. Perhaps he is a fruit bearing life source that relates to a feast to come. Whatever we may think about this, we have already made many assumptions about Jesus saying, “I am the vine.” And even though you have made these exegetical decisions about how to interpret this set of words, can you explain WHY you interpreted it in that particular way?
METHOD
Hermeneutics is the method we use to interpret. Exegesis is putting the method into practice. Hermeneutics may include identifying rules and standards for the boundaries of language and explanation. Exegesis is drawing meaning from the Bible by using these methods. They are related because they inform each other, but they are very different. As with any method, we should be able to assess and decide if we have sound principles in mind, and if what we do is the “best” way to interpret.
For example, bloodletting was a common practice in the medical field from antiquity until the late 19th century. Bloodletting is the withdrawal of blood from a patient to keep the balance of bodily fluids. Even though this was a standard method for curing disease, modern medicine should reflect on the method. Is it a satisfactory way to cure illness with the knowledge and technological advances that we operate by today?
Likewise, our questions about our current method of hermeneutics flow in the same vein. Is our practice of interpretation reflective of the best way to find the answers we seek? Can we actually practice “better” principles for reading the Bible?
First and foremost by examining our ways, and simply recognizing that we even have a way, we will make conscious decisions about what we do. Maybe we will discover that the way we read the Bible does not live up to the confession and expectation we have about how to read it the best way possible. Maybe the Word of God will dictate a change. Maybe the manner in which we interpret the Word will end up “better”.
Based on “Principles of Biblical Interpretation for Everyone” by Dr. Jim Voelz.