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Where do we begin learning Scripture? We start with the basics, what is in the gospels on the life of Christ and the core doctrines in the letters by Paul before we would dive into the book of Revelation. We do not start with prophecy which is categorized as ESCHATOLOGY (The Study of the End Times, or future things). There is a good reason for this order. We are to learn our relationship to God through the Holy Spirit who now indwells us, to understand the Father and Christ, understanding their interaction with each other and us. He is the umpire of the word that he inspired to be written. If one wants to have correct growth they need to be established in the essentials. Just like a plant needs water and light to grow and be fruitful. There is what is called the Christian distinctive, which is about learning doctrine correctly. The Bible has several theologies contained in its pages, we start with the study of God and man. THEOLOGY PROPER which is The Study of God. The Bible reveals One God who is triune God, existing simultaneously in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, infinite life, identical in nature and being, being equal in power, having the same attributes and perfections, yet they are identified as three distinctions as persons, who have a mind, a will and emotions. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 4:34; 16:8-13; Ephesians 1:11; 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Hebrews 10:7). CHRISTOLOGY isThe Study of Jesus Christ THE INCARNATION: The Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God (John 1:1-2, 14). He took another nature of man adding it to his eternal deity. THE VIRGIN BIRTH: Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35). The only one in all of history. HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS- Explained through the gospel accounts. Not other books outside the Bible. HIS SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH: How he accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for all men (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:18-19). HIS RESURRECTION: His literal bodily resurrection from the dead guarantees redemption of our body and soul forever (Luke 24:39; Hebrews 10:9-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Both are components of the gospel which saves us. HIS PRESENT MINISTRY: The Lord Jesus Christ, in His glorified body, is now in Heaven, exalted at the right hand of God the Father, where He presently fulfills the ministries of Intercessor and Advocate, as the High Priest for all His people (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2). To learn that God is holy, just, love infinite, El Olam, everlasting, inexhaustible, all powerful omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (everywhere) Yahweh Roi-shepherd, Quodosh Israel Holy one of Israel Isa.1:4. God has spoken plainly and clearly to mankind. After learning his nature and character and attributes we learn of who we are ANTHROPOLOGYwhich is the Study of Man CREATION: Accept the Genesis account of the seven consecutive and literal days of creation in which God created the universe (Genesis 1; Psalm 33:6, 9). THE FALL: Understanding that man was created in the image and likeness of God at first with no sin. When Adam sinned, from his nature his offspring the human race also became fallen, inheriting a sinful nature that made us become alienated from God (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 2:12). EVIDENCES OF MAN'S DEPRAVED CONDITION: Romans 1-3 give an excellent summary of what man is like before regeneration. He has sinned and falls short of the glory of God. His sinfulness (upon which the wrath of God is presently being revealed) is characterized by what he thinks within and his actions. By covetousness, maliciousness, murder, deceit, gossip, violence, disobedience to parents, and unmerciful attitudes and actions (Romans 1:18, 24-32; 3:23). SINFULNESS (ORIGINAL SIN): Man is not inherently good (but can do good or evil) nor is man able to merit salvation by anything he does. There is nothing in the descendants of Adam (mankind) with which God can be pleased with. Man is, therefore, completely dependent upon God's grace to be saved from Hell, his natural punishment, by eternal salvation, a new life given through what Christ Jesus did by his crucifixion and resurrection (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9-18; 6:23; 7:18). This is why the gospel is God’s work for us. Important rules of interpretation Scripture will interpret scripture it will never contradict itself. If we find a contradiction we are not understanding it. Exegesis means to find out what the original text meant.Isogesis means to insert what you want the scripture to say. A TEXT APART FROM ITS CONTEXT IS A PRETEXT (always read it through not by sentence but through its thought on the topic to understand its context). Look to understand the overall theme of a letter, then go into the details on a subject and its application. We must have the overview first before we can know the details. Interpreting Scripture A good rule is to seek the plain sense of Scripture that makes common sense, take the written word at its primary, ordinary sense, a literal meaning, unless, the facts show otherwise. The immediate context can be studied in the light of related passages, will indicates otherwise. Hermeneutics is the science of interpreting anything written. In other words, a Literal interpretation is sought first unless it is obvious otherwise such as when symbols are used or it describes something that does not exist in life. Regardless, all symbolic, or metaphor basically represent what is literal in meaning. For example in the parables, we are told about a spiritual meaning, that the seed which is the Word, and the soil it is planted in is our heart. OIA method is to observe, look at it long, think on it, discover what it means is to interpret. The Application (if any) is what it means to us, to flesh it out. Each letter has a theme, and occasion, a purpose, a recipient. A text can never mean what it never meant when written. The true meaning is what God intended it to mean when written We are too find the original intent of the author, then apply any principles, what did it mean then, what does it mean to us today. The who, what, where, and why approach does help arrive at a right conclusion. Not every Scripture contains its immediate meaning, it is good to gather other scriptures from other letters, and writers on the same subject to arrive at a correct conclusion. We are to study to show ourselves approved so we can be used by the Lord to help others. |
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