1. How to Read the Bible for All it’s Worth WESTMINSTER CHAPEL

2. A. PROBLEM FACING BIBLICAL READERS A. PROBLEM FACING BIBLICAL READERS Biblical near-sightedness Biblical near-sightedness “That you put off…the old man…and that you put on the new man…” (King James) “That you put off…the old man…and that you put on the new man…” (King James)

3. EPHESIANS 4:22-24 That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (King James). NIV=“old self…new self” That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (King James). NIV=“old self…new self”

4. B. ERROR TO AVOID Reading our own ideas into Scripture Reading our own ideas into Scripture “Wonderful things in the Bible I see. Most of them put there by you and by me.” Basil Jackson

5. C. GOAL TO ACHIEVE C. GOAL TO ACHIEVE to drawing meaning out of the text to drawing meaning out of the text NOT NOT to read meaning into text to read meaning into text

6. 1. Focus on the intended meaning for the original audience A. Most basic principle of Bible Study: A. Most basic principle of Bible Study: The Bible was originally written: To somebody else Who lived a long time ago In another part of the world Where they spoke a different language And had different cultural values

7. B. Reading the Bible with Biblical bifocals Ultimate aim: Find significance for today Initial aim: Find intended meaning for original audience 

8. C. Read the Bible attentively The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz Look…Look…Look… If you look for nothing, you will find it every time

9. D. Original audience for James James 1:1 “To the 12 tribes scattered among the nations” James 1:1 “To the 12 tribes scattered among the nations” 2:1 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” 2:1 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” A Jewish Christian audience outside Israel A Jewish Christian audience outside Israel

10. 2. Determine the literary style employed by the author A. Different types of literature in the Bible: A. Different types of literature in the Bible: History History Laws Laws Prophecy Prophecy Poetry Poetry Parables Parables Letters Letters

11. B. Use of figures of speech C. Literary style of James: C. Literary style of James: A letter James 1:1: A letter James 1:1: and and Jewish sermon (108 verses – 55 commands) Jewish sermon (108 verses – 55 commands)