Communication Is Fundamental How do we communicate? How do we communicate? How can we know what someone/anyone means? How can we know what someone/anyone means? If we use the “law of rationality” in our conversations with people to understand the meaning of their statements, can we (or should we) not do the same with the Bible? If we use the “law of rationality” in our conversations with people to understand the meaning of their statements, can we (or should we) not do the same with the Bible? If (and since) the Bible affects matters of doctrine, faith, practice, fellowship, salvation and eternity, one cannot afford to be wrong about them. If (and since) the Bible affects matters of doctrine, faith, practice, fellowship, salvation and eternity, one cannot afford to be wrong about them. We must know what the Bible says as well as what the Bible means. We must know what the Bible says as well as what the Bible means. That’s where proper interpretation becomes key! That’s where proper interpretation becomes key!

Three Steps Necessary to Properly Interpret the Bible First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject – Content: Meaning of words Meaning of words Grammatical relationship of words, sentences, etc. Grammatical relationship of words, sentences, etc. – Context: Literary Context Literary Context – Specific Sentence – Immediate Context – Remote Context Historical Context Historical Context – Time & Culture (geographical, topographical, political factors) – Occasion of the book, letter, psalm, prophecy or other genre

Three Steps Necessary to Properly Interpret the Bible First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject Second – Handle the Evidence Correctly Second – Handle the Evidence Correctly – WHAT DID IT MEAN? This is exegesis, which must come first. This is exegesis, which must come first. – WHAT DOES IT MEAN? This requires proper hermeneutics, which must come second. This requires proper hermeneutics, which must come second.

Three Steps Necessary to Properly Interpret the Bible First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject Second – Handle the Evidence Correctly Second – Handle the Evidence Correctly Third – Draw Only (and All) Such Conclusions As Are Justified (i.e., Warranted, Demanded) By the Evidence. Third – Draw Only (and All) Such Conclusions As Are Justified (i.e., Warranted, Demanded) By the Evidence. To fail to follow these steps means the Bible can mean whatever (subjectivity). No interpretation is right or wrong. Anything goes. To fail to follow these steps means the Bible can mean whatever (subjectivity). No interpretation is right or wrong. Anything goes. Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 is proof we must do this. Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 is proof we must do this.

Sound Principles of Biblical Interpretation Are Required 1.If man is made such that he seeks God, then a special revelation from God is necessary. 2.If there is a special revelation, then it would be written, oral or “straight to the heart.” – “It is written.” “The things I write to you.” 3.If it is written, it would be objective. – It would have to be “outside of us” for all to have. 4.If it is objective, then it would be propositional. – Written in sentences which can be understood. 5.If it is propositional, then principles of Biblical interpretation apply.

Principles of Biblical Interpretation If propositional revelation is the case, then the these hermeneutical principles are expected: If propositional revelation is the case, then the these hermeneutical principles are expected: – DIRECT STATEMENTS Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally. Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally. Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible. Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible. – IMPLICATION Non-trivial statements imply something. Non-trivial statements imply something. To say “no” begs the question. To say “no” begs the question. – EXPEDIENCY No propositional revelation can be exhaustive. No propositional revelation can be exhaustive. Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation. Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation. – ACCOUNTS OF ACTION IN HISTORY God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances. God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances. God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology. God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology.