1. Now and Then © John Stevenson, 2010 Contexts

2. The True Object of Speech is the Impartation of Thought Thought

3. Language is a Reliable Means of Communication Thought Expression of thought

4. The True Object of Interpretation is to Apprehend the Exact Thought of the Writer Thought

5. To encourage you in the faith To convince you of a truth To urge you to action To lead you in praise The Author’s Purpose Determines the Character of His Work

6. Interpretation Must Be According to the Customs and the History of the Time of the Writing “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24).

7. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is IMPOSSIBLE; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:25-26).

8. Two Writers Do Not Independently Express Thought Alike MatthewJohn MarkLuke

9. A Translation Must Be the Exact Equivalent of the Original, or Else the Difference must Be Noted NAS KJV NIV NET RSV Living Bible Amplified Bible

10. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31).

11. The Bible is a Self-Interpreting Book

12. Truth Must Accord With Truth

13. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).

14. Context is King “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20).

15. Context is King For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

16. Context is King Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

17. Page 122, Duval & Hays

18. Write a doctrinal statement of Scripture: “The Bible is…”