Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation Flashcards

Question

The Bible was written by to be understood by people using n\_\_\_\_\_h\_\_\_\_\_\_ l\_\_\_\_.

Answer 1

The Bible was written by to be understood by people using **_normal**_ _**human language_**. *Course Manual Page 48*

Answer 2

Key Question for Interpretation 1. What does this **_mean_**? 2. What is the **_significance_** of this? 3. Why did God **_include_** this? 4. What is the **_purpose_** of this passage 5. How did the **_original**_ _**author**_ intend the words to be _**understood_**? 6. How does this fit into the **_balance**_ of _**Scripture_**? *Course Manual Page 47*

Answer 3

The Six General Rules of Interpretation 1. Interpret **_literally_**. 2. Interpret in **_context_**. 3. Interpret in view of **_history**_ and _**culture_**. 4. Interpret in view of **_literary**_ _**form_**. 5. Interpret in view of other **_parts**_ of _**Scripture_**. 6. Interpret in view of **_theological**_ _**consistency._** *Course Manual Pages 47-61*

Answer 4

General Rule #1 of Interpretation Interpret Scripture literally taking words, phrases and sentences in their * **_usual_** * **_normal_** * **_natural_** * **_customary**_ _**sense._** *Course Manual Page 50*

Answer 5

Two types of Literal Interpretation 1. **_plain literal_**-normal, non-figurative language. Ge 2:7 "God formed man from the dust" 2. **_figurative litera_**l-Language which uses figures of speech and symbolic words but still conveys a clear idea, concept, truth or meaning. Lk 13:31-32 Herod is a "fox". *Course Manual Page 50*

Answer 6

Word meanings are determined by 1. **_basic**_ _**definition_** 2. how the word is used **_elsewhere_** in Scrupture 3. the **_context_** of the passage in which it is used *Course Manual Page 50*

Answer 7

Hints for word studies: * Look for **_study**_ _**notes_** * Use the **_cross reference_** system * Use **_index_** to notes * Use **_concordance_** * See **_topical_** method of Bible study *Course Manual Page 50*

Answer 8

Allegorizing or Spiritualizing Looks for a **_secret**_ or _**hidden**_ meaning which is often _**unrelated**_ to the _**true_** meaning of the passage *Course Manual Page 52*

Answer 9

General Rule #2 of Interpretation Interpret in **_Context_** Interpret each verse or passage of Scripture in its **_context_** noting * **_where_** it is located in Scripture, * what **_precedes_** it * what **_follows**_ _**after_** it * and how it is **_related_** to other Scripture *Course Manual Page 53*

Answer 10

General Rule 3# of Interpretation Interpret in view of **_History**_ and _**Culture_** *Course Manual Page 56*

Answer 11

Guidelines for determining whether a passage is culturally bound or applicable today. 1. What is the **_pupose_** of cultural practice or teaching? 2. Would that **_cultura**_l _**practice**_ have the _**same**_ _**significance_** today? 3. If not, is there a **_timeless**_ _**principle**_ that could be practiced today but in a _**different**_ _**way_**? *Course Manual Page 57*

Answer 12

Assume every teaching practice of Scripture is applicable today unless: * the **_context**_ _**restricts_** it * later **_revelation**_ _**overrules_** it * it conflicts with **_other**_ _**Scripture_** * it is **_culturally**_ _**unique_** to that culture *Course Manual Page 57*

Answer 13

General Rule #4 of Interpretation Interpret each verse or passage in Scripture in view of it **_literary**_ _**form._** Is it? Normal Literature **_Prose**_, _**Narrative,**_ _**or**_ _**Poetry_**? Special Literature **_Prophecy,_** **_Parable_**, **_Proverb_**? *Course Manual Page 58*

Answer 14

General Rule #5 Interpret in View of Other Parts of Scripture Interpret each verst or passage in view of **_related**_ or _**similar_** passages in the same or other books of the Bible. Guidelines for Interpreting Difficult Passages Part 1 1. The Bible will **_never contradict_** itself. 2. Choose a **_simple**_, _**natural**_ meaning over a more _**complex_** one. 3. The **_New**_ _**Testament**_ and the _**Old**_ _**Testament_** will help us understand the other. 4. Interpret unclear or ambiguous passages in view of **_plain**_, _**clear**_, _**central_** ones. *Course Manual Page 59*

Answer 15

Guidelines for Interpreting Difficult Passages Part 2 1. When the NT quotes the OT, it doesn't have to **_be**_ _**exact_**. 2. Difference accounts of the **_same**_ _**incident**_ are most likely _**complementary**_ not _**contradictory_**. 3. Some **_numerica**_l _**inconsistencies**_ are most likely _**copyist**_ _**errors_**. 4. The fact that we do not have a **_complete**_ _**explanation**_ does not mean there is _**not**_ _**one_**. *Course Manual Page 60*

Answer 16

General Rule #6 Interpret in View of **_Theological_** **_Consistency_** The **_character_** and **_nature_** of God are the same **_throughout_** Scripture. **_Interpret_** accordingly. *Course Manual Page 61*

Answer 17

Special Rule of Interpretation #1 Parables * A parable is a "**_true**_ to _**life_**" story taken from everyday common life. * A parable is an **_earthly**_ story with a _**spiritual_** meaning * It teaches one **_key**_ _**truth_** * Makes one **_main**_ _**point_** * **_Illustrates**_ or _**explains_** one truth * **_Answers_** a question *Course Manual page 62*

Answer 18

Special Rule of Interpretation #2 Proverbs A proverb: * Is a **_wise**_ _**saying**_ or _**comparison_** * Is a **_simple**_ _**statement**_ of _**truth_** * Contains Gods **_wisdom**_ about _**skillful**_ _**living_** * Teaches **_principles**_ not _**promises_** *Course Manual page 63*

Answer 19

Some proverbs appear to be **_promises_** * It is the nature of proverbial literature to set forth a **_principle_** * to which there **_may**_ or _**may**_ _**not_** be exceptions * instead of a **_guaranteed**_ _**promise_**. *Course Manual page 63*

Answer 20

A Proverb Distinguishes between 1. **_Knowledge**_ = _**Content**_ (_**Observation_**) 2. **_Understanding**_ = _**Comprehension**_ (_**Interpretation_**) 3. **_Wisdom**_ = _**Skill**_ in applying _**Knowledge**_ to _**life**_ (_**Application_**) *Course Manual page 63*

Answer 21

Special Rule of Interpretation #3 Poetry Hebrew Poetry: * does not **_rhyme_** sounds or words * does **_rhyme**_ _**ideas,**_ _**thoughts,**_ _**concepts**_, and _**images_** * Contains many **_figures**_ of _**speech**_ and _**symbolic**_ _**words_** * Usually the **_second**_ _**line**_ will say something about the _**first**_ _**line_** *Course Manual page 64*

Answer 22

Special Rule of Interpretation #4 Figures of Speech Definition: an **_unusual**_ form or _**expression_** of a word of phrase which creates a * **_mental image_** * or **_paints**_ a _**word**_ _**picture_** The truth stated by a figure of speech can be **_taken_** _l**iterally**_ *Course Manual page 66*

Answer 23

Common Figures of Speech in the Bible * Simile : A **_comparison**_ using _**like**_ or _**as_** * Example: All men **_are**_ _**like_** grass. 1 Pe 1:24 * Metaphor: A **_comparison**_ where one thing _**represents**_ another. Uses some form of the ver "_**to**_ _**be_**" * Example: You **_are_** the salt of the earth Mt 5:13 *Course Manual page 66*

Answer 24

Common Figures of Speech in the Bible * Personification: giving **_human**_ _**characteristics_** to **_others_** * Example: The trees of the field will clap their **_hands_**. Isa 55:12 * Anthropormorhism: Ascribing **_human characteristics_** to God * Example: The **_hand_** of God was on us. Ezr 8:31 *Course Manual page 67*

Answer 25

Common Figures of Speech in the Bible * Idiom: a **_peculiar**_ way of saying something in a _**particular**_ _**language_** * Example: breaking of **_bread_** * Euphenism: the **_substitution**_ of an _**inoffensive**_ or _**mild**_ expression for an _**offensive_** one. * Example: "relieved himself" 1 Sa 24:3 *Course Manual page 64*

Answer 26

Common Figures of Speech in the Bible * Hyperbole: **_Exaggeration**_ for _**emphasis_** * Example: "**_whole**_ _**world_** would not have room for the books. Jn 21:25 * Irony: Expressing something in a **_sarcastic**_ way which conveys its _**opposite_** * Example: "Shout louder, surely he is a god" 1 Ki 18:24 *Course Manual page 67*

Answer 27

Common Figures of Speech in the Bible * Merism: a **_substitution**_ where two _**contrasting**_ _**images**_ (extremes or opposites) are used to represent the _**whole_**. * Example: "You know when I **_sit**_ and when I _**rise_** (i.e. all that I do) Ps 139:2 *Course Manual page 67*

Answer 28

Special Rule of Interpretation #5 Symbols ## Footnote Definition: A symbol is a **_word**_ or _**phrase**_ which stands or represents _**something else**_. Its purpose is to _**illustrate**_ or make more _**clear_**. Examples: Jesus Christ - **_Lamb,**_ _**Lion,**_ _**Rock,**_ _**Branch_** Be careful, a symbol can refer to **_more_** **_than_** **_one_** person, etc. Both **_Satan**_ and _**Christ_** are referred to as a lion. *Study Manual Page 68*

Answer 29

Special Rule of Interpretation #6 Typology ("Types") ## Footnote Definition: A type is an OT **_pattern**_, _**example**_, _**prefiguring**_, or _**foreshadowing**_ of a NT _**person**_ or _**event_**. The OT **_type**_ is fulfilled in its NT _**anti-type_**. For examples : **_Adam**_ is an imperect typf of man prefiguring _**Christ_** as perfect man. *Course Manual Page 69*

Answer 30

Special Rule of Interpretation #7 Prophecy Why study prophecy? 1. Because **_25_**% of the Bible was prophecy when written. 2. Prophecy demonstrates the **_faithfulness**_, _**sovereignty**_, and _**supernatural power_** of God 3. Prophecy encourages believer to have **_hope_**. 4. Prophecy **_purifies**_ and _**motivates**_ believers to godly _**living_** 5. Prophecy reveals God's eternal **_plan**_ and _**purpose_**. *Course Manual Page 71*

Answer 31

Special Features of Biblical Prophecy 1. "**_Foreshortening**_"-OT prophet or NT writer could not see that _**many**_ _**years_** might separate two events. 2. Near **_application**_ and far _**fullfillment_** 3. Partial **_fullfillment**_ to date (_**progressive_**) *Course Manual Page 71*

Answer 32

Special Rule of Interpretation #8 Use of the Old Testament in the New The use of the OT in the NT shows the **_unity**_ of _**Scripture**_ and that it will not _**contradict**_ _**i**_t_**self_**. 1. Over three hundred separate quotations of the **_Old Testament**_ in the _**New**_ _**Testament_**. 2. OT and NT have the same **_divine**_ _**author._** 3. Understanding of **_Old Testament**_ is indispensable to understanding the _**New Testament._** 4. NT writier knew the OT **_thoroughly**_ and recognized the _**authority**_ of the OT as _**God's**_ _**Word_** *Course Manual Page 74*

Answer 33

How the NT uses the OT * With an **_introductory**_ _**formula_** "It is **_written"**_ Mt 4:6 "To _**fulfill**_ Mt 1:22 " "_**The**_ _**Scripture**_ _**says_**" Ro 4:3 * By **_combining**_ several OT _**passages_**. 2 Cor 6:16-16 Mt 22:34-40 * By **_varying**_ the _**wording_** of the OT passage Ro 15:12 *Course Manual Page 74*

Answer 34

Purpose of NT quoting the OT 1. To **_fulfill**_ OT _**predictive**_ _**prophecy_** 2. To **_confirm_** an OT principal or truth 3. To **_illustrate**_ or _**apply_** an OT principal or truth 4. To **_summarize_** an OT principal or truth 5. To use OT **_wordng**_ for _**emphasis_** *Course Manual Page 75*

Answer 35

Interpretive Dangers 1. There are three primary dangers whichmust be avoided at the interpretation stage: 2. An **_incomplete_** interpretation-Occurs whenwe fail to interpret **_all_** the text. 3. An **_exaggerated_** interpretation-Occurs when we read something **_more_** into the text which **_isn't_** **_there_**. 4. An **_inaccurate**_ interpretation-Occurs when we reach the _**wrong_** meaning and conclusion because of: * Lack of **_diligent**_ _**study_** * failure to **_observe**_ _**properly_** * failure to rely on the teaching ministryof the **_Holy**_ _**Spirit_** *Course Manual Page 77*

Answer 36

Step Three is Apply the Text Key Questions * **_What_** shall I do? * How does this **_work_**? * How can I put this into **_practice_**? *Course Manual Page 78*

Answer 37

Rules for Effective Application Part 1 State the **_teaching**_ of a passage in the form of a _**timeless**_ _**principle**_ or _**truth_** which is: * **_relevant**_ to your or your church's _**needs**_ _**today_** * **_consistent**_ with _**God's**_ _**Word_** * **_general**_, but clear enough to be _**specifically**_ _**followed_** *Course Manual Page 79*

Answer 38

Rules for Effective Application Part 2 Examine the application teaching inview of how it can be **_useful**_ or _**profitable_** for your relationships. How does this apply to: * God, Satan myself, my family * other Christians, non-Christians * my work or school, goverment, society *Course Manual Page 79*

Answer 39

Rules for Effective Application Part 3 Ask yourself the following questions. In this passage is there: * A **_principle_** to apply * A **_command_** to obey * A **_sin_** to confess and forsake (repent of) * A **_habit_** to start or stop * A **_promise_** to claim * An **_example_** to follow continued next slide *Course Manual Page 80*

Answer 40

Rules for Effective Application Part 3 Continued from previous slide Ask yourself the following questions. In this passage is there: * An **_area_** to release to God * A **_specific**_ _**action_** to take * A **_condition_** to meet * A **_person_** to forgive * A **_danger_** or error to avoid * A **_change_** to make in my character, conduct or conversation *Course Manual Page 80*

Answer 41

Rules for Effective Application Part 4 Put the application into practice depending on the **_power**_ of the indwelling _**Holy**_ _**Spirit_** *Course Manual Page 80*

Answer 42

Goal of Application: Obedience Application's goal is **_life**_ _**change_**. Bringing my * **_attitudes_** * **_actions_** * **_beliefs_** and * **_values_** into conformity to **_God's**_ _**Word_** So that I and the people I teach can become more like **_Jesus**_ _**Christ_**. *Course Manual Page 80*