Lesson 5 - Modern Audience

Question 1

How is culture influenced by religion and nature? Why must we keep these influences in mind as we assess OT culture and modern culture?

Answer 1

1. ) Cultures stem from two principle sources: religion and nature.
   - - Culture results from an interaction of religious values and natural diversities.

2.) Religion – What we believe about God and our relationship with Him establishes the values that shape our societies. The fundamental structures of all cultures stem from religious beliefs.
1– The religious character of life compels us to evaluate the moral quality of all practices in the OT and our day according to the Word of God.
– “All cultural patterns must be evaluated by God’s revelation.”

3. ) Nature
4. The natural diversities among cultures teach us to recognize legitimate varieties both in the OT and in the modern world.
5. “Legitimate cultural differences must be recognized.”

Keeps us both flexibilty with diversity in natures but also maintaining the truth of religious values

Question 2

What are three practical steps for bridging the culture gap between Old Testament stories and modern believers?

Answer 2

1. ) Focusing on OT culture
2. ) Focusing on NT teaching
3. ) Focusing on our subculture

Question 3

Name three obstacles that often hinder our attempts to make practical applications to modern believers.

Answer 3

1. ) Our Inadequencies (sin/finitude)
2. ) Abuses by others
3. ) Nature of OT narratives

Question 4

What are the three levels of personal application? Why is each one important? How should we decide which level to emphasize?

Answer 4

1. ) Conceptual – how should OT stories change the way we think? Process of conforming our understanding of life to OT stories.
2. ) Behavioral – how should OT stories modify our behavior? Process of conforming our actions to God’s revelation.
3. ) Emotional – How are these passages to influence our emotions? OT stories were also meant to affect our attitudes, motivations, and dispositions.

Each level of application is essential for sanctification in Christ. We must address thoughts, actions, and attitudes as the need arises

Question 5

Give one reason (of many) why Cara does not like a strong distinction between “meaning” and “application.”

Answer 5

Application is part of the meaning of the text; its not separate. The bible doesn’t separate these two

Question 6

Which of the following are encouragements that the Bible does have meaning for the modern audience? 1) meaning is ultimately in the human author’s intention, 2) modern Christians are in the same R-H category as the original NT readers, 3) ancient people had different world-views than we, 4) the God of Moses’ time is the same God today

Answer 6

– Modern Christians are in the same R-H category as the original NT readers

– The God of Moses’ time is the same God today

Question 7

According to Cara, is it ever proper to adjust a biblical passage’s meaning about oxen to have it relate to humans?

Answer 7

• • Cara’s procedure will be to use the Bible own hermeneutical adjustments of other sections of Scripture as patterns to aid us.
• • Adjustments for OT oxen to NT preachers!? 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 5:18, and Deuteronomy 25:4

Deut. 25:4 - isolated law about not muzzling the ox (be kind to animals)

Question 8

According to Cara, which of the following are “1 to 1” type adjustments? 1) OT Israel civil law adjusted to American civil law, 2) “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov 16:9), 3) “Preach the word… in season and out” (2 Tim 4:2-3) adjusted to those witnessing while working at the office, 4) “God has highly exalted Him [Christ] and given Him the name which is above every name” (Phil 2:9).

Answer 8

1. ) Proverbs 16:9

2. ) Phil. 2:9