Lesson 7

Question 1

What are three potential “determiners of meaning” in the act of communication.

Answer 1

Text, Author, Reader

Question 2

In modern American culture, which of these elements of communication is favored as the determiner of meaning?

Answer 2

Reader

Question 3

What are some objections to the author is the determiner of meaning?

Answer 3

To seek the authors intended meaning makes the document irrelevant for modern readers.
We can never access the readers thoughts, so the authorial meaning of the text is inaccessible to us.
To delimit the meaning to the conscious intent of the human author is to deny the divine authorship of Scripture.

Question 4

What is the definition of ‘implication’?

Answer 4

Those sub-meanings of a text that legitimately fall within the paradigm or principle willed by the author, whether he was aware of them or not.

Question 5

The definition for ‘significance’ is.

Answer 5

How the reader responds to the willed meaning of the author.

Question 6

In the textbook, Plummer uses the biblical text to illustrate a point: “ the Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weight are his delight,” From where is Plummer quoting?

Answer 6

Proverbs 11:1

Question 7

Which approach does Plummer “think” is the “best way to explain Matthew’s use of Isaiah 7:14?”

Answer 7

The typological approach is likely the best way to explain Matthew’s use of Isaiah 7:14.

Question 8

Which are some of the attributes of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 8

Third person of the Trinity, Indwells true followers of Christ, Empowers God’s people with spiritual gifts for edifying the church.

Question 9

Plummer discusses evangelical scholars who deny or redefine the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. Such persons claim :

Answer 9

The Spirit does not aid in helping the believer to better understand a passage, but only gives the believer a desire to obey.

Question 10

The fact that nonbelievers can understand portions the Bible does not:

Answer 10

Deny the illuminating work of the Spirit.

Question 11

Briefly describe this interpretive approach: The reader as determiner of meaning

Answer 11

In this approach the reader is the ultimate determiner of meaning - not the author or text. Very subjective approach to interpretation. Results in many contradictory readings.

Question 12

Briefly describe this interpretive approach: the author as determiner of meaning.

Answer 12

The reader is seeking to determine the conscious intent of the human author.

Question 13

Give a significant criticism of this approach: The text as interpreter of meaning.

Answer 13

Meaning is a construction of thought. Texts can convey meaning, but they cannot construct meaning.

Question 14

Give on objection to author as determiner of meaning?

Answer 14

We can never know the authors thoughts, so how can we know his meaning.

Question 15

Briefly explain the difference between ‘meaning’ and ‘implication’.

Answer 15

Meaning is the conscious intent of the author. Implications are those “sub-meanings” which legitimately flow within the author’s channel of meaning, though the author may or may not have been aware of them.

Question 16

Briefly explain the difference between ‘implication’ and ‘significance’.

Answer 16

Implications are those “sub-meanings” which legitimately flow within the author’s original consciously intended meaning. Significance is the reader’s response to the implications.

Question 17

Briefly explain what typology is?

Answer 17

Typology is an approach to biblical history that sees God progressively intervening in repeated and climactic ways until the goal of his saving intervention arrives in Christ. Typological interpretation is where Biblical authors point out these patterns.

Question 18

List three facts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the book.

Answer 18

That He is the third person of the trinity. That he inspired the various authors of the bible. He was sent by the Father to indwell the all true believers. He enables believers to understand, believe, and obey the Scriptures.

Question 19

Briefly describe what the “Illumination” of the Holy Spirit is.

Answer 19

Illumination is the Christian doctrine that God, through His Holy Spirit, enables us his people to understand His Word.

Question 20

If Plummers view of Illumination is correct, what are few practical implications for studying the Bible?

Answer 20

One should approach the Bible in prayerful humility, seeking the Spirit’s assistance to understand the text. One should also be aware that one’s fallen, natural inclination will be to distort and misunderstand the Bible.

Question 21

Choose a passage of Scripture from the Bible and interpret is from the perspective of the reader as determiner of meaning, the text as determiner of meaning, and the author as determiner of meaning. Compare and contrast these answers and explain the pros and cons of each.

Answer 21

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Question 22

Choose a passage of Scripture (a passage from the O.T. quoted in the New) and explain how to interpret them typologically.

Answer 22

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