Spiritual Maturity Training Weekend 1 – Session 5

Spiritual Maturity TrainingWeekend 1 – Session 5Biblical Interpretation

INTERPRETING THE NEW TESTAMENT

•THE GOSPELS

• Guidelines for Interpreting Gospels• Not intended to convey doctrine but may describe it

(narratives should not serve as sole source of doctrine)• Invite us to share in the story and write the next act as

God’s people• Intentionally tend to describe non-normative and non-

repeatable events• NT narratives are not biographies or history in the modern

sense; they are theological stories that contain historical truth

• Each gospel has a specific picture of Jesus that it wishes to paint and a story that it tells (For example: (Matthew portrays Jesus as the great teacher and personification of the Torah; Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering Messiah who bids disciples to follow in his path of suffering, and so on)

• There is often an important relation to the order, sequence, and connection between different scenes

• We must keep the larger context of the entire Bible in view

• The Gospels• Interpreting The New Testament

• Guidelines for Interpreting Parables• Parables specifically describe Jesus’ ministry in bringing

about the Kingdom of God • Parables generally have one point• Specific details should not be over-stressed in a parable

• The Gospels - Parables• Interpreting The New Testament

• 11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

• 22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ • 26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

- Luke 19:11-27

• The Gospels • Interpreting The New Testament

1. Pick up the text on their side of the River A clear warning about ungrateful subjects who rejected the return of

their king; the king then found that they had been poor servants and punished them as such

2. Navigate around the rocksParables are a type of literature with a specific point; other issues of historical and cultural gaps

3. Finish the journey in our boat “the Principle” Keeping God’s resources for ourselves rather than sharing them with the world as he intends is to reject the kingship of the Son

4. Avoid the Context Waterfall The huge issue here is the context and historical background. Israel was waiting for the return of God’s presence to Jerusalem. Beginning in Luke 9:51 we are being shown that this is happening through Jesus. Israel was in danger of rejecting the return of the king and being shown to be a poor servant

5. Apply “the Principle” onto our side of the River6. Apply “the Principle” in my life

• Luke 19:11-27• Interpreting a Biblical Text

• 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. - Luke 24:30-31

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. - John 20:21-22

• The Gospels – Watch for Old Testament Allusions• Interpreting The New Testament

• 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

• “Twelve,” they replied. • 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four

thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” • They answered, “Seven.” • 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

- Mark 8:17-21

• The Gospels – Connections between scenes • Interpreting The New Testament

• Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida• 22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

• 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.” - Mark 8:22-25


• Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah• 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around

Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

• 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” • Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” • 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. • Jesus Predicts His Death• 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must

suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.- Mark 8:27-31


•ACTS

• Guidelines for Interpreting Acts• Same as Gospel Narratives, plus• It is vital to remember that Acts is a book of covenant

history and is not intended as a blueprint for us to follow exactly

• Acts is descriptive but most of the information is not intended to be normative (Ex: it might describe meeting in house churches or Paul lecturing in the Hall of Tyrannus but that doesn’t make those prescriptive events)

• It gives the history of God’s people and answers many “why” questions about the family of God but not “how to” questions

• Acts• Interpreting The New Testament

1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. - Acts 6:1-6


Let’s do this one together


Interpretive Steps1. Pick up the text on their side of the

River2. Navigate around the rocks3. Finish the journey in our boat “the

Principle”4. Avoid the Context Waterfall5. Apply “the Principle” onto our side of

the River6. Apply “the Principle” in my life

• Simple Steps• Interpreting a Biblical Text

Language GapCulture GapHistory & Geography GapLiterature GapCovenant GapTranslation and textual gapAudience GapNarrative Gap

Reader ContextHistorical-Cultural ContextLiterary ContextPurpose of the Text

How do the principles address the original situationFind an appropriate parallelMake a specific application

•THE LETTERS

• Guidelines for Interpreting The Letters• The letters were viewed as a substitute for the apostles

themselves and carried their authority• They were not written to us but they were written for

specific situations and a specific time but do contain universal principles for us

• Care must be taken to separate the universal principles from the cultural expression of those principles

• Each letter is perfect in truth but incomplete in its theology (see next slide)

• Must be read with a collectivist view first• They are not complete blueprints for organizing a religion• They were not written ‘off the cuff’ but were carefully

composed and crafted• The main point and context of the entire letter must be

followed (for example: Romans 9 is very misleading if removed from the context of the letter as a whole)

• The Letters• Interpreting The New Testament

• Guidelines for Interpreting The Letters• Letters are situational and must be read in balance with other

letters• 1 Corinthians 5:5 – “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of

the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.• Titus 3:10 - 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second

time. After that, have nothing to do with them.• 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 – 14 Take special note of anyone who does not

obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

• Galatians 6:1 – 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.


• Guidelines for Interpreting The Letters• Who was the author?• What was his background?• When did he write?• What was the nature of his ministry?

What was his purpose for writing?• Who was the intended audience?• What were their specific circumstances?• What was their relationship to the author?• What was happening at the time the book was written?• Are there any historical-cultural factors that might shed light on

the book?


• 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

- 1 Timothy 6:17-19


• 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

- Ephesians 5:21


•REVELATORY PASSAGES

• Revelatory (Apocalyptic) Passages Include:• The Revelation• Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13; 2 Peter 3• Various Old Testament Passages

• Revelatory Passages• Interpreting The New Testament

• Guidelines for Interpreting The Letters• Used to reveal things that were previously concealed,

especially with physical events that had spiritual connotations

• Generally had to do with the end of an epoch, political rule, covenant, or some other important end event (not specifically the “end of the world”)

• Language is extremely colorful and symbolic because the events are considered so epic that they are beyond normal language that would be difficult to put into regular language (Example: Earth Shattering)

• Stock phrases are quite common and should not be interpreted in an overly-literal manner


•Common Literary Technique

• Stock Phrases – Biblical writers tended to use standard stock phrases to make shocking points. This is particularly true in the genre of blessings and curses as it referred to covenant faithfulness. Hyperboles of harsh language were common in the ancient world and human language is wholly inadequate to describe Gods’ wrath so it was often visualized in extreme language using fixed phrases of judgment that were understood not to be taken literally.

• Example: “Your carcasses will be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away.” Deuteronomy 28:26 (see also: 1 Sam. 17:44; 46; 1 Ki. 14:11; Jeremiah and Ezekiel use this type of phrase numerous times)

• Example: “Forever” as it relates to a covenant or inheritance (it typically meant simply “a long time” (Gen. 13:15; Ex. 32:13; 1 Ki. 9:5)

• Guidelines for Interpreting The Letters• Don’t get caught up in the minute details of Revelation

or try to over-analyze• Example: Revelation 12 is the lynchpin to understanding

the primary theme of the book and looks ahead to the final victory of Revelation 20, 21, 22


• I Carry Your Heart by ee cummings

• i carry your heart with me . . . i am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is doneby only me is your doing, my darling)i fearno fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i wantno world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)and it's you are whatever a moon has always meantand whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows(here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which growshigher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

• 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed (apollymi - dissolved, unloosed , overthrown, to be let go). 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. - 2 Peter 3:3-7


• 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

• 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements [Col. 2:8, 20; Gal. 4:3, 9; Heb. 5:12] will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.- 2 Peter 3:8-10


• 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new (Matt. 19:28) heaven and a new earth [Isa. 65:17-25; 66:22-24; Rev. 21:1-5], where righteousness dwells.

- 2 Peter 3:11-13


• 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

• 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

- 2 Peter 3:14-17


• 1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

• 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

• 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

- Matthew 24:1-8

• Follow the Context – Don’t be mesmerized by the language

• Interpreting The New Testament

• 11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.- Revelation 13:11-17


• Do I Have to Read the Bible like this All the time?

• 8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.” - Deut. 1:8

• 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. – Revelation 3:20

• 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. . - Colossians 3:22

•The Cost of Poor Interpretation

Spiritual Maturity Training Weekend 1 – Session 5

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