WESTMINSTER CHAPEL

Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth

4.View from the perspective of the Historical

Background

A. Definitions

1. HISTORY - Record of Events

2. CULTURE - Way of Life Customs Values/World View

Economy Religion

B. Reasons why a passage must be understood consistent with

its historical background

1. First Reason:PERSPECTIVE

Biggest Problem:

We are reading someone else’s mail

QUESTION FOR TODAY

How do How do ourour circumstances circumstances differ from those in New differ from those in New Testament times?Testament times?

Second Reason:

MIND SET

Good SamaritanLuke 10:29-37

Firstborn of all creation Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. NIV

Third Reason:Cross-Cultural Communication

“Son of Man”

First Century Palestine

“Heavenly man-like apocalyptic figure”

20th Century TribalCulture

“Illegitimate child of unwed mother”

C. Principles for HistoricalBackground Study

1. Understand each passage consistent with its historical background.

2. Determine the impact of Biblical statement in its original setting.

D. Goal of Historical Background Study:

Reconstruct Historical Setting

1. Situation of author that helps understand why he wrote about

this subject to this audience 2. Situation of recipients that helps

understand why this message was sent to them

3. Explanation of historical- cultural facts mentioned in text

E. Procedures for Reconstructing the Historical

Background1. What do we know about the author from the letter?

Who 1:1

Circumstances 3:1

Gal. 1:19 2:9

James, servant of ...

Teacher

Brother of Jesus Leader of

Jerusalem Church

Author (continued)

Relationship withrecipients:

55 commands

2:1-7

1:16, 19 and 2:5

Recognized spiritual leader

Informed about their circumstances

Close, caring concern for them

2. What do we know about the recipients from the letter?

Who 1:1

Circumstances 1:2

1:9 2:5-7

5:4

Christian Jews living outside Jer.

Facing trialsMostly poorFinancially

exploited by the rich

Unpaid farm workers

2. Recipients (continued)

Characteristics 1:9-10

2:1-6

3:1

4:1-4

Envying the rich

Showing favoritism to rich—discriminating against poor

Presuming to become teachers

Interpersonal tension

3. When was the book written?

49 A.D. First N.T. book

Before Jerusalem conference (no reference to Gentile problem)

4. What is the original significance of any historical or

cultural items in the text?

1:6 1:10

1:11

1:12 1:12

Waves of seaBrevity of flower

blossomsHot sun with

scorching winds

Have stood the test

Crown of life

5. How does this information help understand the passage?

Shows the nature and severity of their trials!