First, we need to answer this question: who determines the meaning of a passage, the author or the reader? When we study the bible, we are looking for the meaning that God intended to convey through the human author. In the previous post, I have given you some guidelines to follow to help extract the meaning, but there are also some errors to avoid.
Error 1: Spiritualizing the text- This happens when people try to discover a deeper meaning to the text that is not there, and literary and historical context are thrown aside. This is not to say that the bible does not use figures of speech or symbolic language, but even the figures of speech and symbols must be interpreted in light of the cultural context.
Error 2: Allegory- This is a story that uses an extensive amount of symbolism. It is similar to a parable, but most or many of the details in the story represent something or carry some specific nuance of meaning. Allegory is basically a literary technique. The Bible does use allegory (Is. 5:1-7), so it’s not a bad thing when used as a literary devise. What is bad is allegorical interpretation as an interpretive method. Few texts in the Bible are purely allegorical. Do not fall into the trap of trying to spiritualize the Old Testament.
Rather than spiritualizing or allegory, think typology. Typology is something in the Old Testament that is foreshadowing something to come in the New Testament. It is a historical event or person in the Old Testament that serves as a prophetic pattern or example of a New Testament event or person. It is part of the promise-fulfillment scheme that links the two testaments together. The meaning, however, must be the one that was intended by the divine author. Thus the identification must be in the Bible and not something we came up with (see Ps. 22).
The last two things I want to mention before we walk through a text is the role of the Holy Spirit and application. Can we understand the meaning of God’s word apart from the Spirit? Yes and no. If a person uses valid interpretive methods, they will be able to comprehend the sense of the words and the logic of a passage. They would be able to detect a contrast or a figure of speech. However, a person who does not have the Spirit will not accept the truth of the Bible and apply it to their life. The person can have intellectual understanding of what the Bible is saying, but will not have an experiential, personal knowledge.
So, what does the Spirit do for us? Here are six things to remember:
- Having the Spirit does not make valid interpretation automatic. Study to show yourself approved.
- God expects us to use our minds and proper methods to interpret the Bible.
- The Spirit does not create a new meaning or provide new information.
- The Spirit gives us ears to hear so that we can grasp the meaning and apply the text.
- The Spirit does not change the Bible to suit our purpose or to math our circumstance.
- The Spirit brings the meaning of the Bible to bear on the reader.
- He convicts us that the Bible is inspired
- He works in our minds to impress upon us the full meaning of the Scripture
- He helps us apply the meaning
Putting it All Together:
To walk through the process from interpretation to application, we are going to look at Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- Discover the Meaning of the Biblical Author- Paul writes this letter while in prison, awaiting trial. His faithfulness to God has landed him in there. In this letter, he exhorts the Philippians to stand firm in the face of external opposition and warns them against internal fighting. He reports about his own situation and thanks them for their ministry. In Phlp. 4:10-13, Paul acknowledges that their monetary gift went through Epaphroditus. He also wants to make it very clear that while he is grateful for their gift, his ministry is ultimately dependent on Jesus. Summary Statement- Paul informed the Philippians that he had learned to be content in a variety of difficult circumstance through Christ, who gives him strength.
- Evaluate the Difference Between the Biblical Audience and Us- Paul is an apostle and we are not. Paul is in prison and most of us have not been imprisoned for our faith. We are not members of the Philippian church that had supported Paul and his ministry. The similarities are that we are NT believers under the same covenant; we are members of Christ body. Many of us experience difficult situations as we seek to live out our faith. The width of the river to cross is not that wide.
- Discover the Theological Principle- Christ will give his people strength to be content in various kinds of difficult circumstances that come as a result of obedience to Him.
- Apply the Principle- Observe how the principles in the text address the original situation- as the principle of 4:13 intersects with the historical-cultural situation, several key elements emerge
ii. A Christian who is experiencing a variety or trying circumstances as a
result of following Christ
iii. Christ will give the Christians strength to endure no matter what the
situation.
Now, with the key elements in mind, we are ready to make application to our lives.
So, let’s now look for parallel situations in contemporary context; look for a parallel situation in your world or life. One thing to keep in mind is that the situation must have all of the key elements.
Here is how not to apply the principle of the text: Certain athletes have this phrase on their equipment. Let’s see how this fits our three elements from above. Paul and the athlete are both Christians (element 1). Both are looking to Christ for his strength (element 3). However, Paul and the athlete have radically different understanding of “I can do everything”. Paul is referring to being content in a time of great lack and testing of endurance. The athlete sees it as conquering his opponent in the trial of athletic competition; thus, element 2 is lacking.
Here is a better way to apply the principle: Let’s say there is a single mom whose non-Christian husband left her because of her commitment to Christ. She and the two small children that she has all of the sudden find themselves without a father and without financial stability. There is a sense of great personal failure, and the anxiety of what people in the church will think. As life seems to crumble around her, she finds overwhelming peace and strength through the presence of Christ. He understands and will be with you through the entire ordeal. Here, you have all 3 elements: a Christian, trying circumstances because of faith in Christ, and the strength of Christ. This is a proper application.
Next, we have to look at making the application specific. For example, let us continue with the single mother. Some of the things she could do during this time of testing is to get counsel from a mature believer; cry out to God in prayer; study other Biblical passages that talk about marriage and divorce; talk to business people in the church who will be able to help you make future financial plans.
I hope this series of blogs have been helpful in giving you some basic steps to follow as you study the bible. If you have any questions, please comment or send them to me at [email protected], or through the contact page.