How to read the Bible. FOUNDATIONS UNIT 207

Transcription

1 How to read the Bible. FOUNDATIONS UNIT 207

2 ART IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Antonio Rodríguez ( ) San Agustín (Wiki Commons Public Domain) 2. Valentin de Boulogne ( ) Saint Paul Writing His Epistles (Wiki Commons Public Domain) 3. Michelangelo Caravaggio The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (Wiki Commons Public Domain) 4. Vincent Van Gogh ( ) Still Life with Bible (Wiki Commons Public Domain) 5. Carl Heinrich Bloch ( ) Bjergprædiken (Wiki Commons Public Domain) 6. Andrea Mantegna ( ) St. Lucas altarpiece (Wiki Commons Public Domain) 1 st edition published May Riverview Church. Permission required to use content. Images belong to respective copyright holders or in public domain. BIBLEVIEW Download the Bibleview app. Riverview s daily Bible reading plan. Download the free app from the App store or Google Play. bibleview.riverviewchurch.com.au

3 CONTENTS How to read the Bible. Session 1 Reliability Quotations or Stories 7 Introduction 8 Initial Discussion Questions 8 DVD Teaching 8 Summary Page 10 Further Discussion Questions 10 Other Resources 11 Preparation for Session 2 11 Session 2 For Us Not To Us Quotations or Stories 13 Introduction 14 Initial Discussion Questions 14 DVD Teaching 15 Further Discussion Questions 15 Preparation for Session 3 15 Session 3 Asking Good Questions Quotations or Stories 17 Introduction 18 Initial Discussion Questions 18 DVD Teaching 18 Further Discussion Questions 19 Preparation for Session 4 19 Session 4 Same Same, But Different Quotations or Stories 21 Introduction 22 Initial Discussion Questions 22 DVD Teaching 22 Summary Page 24 Further Discussion Questions 24 Preparation for Session 5 24 Other Resources 24 Session 5 Story Telling Rules Quotations or Stories 27 Introduction 28 Initial Discussion Questions 28 DVD Teaching 28 Summary 30 Further Discussion Questions 30 Preparation for Session 6 30 Other Resources 30 Session 6 Tough, So Keep Chewing Quotations or Stories 33 Introduction 34 Initial Discussion Questions 34 DVD Teaching 34 Summary Page 35 Further Discussion Questions 35 Other Resources 35 3

4 Have you ever found yourself struggling with what you read in Scripture? Has anyone asked you a question about some part of Scripture that made you think about how Scripture can be relevant to you today? Have you ever wondered how to deal with parts of the Bible that seem to contradict each other? UNIT OVERVIEW Have you ever f struggling with in Scripture? UNIT OVERVIEW 4

5 These and many other questions are a part of the life of all Christians in all times and places. This Unit is designed to give you some broad brush principles in regards to how you might read the Bible and do it with authenticity to the Scriptures themselves. While it may not answer all of the questions you will have about what you read in the Bible, it will give you some foundational principles that will guide your reading and your discussion as you read and consider this most important of libraries, the Bible. The Unit is presented by Graham Irvine, a Ministry Area Leader at Riverview Church. Graham s background is in education as a teacher across many grades from Primary to High School communities and as a school Principal for 13 years. Graham holds a Masters in Education and a Graduate Diploma in Divinity and is currently working towards a Masters in Divinity. He and his wife have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Along with his wife he also speaks and teaches in the areas of parenting and relationships. ound yourself what you read 5 UNIT OVERVIEW

6 SESSION 1 Reliability When people speak about the Bible one of the first questions they ask is often about its reliability.

7 I ve often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. IAN MCKELLEN, INTERVIEW ON THE TODAY SHOW, MAY 2006 The Bible is a product of man, my dear. Not of God. The Bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a definitive version of the book. P. 231 DA VINCI CODE BY DAN BROWN It ain t those parts of the Bible that I can t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand. MARK TWAIN A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education. THEODORE ROOSEVELT The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its author; salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It is all pure. JOHN LOCKE 7 SESSION 1 RELIABILITY

8 INTRODUCTION Whenever people discuss Christianity it is not very long before the Bible becomes a part of the discussion. It is from the Bible that the Christian Faith developed its ideas about where we come from and where we are going to and how to live in the intervening period. But the Bible says is a phrase heard over and over again as both Christians and non-christians discuss faith and God. And yet the Bible is not a list of arguments or propositions with supporting evidence; rather it is, by and large, a book of stories. It is to these stories, and letters and poems and, yes some lists of rules, to which Christians go when asking questions about what should be believed about a certain idea, or how to deal with a particular situation in life. In fact we go so far as to say that the Bible has, in some way, authority in our lives. And yet how can stories, poems and letters written thousands of years ago in a different language, into a different culture than our own, have anything to say about our lives today? There are many parts to answering this question. This unit looks at how we need to actually read the Bible in order to best apply it to our lives. INITIAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What was your exposure to the Bible growing up? How does the Bible play a role in your life today? DVD/USB TEACHING What do you mean when you use the word inspiration in regards to the Bible? SESSION 1 RELIABILITY 8

9 INSPIRATION DICTATION ALL GOD RIVERVIEW S POSITION MOTIVATION ALL HUMAN THE HEBREW BIBLE Law Prophets Writings Genesis Joshua Psalms Exodus Judges Proverbs Leviticus Samuel Job Numbers Kings Song of Songs Deuteronomy Isaiah Ruth Jeremiah Ezekiel The Twelve Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra-Nehemiah Chronicles MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE FOR ANCIENT WRITINGS Author Written Earliest Copy Time Span Number of copies Caesar B.C. 900 A.D. 1,000 yrs 10 Plato B.C. 900 A.D. 1,200 yrs 7 Thucydides B.C. 900 A.D. 1,300 yrs 8 Tacitus 100 A.D A.D. 1,000 yrs 20 Suetonius A.D. 950 A.D. 800 yrs 8 Homer (Iliad) 900 B.C. 400 B.C. 500 yrs 643 New Testament A.D. 125 A.D yrs 24,000 9 SESSION 1 RELIABILITY

10 IN SUMMARY SUMMARY The Bible is actually a unique library of 66 books, written and complied The over Bible a period is actually of 1500 a unique years, library on 3 continents of 66 books, (Africa, Asia, written Europe) and in compiled 3 languages over (Hebrew, a period Aramaic, of 1500 years, Greek), by 40+ people on 3 continents (Africa, Asia, Europe) in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), by 40+ people The Bible is the words of God The Bible is the words of God The Bible is the words of people The Bible is the words of people Some people believe inspiration is dictation; some believe it is motivation. Some people believe inspiration is dictation; some believe it is motivation The Old Testament or Hebrew Bible was brought together over a few hundred The years Old by Testament Jewish scholars or Hebrew after Bible the return was brought of the Jews from Babylonian together exile. over a few hundred years by Jewish scholars after the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile The New Testament books were written within 100 years of the death and resurrection The New Testament of Jesus. books were written within 100 years of the death and resurrection of Jesus Evidence used to evaluate ancient documents would place the reliability of Evidence the Bible used documents to evaluate as very ancient high, documents both in their would historical accuracy place the and reliability in their of transmission. the Bible documents as very high, both in their historical accuracy and in their transmission FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Have you ever had a discussion with a non-christian concerning the reliability of the Bible? Discuss how it went. Is it difficult to accept the Bible as a historically reliable document? Why or why not? In what way do you think the Bible is relevant to your life today? What other questions would need answering for you to believe that the Bible is reliable and/or relevant? SESSION 1 RELIABILITY 10

11 OTHER RESOURCES: Riverview Church s Hot Topic audio files and notes - foundations-4-hot-topics.html How to Read the Bible for All It s Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart Chapter 13 from Simply Christian by Tom Wright Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney, PREPARATION FOR SESSION 2: Read the Introduction and initial discussion questions for Session 2. Take some time to consider the other discussion questions. 11 SESSION 1 RELIABILITY

12 SESSION 2 For Us Not To Us When reading the Bible it is important to remember that it was written for a particular audience, for a particular reason, at a particular time.

13 BENJAMIN L. COREY IS A MISSIOLOGIST WHO LISTS THE FOLLOWING 5 WAYS YOU CAN COMPLETELY MISUSE THE BIBLE. 1 Just start quoting Old Testament rules when you want to govern someone s behaviour. 2 Assume the Bible is all about YOU. 3 4 Attempt to arrive at meaning without first understanding the culture to which it was written. Discount the fact that it wasn t originally written in English. 5 Let it point you to anything other than Jesus. 13 SESSION 2 FOR US NOT TO US

14 INTRODUCTION My grandmother used to tell me the trouble with common sense is that it isn t very common. Over the years I ve come across some interpretations of Scripture that don t show much common sense. If common sense is not that common then it is important that we learn and develop a set of questions and ways of reading Scripture so as to give us the best possible chance to understand it and apply it to our lives. Jesus assured us (John 16:13) that the Holy Spirit would be actively involved in leading us to the truth of Scripture. However, I have often had the experience of hearing people s interpretation of Scripture which rely only on what they think Holy Spirit is telling them. The challenge of course with this, is that there can be no discussion or dissent from the position they hold. If God told them, then who am I to argue? This is why it is so important that we develop appropriate common sense ways of reading and understanding Scripture. Asking good questions is foundational to developing an appropriate understanding of Scripture. INITIAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Have you come across some strange ways people have of interpreting Scripture? Try these: John 14:13 God becomes the genie in the bottle. His role is to answer all my prayers. Phil. 4:13 no matter what my physical condition I can beat Usain Bolt over 100m Eph. 6:5 God ordained slavery Mark 16:14 live poisonous snakes should be part of our worship services Can you think of any words or phrases that over the years have come to mean something that they did not mean earlier on in your life? SESSION 2 FOR US NOT TO US 14

15 DVD/USB TEACHING 1. Scripture is written for us not to us 2. Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer 3. Scripture - Read Galatians 2:1-5 from multiple translations if you have them 4. Observation what are the main ideas that you ve just read? a. Context Paul relating to Jewish Christians b. Author, time of writing, audience by Paul to Gentile Christians in Asia Minor c. Why was this written against the Judaizers d. What type of writing letter of persuasion 5. Application what is it saying to me? 6. Prayer how might you pray into these ideas? 7. Mark 10:17-27 FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What other cultural regulations have you come across in your Christian journey? Does Jesus teaching about the camel and the eye of the needle mean that rich people can never be saved? PREPARATION FOR SESSION 3: Read the Introduction and initial discussion questions for Session 3. Take some time to consider the other discussion questions. 15 SESSION 2 FOR US NOT TO US

16 SESSION 3 Asking Good Questions If, when reading the Bible, we immediately jump to asking what does this mean for me? we may receive some wrong instructions. We need first to ask some important questions.

17 Albert grunted. Do you know what happens to lads who ask too many questions? Mort thought for a moment. No, he said eventually, what? There was silence. Then Albert straightened up and said, Damned if I know. Probably they get answers, and serve em right. TERRY PRATCHETT, MORT Some communities don t permit open, honest inquiry about the things that matter most. Lots of people have voiced a concern, expressed a doubt, or raised a question, only to be told by their family, church, friends, or tribe: We don t discuss those things here. I believe the discussion itself is divine. Abraham does his best to bargain with God, most of the book of Job consists of arguments by Job and his friends about the deepest questions of human suffering, God is practically on trial in the book of Lamentations, and Jesus responds to almost every question he s asked with...a question. ROB BELL, LOVE WINS: A BOOK ABOUT HEAVEN, HELL, AND THE FATE OF EVERY PERSON 17 SESSION 3 ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS

18 INTRODUCTION Welcome to session 3. We are going to travel a bit deeper into answering some foundational questions about how to interpret Scripture in these next couple of sessions. So far we have spoken about the reliability of the bibles we have today and how we can be confident they say what the original authors said. We ve looked at the intersection of God s inspiration with the human writers and seen that inspiration does not eliminate the culture of the human writer. And we ve worked through a simple SOAP framework for reading Scripture. There are some other questions which we should ask of the text before we jump in and ask what does this text mean to me? What is the historical setting for the passage of Scripture I m reading? The DVD begins with answering this question in regards to the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. INITIAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Are there any Scriptures that you have always had a question about? When someone talks about context what does it mean to you? DVD/USB TEACHING Historical context for example the Book of Daniel. This was written during the Jewish exile in Babylon and seeks to help the Jews answer the question, who are we as Jews if we are without land, King or Temple? Historical Context - Philippians 3:20-21 citizens of Rome or of Heaven? What is literary context? Mark 11 read in a number of different translations and make a list of the events SESSION 3 ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS 18

19 DVD/USB TEACHING CONT. Zechariah 9: 9 - Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey riding on a donkey s colt. Isaiah 56:1-8 Who are the people being called to the Temple? The temple was a place for people from all nations Jeremiah 7:1-11 What is the message Jeremiah is bringing to the Jews? Don t be fooled into thinking that just because you have the temple you are safe What did this series of events mean to Jesus disciples and to the hearers and readers of Mark? FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Why do you think Mark said This is the beginning of the Gospel... in Chapter 1:1? Mark was written to people suffering under the persecution of Nero. What do you think the idea of Jesus being King and High Priest would have meant to them? What might it mean for us? PREPARATION FOR SESSION 4: In your bible reading over the next week or so, try to identify different types of writing and list them down. What do you think is the main difference between poetry and narrative? 19 SESSION 3 ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS

20 SESSION 4 Same Same, but Different When we read we automatically read with a sense of the type of text we are reading. Reading a weather forecast is different to reading a dictionary item which is different to reading a poem. When we read the Bible we need to bring the same discernment.

21 THE STARS WILL FALL FROM HEAVEN THE SUN WILL CEASE ITS SHINING THE MOON WILL BE TURNED TO BLOOD AND FIRE AND HAIL WILL FALL FROM HEAVEN. THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WILL HAVE SUNNY INTERVALS, WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS. 21 SESSION 4 SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

22 INTRODUCTION We have covered so far: Literary context Cultural context Geographical context Historical context However there are other aspects of the text that will help us understand the text in terms of the original hearers or readers and therefore help us answer what the text might mean for us. Different styles of writing are meant to be understood using different rules or conventions. INITIAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS How would you read poetry differently from reading a science text book? What different types or genres of writing are you aware of in the biblical writings? DVD/USB TEACHING Read the following Scriptures using different translations if you have them. Try to gain a sense of how these different types of writings can be identified. Psalm 24, 2 Chronicles 8:1-6, Matthew 5:13-14, Revelation 7:1-3 SESSION 4 SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT 22

23 POETRY: Poems are complete units of work and should be interpreted in their entirety rather than verse by verse. The author uses creative images and emotionally evocative language. Each poem, if it is a psalm, is its own context. LETTERS OR EPISTLES: Why is the letter written? To whom is it written? Read it in one sitting, just like a letter. APOCALYPTIC: Apocalyptic writing is recognised by its use of cosmic themes and often weird and wonderful creatures and landscapes. The writing is usually a description of visions that were had by the human author but are given to the author by a heavenly messenger. One of the primary purposes of apocalyptic narrative is to encourage a beleaguered religious community in times of persecution or oppression. 1 PROVERBS: When reading and understanding the proverbs of the bible it is important to recognise that the simpler the statement the more likelihood it will not be true all the time. Put simply, proverbs teach probable truth, not absolute truth. By nature, proverbs are not absolute promises from God that guarantee the promised outcome if one follows them. Rather, they point out patterns of conduct that, if followed, give one the best chance of success, all things being equal. 2 Content: What do the words actually mean? 1 William W. Klein, Craig Blomberg & Robert L. Hubbard, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), William W. Klein, Craig Blomberg & Robert L. Hubbard, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), SESSION 4 SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

24 SUMMARY PAGE: Remember that Scripture is written for us but not to us and so the more information we can gain about the original writer and audience, the better idea we will have about what the text is meant to say, firstly to them and then to us. FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: How do the two descriptions of the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 and 15 differ from each other? Choose a couple of other parables that Jesus told and try to discover why he was telling them OTHER RESOURCES: This site has bible dictionaries and encyclopaedias SESSION 4 SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT 24

25 25 SESSION 4 SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

26 SESSION 5 Story Telling Rules We live our lives in stories. Who we are and what our life is all about is presented to us in the story of our life.

27 The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never scrutinize or question. STEPHEN JAY GOULD US AUTHOR, NATURALIST, PALEONTOLOGIST, & POPULARIZER OF SCIENCE ( ) There are so many different ways lives work out, so many stories, and every one of them is precious: full of joy and heartbreak, and a fair amount of situation comedy. SEAN STEWART, PERFECT CIRCLE, 2004 My case here is that Jesus appeals, commands, and so forth are to be seen not simply as new teaching in the sense of a few new moral rules or theological principles, but as part of the underlying story he told, which aimed to produce in his hearers a realignment of their own practices, necessarily involving a realignment of the other elements of their worldview also. N. T. WRIGHT, JESUS AND THE VICTORY OF GOD, CHRISTIAN ORIGINS AND THE QUESTION OF GOD (LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, 1996), SESSION 5 STORY TELLING RULES

28 INTRODUCTION With the majority genre in the Bible being story, it is important that we learn how to read these stories in the ways in which the original tellers and writers meant them to be heard and read. The reason stories feature so strongly in Scripture, rather than a series of rules and regulations and advice, is that each generation is forced to reread the stories and ask, What does this story tell me, here and now? And of course the answer to this will change. INITIAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What have been the most significant stories in the Bible for you? Have you ever seen things in a story that you are now reading as an adult that you did not see when you read the story as a child or teenager? Give an example. If there are different cultures represented in the group discuss how those different cultures might tell or write stories. DVD/USB TEACHING How would you complete the discovered Shakespearian play? What would be some things you would need to find out? What questions might you need to ask? SESSION 5 STORY TELLING RULES 28

29 N.T. Wright s 5 acts: 1. Creation 2. The Fall 3. The story of Israel 4. The life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus 5. We live in Act 5 The Church Act Hebrew storytelling often has different levels of meaning. The first level is the meta-narrative, the story of God s redemption and restoration of fallen creation. The second level is the story of God redeeming a people for His name. The third level is the individual narratives, the actual events themselves. 2 Kings 6 Elisha and his servant Let s consider what biblical stories are not. Biblical narratives are not allegories or stories filled with hidden meanings. Individual Biblical narratives are not intended to teach moral lessons. Consider these three stories. Are these stories meant to teach a moral lesson? The story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:27-34) Lot s willingness to sacrifice his daughters (Genesis 19:3-6) Gideon s story (Judges 6:33-39) The characteristics of Hebrew narratives: Narrator is omniscient he has all knowledge and control Stories rely on scenic presentation story revolves around situations not people Very little character description character comes via the words and actions of the character Dialogue is important because the stories were often originally oral (1 Sam 17:25-29 compare to 1 Sam 9:17, 21) Oral tradition the stories are designed for hearers not readers The ultimate character in all Hebrew stories is God 29 SESSION 5 STORY TELLING RULES

30 SUMMARY PAGE: So that, we must determine corporately as well as individually to become in a true sense, people of the book. Not people of the book in the Islamic sense, where this book just drops down and crushes people and you say it s the will of Allah, and I don t understand it, and I can t do anything about it. But, people of the book in the Christian sense; people who are being remade, judged and remoulded by the Spirit through Scripture. 3 FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Choose a story from the Old Testament and read it through carefully. Is there anything new that you have not taken note of before? Are you able to identify any of the layers of meaning? Are you able to identify any of the techniques discussed? Has this added to your understanding of the stories? PREPARATION FOR SESSION 6: Use a Bible dictionary to discover the passages in Scripture that deal with slavery. Use a bible encyclopaedia to discover information about Jesus ancestors. These resources may be found at the following web sites. OTHER RESOURCES: Top4BibleSearch.htm 3 N. T. Wright, How can the Bible be Authoritative? Vox Evangelica, 1991, Vol. 21, 7 32 SESSION 5 STORY TELLING RULES 30

31 31 SESSION 5 STORY TELLING RULES

32 SESSION 6 Tough, so keep chewing Even when we ask good questions Biblical passages can still be difficult to understand. This will always be the case. Sometimes we need to answer the what does this mean? Question with an honest I don t really know.

33 One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding. RICHARD DAWKINS, THE GOD DELUSION The tragic fact of the matter is, the doctrinal premises upon which the books are based are no less fabricated than the fictional story lines with which they are presented. WAYNE JACKSON OF THE CHRISTIAN COURIER COMMENTING ON THE LEFT BEHIND SERIES. Well, mate, if I was going to have that view, the Bible also says that slavery is a natural condition, he said, receiving a loud applause from the audience. Because St Paul said in the New Testament, slaves be obedient to your masters. And, therefore, we should have all fought for the Confederacy in the US war. I mean, for goodness sake, the human condition and social conditions change. KEVIN RUDD S (FORMER AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER) RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON THE ABC S Q&A PROGRAM, SEPTEMBER SESSION 6 TOUGH, SO KEEP CHEWING

34 INTRODUCTION Now that we have a framework from which to work, this session puts the framework into operation in a number of different passages and topics. In the more aggressive secularism in which we find ourselves these days, having an appropriate response to other s questions is vital. Remember that the most important principle when reading Scripture is that Scripture was written for us not to us. Therefore we need to find out what the original hearers and readers thought before moving on to our own ideas. INITIAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What topics in Scripture have you struggled with or had someone ask you questions about that you have been unable to answer? How have you resolved any of these? DVD/USB TEACHING Many different genres are represented in these verses. (Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:21-38) What differences are there in the two lists? What reasons might you give for these differences? Do these differences matter? Slavery in Scripture is treated very differently from slavery in the cultures that surrounded the Hebrews in the Old Testament and from the culture of how slaves were treated in the Roman Empire. (Exodus 21 and Ephesians 4-6) SESSION 6 TOUGH, SO KEEP CHEWING 34

35 SUMMARY PAGE: Scripture was written for us not to us We must first ask what this meant to the original audience before we ask what it means to us Take context, geographical, literary, cultural, historical, political, into account Take genre into account Contradictions are often just different writers choosing to write in a different way Avoid imposing 21st century ideas onto an ancient document FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Have you had any Ah ha moments in this series? Share them with the group. What things still bother you in regards to the Bible? Can any of the principles spoken about in this series help you with these? What resources might you need to acquire to help develop your understanding of Scripture? OTHER RESOURCES: Bible software programs such as Logos or Olive Tree are extremely useful 35 SESSION 6 TOUGH, SO KEEP CHEWING

36 1 Thorogood Street, Burswood WA 6100 PO Box 524 Victoria Park WA @riverviewchurch.com riverviewchurch.com RV_Foundations_0515