Introduction to the Bible

Study 2 - Interpreting the bible

We will be using the following structure to help us interpret the Bible.

1. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT: LOCATING A PASSAGE IN ITS ORIGINAL

SETTING
1.1 - Literary context:
• in what form is the passage written?
• where does the passage fit in the structure of the book?
 immediate context: verse, paragraph, and chapter
 broad context: whole book
• are there words which require a theological understanding?
1.2 - Historical context:
• in what situation, or for what situation, was the passage originally written?
1.3 - Meaning and purpose in the original context:
• what did the author intend his original readers to understand?
• in what ways does this passage suggest there will be a future movement in God's plan?
2. BIBLICAL CONTEXT: LOCATING THE PASSAGE IN ITS BIBLICAL SETTING
2.1 - Biblical context:
• what other passages will assist in understanding this passage?
• where does this passage fit within the Bible's overall message?
2.2 - Meaning and purpose in the biblical context:
• what does God intend the readers of his word to understand?
3. APPLICATION: APPLYING THE PASSAGE THEN AND NOW
• what applications were intended by the original author and how should the people have re-
sponded in those days?
• what applications can we see for ourselves and what response should we therefore make?

Author: Ben Hudson Copyright © 2009 Moore Theological College