Biblical Interpretation: Assignment #5

Task

Summarize the meaning of the passage in a few short sentences.  The summary statement should reflect all of your study and research from above.  The statement should only reflect what the biblical writer said to his audience.  The statement will later be universalized and particularized to your contemporary setting.

Determine the Implications of the Text: What it always means.  

Determine legitimate implications of the text.

Determine appropriate submeanings, subtypes, unconscious meanings, truth intentions, etc.  (see Stein, A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Biblefor definitions to these terms.)

State the universal theological truth or truths in the passage.  Distinguish the universal from the cultural.

Cross check your findings within the canon of Scripture.

Compare parallel passages, seemingly inconsistent passages, complementary passages, etc. Use a topical Bible, theology books, concordances, etc.

Determine the scope of the universal truth stated in the passage.  How comprehensive is the treatment of the truth in this passage?

Restate your implications based on the canon of Scripture.  

Homework assignment:

1. Discover the meaning of the passage based on all the research done up to this point.  Try to determine the main theme or themes in the passage.  If you decide there is more than one main theme, pick one of those themes to pursue for the rest of the project.  State the theme or meaning only in terms of the original audience.

Write a summary statement(s) for the main theme or themes in the passage.  If you decide there is more than one main theme, highlight the theme you will pursue for the rest of the project. This statement should be historical and particular to the original audience.

Example:  Eph. 5:15-21.  Paul commands the Ephesians to be wise believers who know God's will is Spirit empowerment as evidenced in edifying behavior and speech.

2. Determine the legitimate implications of the meaning.  State at least three legitimate implications from the text based on your highlighted summary statement of the passage's meaning.

3. Try to determine how the summary, theme, or truth could be stated in a universal way.  Write a sentence that highlights this universal theme.  

Example:  Wise believers know that God's will is to be filled with the Spirit as evidenced by edifying behavior and speech.

4. Cross check your findings within the canon of Scripture.  Use Scripture to interpret Scripture.  Compare parallel passages, comparable themes, similar theological ideas, etc.  Determine the scope of the universal truth stated in your passage or universal statement. Use a topical Bible, theology books, concordances, or other similar tools for this step.  Note the discussions in the commentaries that deal with the passage in light of the whole canon of Scripture.

Record at least three parallel passages for these themes...include the reference and either the verse(s) or a summary of the verse(s).

Example:  Consider what other things wise believers know.  Consider the truth that God's will for believers also includes other things like sanctification, I Thessalonians 4:3.  Note that here are other evidences for being filled with the Spirit such as tongues (Acts 2:4), the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), etc.  Etc.

5. Restate your summary statement in #3 above as a universal Biblical truth, taking into consideration your understanding of the truth in the broader context of Scripture.  

Example:  Wise believers know that one aspect of God's will is to be continually filled with the Spirit as evidenced by, but not limited to, edifying behavior and speech.

Sample Homework format:

Heading

Student's Name

BIB103:  Intro. To Bib. Interp.

Assignment #  5

DMDippold

1. Summary statement(s) of the main theme or themes of I Thessalonians 5:16-22.   (Highlight the one you will use for the rest of the project.)

2. Three legitimate implications of the meaning.

a.

b.

c.

3. Summary statement as a universal theme.

4. Three parallel passages (Scripture citation and either verses or summary of verses).

a.

b.

c.

5. Restatement of the biblical truth as a universal truth in light of the full canon of Scripture.