Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Paradigm Questions +

    Paradigm Questions To which of the following commands of Christ’s do you only pay only lip service? Love your enemies Read More
  • July 27 Devotional: FB Meyer +

    He suffered thee to hunger. Deuteronomy 8:3 Read More
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grudem-wayneA. General Comments

1. The three most important rules:

1) Read it

2) Read it

3) Read it

Ps 1;1-2; Matt 4:42. The interpretation of Scripture is not a magical or mysterious process:Scripture was written in the ordinary words of the day.

3. Every Interpreter has only four sources of information about the text

1) WORDS: Meanings of individual words and sentences

2) CONTEXT: The place of the statement "in its context"

3) WHOLE BIBLE: The overall teaching of Scripture

4) BACKGROUND: Some information about the historical and cultural background International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Eerdmans); Oxford Classical Dictionary (Oxford Univ. Press); others

4. You should be able to give reasons for your interpretation and thereby to attempt to persuade others.

5. There is only one meaning for each text (though there are many applications). 1 Cor. 5:9; Gal. 3:16; Matt. 5:21-48; see Westminster  Confession of Faith 1.9

6. You can do a short or long study of any passage. Don't get discouraged by all there is to do.

7. Pray for the Holy Spirit's help in the whole process. (Therefore personal obedience and faith in all of life play an important role in the interpretation of Scripture). Ps 119:18; 1 Cor. 2:14B. Questions to ask in interpreting Scripture

1. Always ask, "What did the author want the original readers to understand by this statement?"

1) For events: "What was God showing through this?"

2) This will help you avoid fanciful allegories

3) Yet note that the times the divine author can intend more than the human author understands

1Pe 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched andinquired carefully,11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

2. Regarding application, ask first, "What application did the author want the original readers to make in their lives?"

3. It is always helpful to ask, "What does this text tell us about God?"

C. Perspectives on the text

1. Be aware of the kind of literature the verse is found in.(Examples: history, poetry, prophecy, doctrinal argument, visionary orapocalyptic literature, wisdom sayings, etc.)

2. Note whether the text approves or disapproves or merely reports thecharacters' actions.

3. Keep a "history of redemption" time line in your mind when reading the text.

4. Remember that the whole Old Testament points to Christ.

Below are links to the audio files of this teaching.

Part 1

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20051127WGrudem.mp3

Part 2

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20051204WGrudem.mp3

Part 3

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20051211WGrudem.mp3

Part 4

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20051218WGrudem.mp3

Part 5

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20060108WGrudem.mp3

Part 6

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20060115WGrudem.mp3

Part 7

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20060122WGrudem.mp3

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

  • Jesus be the centre

    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • I Lift My Hands

    A powerful hymn of adoration and praise Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. This succinctly captures the joy of knowing our savior. Read More
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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Christ is a Great Savior: a review of the movie Amazing Grace +

    Amazing Grace is a historical drama about William Wilberforce who was elected to British Parliament at the age of 21 Read More
  • Wilberforce, Hollywood's Amazing Grace, Charlotte Allen +

    William Wilberforce's relentless campaign eventually led the British Parliament to ban the slave trade, in 1807, and to pass a Read More
  • Making Beauty out of Ugly Things: Grace by U2 +

    Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace, she carries Read More
  • The True Nature of Grace and Love: a movie review of the Soloist +

    The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Read More
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