The Bible: Questions and Answers
1. What happens if you carefully consider the surrounding context of a passage, but ignore its literary genre?
When reading the Bible and carefully reading the surrounding context of a passage, but ignoring it’s literary genre will often lead to misinterpretation, misguided, and normally missed messages. The words in the Bible are intended to help, inspire, guide, and teach us about the goodness of God. We must be able to connect with the author to gain the full benefits of his message. As Duvall and Hayes (2008) states, “To disregard literary genre in the Bible is to violate our covenant with the biblical author and with the Holy Spirit who inspired his message.” (p. 65) To do otherwise would be just reading words on the paper.
2. Besides those examples cited in this chapter, what are some instances of interpreting a biblical passage apart from its immediate context?
Sometimes when reading the Bible during an emotional time, I think it’s easy and/or convenient for some to associate one verse to fit their situation. For instance, when a person has committed a sin repeatedly and continues to ask for forgiveness, only to commit the exact thing again. They could read from the book of 1 John, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 New International Version) This is not to be taken that we can continue to do the same sin. We must repent. The book of Luke says, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10 New International Version) As Christians, we must always pay close attention to all aspects of the literary context and genre of the entire Bible. We must ensure that we do not selectively interpret the words to fit our needs. Remember, this book – the Bible - is a guiding doctrine.
3. When is topical preaching contextually valid? When does it disregard and violate context?
Topical
When reading the Bible and carefully reading the surrounding context of a passage, but ignoring it’s literary genre will often lead to misinterpretation, misguided, and normally missed messages. The words in the Bible are intended to help, inspire, guide, and teach us about the goodness of God. We must be able to connect with the author to gain the full benefits of his message. As Duvall and Hayes (2008) states, “To disregard literary genre in the Bible is to violate our covenant with the biblical author and with the Holy Spirit who inspired his message.” (p. 65) To do otherwise would be just reading words on the paper.
2. Besides those examples cited in this chapter, what are some instances of interpreting a biblical passage apart from its immediate context?
Sometimes when reading the Bible during an emotional time, I think it’s easy and/or convenient for some to associate one verse to fit their situation. For instance, when a person has committed a sin repeatedly and continues to ask for forgiveness, only to commit the exact thing again. They could read from the book of 1 John, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 New International Version) This is not to be taken that we can continue to do the same sin. We must repent. The book of Luke says, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10 New International Version) As Christians, we must always pay close attention to all aspects of the literary context and genre of the entire Bible. We must ensure that we do not selectively interpret the words to fit our needs. Remember, this book – the Bible - is a guiding doctrine.
3. When is topical preaching contextually valid? When does it disregard and violate context?
Topical