The Interpreta

tionof

ScriptureTauernhof spring school 2008

Seven ways to get it wildly wrong…Seven ways to get it wildly wrong…

Ignoring contextIgnoring context Illegitimate extensionsIllegitimate extensions Reading it `mystically’Reading it `mystically’ Building big doctrines on small versesBuilding big doctrines on small verses Altering the meaning to fit our ideasAltering the meaning to fit our ideas Reading in ideas the text doesn’t Reading in ideas the text doesn’t

containcontain Picking and choosing passagesPicking and choosing passages

OBSERVATION

APPLICATIO

N

INTERPRETATION

What does it say?

What does

it mean to

me?

What does it mean?

ObservingObserving

Understand the words Understand the words

Appreciate the styleAppreciate the style

Investigate the backgroundInvestigate the background

Notice the detailsNotice the details

Check out the contextCheck out the context

InterpretingInterpreting

Start with the obvious senseStart with the obvious sense

Look for the author’s intentionLook for the author’s intention

Concentrate on what you understandConcentrate on what you understand

Compare Scripture with ScriptureCompare Scripture with Scripture

Look for ChristLook for Christ

ApplyingApplying

What have I learned about Jesus and God?

What have I learned to cause shame?

What have I learned about trusting him more?

Is there a promise to claim?

Kuhatschek’s pyramid

the pyramid…the pyramid…

specific

general

broader

circumcision

keeping law

meat to idols

association with paganism

effort to win salvation

link with evil