Eld. Walter L. Amos Jr Eld. Duane Lewis HERMENEUTICS Eld. Walter L. Amos Jr Eld. Duane Lewis

Today’s Topics New Testament Letters Final Exam Review

New Testament Letters

New Testament Letters The letters were authoritative substitutes for the writer’s presence NT letters are occasional or situational. This means that they were written to address specific situations or problems related to the author or (usually) to the readers. NT letters were mean to be read aloud again and again to specific congregations Mirror Reading What we read in the text mirrors the situation in the ancient context It is looking at what the author is correcting or applauding and determining the actions of that particular group of people

New Testament Letters You can sometimes determine the intent of the letter by the form it follows Introduction Body Conclusion Date Name Street Address City, State, Zip Code Greeting, Body of the Letter Closing, Signature

New Testament Letters Introduction Body Name of the writer Name of the recipients Greeting Introductory Prayer 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Body Frequently makes up the largest part of a letter There is no set format due to the different purposes or the writers and the different situations of the readers It can include instruction, persuasion, rebuke, exhortation, and much more

New Testament Letters Conclusion Different elements can appear in the conclusion or closing of a NT Letter Travel Plans (Titus 3:12) Commendation of coworkers (Romans 16:1-2) Prayer (2 Thessalonians 3:16) Prayer Requests (1 Thessalonians 5:25) Greetings (Romans 16:3-16, 21-23) Final Instructions and exhortations (Colossians 4:16-17) Holy Kiss (1 Thessalonians 5:26) Autograph (Colossians 4:18) Benediction (1 Corinthians 16:23-24) Doxology (2 Peter 3:18)

Review for Exam Elder Walter L. Amos Jr. Minister Maria Maxwell HEREMENEUTICS Review for Exam Elder Walter L. Amos Jr. Minister Maria Maxwell

Introduction - Review Exhaustive Concordance Truths about the Bible Key Steps in Studying the Bible Analytical Methods of Bible study Facts Conclusions Key definitions

Early Topics - Review Bible Translations Pre-suppositions Hermeneutic Approaches Key definitions

Bible Translations Goal is to accurately reproduce the meaning of the original Greek text into the receptor language Translators Philosophy of Translation will Effect How He Translates Formal (literal or word-for-word) Functional (thought-for-thought) Comparison Sequence FORMAL FUNCTIONAL NASB KJV NIV NLT MSG

Additional Topics - Review Paragraph Summaries Hermeneutic Approaches Key definitions

Paragraph Summaries Find the transition in paragraph thought Separate passage into respective paragraphs Give brief paragraph description 13 words or less Compare paragraph breaks to other translations

Literary Techniques - Review Literary Analysis: Sentences Paragraphs Five Things to look for Connectors Key definitions

Literary Context Literary context is the material before and after the item you are studying (word, paragraph, etc.) When you take a message out of context you’re not teaching the intended meaning of the passage A paragraph develops a theme

Semantic Range The list of all the possible meanings for a particular word Determine the singular meaning by it’s context Trunk Elephant Car Tree Luggage Spirit Holy Spirit Ghost Human Spirit Evil

Word Study When studying a word, study the original language word Two Steps What does the Greek or Hebrew word mean? List semantic range Lookup the verses that show that nuance Give a brief definition for each nuance Compare nuances Replace word with the best nuance or keep word

Historical/Cultural - Review Historical-Cultural Context Biblical Research Key definitions

Historical-Cultural Context Why Bother With Historical-Cultural Context? We believe that the way to approach the Bible (i.e., the way we listen to God) should match how God gave us the Bible (i.e., the way God chose to speak). Since God spoke his message in specific, historical situations (i.e., to people living in particular places, speaking particular languages, adopting a particular way of life), we should take the ancient historical-cultural situation seriously. The author and reader must share the same concept or the reader will not understand what the author is trying to say. Sometimes there are personal situations of the author which often throws light on the meaning of a passage (Page 91)

Historical-Cultural Context How to Research The Biblical Writer What is the writer’s background? Where does he come from? When does he write? What kind of ministry does he have? What is his relationship with the people he addresses? Why is he writing?

Other Topics - Review Literary Context Semantic Range Word Studies

Literary Context The most important aspect of interpretation is literary context Literary context is the material before and after the item you are studying (word, paragraph, etc.) When you take a message out of context you’re not teaching the intended meaning of the passage Read the text like you would read a letter mailed to you A paragraph develops a theme

Nuance Definition nu·ance Function: a subtle distinction or variation noun a subtle distinction or variation

Word Study When studying a word, study the original language word Two Steps What does the Greek word mean? List semantic range Lookup the verses that show that nuance Give a brief definition for each nuance Compare nuances Replace word with the best nuance or keep word

Figures of Speech - Review Figures of Speech involving Comparison Simile Metaphor Hypocatastasi

Figures of Speech Figures of Speech involving Overstatement Hyperbole Overstatement Irony Figures of Speech involving Substitution Synecdoche Personification Anthropomorphism Euphemism

Application - Review To whom does it apply? In What Situations? General (Wide) Specific (Narrow) Paul Philippians 1st Century All All Only Only Believers Believers People In prison Trying Situations Any Situation Missionary Work As an Apostle

Application An application will not have significance apart from its original meaning Be more specific with your application

Five Steps of Application Application should be legitimately derived from the Big idea as a whole, or from its smaller points Application should be specific and pointed An Application should be presented as something for “us,” not just for “you.” Applications should not promise more than the Bible