WESTMINSTER CHAPEL Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth

4.View from the perspective of the Historical Background zA. Definitions z 1. HISTORY - Record of Events z 2. CULTURE - Way of Life Customs Values/World View Economy Religion

B. Reasons why a passage must be understood consistent with its historical background 1. First Reason: PERSPECTIVE Biggest Problem: We are reading someone else’s mail

QUESTION FOR TODAY How do our circumstances differ from those in New Testament times? z How do our circumstances differ from those in New Testament times?

Second Reason: MIND SET Good Samaritan Luke 10:29-37

zFirstborn of all creation Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. NIV

Third Reason: Cross-Cultural Communication “Son of Man” zFirst Century Palestine “Heavenly man-like apocalyptic figure” z 20th Century Tribal Culture “Illegitimate child of unwed mother”

C. Principles for Historical Background Study z1. Understand each passage consistent with its historical background. z2. Determine the impact of Biblical statement in its original setting.

D. Goal of Historical Background Study: Reconstruct Historical Setting z 1. Situation of author that helps understand why he wrote about this subject to this audience z 2. Situation of recipients that helps understand why this message was sent to them z 3. Explanation of historical- cultural facts mentioned in text

E.Procedures for Reconstructing the Historical Background 1. What do we know about the author from the letter? z Who 1:1 z Circumstances z 3:1 z Gal. 1:19 2:9 z James, servant of... z Teacher z Brother of Jesus z Leader of Jerusalem Church

Author (continued) zRelationship with recipients: z55 commands z2:1-7 z1:16, 19 and 2:5 z Recognized spiritual leader z Informed about their circumstances z Close, caring concern for them

2. What do we know about the recipients from the letter? z Who 1:1 Circumstances 1:2 1:9 2:5-7 5:4 z Christian Jews living outside Jer. z Facing trials z Mostly poor z Financially exploited by the rich z Unpaid farm workers

2. Recipients (continued) z Characteristics 1:9-10 2:1-6 3:1 4:1-4 z Envying the rich z Showing favoritism to rich—discriminating against poor z Presuming to become teachers z Interpersonal tension

3. When was the book written? z 49 A.D. z First N.T. book z Before Jerusalem conference (no reference to Gentile problem)

4. What is the original significance of any historical or cultural items in the text? z 1:6 1:10 1:11 1:12 z Waves of sea z Brevity of flower blossoms z Hot sun with scorching winds z Have stood the test z Crown of life

5. How does this information help understand the passage? z Shows the nature and severity of their trials!