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How Do We Read the Bible?
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Personal Meaning Sometimes called “Reading Devotionally”
As if the Words were written to me As if the Words apply to my context
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1. Personal Meaning Pros:
God, through His Spirit often speaks to us in this manner Cons: Meaning of a text becomes “subjective.” I become the sole source of meaning Every time the word “you” appears in the Bible, I assume it refers to me.
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1. Personal Meaning Example: 1. Read Jeremiah 29:11
2. Now Read Jeremiah 29:10 Answer this question: Is this passage a universal promise for all people of all ages?
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2. Original (Historical) Meaning
As if the Words were written to others As if the Words apply to a real historical context Summary: 1st Ask: What the Text MEANT 2nd Ask: What the Text MEANS What principles from the passage apply to me today? What aspects are time or culture bound to the ancient world?
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2. Original (Historical) Meaning
Pros: In writing through his prophets and apostles, we hear God speaking in history Words have a “stable, objective” meaning Cons: Does God cease to speak directly to me?
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3. Community Meaning As if the Words were written to the church (think “WE” not “ME”) As if the Words were given to a real historical context and still have an eternal significance
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3. Community Meaning Pros:
We read according to how the Bible wants to be read We read “in context” Literary Context Historical Context Cultural Context Remember, CIE (Context is Everything) Cons: We must learn the Biblical material and the context in order to be disciples
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