1. Literal and Contextual Approaches to the Bible
How to Interpret the Bible

2. Literal Approach
Word for word
Exactly as written
No interpreting

3. Read within its context
Contextual Approach
Read within its context
Who wrote it and why
What was going on in society to influence the writer
What is the ‘religious’ truth?

4. Contextual Approach
Read in between the lines to understand the main message.
Catholics read the Bible within its context to understand its deeper meaning

5. Types of Truth in the Bible
Not all facts and ideas that we believe are provable beyond a shadow of a doubt.

6. At some point we must simply believe, and have faith that what we are told is true.
e.g., The glass floor in the C.N. Tower will hold you up.

7. Religion and Truth
Some truths in religion are historical, some are moral and some are ‘religious’.

8. Religious Truth
Religion is concerned with human relationships with God
The deeper meaning that God intends to reveal to people through historical events.

9. Moral Truth
A lesson is being taught of what is right and what is wrong.
Example: “Thou shalt not kill”

10. Symbolic Truth
A teaching in which we must read between the lines in order to understand the truth being presented.
Example: “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

11. Proverbial Truth A short saying, used to embody a general truth.
Example: “The early bird gets the worm.”

12. Historical Truth
The Bible contains the recorded and oral history of the Hebrew people and the early Christians from 4000yrs ago.

13. Scientifc Truth
The scientific understanding of biblical writers was very primitive.
Example: The Bible describes the Earth as flat, the Sun as the center of the universe
We do not look to the Bible for scientific truth.

14. Revelation
Revelation is concerned with religious truth, not scientific truth.
The Hebrew people didn’t need to know that the world was round in order to be closer to God.

15. What type of truth?
Water freezes at 0 celsius
To know the road ahead, ask those coming back
God told Noah that the rainbow would be a sign of hope.

16. 4. David replaced Saul as King
5. Jesus teaches us that everyone should be treated equally
6. The Roman empire began to crumble after Jesus’ birth
7. It takes 365 days to complete one circle of the sun
8. Be faithful to your spouse