1. 1 11

2. 2 2 12

3. 13 3

4. 14 4

5. 15 5

6. 6 16 6

7. Contexts Now and Then 5.What Do We Bring to the Text? 6.The Historical-Cultural Context 7.The Literary Context 8.Word Studies 9.Bible Translations Unit 2

8. What is: ‘Preunderstanding’?

9. PreunderstandingPreunderstanding –All preconceived notions and understandings that are formed in us before we actually study the text. We get this “baggage” from: Personal experiences Cultural influences—e.g., music, movies, literature Family Church Race Nationality

10. What is: ‘Preunderstanding’? ‘Overstanding’?

11. Our preunderstanding can easily take over and lead us to stand over God’s Word, dictating what it means, rather than placing ourselves under the Word.

12. What is: ‘Preunderstanding’? ‘Overstanding’? ‘Cultural baggage’?

13. What is: ‘Preunderstanding’? ‘Overstanding’? ‘Cultural baggage’? ‘Interpretational reflex’?

14. Tendency toward “interpretational reflex” –Our tendency is to fill in the gaps in the biblical texts with information from our own background and experience. –Our cultural background can create a world of possible and impossible meanings for a biblical text before we even study the text.

15. PresuppositionsPresuppositions –Total objectivity is impossible for any reader, but this is not our goal. –Christians have faith commitments (what we call presuppositions) that do not change each time we study the Bible (in contrast to preunderstanding). –What are some evangelical presuppositions about the Bible?