7/17/2019 How to Read the Bible

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Elis Rules of Bible Scholarship

1.) Be as true as possible to the original language. (Westminster Confession)

2.) Pay attention to idioms and metaphors.

3.) Use the Word Study Method to resolve poor translations

4.) Do not generalize beyond the context.

a.) Take careful note of where the context changes

b.) Hermeneutics: interpretation should be based on Scriptural paradigms, notmere theological tradition.

c.) Never take a verse, part of a verse, a phrase or sentence out of itscontext.

d.) Try to identify the beginning and ending of the context in question.

5.) With respect to the NT, try to employ OT concepts, types and symbols, inorder to understand or interpret NT passages.

a.) Try to resolve allegorical language with symbolism from the Old Testament

before resorting to guesswork.

b.) Keep a list of OT and NT symbols

c.) Never resort to guesswork

6.) Wherever possible, historical statements in the Bible should conform toknown history and archeology. Since Yahweh is the author of BOTH theBible and natural history, the two MUST AGREE. If there is disagreement,closer study of the original Hebrew and Greek, plus better science are inorder.

7.) Dogmatism (unproven assertions) is to be avoided at all costs. Dogma

usually consists of doctrine invented by theologians, which has no basisin Scripture. Purgatory and indulgences are good examples ofnon-Scriptural doctrine that is taught by the Catholic Church but isnowhere mentioned in Scripture. Often, dogma comes about by frequentrepetition of a false idea, such as Jesus loves everybody. But Jesushad no love for the Pharisees, nor does He love evildoers. Scripture isvery clear about this. Church dogma has superseded Scriptural Truth.

8.) Any new interpretation must show why the old idea is false. Raptureanyone?

9.) No conditional or hypothetical can be converted to an imperative or adeclarative.

10.) Be objective towards your own interpretation. If an alternativehypothesis suggests itself, discuss it or footnote it.

11.) Eisegesis: Never try to force Scripture to conform to a pre-conceivednotion.

12.) Exegesis: Always strive to stay true to the Scripture, as written.Always identify metaphors and similes as such, so as not to confuse theliteral with the metaphorical, and vice versa.