Page 48 - Homiletics Student Textbook

Crossing the Principlizing Bridge

The meaning of the text summarized as a single statement with both a subject and complement
in this step is restated as a theological principle or timeless truth. In other words, what principle
was true not only for the biblical audience, but also for all audiences of all time? Because this
theological principle is universally true it should be stated in the present tense.

Example from Acts 1:8

The followers of Jesus, having received God’s Spirit, are to
be confident and working
They should be confident because God’s Spirit has come to
them and empowered them.
They should be working by testifying of Jesus to all people
in all places.

Grasping the Text in Our Town
Now the student must wrestle with what kind of response the text demands from him. The
abstract theological principle must now be applied to his personal current life setting.

Example from Acts 1:8

Having received God’s Spirit, I should be confident and
working!
I should be confident because God’s Spirit has come to
me and empowered me.
I should be working by testifying of Jesus to all people in
all places.

This is the general application of the meaning discovered in the text. Specific applications may vary
depending on each student’s specific situation in life.

Helps for Determining Specific Applications

Failing to apply the scriptures accurately and specifically is a great tragedy. In their book, Living by
the Book, Howard and William Hendricks discuss substitutes people use for application, steps in the
application process, and questions the student can ask that will help him determine specific ways in
which the text might apply to his life setting.

A. Substitutes for Application
59
1. We substitute interpretation for application.
2. We substitute superficial obedience for substantive life-change.
3. We substitute rationalization for repentance.
4. We substitute an emotional experience for a volitional decision.

59 Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Henricks, Living By the Book (Chicago: Moody, 1991), 285-289.
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