Page 18 - Homiletics I Student Textbook

important to remember as well that this is God’s book. His infinite ways are not always comprehensible
by the finite minds of men (cf. De. 29:29; Is. 55:8-9).

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The Qualifications for Bible Interpretation

Apart from having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, one cannot fully comprehend that which
God has communicated in His Word (cf. 1 Co. 2:14). Even believers must put forth diligent effort to
understand what the Bible says and means (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). Prayer, humility, and a dependence upon
the Holy Spirit also rank at the top of the list (cf. Jn. 16:13). One need not be a Bible college graduate,
seminary professor, or pastor of a church to accurately interpret the scriptures. While well-trained
teachers and preachers are helpful, any lay person can study God’s Word with great success.

To avoid the tragedy that plagues many who discuss the Bible, we ought to be faithful servants of Christ
committed to studying the Bible, determining God’s intended meaning.

Principles and Methods of Bible Interpretation

Obviously learning to fly takes a lot more than just handing the controls to someone and shouting,
“Have fun.” It requires skills that take years to develop fully. Apart from gaining that experience, you’re
taking your life in your hands.

The study of God’s Word is no different. Learning to do it properly is a process that can’t happen
overnight. Yet that’s exactly what we do with new believers when we tell them to get into the
Scriptures, hand them a Bible, and expect them to take it from there. No wonder so many believers
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give up in frustration.

In this session you will be introduced to some of the basic skills (principles and methods) that you will
need in order to successfully study the Bible. These tools of the trade, when used wisely and
consistently, will be a tremendous asset to the serious student of the Word.

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The Interpretive Journey

Studying the Bible is like taking a journey. It is a journey back in time to the world that was then, to the
people that were then, to a context that was seldom the same as that in which we live today. The goal
of the traveler is to locate the meaning in the biblical text that was placed there by the author and then
transport that meaning back to the present in principle form, a form that conveys the author’s intended
meaning to all people, regardless of time. Unless one is willing to take this journey, stated
interpretations of scripture hold little weight or authority because they lack strong exegetical support.
Without this strong foundation, such interpretations and subsequent applications are perceived merely
as the opinions of men.

21 Zuck, 25-28.
22 Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Henricks, Living By the Book (Chicago: Moody, 1991), 35.
23 J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 22-25.
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