[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
[quote]haney1 wrote:
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
[quote]haney1 wrote:
<<< That is where Bible study methods help. It teaches you how to read and older document in the proper context.
If you want I can email you some materials that I have.[/quote]The 3 basic steps in my view are:
1-What does it say? That is, the bare language.
2-What does it mean? That is, once it’s determined what it says the next step is determining what it means in the cultural and historical context in which a given piece occurs.
3-How does it work? That is, once it’s been determined what the language says and what it meant to the people it was originally written to, how does it apply to me today.
A very short procedural outline of the historico-exegetical method. A method which when followed yields strikingly similar results for all who competently engage therein.
[/quote]
That is the basic method I tend to use, but I also like to do an observational study first, then followed by the who, what, why, when, and where questions. I also look at the book before I read it and try to find out what the purpose as well as style, and location\situation of the author. It helps give in site to the text. For instance if Paul was in prison when writing a letter I want to know about it. It gives me a point of reference for where he is speaking from. This is expecially true when reading the Old testament. [/quote]
Agreed 100%. You have included all the preliminary foundational analysis which I was remiss in unconsciously assuming which is especially egregious when advising someone without a lot of experience in this area.
A good example would be late last year when I was quite frankly trying to find a way around obeying my local government about something I did not want to do. I spent an afternoon prayerfully studying the first century history of the island of Crete… again (which is pretty fascinating), because I really wanted to figure out a way where Paul’s exhortation to Titus about obeying civil authorities somehow didn’t apply to me here. I lost.
If Paul could say to Titus in Ch.3 "1-Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2-to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3-For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. while Titus was on Crete, nothing I could ever come up with would justify my defiance of Redford Township Michigan.
Crete was a zoo in nearly constant civil upheaval with short stretches of stability here and there. If he’s telling those people to obey their government, he was telling me to as well as long as so doing was not disobedience to God. I knew that already because I did that study years ago, but I DID NOT want to take that shed down (long story that I actually posted about here) so I was jist checkin again =[ Time, place and audience made it clear that I was in sin and needed to repent regardless of how much it seemed to suck for the moment.
[/quote]
I hate when that happens to me during a study, sadly it happens a lot. In the end though I am glad it turns out that way. Obeying has a subtle reward that is always worth while.
Granted all we are currently talking about it the basic foundation to give a descent interpretation. Once you get the hang of those then you can start using cross reference
and word studies to really get to the heart of a confusing passage. Hebrews is one of those books that require that. As well as an understanding that the theme of the book is Christ sufficiency.