THE 6651 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Class XIV Theological and

THE 6651 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Class XIV: Theological and Practical Use of the Bible © Dr. Esa Autero

Theological and Practical use of the Bible 1. 1 Introduction – Theological and Practical Use of Bible • What are some ways to use and apply the Bible? • Draw and construct theology & doctrine • Formulate and inform church practice, liturgy, and ethics • Preaching and teaching • Pastoral use of the Bible • Devotional use of the Bible • Spiritual formation and discipleship Bible is used and applied in multiple ways

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • What are some pitfalls in the use and application of the Bible? • Devil quoted Ps 91: 11 -12 concerning angelic protection in Matt 4: 5 -7 • Jesus counters inappropriate use of Scripture with Deut 6: 3 • “pick-and-choose” approach – for theology or practice • “Bible thumbing” as an extreme form • Not applying basic hermeneutical principles • Ignoring proper exegesis – close reading of the text • Over/underemphasizing historical & cultural gap • Head scarfs, holy kiss, foot-washing, slavery, women, idol meat … • Ignoring (oversimplify) historical, literary, grammatical context • “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4: 13) • “Consider it all joy…when you go through various trials” (Jam 1: 2) • Reading in isolation of community, doctrine, & history

Theological and Practical use of the Bible 2. 1 How to draw theology & ethical guideline from Scripture? • Where do you start and how to move forward? • Some basic principles • Be aware of your theological presuppositions • Theological “system” – its pros and cons • Complete exegesis by considering behind & within the text • Careful reading of the text in historical & literary context • How does the text fit into the larger context? • Immediate context within the book • Canon of Scripture as progressive revelation – OT or NT How to draw theology or guidance from the Bible?

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • What does it mean to “draw theology” from the Bible? • To know God’s character in and through biblical texts • Not isolated passages but the entire teaching of Scripture • Understanding of who God is and what He wants from us • Anchor for the Church & protection against false beliefs* • Theology is a human endeavor – attempt to grasp “God as revealed in the Scripture” Sufficient for knowing God & Christian living but always partially provisional

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Biblical theology and NT theology (traditional approach) Exegesis of texts OT theology Theology is a “constructive”* process – needs to “updated” – even though God does not change NT theology Biblical theology Exegesis Biblical theology Systematic theology

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Biblical theology must consider… • Proper exegesis of all relevant texts • Both Testaments – Old and New Testament • Development in salvation history & progressive revelation • E. g. sacrificial system and priesthood in OT & NT (Lev; Heb 8 -10) • Continuity and discontinuity between the Testaments • Clear and/or obscure passages – frequent and/or isolated texts • How different authors emphasize certain themes/topics • Theology must be relevant to churches and their context • Must inform preaching/teaching, discipleship, practice • Theology and doctrine must be in continuity with the past

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Contested areas • How much should context & tradition inform biblical theology? • At the level of method, questions, and topics? • How various themes and topics are emphasized or prioritized? • Only at the level of application?

Theological and Practical use of the Bible 2. 2 How appropriate and apply the Bible – ways forward • A Four-step method for application* 1) Determine original meaning/application(s) • Determine how the biblical author wants audience to respond** • Command to obey, truth to believe, example to follow/avoid • In some cases application (nearly) identical to original meaning • “You shall not covet…” (Ex 20: 17); “God is love…” (1 John 4: 8) • Often original application not same as “now” • Head scarfs, holy kiss, foot-washing, slavery, women, idol meat … What to do then?

Theological and Practical use of the Bible 2) Determine the level of specificity of the original application • Paul evangelized in synagogue and city plaza (Acts 17: 18 -21) • Are those the kind of places we should evangelize as well? • Some differences between “then” and “now” • Public arenas acceptable places to disseminate ideas in the ancient world • Still the case in some parts of the world • Not in the West in general (e. g. shopping malls, parks, airports) • New ideas disseminated in TV, universities, internet, conferences… Does not prohibit “street preaching” but puts it into perspective • Sometimes one can draw “principles” or “broader ideas” but… • Bible not explicit about “universal” and “culture specific” principles Some ways to discern between “universal” and “situation specific”

Theological and Practical use of the Bible a) Does the Scripture give a broad principle that is specified elsewhere? • Love command as general and specific (Deut 6: 4 -5; Lev 19: 18; Matt 22: 37 -39; Rom 13: 9 -10; Jam 2: 1 -11) • 10 Commandments – all but one (Sabbath) exhibit broad principles that are later reiterated and specified elsewhere in OT & NT* b) Does later revelation specify, limit or cancel the application? • Application of specific OT Laws in the NT • Hosea’s “wife of whoredom” (1: 2) and NT teaching on sexuality** c) Are there conditions that make the statement situation specific? • Long hair for men as “shame” as “nature” suggests (1 Cor 11: 4 -15) • What is the “natural law” Paul refers to? Commonly known customs in Greco-Roman world unknown to us • Also, see “holy kiss” (1 Thess 5: 26); idol meet (1 Cor 8 -10) Possible to draw broader application – e. g. not blurring male-female boundaries; greeting warmly; freedom of conscience w/ concern for weak

Theological and Practical use of the Bible d) Is the rationale for application rooted in character of God and/or God’s redemptive plan for humanity? • Monogamous marriage (Gen 2: 24; Matt 19: 5; Eph 5: 31; cf. Deut 24: 1) • “Be holy as I am holy” (Lev 19: 1; 1 Pet 1: 13 -15) • Application of God’s people in OT & NT though • “All are one in Christ” (Gal 3: 27 -28) – Redemption principle • Baptism similar to circumcision in OT – equality before God • Exactly how did Paul understand this in relations to slaves & women? 3) Identify cross-cultural principles • As illustrated above – e. g. idol meet not directly applicable in West • Cross-cultural principle as “freedom in Christ” but consider the effects on the weaker brother – edification or destruction? • Consider e. g. the use of alcohol when a former alcoholic is present • Sometimes cross-cultural principles more difficult to establish • Especially the more abstract & distant the principle becomes

Theological and Practical use of the Bible 4) Levels of authority – how to discern? • Closer the application to the biblical text, more authority • More closely analogous situation, more authority • The broader the principle, less authoritative • Even situations very distant from biblical texts and times may draw from broad biblical ideas and principles • Care for the environment – Creation mandate & stewardship • Genetic engineering – sanctity of life & imago Dei Bible not an answer book for all our problems but provides guidance As may be seen, it is not easy & simple to “just apply biblical principles” – careful thought and reflection needed Here we see the need to Spirit’s guidance and consideration of God’s people, and contextual realities (cf. Acts 15)

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Some further considerations related to application & use • Redemptive hermeneutic* model – moving beyond the letter • Considering esp. “slavery, women, and homosexuality” • Tracing a “trajectory” of development within the teachings of OT and the NT that legitimizes move “beyond” NT teaching • NT contains principles or “seeds” of freedom (e. g. Gal 3: 27 -28) that were not realized in NT but should be today • E. g. slavery no longer morally acceptable even though the Bible legitimizes it (Eph 6: 5 -8; Col 3: 22; 1 Tim 6: 1 -2; Tit 2: 9 -10) • Slavery in both OT & NT more benevolent than in their original circumstances • Some passages encourage “freedom” (1 Cor 7: 21; Phlm 16) & “sowed the seeds” for its abolition

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Regarding women Gal 3: 27 -28 as a key text along with other texts that affirm women’s roles in ministry • Women’s roles in marriage – patriarchal vs. “modern” • 1 Pet 2: 12, 15; 3: 1, 16 & Tit 2: 3 -5 urge “submission” in an evangelistic context • Women are urged to “submit” to promote the gospel in a hostile culture – submission functioned to attract unbelievers by good works “so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (Tit 2: 5) • Due to difference of society/culture “today” women’s submissive stance might be a hindrance to the gospel rather than attraction One should apply the “principle of evangelism” rather than “submission” today • Homosexuality is treated as sin w/o exceptions in the Bible • Homosexuality remains sinful & illegitimate practice

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Evaluation of “Four-step” & Redemptive hermeneutic models • “Four-step” method of applying the Bible • Indicate two pros and cons • Redemptive hermeneutic • Indicate two pros and cons How do these models relate to the work of the Spirit and situation of the church/community?

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Biblical Reading as transformation & spiritual formation • How does the Scripture transform its readers/hearers? • Bible as revelation enables us to… • Hear God’s voice and know His will in and through it • Encounter His presence • Includes knowing who God is intellectually and experientially This is a spiritual activity – not just intellectual exercise

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Reading for transformation • Not to objectify the text – make it attentively our own • Expectancy that God speaks • Attitude of “acceptance, devotion, attention, trust”* • Standing “under the text” – readiness, willingness to accept & obey • Addressed and formed by God – change in desires, thinking, actions • Literal truth and formation of Spirit guided imagination • Creative fidelity (already in OT&NT) • Formation of mind and thinking – presuppositions • Formation of affections • Participant involvement in the life of faith of God’s people • Wisdom and life-style – life in a local church • Continuous revelatory encounter (Matt 16: 17; Luke 24: 45; Acts 2; 10: 34 -35)

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Two Practical ways to read for transformation • Lectio divina & Contextual Bible study (discussed earlier) • Lectio divina* – prayerful listening to Spirit through Scripture • Origins in Jewish prayer & worship (Deut 6: 4 -7; 30: 14; Ps 1: 2; 119) • Word becomes “flesh” through the Spirit in prayer reading • Illumination of heart, mind, spirit, and imagination • Transformation of will, desires, affections • Listening to the “movements”, “promptings”, “voice” in text Phrases, words, images that “jump out” • Knowing God in a new and transformed way • Taking transformative actions as a result Non-hurried and “lingering” spiritual practice

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Basic steps of Lectio divina 1) Reading of the text – careful & disciplined reading of the text • What does the text say? 2) Meditation of Scripture – text becomes “mine/ours” • Text and my/our experience start fuse – spiritual listening begins • Reader’s mind/feelings/imagination is aided/touched by the Spirit • Word begins to address us – comfort, challenge, direction 3) Praying the Scripture – worship, petition, prayer • Our response in prayer – what do I tell (pray) to God as a result? 4) Contemplation – seeing God, self, and world in a new light • Worship, thanksgiving & taking action Place of rest, action, and starting point of new Lectio divina

Theological and Practical use of the Bible • Practice – Read Matt 14: 13 -36, follow steps of Lectio divina 1) Reading of the text – careful & disciplined reading of the text 2) Meditation of Scripture – text becomes “mine/ours” • Word begins to address us – comfort, challenge, direction 3) Praying the Scripture – worship, petition, prayer • Our response in prayer – what do I tell (pray) to God as a result? 4) Contemplation – seeing God, self, and world in a new light