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| Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Theological Q&A > My foundational precepts 4 Biblical interpretation | Forum Quick Jump
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1way
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 299
| Posted Yesterday 9:35 PM (GMT -6) |   | Part 1 of 2
Please forgive whatever informalities and unscholarly this is, I present it because I simply welcome open review and have a great appreciation for the opportunity to learn how to better understand the truth and to be freed from error. Parts one and two are closely related but I think they are each worth clarifying. May our individual house of faith be made every better and stronger according to God's leading. (1Cor 3:8-15)
1
"The truth" from the word of God is singular in unity, plural in particular details, and rich in contextual depth and relational implication. We need to respect the entire aspect of what God's truth entails.
God (and reality) teaches us that the truth is both whole and in parts, they are both inextricably unified and associated. You can not reject any "part" of the truth, while at the same time accepting or representing the "whole" truth. You must be faithful to the entire aspect of the truth, both generally wide vrs specifically detailed, both contextually wider vrs more narrow, and all points in between.
This is a general rule, based off the maxim that the truth is whole as well as it's many associated parts, they are inextricably combined and are necessarily associated. Applying this to Bible understanding does not mean that we must attain perfect mastery over everything in the Bible, although the more accurate our understanding is, the better off we are. The point is practical no matter what depth of familiarity you already have with the Bible. Don't neglect the wider context.
2
Next, foundational principles are more important that subsequent ones. We first need to get the foundational overview correct in order to allow the details their appropriate contextual association.
You should grasp the whole before you settle in the particulars. The reason should be manifest, when going from general (understanding) to specific (understanding), you have an easier time getting the details correct because the wider context has already been taken into account.
Such is the rules of conformity and foundational precepts. The more foundational the precept is, the more important it is to get that precept right. If you don't get the foundational precepts right, just like the man who built his house on the sand instead of the rock, the rest of his work will all be built upon that same error and ultimately does not hold integrity. So foundational principles matter exceedingly. The function of the general overview is more primary and foundational because it encompasses sets in place the associated details. It is not the other way around.
Note, the details are necessary to initially get to an understanding of the general overview, so there is a slight dichotomy of priority switching when one first takes on the task of getting a solid biblical overview. I don't mean to confuse, but this reality, although necessary and apparent to some, should be explained for better clarity and avoiding the almost certain objection: "How would you ever get the correct overview if the details are to be considered only after the wider context is understood". I simply submit the fact that the details and the overview are inextricably associated, so we just naturally take in the details in order to understand the overview. But once we have an adequate overview understanding, then we are served best by allowing the overview it's place over the details.
3
Next, the rhetorical survey, is a huge foundational precept for right understanding, it involves discovering the dynamics involved that brought about the writing, it's very much like getting inside the minds of those involved way back then, reconstructing what happened, etc. We need to align ourselves rhetorically concerning the reasons for why the writing was created in the first place.
Who wrote the book and why, what was the occasion for the writing, who was the primary and secondary audience, what was the relevant and common assumptions involved, what problems needed to be resolved, what questions and doubts and popular opinions predominated, when, where and why was it written, what is the common themes and overall focus, etc. etc. etc. etc.
God's word was created full of meaning and dynamic relationships, we need to orient ourself to the intended meaning offered, and to guard against assumptions that were not intended by the author (a huge problem in interpretation).
4
Lastly, just a quick note about dispensational thought.
God sovereignly created and imposed dispensational changes, they are there for us to observe, and to learn from them, they are not for us to creatively invent from our own thinking. God emphasized their significance tacitly according to formal communications, and also overtly by clear demonstration. And sometimes, as in the case of the present dispensation of Grace, He plainly expounds about it.
Precept upon precept, we build our house of faith and understanding of God's word, as directed by God's word.
Continued on next post.
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