According to richard warren in 12 dynamic bible study methods, the secret of effective bible study is knowing how to ask the right kinds of. We, at into thy word, are geared toward challenging you to learn how to better understand and study the. Thus, private interpretation means the prophets did not write their own opinions, but rather as verse 21 confirms, wrote word gods very words. Stay with that specific method of bible study in going through. Inductive bible study is a practical, relevant, and timetested approach to interpreting scripture. First, we are to understand that all scripture is given by inspiration of god 2 tim. He was often in sharp conflict with the theologians of his day because they violated these rules of interpretation.
Just as a football player must understand the rules of football in. May god use these brief words to encourage you as you search out the truths of gods word, for his glory. Bible study methods and rules of interpretation bible. The bible is written in a number of different literary genres, to a number of different cultures, in 3 different languages, through dozens of.
Every verse in the bible has only one interpretation, although that verse may have many applications. A note on allegorical interpretation of scripture when we read the bible, it is important to know how to interpret what we are reading in a way that honors and upholds what the lord intended. Reread the entire book or literary unit and ou tline the major literary units i. This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an approachable, stepbystep process moving from observation through interpretation and on to the application of gods word. It is part of the broader field of hermeneutics, which involves the study of principles of interpretation for all forms of communication, nonverbal and verbal while jewish and christian biblical hermeneutics have some overlap and dialogue, they have distinctly separate. The student will learn the proper methods of interpreting scripture. The importance and value of proper bible study, torrey, r. And as we do this, to always be sure to read the bible and the newspaper together so that we come to know what the word of god has to say to the world of god barth.
First of all make up your mind that you will put some time every day into the study of the word of god. State the twofold purpose of reason in a study of the bible. These methods of bible study are also arranged in a systematic sequence to help you learn the biblical truth with the greatest insight for the time spent in study. The seven rules of bible interpretation bible topics. The word hermeneutics refers to the art and science of interpreting written texts. Pdf methodical bible study and hermeneutics outline, page 11 3. Select a bible version for study that is faithful to the meaning contained in languages in which the bible originally was written, giving preference to translations done by a broad group of scholars and published by a general publisher above translations sponsored by a particular denomination or narrowly focused group.
Combine this with the fact that those 40 authors came from. Berkhof, principles 4060 inspiration van til, an introduction to systematic theology 62158, especially 110145. Describe each purpose and its bearing on understanding the bible. So much of bible study today consists of dissecting passages into detailed verse by verse divisions, but that kind of analysis is only half the job. Bible used multiple genres, as well as figures of speech, idioms, and styles of writing that were common in their cultures. The word translated interpretation is only found in this verse in the bible and means an explanation. The gift of teaching the bible speaks of teachers and teaching. Check other bible study resources on these points e. Ones own references, neatly set down on the margins of his bible in the light of careful study, will always be found the most helpful. Rules of interpretations are based upon corollaries formed from two 2 axioms. Conjunctions words which combine sections of a sentence and, but. Bible 1 a good translation a old testament the american standard version asvof 1901 b new testament new american standard bible nasb 2 a study bible a the new scofield bible b the ryrie study bible nasb.
Html pdf in the devotional method of bible study a passage of the bible, large or small, is read and meditated on until the holy spirit guides you to an application of the passage into. Table of contents free bible commentaries and bible study tools. But if the bible is sufficient, do we need method so why have a class. Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the bible. Millers rules of bible interpretation william miller in studying the. Methods of bible study biblical research institute. The highest secret of bible study, however, is that teachable spirit which is inseparable from obedience. William millers rules of interpretation in studying the bible, i have found the following rules to be of great service to myself, and now give them to the public by special request.
The fourteen rules for bible study listed below will provide a systematic method for understanding all the essential doctrines of scriptureeven the most difficult ones. Therefore, they approach the study of the bible in a special way. To stimulate and direct the study of the holy scrip tures, not only by setting forth the principles of scientific interpretation and illustrating them by examples, but also by devoting two chapters to the most approved and fruitful methods of studying the bible. Qualitative methods, multimethod approach, and international mobility introduction the use of hermeneutics has grown from its roots in the interpretation of greek classical literature. Bible study methods and rules of interpretation bible training centre for pastors dennis j.
Introduction to biblical studies 3 dennis bratcher jan 06 actual practice of the methods and examinations of the assumptions that lie behind them in the context of ongoing biblical study. In short, the ability to do ones own study and come upon ones own results is the goal of all methods. Read each of the two assigned textbooks and critique them chapterbychapter, evaluating. Bible study methods and rules of interpretation bible training centre for pastors. Methods of interpreting the meaning of bible passages. The right questions provide the right combination to unlock the treasure. This means we must get into the authors context, historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in. Bible interpretation seminar textbook pdf free bible commentary. Bible study is one of the most frequently praised and most. It is part of the broader field of hermeneutics, which involves the study of principles of interpretation for all forms of communication, nonverbal and verbal. They have been accepted and used by scholars from socrates to the present. Hermeneutics is the skill and art of interpretation and is especially applied to the bible. The harmony of scripture principle no part of the bible may be interpreted so as to contradict another part of the bible.
Methods of bible study part 1 study guide chapel library. Some will need to be verified in the crucible of experience in the actual practice of exegesis, hermeneutics, and eventually in ministry in the church. Yet, with this qualifier, here are some simple rules of interpretation hermeneutics which should at least get us started. Utilize good hermeneutics there are specific rules of interpretation which will guide. Some of those literary features are unlike our figures of speech and ways of writing. To be without an understanding of these principles is. This booklet is all about an old bible study method that has had many names, but today often. Biblical principles for interpreting gods word bible truth. That is an easy resolution to make, and not a very difficult one to keep. Some of these methods of bible study are very biblical, beneficial and good and while others are harmful and lead to false teaching. As you study these techniques, be sure to study a portion of the bible with each method. Millers rules of bible interpretation william miller in studying the bible, i have found the following rules to be of great service to myself, and now give them to the public by special request. Create outlines, charts, summaries, and text markings to help you retain content.
Zondervan, grand rapids, michigan 49530 library of congress cataloginginpublication data warren, richard. The two directions and the three spheres combine to make six potential ways to apply a. The emphasis of expository bible study is in verse by verse examination of the word of god. Berkhof, principles of biblical interpretation 19 history of interpretation poythress, godcentered biblical interpretation foundations optional. If the intellectual faculties are beclouded, the moral sense is apt to err in its decisions. Every rule should be well studied, in connection with the scripture references, if the bible student would be at all benefitted by them. Word of god as the holy spirit guides, inspires and nourishes us as we study. The necessity of the study of hermeneutics follows from several considerations. Apply rules for proper interpretation of the bible. Definitions, requirements, and purposes of biblical interpretation a. Bible study methods and applications christian bible studies. Principles of interpretation international college of the bible.
The joining of two nouns to one verb when logically only one of the. Formerly published under the title personal bible study methods requests for information should be addressed to. The one correct interpretation is that which mirrors the intent of the inspired author. In the same way, theres so much more that could and should be said about how to study the bible. Bible study is an essential if im to know gods will. Testament codes, or robert stein, playing by the rules. Every rule should be well studied, in connection with the scripture references, if the bible student would be at all benefited by them. Within christianity, the term generally refers to methods of interpreting the bible. The principle of literal interpretation gives us another rule, namely that the bible in one sense is to be read like any other book.
Although traditionally known as a method to identify the meaning and intent of biblical scripture, the rules and principles of hermeneutics have become used. Interpretation must be based on the authors intention of meaning and not the reader. Any teacher of gods word should know the fundamentals of proper biblical interpretation. In studying the bible, i have found the following rules to be of great service to myself, and now give them.
We, at into thy word, are geared toward challenging you to learn how to better understand and study the bible. Bible and combining them so they form strange conclusions and odd arrangements. That principle of literal interpretation is the same principle we use to interpret any written source responsibly. Discover what the verse is actually saying in the most literal normal, obvious sense. Finney, lawyer and theologian, is widely considered the greatest theologian and most successful revivalist since apostolic times. The rules by which we play hermeneutics determines the methods, techniques, rules and principles which best help us determine the intended meaning of the biblical text. The most consistent use of the method of bible study known as the historicalgrammaticallexical method in this textbook called the contextualtextual method began in antioch, syria, in the third century a. Ebi church planting training centers 100 inductive bible study method syllabus. Nearly twenty years ago, when he was editorial secretary of the scripture union, morgan derham wrote. Bible study methods spring 2005 page 3 involved personally with us and is not merely impersonally dropping commandments on us from on high. The interpretation of prophecy by paul lee tan available at cbd iv. Why should a study of the bible be approached with the same logic as used in studying ordinary, intelligent writings. They believe that god has spoken to us clearly, and that there is only one correct interpretation of any bible passage.
The purpose and place of common sense in bible study many people view the bible as some mystical book whose message, in reality, cannot be completely understood. Bible study requires that we have a solid understanding of biblical cultures. Once we see the structure, we can identify the sections to interpret and apply them. Introduction to bible interpretation christians agree that the bible is the word of god. Course design comments this course is designed to equip church starters, pastors, and christian leaders with bible knowledge. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one.
The bible is to be interpreted according to the ordinary rules of language. By using this method, after your study is complete, the correct interpretation and application of the verses will become clearer. While my hope is that they will be used to rightly divide the word of truth of the holy bible, they are equally applicable to legal, historical, and other such language. The following seven rules are the center of all grammatical interpretation. When we heard that word emmanuel we were staggered. This is the meaning god intended when he breathed his word into the human authors, and the passage was written.