THE DYNAMIC PULPIT: TEXT SELECTION AND INTERPRETATION

Goal for this lesson: To learn some basic tools and rules for selecting and interpreting texts.

Introduction: What are some tools for Bible Study?

Good study bible (detailed information, comments, note, and maps, references)
Concordance (Why use concordance, it’s for word study/finding and locating key word and the corresponding text. Young’s concordance preferable next is Strong’s)
Topical Bible (Allowing you to search for topic is addressed in the bible, e.g. nave’s topical bible, or Thompson Chain Reference Bible))
Various Translations of the text. (Helps to compare the text, KJV, NKJV, NIV, NLT etc.) Helps me to identify the area where there is issue in this text. Pinpoint Exegesis. Versus Exogesis.
Bible Dictionary (Looking up people name, place and key words)
Lexical aids or lexicons (dictionary of Greek words; or Hebrew words; or Aramaic words. Helps you to understand grammatical context of the text).
Bible Commentary (Whole Bible commentary/ Single Book Bible Commentary/Homiletically Commentary; Matthew Henry-Pastoral insight is good)

I. What is The Value of Having a Text?

Because we want to say what God said (Dictates your point of your authority)

II. Rules for Selecting a Text

A. The Do Nots:

Always go to Obscure text (Difficult text)
Avoid familiar text (Because they are very important, or accessible)
Do not purposely avoid any scripture.
Do not use spurious text. (Not what was original part of the bible; it was added by some authors at later date. (Classic example I John 5:7; Mk 9:29)

B. Be Careful:

To base sermon on God’s word. (Affirming the sufficiency of the word).
Not to undermine people’s confidence.

C. Beware of:

Mortal text. (e.g. I have become all things to all men. not like drug and alcohol addicts)

III. Conditions for Selecting a Text

A. Philosophies.

Flow (Where text flow into the situation)
Web. (Situation and you are looking for a text to fit into it)

B. Possibilities.

Consecutive preaching (Chapter by Chapter or book by book) helps in research process and what to preach. Cohesion of the text.) Vesicular teaching (Verse by verse).
Topic Preaching (Subject in series; allow you to deal with particular need and spending more time on it)
Calendar Preaching (depending on what holidays we are in the year. Father’s day or Mother’s day) Such as nativity, Christmas, or resurrection on Easter.
Danger is we can began to speak of cultural preferences that could result in boredom.
Subject Series.

IV. Standards for Interpreting a Text

A. Be True to the Text.

B. Use Historical-Grammatical Method vs. “Spiritualizing” or Allegorical Method

C. Look for “Historical meaning.” (l.e. the discourse meaning)

D. Determine author’s Intent.

E. Examine language, genre, text features, and context historical and literary context.

V. Special Cautions:

Language:

(1) Depending on English Language only.

(2) Depending on out of date translations. (I Thess.4:17) prevent vs. precede. “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. NJKV.

VI. Genre:

i. Prophesies (Is predictive) Isa.40

ii. Parables (Look for core meaning) Lazarus and rich man.

iii. Proverbs (prescriptive not predictive) Pr. 15:1 (it is a counsel not necessarily true at all times.

iv. Narratives vs. didactic passages. (The actions that communicates the truth, in addition to the words).

VII. Text Features:

i. Context (In interpretation, context is always part of the text.) Romans 14 and 15. Read 15 in the context of 14.

ii. Possible Approaches. Distill a lot of information or explode a little information

iii. Do Not Deny Yourself or Your People Your Interpretation. (What is God saying to me from the text and what did God people need to hear from this text).