(JONAH-OK) (BrianMc)

You must reply to each of the following 2 responses in separate threads. Consider these questions with the information in your textbooks in mind, but feel free to use other sources as needed to add to the conversation.

PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO ITEM #1 BELOW

MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS

For the interpreter to interpret objectively and accurately, he or she needs to consider 5 qualifications of the interpreter, by Williams & Craig and Robert (introduction to biblical interpretation, third edition pg. 5).

List the 5 qualifications that can puts the interpreter in the best valid way to interpret the biblical text.

Reasoned faith in the God who reveals: The bible uses the term “faith” to describe the essential element in this relationship. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrew 11:6 only the one who believes and trusts in God can truly understand what God has spoken in his word, the Scriptures. This makes sense for how one can understand a text from the bible that purports to be a word from God if one can fully grasp the Bible message, unless he or she claims the Bible is merely a human religious book.

Willingness to obey its message: is the willingness to put oneself under the text to submit one’s will to have and respond the text in a faithful manner. The truly faithful reader seeks to obey what God reveals in the Scripture. N. Lash view on an interpreter “if the questions to which ancient authors sought to respond in terms available to them within their cultural horizons are to be here today with something like their original force and urgency, they have first to be heard as questions that challenge us with comparable seriousness.

Illumination of the Holy Spirit: is to allow the Holy Spirit to complement the process of exegesis. For his part, God provides the resource for an obedient understanding of his truth, the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. [14] A consequence of the spirits presence in a believer’s life is the illumination of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is so important in the interpretation of the Scriptures. The author also made it clear that “certainly, we cannot “program” this creative encounter; it requires a stance of faith and humility before the lord who has revealed his truth on the pages of the Scripture.

Membership in the Church: The method of interpreting the Scripture has a long way to go in the lives of the members. According to Williams, Robert, Craig and Bloomberg, “if we can’t communicate our interpretations to ordinary lay people in ways that will ring true to at least an important cross- section of them, there’s a good chance. We haven’t understood the text quite correctly.

Willingness to employ appropriate methods: The style of passing or interpreting the message can make or mar it original intent. Williams, Robert, Craig and Bloomberg agreed that “the interpreter must cultivate a sensitivity to hear and learn from all the research and data available. This requires study and practice”.

Reference:

Klein, William W., Craig L. Bloomberg and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. Interpretation

(3rd. Ed). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017. 93.

PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO ITEM #2 BELOW

MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS

Consider the history of biblical interpretation and choose 1 time period and 1 person whose method offers the most promise for attaining a clear interpretation of Scripture today. Be sure to identify the person and the method with special focus on how that method aids a modern interpreter in understanding Scripture.

Perhaps one of the most prolific interpreters of the Bible from a historical perspective was Martin Luther. His history stemmed from (1483-1546).[1] When I think of the last name ‘Luther’, I am brought to the denomination ‘Lutheran’. I see this as a church that’s roots are deeply embedded in the practices of Martin Luther. Even though he was a reformist, he was one that chose to not do things the way Roman Catholics practiced their faith. He searched for deeper meaning.

According to Klein, et. al, “Luther also affirmed the principle that Scripture itself is its best own interpreter; consequently, readers no longer needed to depend as heavily as before on patristic commentary and church authorities to understand the Bible.”[2] In this way, readers of the Bible, today can read what it says, do what it says, and apply what they have learned to face life head-on in full confidence by their faith in Christ. The deeper meaning of the scripture can be realized by bridging the gap between two different time periods. Luther was pointing out how the scriptures can be developed in anyone’s life by allowing the Bible to unfold itself to the person’s unique situation/s.

To add to this, Luther implied that scripture is understood best when we allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes spiritually to see clearly what the intention of the scripture was, is, and should be. Klein, et. al, states, “…Luther stressed that proper interpretation also has a subjective element. By this he meant that the illumination of the Holy Spirit guides Christians in applying their personal experience to biblical interpretation…”[3] The Holy Spirit in His own way reveals what He chooses to reveal. The infusion of the faith of the believer, as well as the revelation of God through His Holy Spirit, is where the illumination comes from and it never stops from one day to the next.1 The Bible is alive and breathing where anyone who believes in Him can pick up God’s word and read the same passage and have a completely different meaning. The only way that happens is by God revealing Himself something more about Himself to us. Scripture declares how God watches over us in (Psalms 119:105, ESV), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my

[1] Hendrix, Scott H. Martin Luther: Visionary Reformer. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2015.

[2] Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. Introduction to Biblical 

Interpretation (3rd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.93.

[3] Ibid, 93.