Transcript - ProfDaveSmith.com

How Do We Read
the New
Testament?
1. Personal Meaning
As if the Words were written to me
As if the Words apply to my context
1. Personal Meaning
Pros:
God, through His Spirit often
speaks to us in this manner
Dangers:
Meaning of a text becomes
“subjective.” I become the sole
source of meaning
Every time the word “you” appears
in the Bible, I assume it refers to
me.
1. Personal Meaning
Example:
1. Read Jeremiah 29:11
2. Now Read Jeremiah 29:10
Answer this question: Is this passage
a universal promise for all people of all
ages?
2. Original (Historical)
Meaning
As if the Words were written to others
As if the Words apply to a real historical context
Summary:
1st Ask: What the Text MEANT
2nd Ask: What the Text MEANS
What principles from the
passage apply to me today?
What aspects are time or culture
bound to the ancient world?
2. Original (Historical)
Meaning
Pros:
In writing through his apostles, we
hear God speaking in history
Words have a “stable, objective”
meaning
Dangers:
Does God cease to speak directly
to me?
2. Original (Historical)
Meaning
How do we find the Historical Meaning?
1st Ask: What the Text MEANT
2nd Ask: What the Text MEANS
What principles from the passage apply to
me today?
and
What aspects are time or culture bound to the
ancient world?
3. Community
Meaning
As if the Words were written to the
church (think “WE” not “ME”)
As if the Words were given to a real
historical context and still have an
eternal significance
3. Community Meaning
Pros:
We read according to how the Bible wants to
be read
We read “in context”
Literary Context
Historical Context
Cultural Context
Remember, CIE
Dangers:
We must learn the NT materials and the NT
World in order to be disciples
How Did the New
Testament Come
to be Written?
How did the NT Come to Be
Written?
John 17:8 For I gave them the words you
gave me and they accepted them.
John 17:14 I have given them your word
1. Given by Jesus
to his Apostles
How did the NT Come to Be
Written?
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the
things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they
were handed down to us by those who from the first
were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
Luke 1:1-2
2. Given by Apostles and/or Eyewitnesses
to others (Luke).
How Does the NT
Want to Be Read?
How to Read NT
[Jesus says]
All this I have spoken while still with you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send in my name, will
teach you all things and will remind
you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:25-26
How to Read NT
In Small Group, answer
1. Who will do the instructing?
2. What is being taught?
3. Describe how this teaching take place?
Be specific
4. So, How does this apply to us today?
Note: Remember CIE (Context is Everything)
How to Read NT
Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
How to Read NT
In Small Group, answer
1. Who is speaking?
2. Who is listening?
3. What is being taught? Who is doing the
teaching? Be Specific.
4. So, how does this apply to us today?
Note: Remember CIE (Context is Everything)