Keys to the Bible's Treasure: How to Determine the Meaning of Bible Texts

[Svt4Him]

In this book by Rev. Robert A. French, he gives 7 keys to interpreting the texts.


1. Pray before and throughout your study of the Bible.
2. Explore the context.
3. Investigate what the text says.
4. Determine what the text means in its context.
5. Harmonize your understanding of the text’s message with the teaching of the whole Bible.
6. Compare what you have learned with other scholars (optional).
7. Apply God’s word to your life.
Conclusion


Robert A. French, Keys to the Bible’s Treasures: How to Determine the Meaning of Bible Texts (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1999).

A Summary Of The Principles Of Hermeneutics

1. Use the Bible to determine the meaning of Bible texts instead of relying on other sources to interpret the Bible.
2. Interpret the passage in its immediate context before referring to other passages, such as cross-references and supporting verses.
3. Interpret each passage according to its ordinary meaning in its entire context.
4. The most accurate way to understand a text is according to its grammar and structure.
5. Interpret the passage according to the overall teaching of the book and the whole Bible.
6. If two or more texts appear to contradict each other, look for an interpretation that permits each text to remain faithful to its meaning in its own context without contradicting the other texts.
7. Use the clear teaching texts of the New Testament to interpret all other kinds of Bible texts.


Robert A. French, Keys to the Bible’s Treasures: How to Determine the Meaning of Bible Texts (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1999).

Are these important?

 

[single eye]

the bible is not a book, it is a compilation of writings from 3 different groups of people.
1. o.t.= works w/o grace
2. Jesus and saints= grace as free gift
3. Paul= attempted compromise between the two.
Only one of these groups had the faith delivered to them.

 

[Alithis]

intellectualism ,spiritual comprehension does not make.

-if any one lack wisdom,let him ask of God who gives generously to all...

 

[single eye]

and proof-texting does not contribute to spiritual comprehension.

 

[Faulty]

In this book by Rev. Robert A. French, he gives 7 keys to interpreting the texts.


1. Pray before and throughout your study of the Bible.
2. Explore the context.
3. Investigate what the text says.
4. Determine what the text means in its context.
5. Harmonize your understanding of the text’s message with the teaching of the whole Bible.
6. Compare what you have learned with other scholars (optional).
7. Apply God’s word to your life.
Conclusion


Robert A. French, Keys to the Bible’s Treasures: How to Determine the Meaning of Bible Texts (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1999).

A Summary Of The Principles Of Hermeneutics

1. Use the Bible to determine the meaning of Bible texts instead of relying on other sources to interpret the Bible.
2. Interpret the passage in its immediate context before referring to other passages, such as cross-references and supporting verses.
3. Interpret each passage according to its ordinary meaning in its entire context.
4. The most accurate way to understand a text is according to its grammar and structure.
5. Interpret the passage according to the overall teaching of the book and the whole Bible.
6. If two or more texts appear to contradict each other, look for an interpretation that permits each text to remain faithful to its meaning in its own context without contradicting the other texts.
7. Use the clear teaching texts of the New Testament to interpret all other kinds of Bible texts.


Robert A. French, Keys to the Bible’s Treasures: How to Determine the Meaning of Bible Texts (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1999).

Are these important?

Important common sense tips.

 

[Faulty]

the bible is not a book, it is a compilation of writings from 3 different groups of people.
1. o.t.= works w/o grace
2. Jesus and saints= grace as free gift
3. Paul= attempted compromise between the two.
Only one of these groups had the faith delivered to them.

Number 1 is inaccurate, which also makes 3 inaccurate. It's always been number 2.

 

[Frogster]

1-7 are good. 5 stops prooftexting. I love 2 and 4.

 

[Frogster]

I would add that the text is unfolding historical narrative also, we know things now, that they did not, as per Paul in several passages speaking about things that were secret, now revealed.

God spoke in diverse ways, over time, so the whole of the narrative, and the history must be remembered. There are imperatives, indicatives, imminent and pertinent verses, that have to be understood. Who was the audience, what situation were they in?



Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,


And last of all, the OT must be read from the NT vantage point and interp, not the other way around.

 

[Biblicist]

A Summary Of The Principles Of Hermeneutics

1. Use the Bible to determine the meaning of Bible texts instead of relying on other sources to interpret the Bible.

Is this referring to the Greek text or an English, French or maybe a Spanish version?

The problem with "using the Bible..." to determine the text is that this can all too easily be redefined as being "how I understand what I am reading into the Text".

A good example of the problems that we can regularly encounter when we rely on our own limited understanding can be found with the term 'miracle'. I will challenge anyone to provide me with a solid and detailed analysis of this word from within only an English translation - it simply cannot be done.

 

[single eye]

If the purpose of scripture is to give us clarity and cerainty, then the bible fails to deliver. Did GOD mess it up, or the people who selected the books of the bible?

 

[Faulty]

If the purpose of scripture is to give us clarity and cerainty, then the bible fails to deliver. Did GOD mess it up, or the people who selected the books of the bible?

The Spirit of God is the one who understands scripture...

So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1 Cor 2:11​

This is why scriptures are clear and certain to those who belong to Him...

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
1 Cor 2:12-13​

This would be why you are still confused...

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:14
​

 

[Alithis]

Number 1 is inaccurate, which also makes 3 inaccurate. It's always been number 2.

was going to say the same thing.

 

[single eye]

Faulty, you are the one who is confused. When you say "scripture" you are referring to the bible. When I say "scripture" I am referring to the faith delivered to the saints. Understand the difference?

 

[Faulty]

Faulty, you are the one who is confused. When you say "scripture" you are referring to the bible. When I say "scripture" I am referring to the faith delivered to the saints. Understand the difference?

That's sort of like saying, "I'm talking about the number 2, but you are talking about the result of 1+1. Understand the difference? "

 

[single eye]

Wrong, we are not even close to saying the same thing.

 

[Frogster]

2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Svt4Him]

the bible is not a book, it is a compilation of writings from 3 different groups of people.
1. o.t.= works w/o grace
2. Jesus and saints= grace as free gift
3. Paul= attempted compromise between the two.
Only one of these groups had the faith delivered to them.

In the OT, you imparted your sins to a goat. Seems to me that is an element of faith and a huge amount of grace.

Salvation in the OT seems to also be by faith, by grace.

 

[single eye]

Svt4Him writes, "Salvation in the o.t. seems to also be by faith, by grace." Based on what exactly? A hunch, a vague feeling. Show one bit of credible evidence that the writers of the o.t. understood the gift of grace.

 

[rick357]

Svt4Him writes, "Salvation in the o.t. seems to also be by faith, by grace." Based on what exactly? A hunch, a vague feeling. Show one bit of credible evidence that the writers of the o.t. understood the gift of grace.

It not hard to see if you are not determined its not there
Elohim covered Adams nakedness as his own plan wasnt working through a sacrifice
Cain offered his hard work..Abel offered what Elohim said was his own...Cains was rejected
Lot more examples with Patriarchs but I sure your thinking law.
Passover lamb...innocent victim for others to escape death
Israel was warned to remember and teach their children that God had delivered them and gave them all things for life...read exodus 13:1-10 the command was to remember it was God and not of them.
Next read the song of Moses in Exodus 15 wdre he says God is his salvation that he had given mercy and led forth a people that he had redeamed and guided them in his streangth to his holy habitation
Read all of deuteronomy...pay attention to chapter 6 compare to NT....fear the Lord thy God to keep all his statutes and his commandment....NT work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
Continue in deuteronomy 6 and you find thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy might and these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart...NT. Jesus said unto him thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind this is the first and greatest commandment and the second like unto it thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself(that from leviticus)
Hosea 6: 6-7 why would God be offended that they like men had not had mercy and knowledge of God
The just shall live by his faith..Habakkuk 2:4
He hath shown thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God...Micah 6:8
All that is in the new was found in the old...but the blood of bulls and goats only covered sin but could not take it away...so if you think the blood of Jesus covers your sin but doesnt take it away from you which covenant are we living in

 

[rick357]

Svt4Him writes, "Salvation in the o.t. seems to also be by faith, by grace." Based on what exactly? A hunch, a vague feeling. Show one bit of credible evidence that the writers of the o.t. understood the gift of grace.

Almost forgot when Aaron blessed the children and put Gods name on them he said the following
The Lord bless thee and KEEP thee
The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be GRACIOUS unto thee
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace....numbers 6:23-27