The Bible as One Story: Why Micro and Macro Interpretations Matter
The way we interpret Scripture profoundly shapes the way we preach, teach, disciple, and engage with God’s Word. One of the most important distinctions in biblical interpretation is the difference between micro and macro interpretations. When these two levels are separated, Scripture can become fragmented, moralistic, or distorted. But when they work together, the Bible […]
Jesus at the Center: Understanding God’s Story
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” Luke 24:27 (NIV). Understanding God’s Story … The Bible tells one big Story composed of many smaller stories in two testaments. The account begins with God creating the world and placing the first man and woman […]
Fractured Bible Engagement
In a fallen world, our interaction with God’s Word mainly takes the form of fractured Bible engagement. No one can completely embrace and engage with the full spectrum of God’s Word. The carnal human inclination, deliberately and instinctively, is to subvert God’s Story to shrivelled segmented versions that fit our theological and socio-political beliefs. As […]
Let the Bible be the Bible!
Do we really believe we can exercise control over God’s Word? Can the extraordinary be reduced to the ordinary? Can we grasp what’s sacred with our minds? Can the Story that runs deeper than our stories be governed by us? Can those in the world order the Word that brings order to the world?
Faith-Based Bible Engagement
The importance of faith in Bible reading and 12 characteristics of faith-based Bible reading
The Key to Interpreting the Bible
The key to interpreting the Bible … Different approaches to interpreting the Bible How can two astute people read the same passage of Scripture and arrive at two different interpretations? The short answer is that people usually interpret the Bible in one of four ways – the literal, moral, anagogical or allegorical approach. The literal […]
Correctly Handling the Word of Truth
Correctly handling the Word of Truth… Teaching truth correctly. One of the last things Paul told Timothy was, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15. Note the phrase “correctly handles the […]
How to Understand and Apply the Bible
How to understand and apply the Bible … For the Bible to apply to our lives, it must be understandable. To understand the Bible we need to know how to study it. To study the Bible we need a tried and tested methodology. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of how to understand and apply the Bible: […]
Interpreting the Bible
Interpreting the Bible … “If the Bible is indeed God’s Word written, we should spare no pains and grudge no effort to discover what he has said (and says) in Scripture” John R.W. Stott. So, how do we interpret the Bible accurately so that it’s not just our opinion? What are the basic hermeneutical guidelines? […]
Reading the Bible in Context
Reading the Bible in context … How context shapes our understanding of Scripture. When I was learning to read, I was taught to open the first page of a book and read from the beginning to the end. I didn’t start in the middle, skip to the end, or just read the juicy bits. That […]