COPY: The Task of Interpretation

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Questions and Answers

What is the most important ingredient one brings to the task of interpretation?

The ability to read between the lines

A deep understanding of literary devices

Reading carefully and using common sense (correct)

Extensive knowledge on the topic

As we interpret, which two kinds of questions should one ask of every biblical passage?

Difficult and easy

Important and unimportant

Material and spiritual

Context and content (correct)

Which of the following statements is true about interpreting the Bible?

The Holy Spirit can contradict the original intent of the Bible

The Holy Spirit helps us discover the original intent of the Bible (correct)

The Holy Spirit's role in interpreting the Bible is unclear

We can make the Bible mean whatever we want and credit the Holy Spirit for it

What is the danger of making the Bible mean anything that pleases us?

We will misinterpret the original intent Signup and view all the answers

What should the Holy Spirit's help in interpreting the Bible lead us to do?

Discover the original intent of the Bible and apply it faithfully Signup and view all the answers

What is hermeneutics?

The principles people use to understand what something means Signup and view all the answers

Why is hermeneutics important in understanding the Bible?

Without hermeneutics, understanding would occur randomly or occasionally Signup and view all the answers

What happens when we engage in conversations or read a book?

We unconsciously interpret and understand the meanings we hear or read Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding God's Word?

The Holy Spirit convinces and enables God's people to live consistently with the truth of the biblical message Signup and view all the answers

What does the Holy Spirit's help not replace as we seek to understand God's Word?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and interpreting biblical passages?

The Spirit's help does not replace the need to interpret biblical passages Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following correctly defines the concept of 'locution' in speech act theory?

The specific words spoken or written Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following accurately defines the concept of 'perlocution' in speech act theory?

The outcome or results envisioned for the listener or reader Signup and view all the answers

Where can additional information about this speech act be found according to footnote 14 on page 45?

In J. K. Brown's book 'Scripture as Communication' Signup and view all the answers

Considering speech act theory, what is the significance of the couple's words 'I do'?

They preform the act of becoming married. Signup and view all the answers

What should be the initial basis for understanding the meaning of a given text in Scripture?

Insights derived from the conditions that surround the recipients of the original message Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential consequence of adopting an interpretation that is not the intent of the author of the text?

The reader may misinterpret the inspired author and thus God's intended meaning Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to be aware of our cultural values and priorities when interpreting a text?

Our cultural values and priorities can influence our interpretation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main emphasis of the our two textbooks regarding the interpretation of the biblical text?

The divine factor and accepting what God says through it Signup and view all the answers

What is the belief regarding the interpretation of the biblical text?

Interpretation must account for all dimensions of the text and accept what God says through it. Signup and view all the answers

What is this course’s view on rationalistic scholarship that discounts the divine factor?

It cannot fully understand the meaning of the Bible's message. Signup and view all the answers

Jesus was both human and God. Likewise, the Bible is made up of human words in historical settings and is also divinely inspired.

True Signup and view all the answers

The Bible is one long series of propositional truth statements which we can learn from and has been written for us in that form.

False Signup and view all the answers

Everyone practices exegesis when they read any book.

True Signup and view all the answers

The plain meaning of Scripture is what it means to me here and now, irrespective of what it may have once meant 2000 years ago.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Interpretation of the Bible

The most important ingredient in interpreting the Bible is the willingness to ask questions and seek understanding.
When interpreting a biblical passage, two kinds of questions should be asked: what it meant to the original author and audience, and what it means to us today.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit's help in interpreting the Bible should lead us to seek humility, prayer, and dependence on God.
The Holy Spirit's help does not replace the need for diligent study, exegetical work, and careful consideration of the text.

Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is the art and science of biblical interpretation.
Hermeneutics is important in understanding the Bible because it provides a framework for interpreting the text in a way that is faithful to the original author's intent.

Speech Act Theory

Locution refers to the act of speaking or writing, and includes the words and phrases used.
Perlocution refers to the effect or impact of the spoken or written words on the audience.
The significance of the couple's words 'I do' in speech act theory is that they perform an action (getting married) rather than just conveying information.

Interpreting Scripture

The initial basis for understanding the meaning of a given text in Scripture should be the author's intent and the original historical context.
A potential consequence of adopting an interpretation that is not the intent of the author is that it can lead to misunderstanding and misapplication of the text.
It is important to be aware of our cultural values and priorities when interpreting a text because they can influence our understanding and lead to misinterpretation.

The Nature of the Bible

The Bible is made up of human words in historical settings, but is also divinely inspired.
The Bible is not just a series of propositional truth statements, but a complex and nuanced text that requires careful interpretation.
The plain meaning of Scripture is not just what it means to me here and now, but also what it meant to the original author and audience.

The Importance of Exegesis

Everyone practices exegesis when they read any book, including the Bible.
Exegesis is important because it allows us to understand the text in its original context and to apply it in a way that is faithful to the author's intent.

The Course's View

The course's view is that the Bible is a divinely inspired text that requires careful interpretation and exegesis.
The course rejects rationalistic scholarship that discounts the divine factor in the interpretation of the Bible.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Test your interpretation skills with this quiz! Discover the key to understanding the author's intended meaning and how to apply enlightened common sense in deciphering texts. Challenge yourself to make sense of what is written and experience the satisfaction of correct interpretation. The following questions come directly out of the first chapters of our two textbooks. This is an OPEN BOOK test so feel free to use your texts to answer the questions.