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Lesson OneWhat is Biblical Interpretation?4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoA Short History of Interpretation4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeBasic Principles of Interpretation4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourInterpreting Narratives or Stories4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FiveInterpreting Poetry and Wisdom4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SixInterpreting Prophecy4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SevenThe New Testament Use of the Old Testament4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson EightThe Theological Use of the Bible: Putting it All Together4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson NineContemporary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TenInterpreting the Cultural Aspects of the Bible4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ElevenWhen the Bible Doesn’t Address Our Questions4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwelveInterpreting the Bible Devotionally4 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 236
Discussion Questions
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Do you agree with the lecturer that a person must be a born-again Christian in order to understand the Bible? Give reasons for your answer.
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I agree with Dr. Kaiser in that for someone to understand the Bible, they must be born again. The word of God tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us that the natural man cannot recieve things of the Spirit and that natural men are Spiritually discerned. The only way for someone to understand the Holy Bible is for them to give their life to God, then He can reveal things that only He knows.
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Yes, only a born-again Christian can understand the Bible because the natural man is hostile to God, and cannot and will not accept biblical truth. (This is evidenced in the concept of Total Depravity.) “The (unregenerate) heart is deceitful above all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9) “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Cor. 2:14)
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Yes. I believe a person must a born-again Christian to interpret / understand scriptures. But I also believe that the Holy Spirit can lead a person through the scripture to realize their need of a savior. As when Philip spoke to the eunuch…he couldn’t completely understand what he read, bur Philip assisted him to realize the meaning.
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Yes. Proverbs teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The Holy Spirit, which we receive after becoming a born-again Christian, gives us insight and wisdom into things we otherwise would not be able to understand. The Holy Spirit helps get passed the effects of sin on our hearts and minds to understand the Bible.
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I believe that being a born-again Christian is the only way to enhance one’s understanding of the Bible because the person has nothing to lose again as he or she has given their life to Jesus. This is the only way that would bring about genuine spiritual insight and personal transformation. People can engage with Scripture from historical, literary, or ethical perspectives and still gain valuable insights but not transformations. Ultimately, the Bible’s teachings on love, justice, and compassion resonate with many, regardless of their faith background. Understanding the text can be enriched by faith, but it is also accessible to those who approach it with curiosity and an open mind.
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If we all come to the biblical text with bias and previous conditioning, how can we expect to arrive at an interpretation that resembles the authoritative Word of God?
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I think the most important things to combat our own biases and opinions is going to scripture in prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom.
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1. Stick with the Autographs and the literal definitions of the words.
2. Pray for wisdom. God promises wisdom to those who ask.
3. If you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, He will guide you to the truth.
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We must empty ourselves of our bias’ and our own thoughts(opinions. We must pray and to be open to what the Spirit teaches us. Our minds must be transformed and renewed in Christ (Romans 12:2)
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I’ve heard it said that God intentionally left one thing out of the Bible, and that one thing is “Your Opinion”.
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The answer is to have an inductive approach to bible study not deductive.
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When believers interpret a passage differently (either within a church or across denominations), how should they relate to each other in a way that promotes unity in the Body of Christ and yet continues to minister God’s Word with conviction?
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They should relate to each other in gentleness and understanding. If one is clearly wrong, then explain with gentleness and encouragement the truth. If it’s something that is more widely not fully understood, prayer and further study together would be a great way to promote unity and understanding God’s Word.
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If it isn’t directly about salvation, it’s not worth arguing over. (“wood, hay, stubble”) Agree to disagree about the things that aren’t in defiance of Scripture and move on.
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Yes, the Holy Spirit will reveal Gods purpose in your life
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Nothing in the Bible can be manipulated
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Chrisitans should relate to each other humbly. The enemy uses pride to bring division among the brethren. Believers should pray with one another and for one another as they seek the truth. God surely is able to speak us if we are humble.