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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 228
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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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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I do agree with the lecturer that a person must be a born-again Christian to understand the bible. Where will the insight of what the scriptures are saying come from inf they are not born again of course their intellect will kick in but the depth of the word would be missing. Another reason would be that without being born again how would the person be able to apply instructions in the bible
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Yes. The Holy Spirit gives you the insight to comprehend. Only those who have accepted Christ as their savior can have the Holy Spirit. Head knowledge v. heart knowledge.
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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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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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We should have the attitude of Thessalonica where they received the word with great eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (Acts 17:11).
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How can we expect to arrive at an interpretation that resembles the authoritative Word of God? SImply, we cannot. We would be coming to the Word to justify our own actions, not see if they were in accordance with His.
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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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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.
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Bottom line is that if one person believes Scripture says one thing, and another person says it says something different, it’s clear that one, the other, or neither knows how to read the Bible. That being said, it’s still important to teach truth with kindness.
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We must agree on the foundations of our faith and the gospel. We must keep unity in the body.