A truly enlightened heart generates boldness in believing. On this ground believers become a witness to the testimony of Christ. Bible studies that are academic lack the believer’s testimony; for testimony is speaking of the things God has done for us (our shared testimony) and for me (my personal testimony). The knowledge [...]
Posts Tagged as ‘Hermeneutics’
March 10, 2008
Hermeneutics: In Search of Pattern or Reality (Part V) — If It Doesn’t Fit
Stephen became the first Christian martyr because of a Jewish congregational dispute over interpretation of scripture (See Acts 6 and 7). They accused Stephen of speaking against the temple and the customs of the law of Moses. Before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, Stephen defended his teaching on the basis of the [...]
March 3, 2008
Hermeneutics: In Search of Pattern or Reality (Part IV) — Spiritual Truths in Spiritual Words
Theology is the study of God. Biblical theology seems to be the study and teaching of patterns. Introductions to Biblical theology provide a historical review of different approaches; each approach organizing its presentation of theology around a dominant theme and several supporting themes. Patterns emerge as the main story about God and [...]
November 27, 2007
Hermeneutics: The Pattern Concept
The Bible is God’s inspired word of truth and the authoritative source for the church’s faith and practice. But recognizing that this is what many denominations believed, my teachers added a caveat: The church must rightly divide the word of truth. That meant the Old Testament was for the Jews and the [...]
November 14, 2007
Hermeneutics: Interpretation and Keeping Away from Idolatry
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21, ESV). It’s an abrupt and provocative ending to the Apostle John’s letter. It must be especially important. John wrote to Christians who were delivered from pagan idolatry. Yet he knew from his own heritage, how hard it was for the Hebrews to [...]
