Bible Study Exam 1
What a student should do when encountering the word "therefore"
"Therefore" is a conjunction, and conjunctions are the mortar that holds the bricks (phrases and sentences together). When encountering "therefore," look back in the text and determine what the EARLIER REASON was (this may be easy, or very difficult)
Textual context
All Scripture was written to, from, and about a real situation; our goal is to understand those people and situations
The method of interpretation that overspiritualizes and finds a high degree of correspondence to minute details is called what? 1. Allegory 2. Gematria 3. Hyperbole
Allegory
Historical-cultural context
Anything that touches the passage under study: the writer, the recipients (audience), and history itself
Metaphor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them
What metaphor or analogy do linguists use to explain how literary types carry their own rules for interpretation? 1. A backpack 2. A mystery book 3. A puzzle 4. A game
A game
How the Spirit works in relationship to the Scripture
Can we grasp God's word without the Spirit? Yes (on the level of cognitive understanding) Yes, but only to a degree (in the area of discerning truth) No (in the area of application) The Holy Spirit ILLUMINATES what is already there; does not create new meaning, but helps the believers understand and apply the meaning that is already there.
Phenomenological language
Explains things as they appear to the naked eye (especially when one does not have the words to accurately describe what they are seeing; one uses the words they have) Biblical writers' understanding of science and astronomy was limited; so was their explanation. This is evident in narratives, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature
Anagogical (Quadriga)
Expressed future hope; eschatological (sod meaning "secret")
True/False: When Jesus says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven, he is referring to the "camel gate" in Jerusalem which a camel could squeeze through only if its load was removed
False
True/False: You cannot do proper word studies without an intermediate knowledge of Greek and Hebrew
False
In the Wizard of Oz (referenced in chapter 10), who does the Scarecrow represent? 1. Politicians 2. Farmers 3. Businessmen
Farmers
The textbook authors believe that the intention of the divine Author is that we would do what with God's Word? 1. Study 2. Read 3. Memorize 4. Grasp
Grasp
The three reasons Bible study is essential
Growth (right attitude, right appetite, right aim) Spiritual maturity (time is the key--people are immature; train yourself through constant use of Scripture to distinguish good from evil) Spiritual effectiveness (doctrine or teaching, rebuke, correction, training in righteous living)
What makes up the historical-cultural context
Involves the biblical WRITER, the biblical AUDIENCE, and any historical-cultural elements touched on by the passage itself. Historical-culture context relates to just about anything outside the text that will help you understand the text itself. Does NOT include literary context
Resource that provides an original language dictionary, suggesting various Greek or Hebrew words as they are used in the Bible
Lexicon
Semantic range (range of meaning)
Refers to all the possible meanings of a word. A list of all possible meanings of a word--what the word COULD mean.
When to refrain from doing application in the Interpretive Journey
Refrain from doing application in all steps except step 5 (grasp the text in our town, which is about application). However, one should ESPECIALLY refrain from application in step one (grasp the text in THEIR town)
The sensuous Christian
Lives by their feelings rather than through an understanding of God's word; is only as effective as the intensity of his or her feelings; constantly seeks new spiritual highs; doesn't want to KNOW God, but wants to FEEL God
Whether literal translation is always the most accurate
No (literal, word-for-word, FORMAL translation stays as close to the structure and words of the source language as possible. This approach is less sensitive to the receptor language of the contemporary reader, and as a result may appear stilted or awkward. Literal does NOT automatically equal ACCURATE)
Three steps to Bible study
Observation (what do you see?) Interpretation (what do others see?) Application (what do you tell others?)
After Jesus spits on a blind man's eyes, what happens? 1. Nothing, because the man had no faith 2. Complete and instant healing 3. Only a partial healing at first; total sight came later 4. None of the above
Only a partial healing at first; total sight came later
What New Testament letter is used in chapter 8 as the example of how to identify literary context? 1. Philippians 2. Philemon 3. Romans 4. 2 Peter
Philemon
Eisegesis
Reading into the text what is not there. Subjective and irresponsible (to be avoided)
What does the author do with the fish in chapter 4? 1. He dissects it 2. He catches it in the river 3. He looks at it for hours 4. He fries it in batter and eats it 5. He drops it on the floor by accident
He looks at it for hours
What is the major pivot event in David's life? 1. He kills Goliath 2. He defeats the Philistines 3. He builds the temple 4. He sleeps with Bathsheba and has her husband Uriah killed
He sleeps with Bathsheba and has her husband Uriah killed
Which important event in American History did the textbook authors use in chapter 7 to illustrate how powerfully American culture affects how we read the Bible? 1. The Civil Rights Movement 2. 9/11 3. The Civil War 4. The American Revolution
The American Revolution
From where Scripture draws its authority
The Bible is inspired by God and is God's revelation. God-breathed, but dual authorship (verbal-plenary theory)
Emotional terms
The Bible is not a book of abstract, technical information, but a book about RELATIONSHIPS (primarily between God and people). Note words and phrases that have emotional overtones, as well as words such as "father," "mother," "child," "daughter," "son," etc., as they usually have underlying emotional connotations as well
As referenced in chapter 11, what did the color blue actually symbolize to the people of the Ancient Near East? 1. The ritual purity of the priests 2. The cleansing flow of streams 3. The imaginative arena where dreams took place 4. The boundary between the realm of the gods and the human realm
The boundary between the realm of the gods and the human realm
How the King James Version has changed
The first Authorized Version (King James Version) was published in 1611. Even then, two different editions were in circulation (the "He" and "She" editions, with more than two hundred variations and mistakes between these editions). The 1611 version also included the APOCRYPHA, a group of Jewish books recognized as canonical by Catholics but not by Protestants. There have been many major revisions since then (1629, 1638, 1729, 1762), but the 1769 revision by Benjamin Blaney is the edition still in use today; the 1769 edition of the KJV differs in THOUSANDS of places from the original 1611 edition. The 1611 and 1769 versions are literally two different books.
Exegesis
To explain what Scripture says; to draw out or guide out of. Objective and responsible (what we should aim for)
According to the author, the antecedent is which of the following? 1. To whom or to what the pronoun refers 2. The first action word of the sentence 3. The word preceding the conjunction
To whom or to what the pronoun refers
True/False: According to the author, the word "plead" has much more emotional weight than the word "ask"
True
True/False: According to the authors, a parallel situation means a situation that contains all of the key elements you identified when observing how the principles in the text address the original situation
True
True/False: According to the authors, context determines meaning
True
True/False: According to the textbook authors, the covenant of communication is the fixed agreement between the author and the reader about how to communicate
True
True/False: According to the textbook authors, the danger in having a real-world scenario without being connected to all of the key elements of the biblical text is READER RESPONSE
True
True/False: Literary genre refers to the different types of literature found in the Bible
True
True/False: One danger mentioned in the chapter is the danger of overemphasizing background study, focusing on it more than the meaning of the text itself
True
True/False: One of the factors that complicates the translation process is that no two languages are exactly alike
True
True/False: One problem in interpreting the Old Testament comes from the change in covenant between the Old and New Testaments
True
True/False: Our spiritual maturity affects our ability to hear the voice of the Spirit
True
True/False: The King James Bible has been revised numerous times since it was first printed
True
True/False: The differences between the biblical audience and us hinder us from determining the meaning of the text
True
True/False: The same Greek word can be translated into English by a number of different English words
True
True/False: There is a river of issues like culture, context, and covenant between the meaning of the Bible for the first century person and the twenty-first century person
True
True/False: When we speak about the "author" of Scripture, we are speaking about both the human author and the divine Author
True
Etymology
The origin of words
In the story in chapter 5, what event has happened since Holmes last saw Watson? 1. Holmes has been to Edinburgh, Scotland 2. Inspector Japp has visited Holmes with new clues 3. A murder has been committed 4. Watson has gotten married
Watson has gotten married
In the story in chapter 5, what had been cut with six parallel cuts? 1. The victim 2. Holmes's hand 3. The gatepost to Lord Nelson's estate 4. Watson's shoes
Watson's shoes
What to look for when measuring the width of the river to cross
What are the DIFFERENCES between the biblical audience and us? The Christian today is separated from the biblical audience by differences in culture, language, situation, time, and (sometimes) covenant. In step two, take a look at the river and look for significant differences between our situation today and the situation of the biblical audience. If studying an Old Testament passage, also identify significant THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES that came as a result of the life and work of Jesus Christ Culture, language, situation, time, and (sometimes) covenant (DIFFERENCES)
One of the examples discussed in chapter 11 of an overspiritualized fanciful interpretation concerned: 1. The poles that carried the ark of the covenant 2. The tent pegs in the tabernacle 3. The horns of the altar in the temple 4. The incense bowl in the holy of holies
The tent pegs in the tabernacle
Best types of commentaries
Written by reputable individual authors as opposed to commentary sets (each book commentary should be written by a different author) Focus more on MEANING than application Based on ORIGINAL language Provide objective discussion of possible meanings, include discussions of difficult passages and evaluate textual variants Discuss historical and cultural background of the text Provide ample bibliographic information for further study Have adequate introductions that provide background information about the book
True/False: The chapter defined the term "author" as referring only to God and not including the human writer
False
True/False: The earliest English language Bible was the King James Bible
False
True/False: The interpretive journey begins with applying the principles to our individual situations
False
True/False: The real meaning of a word is found in its original root
False
True/False: The similarities between the biblical audience and us are not important to discovering the meaning of the text
False
True/False: Theological principles are always culturally bound
False
True/False: There are no differences in any of the ancient manuscripts of the Bible
False
True/False: There is always only one way to apply a principle to a real-life situation
False
Hyperbole
"An overshooting"; a fancifully exaggerated statement. Common linguistic phenomenon
The fundamental presuppositions that guide our study of Scripture
1. Every passage in Scripture was written TO a real situation, FROM a real situation, and ABOUT a real situation. 2. Every passage in Scripture was written for a PURPOSE 3. Every passage of God's word calls for an appropriate RESPONSE
The five steps of the Interpretive Journey
1. Grasp the text in their town 2. Measure the width of the river to cross 3. Cross the principlizing bridge 4. Consult the biblical map 5. Grasp the text in our town
Chiasm
A literary feature seldom used in English but employed frequently by biblical authors, especially in the Old Testament. A list of items, ideas, or events is structured in such a manner that the first item parallels the last item, the second item parallels the last item, and so forth (a, b, c, b', a')
What kind of letter does the young man (in chapter 3) receive? 1. A letter of acceptance at a university 2. A letter of encouragement from his mom 3. A letter of rejection from a credit card company 4. A love letter from a young woman
A love letter from a young woman
Who are what is Agassiz in the story in chapter 4? 1. A rare disease 2. An ancient type of fish 3. A professor of zoology 4. A famous tennis player 5. The author of the story
A professor of zoology
If one reads a letter from their girlfriend or boyfriend, which do they normal follow? 1. Authorial intent 2. Reader response
Authorial intent
The interpretive approach to Scripture recommended by the text
Authorial intent ("What does the author MEAN?"), which focuses on the text as communication between the author and the reader
What cross-referencing confirms
Built upon the fact of the "Unity of the Bible"--the principle that Scripture interprets Scripture. The Bible often speaks in more than one place about an event or concept.
What Bible atlases are used for
Contain information about the people, places, and events mentioned in a Bible passage. Includes colorful maps of the land, pictures of many of the important sites, helpful charts of political and religious leaders, discussions of the various periods of biblical history, and more
According to the authors of the textbook, the tone of the passage is most closely related to which other part of the passage? 1. Purpose statements 2. Emotional terms
Emotional terms
The one item in the river which is not always a difference (and why)
Covenant (this is only in the river of differences when looking at Old Testament passages, because Christians today are under a different covenant than people in the Old Testament, and under the same covenant as people in the New Testament)
Purpose clues
Clues that reveal God or the author's purpose in writing
The authors suggest which of the following to assist the student in following dialogue? 1. Underlining each participant in the conversation 2. Numerically identifying each participant in the conversation 3. Color-coding each participant in the conversation
Color-coding each participant in the conversation
Inadequate commentaries
Commentary sets (the whole thing is written by one person); focuses on application rather than meaning, not based on the original language, etc.
"And," "but," and "for" were all provided by the textbook author as examples of which of the following? 1. Pronouns 2. Cause-and-effect 3. Lists 4. Conjunctions
Conjunctions
Preunderstanding
Conscious and unconscious beliefs we have gained through life. These might include theological agenda, familiarity with the passage (which often keeps us from reading and understanding), culture, and family background (values, norms, abuse). It is difficult if not impossible to be completely objective when reading Scripture, but this does not mean you don't try
Areas of separation/"river"/barriers between Scripture and the twenty-first century
Culture and customs, language, situation, and a vast expanse of time. The Old Testament widens the river by adding COVENANT
Do we DISCOVER or DETERMINE the meaning of a biblical word?
Discover
In the story in chapter 5, what is Watson's profession? 1. Doctor 2. Policeman 3. Professor of Anthropology 4. Private detective
Doctor
What is John Lennon (referenced in chapter 10) probably referring to with his term "friends"? 1. Drugs 2. His band mates, Paul, George and Ringo 3. His wife Yoko
Drugs
To illustrate the time-frame fallacy, the authors of the textbook use the example of: 1. Air pressure 2. Eighteen-wheel trucks 3. Dynamite
Dynamite
The author compares studying the Bible to which of the following? 1. Eating a meal 2. Having a snack 3. Going to a play 4. Taking a nap
Eating a meal
True/False: A theological principle only applies to certain people in certain ages
False
True/False: A word will include all of its meanings every time it is used
False
True/False: According to the textbook authors, when making application it is best to keep it GENERAL so as to encourage a broader audience
False
True/False: Amos was a full-time prophet
False
True/False: An intuitive, feels-right approach to interpretation is usually sufficient
False
True/False: Application refers to what the author intended to communicate through the text
False
True/False: Details such as grammar and words are not important to the interpretive journey
False
True/False: Interpreters should attempt to develop principles in the first step of the interpretive journey
False
True/False: The author believes that when reading the Bible in observation mode, the reader asks the question "What does the text MEAN?"
False
True/False: The author states that the conjunction "AND" indicates a contrast between the wages of sin and the gift of God (eternal life)
False
True/False: The authors of the text point out that biblical authors only use the general to specific pattern rather than reversing the order
False
True/False: The authors of the textbook argue that the best Bible to use is the NIV Study Bible
False
True/False: The best translation would be one which translates literally word for word straight from the original language into English
False
Comparison
Focuses on similarities ("Like a MUDDIED SPRING or a POLLUTED WELL are the RIGHTEOUS WHO GIVE WAY TO THE WICKED")
The type of Bible Code used in mystical branches of Judaism that is based on mathematical values of letters is: 1. Gematria 2. ELS 3. Kabbalah 4. Mishnah
Gematria
Which term is defined as those things that are not open to change with the reading of each text (i.e. our basic view and approach that toward the Bible)? 1. Preunderstanding 2. Foundational beliefs
Foundational beliefs
Customary usage
How a word is used TODAY
The risk of moving from initial reading to application
If you move straight from your initial reading of a passage to the application of that passage, you will remain tied to your PREVIOUS understanding of the text. You will rarely see anything new and exciting in the text, and the Bible will become boring for you. Likewise, it is unlikely that you will hear anything new from God, and your relationship with him is likely to be stagnant
The ongoing work of the Spirit bringing believers to understand and receive the truth of Scripture is known as: 1. Inspiration 2. Illumination 3. Application
Illumination
What kind of context should be given the highest priority? 1. Immediate 2. Surrounding
Immediate
Personification
Inanimate objects or animals are given human characteristics; the impersonal described in personal terms ("the trees of the field will clap their hands")
Contrasts
Items, ideas, or individuals that are contrasted with each other; focuses on DIFFERENCES ("For you were once DARKNESS, but now you are LIGHT in the Lord")
Quadriga
Literal sense: the plain and evident meaning (peshad) Allegorical: the content of faith (remez meaning "hint") Moral: that which instructed men on how to behave (derash) Anagogical: expressed future hope; eschatological (sod meaning "secret")
What did the Ethiopian Christmas pageant in chapter 7 have that most American Christmas pageants do not have? 1. Camels 2. Neighbors of Mary and Joseph 3. Government officials 4. Mary's aunts and female cousins
Mary's aunts and female cousins
When making a translation, which is more important: FORM or MEANING?
Meaning
How meaning is found in the biblical text
Meaning is found through AUTHORIAL INTENTION; this views the text as COMMUNICATION between the author and yourself. With this approach, one asks the interpretive question, "What does the AUTHOR mean?" Meaning is tied to context and is not determined solely by grammar and dictionary definitions
How many items does the author state must be present to qualify as a list? 1. More than two 2. More than three 3. More than four 4. More than five
More than two
How many items there must be in a passage in order for it to be considered a list
More than two
What to look for when determining the theological principle
Part of step three (crossing the principlizing bridge). In this step, you are looking for/DISCOVERING the theological principle or principles reflected in the meaning of the text you identified in step one. To determine the theological principle, first recall the DIFFERENCES that you identified in step two. Then, try to identify any SIMILARITIES between the situation of the biblical audience and our situation. After reviewing the differences and identifying the similarities, return to the meaning for the biblical audience that you described in step one and try to identify a broader theological principle reflected in the text.
Which term is defined as those things that we bring to the text that we must be willing to modify or change: earlier interpretations, cultural influences, etc.? 1. Preunderstanding 2. Foundational beliefs
Preunderstanding
Phrases or sentences that describe the reason of some action are known as which of the following? 1. Means 2. Purpose statements 3. Conditional clauses 4. Emotional terms
Purpose statements
Sacra Scriptura sui interpres
Sacred Scripture interprets itself (The Analogy of Faith)
Cross-referencing (best and worst)
Same term, same passage, same author (best) Same term, same book, same author Same term or concept, different book, same author Same term or concept, different book, different author, same testament Same term or concept, different book, different author, different testament (worst)
Sola Scriptura
Scripture alone (Base faith on Scripture alone; an idea popularized by the Reformers. Previously, the Pope or tradition was equal to Scripture)
The order of general and specific statements
Sometimes an author will introduce an idea with a general statement and follow it with specifics of the idea (general-to-specific). Authors will also frequently reverse the order and go from specific to general, listing the specifics and then recapping the idea with a general statement summarizing the main point (specific-to-general)
Cause and effect
State a cause and then state the effect of that cause ("A gentle answer [cause] turns away wrath [effect], but a harsh word [cause] stirs up anger [effect]")
The step of the interpretive journey in which you look for SIMILARITIES
Step three: crossing the principlizing bridge (try to identify any similarities between the situation and the biblical audience and our situation)
The step of the Interpretive Journey in which you look for DIFFERENCES
Step two: measuring the width of the river to cross (here, you look for differences between the biblical audience and us)
Moral (Quadriga)
That which instructed men on how to behave (derash)
The roles of the Holy Spirit and the Christian Interpreter
The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture today, bringing believers to understand and receive the truth of Scripture. The Spirit does NOT add new meaning to the biblical text, but helps believers understand and apply the meaning that is already there
Which statement runs counter to what is emphasized in chapter 12? 1. The Spirit does NOT expect us to use proper interpretive methods or good study helps 2. The Spirit does NOT create new meaning or provide new information 3. We can rely on the Spirit to help us grasp the meaning of the Bible 4. None of the above
The Spirit does NOT expect us to use proper interpretive methods or good study helps
The Holy Spirit plays what kind of role when APPLYING a text to one's life? 1. The Spirit plays some role 2. The Spirit plays a larger role 3. The Spirit plays a dominant role
The Spirit plays a dominant role
The Holy Spirit plays what kind of role when GRASPING the meaning of a text? 1. The Spirit plays some role 2. The Spirit plays a larger role 3. The Spirit plays a dominant role
The Spirit plays a larger role
The Holy Spirit plays what kind of role when understanding the LITERARY CONTEXT? 1. The Spirit plays some role 2. The Spirit plays a larger role 3. The Spirit plays a dominant role
The Spirit plays some role
The error of allegory
The belief that the true meaning of the story/Scripture is not good enough (exegesis is not required); using effort and imagination to come up with a "better" message than the one originally intended
Allegorical (Quadriga)
The content of faith (remez meaning "hint")
Literal sense (Quadriga)
The plain and evident meaning (peshat)
Means
The way something is to be done; when an action, result, or a purpose is stated, look for the means that brings about that action, result, or purpose. How is the action or result brought into reality? How is the purpose accomplished? ("How can a young person STAY ON THE PATH OF PURITY [accomplishment]? By LIVING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD [means by which to accomplish]")
The students in the opening Bible Study of chapter 11 were discussing which parable? 1. The good Samaritan 2. The parable of the sower and the seed 3. The woman who sweeps out her house to find a lost coin 4. The prodigal son
The woman who sweeps out her house to find a lost coin
Situation clues
Things that point to what is going on in the passage and suggest the situation the writer is talking ABOUT, FROM, or TO. These might be things in the text such as being on land, a ship, sitting, eating, etc.
Whether topical teaching/preaching is ever acceptable
Yes (it is a valid approach when the various passages are understood in CONTEXT and the overall message doesn't violate those contexts).