LynnettaR Herm finals study Chapter 8, 4, 13

Two opposite errors in Gospel interpretations

1. Presenting grace in a way that suggests God has changed his mind about righteousness and sin does not matter anymore. Ex: Matthew 5:17-18 2. Interpreting the gospel as newer, more difficult laws—not "good news"!

Historical context, questions to ask

1. What is the identity of the intended audience, and what are their needs? 2. What is the author's intention in trying to meet those needs? --instruction? --correction? --encouragement? --warning? (Some combination of all the above) 3. What are the author's circumstances?

For whom did John think that he was writing this book? What is meant by "occasional" in this respect?

A prophetic word to the church this word was not to be sealed for the future. It was a word from God for their present situation. Occasional-situation of the audience. understanding it's original historical context

How do Fee and Stuart distinguish between a parable and an allegory?

Allegory is a collection of metaphors. Ex: I am the Vine you are the branches. Every element is a sign or a symbol Parable-has a simple focus on one main point and possibly more than one point of correspondence.(can have allegorical correspondence)

Into what category or "genre" of literature does Revelation fit?

Apocalypse and Prophecy and letters

Typology

Based on seeing some kind of correspondence by seeing similarities of OT person, place or thing and NT person place or thing, but always greater than Ex: just like Moses lifted up the brass serpent in the wilderness so will the son of man be lifted up(similar but greater)

was Jesus' reading of the OT Christ-centered or text centered?

Christ centered

How is God's activity with regard to history viewed in apocalyptic literature?

Daniel and Revelation are the most notable examples. It was meant to be an encouragement too because God is in control of all things. Christ holds the key to victory and he will cause us to triumph over death. God will pour out his wrath on those who caused suffering and bring rest to those who remained faithful.

Genuine Allegory

Ex: Vine and Branches

Parable

Extended Simile...comparison using "like or as"...aimed at affecting our motivation. one main point. possibly one point of correspondence

Sitz im Leben

German phrase roughly translating to "setting in life". It stands for the alleged context in which a text has been created, and its function and purpose at that time

Central Point of Daniel

God's sovereignty over nations, kings and all history. Historical events reported and prophecies of future events

Augustine's interpretation of the parable of the Good Samaritan is an example of what kind of erroneous interpretation?

He took Good Samaritan out of context and lost the main point. Used Allegory in his interpretation. (pg 155).

What are some of the typical characteristics of apocalyptic literature? Which of these characteristics does the Revelation not have?

Hidden meanings, presented in the form of visions and dreams it language has hidden meanings (symbols) Revelations is not pseudonymous

A true Allegory

Is a story where each element in the story means something quite foreign to the story itself. Collection of Metaphors...Example: Armour of God Also, Allegory looks for hidden meanings in words(without respect for historical context).

More than merely illustrating a point, Jesus used the parables for what purpose? Notice that Fee and Stuart say that explaining a parable to some extent will hinder this function. How do they say we can "recapture the 'punch' of the parables"?

Jesus told parables to people with clear implications that the parables would be understood. the key to understanding a parable is to discover the audience. they functioned as a striking way to call forth a response on the part of the hearer. Understanding or seeing the points of reference (points of places that draw people in) help us recapture the punch of the parables.

Apocalypsis

Unveiling

How does the parable of the Lost Sheep function differently in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke?

Matthew- the parable is a part of the collection of sayings on relationships within the kingdom. Matthews community is told no one of them had better be responsible for causing a "little one" to go astray. Same parable, same point, but a brand new audience. More of Pastoral care point Luke-The lost sheep is clearly a sinner whose findings bring joy to heaven. It justifies Jesus acceptance of the outcast

Allegorization

Means to treat something as if it was an Allegory even when its not

What is meant by the distinction between "true parable" and "similitude"?

Parable-Good Samaritan is an example of a true parable. It is a story pure and simple with a beginning and an end and has something of a plot. has a simple focus on one main point and possibly more than one point of correspondence.(can have allegorical correspondence) Parable is an extended simile(comparison using like or as) pg. 156 Similitude-illustrations taken from everday life such as Yeast in the Dough or the sower or the mustard seed.

Revelation

Unveiling of the future-(Future Glory) Unveiling of the present(things not visible without revelation).

What do Fee and Stuart mean by "points of reference" in a parable? How do these differ from "the point" of the parable?

Points of reference- only those parts of the story that draw the hearer into it, parts with which one is to identify in some way as the story proceeds. Point of the parable-Considered to be simple stories for those on the outside to whom "real meaning" the "mysteries." were hidden

What type of literature is Revelation?

Revelation is a blend of 3 distinct literary types apocalypse, prophecy and a letter.

Why the 4 Gospels

The 4 Gospels are the hermeneutics of of salvation and of God Each community had a need for a book about Jesus. Each community had diff needs.

source criticism

the attempt to establish sources used by the authors

oracle thinking

The prophets usually spoke their messages before they wrote them down (or perhaps someone else recorded them, An "oracle" would be a unit of prophetic communication.

Purpose of Prophets and Prophecy

They called God's covenant people back to covenant faithfulness. That's one of the key functions served by all true prophets of God, those who wrote (like Isaiah) and those who did not (like Elijah). One important purpose of prophecy is to communicate God's perspective to us. To tell us what we need to know to be faithful today.

Many popular books which attempt to explain the book of Revelation jump past _________ to _______________. By this Fee and Stuart mean that many interpreters of Revelation never stop to ask the question "What did this mean to the original audience?"

They jump from exegesis to hermeneutics.

What is the first task of exegesis of the Revelation?

To seek the author's and there with the Holy spirit's original intent. The primary meaning of Revelation is what John inteneded it to mean.

Typology (2) parts

Type- when this happens...then antitype happens Antitype- in place of( this is greater than the type) keep focus on antitype

What do Fee and Stuart call the "basic rule" of hermeneutics? What is their second rule?

What does it mean for the first audience and what does it mean for us today..

form criticism

analysis of the Bible by tracing the history of its contents of the parables, pslams, and other literary forms

Horizontal thinking

comparing gospels with one another. example: matt 17:1-2 with Mark 9:2

redaction criticism

critical method for studying the Bible

apocalyptic

describing or prophesying the complete destruction of the world. unveiling present reality.

futurist approach

events of the end times; the future tribulation

ethical dualism

good vs. evil moral principles

ontological

having to do with being spirit vs. matter

What factors influence our "common sense" reading of Scripture and create different opinions about the meaning of certain texts?

our theological heritage, our church traditions, cultural norms, or our existential concerns of the epistles as we read them.

idealist (poetic) approach

poetic picture, conflict of good and evil (not historical events)

historicist approach

predictions of events of church history, from the beginning to the end.

vertical thinking

recognizing the context of Jesus' life and ministry. the authors wrote the stories later.

preterist approach

the past from our perspective Something that already happened

dualism

two opposed aspects, being divided

Are there some teachings in the Bible which are no longer relevant for us today?

yes, the teachings back then were conditioned for the first century issues. reading the scriptures now we have to find new meanings for a present settings. It is important to look at the historical context of those days before applying anything to today. Our culture is completely different now than it was then.