Module 1 Response to Reflection Questions
Reflection Questions:1. How does the need for Hermeneutics affect your current understanding of how you study the Bible?2. What examples have you seen of people who have ignored the science and art of Biblical Interpretation?
In Ramm’s book, he states that the primary need for hermeneutics is, “to ascertain what God has said in Sacred Scripture; to determine the meaning of the Word of God. There is no profit to us if God has spoken and we do not know what He has said.” (Ramm pg.2) To me this applies readily. God has spoken to us in His word, and for me to know, in the sense of really living out what He has spoken, and then I need to know what it means. To correctly apply scripture to my life, I need to know that what I have determined a passage of scripture to mean is accurate.
I enjoy reading and hearing what others have gathered from scriptures. I find that this is always helpful in my walk with God more than a hindrance, but it does not mean that I take in everything as truth. We as humans are fallible. I really like how the Berean people were faithful, and took what Paul preached to them and examined it and really checked it out to see what truth was. I believe that it is good to read others work and illuminations of scripture and not just straight scripture. I don’t believe that other things should take place of scripture in our lives. It is crucial that we filter things through scripture not being swayed to and fro by various arguments.
Through the reading assignment I was really encouraged to study more on the Historical part of scripture. I agree with the second need of hermeneutics which Ramm states as, “to bridge the gap between our minds and the minds of the Biblical writers.” (Ramm pg. 4) The history of scripture has always interested me and it is I believe a very large part of how we understand scripture. Knowing the languages, culture, and practices of the people of that time, cause us to better understand what God was speaking and how and what applies to us now. So in affect to my understanding of how I study the Bible now, it is definitely encouraging me towards more of a historical approach of studying scripture.
Concerning those who have ignored the art and science of interpreting scripture correctly, I find much confusion and wrong views usually come from this. I have seen and experienced those who practice Old Testament laws in present day. I believe this can be a real stumbling block to Christians and non alike. For the Christian, I have seen a real self righteousness come out of what I can do on my own strength, the inability to trust God and know without His strength all I do is in vain. Also in the life of a non-Christian, it cause a dislike for Christianity, or even a false sense of Christianity, saying that if I comply with these laws, then I am a “good” person, therefore God will love me more. That is one of the most common mindsets I have crossed, because of an incorrect interpretation of scripture. Many things that were applied in the Old Testament times are not what need to be applied today. But with correct study and interpretation, we can understand how these things do apply.
In Ramm’s book, he states that the primary need for hermeneutics is, “to ascertain what God has said in Sacred Scripture; to determine the meaning of the Word of God. There is no profit to us if God has spoken and we do not know what He has said.” (Ramm pg.2) To me this applies readily. God has spoken to us in His word, and for me to know, in the sense of really living out what He has spoken, and then I need to know what it means. To correctly apply scripture to my life, I need to know that what I have determined a passage of scripture to mean is accurate.
I enjoy reading and hearing what others have gathered from scriptures. I find that this is always helpful in my walk with God more than a hindrance, but it does not mean that I take in everything as truth. We as humans are fallible. I really like how the Berean people were faithful, and took what Paul preached to them and examined it and really checked it out to see what truth was. I believe that it is good to read others work and illuminations of scripture and not just straight scripture. I don’t believe that other things should take place of scripture in our lives. It is crucial that we filter things through scripture not being swayed to and fro by various arguments.
Through the reading assignment I was really encouraged to study more on the Historical part of scripture. I agree with the second need of hermeneutics which Ramm states as, “to bridge the gap between our minds and the minds of the Biblical writers.” (Ramm pg. 4) The history of scripture has always interested me and it is I believe a very large part of how we understand scripture. Knowing the languages, culture, and practices of the people of that time, cause us to better understand what God was speaking and how and what applies to us now. So in affect to my understanding of how I study the Bible now, it is definitely encouraging me towards more of a historical approach of studying scripture.
Concerning those who have ignored the art and science of interpreting scripture correctly, I find much confusion and wrong views usually come from this. I have seen and experienced those who practice Old Testament laws in present day. I believe this can be a real stumbling block to Christians and non alike. For the Christian, I have seen a real self righteousness come out of what I can do on my own strength, the inability to trust God and know without His strength all I do is in vain. Also in the life of a non-Christian, it cause a dislike for Christianity, or even a false sense of Christianity, saying that if I comply with these laws, then I am a “good” person, therefore God will love me more. That is one of the most common mindsets I have crossed, because of an incorrect interpretation of scripture. Many things that were applied in the Old Testament times are not what need to be applied today. But with correct study and interpretation, we can understand how these things do apply.
posted by Joseph Workman | 11:59 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home