אבנימ

SYS 501 – Hermeneutics – Lecture 16 – Devotional and Practical Uses of Scripture

I. Reasons for reading and studying Scripture

A. Primary purpose is to make men wise unto salvation (1 Tim. 3.15)

B. To understand the truth, and to practice it (1 Tim. 3.16)

II. Principles for devotional reading and study

A. Devotional reading must be governed by sound hermeneutics

B. Approach Scripture more as a catalog of principles than of specific instructions for particular situations

C. Focus on transformation of inner man rather than conformity to outward appearances

D. Heed the spirit rather than the letter, e.g. keep forgiving after the 490th time

E. Understand commands given within a cultural context in terms of our cultural equivalents

1. Maintain and carry through the principles

2. Do not make Scripture subservient to culture, or relative to it

III. Gaining guidance from Scripture

A. Distinguish between what is recorded and what is approved

B. Apply all direct censure and approval

C. Do not universally apply express commands to individuals

D. Discern outstanding spiritual principles in lives of Bible characters (Heb.11)

E. Literal reproduction of Biblical situation is not necessary

IV. Promises in Scripture

A. Determine if promise is personal or universal in scope – “every promise in the Book is not mine”?

B. Determine if promise is conditional

C. Determine if the promise is limited to a particular time

V. Using Scripture in Preaching and Teaching

A. Always apply principles of sound hermeneutics and exegesis

B. Faithfully interpret and proclaim the Word of God

C. Avoid competition with others and yourself

D. Do not innovate in order to gain popularity

E. Avoid sermonizing a text to the exclusion of explaining its meaning

F. Never import meaning into a text which is not already there