Essay.docx

PS-1002: Eassy The Miriam Webster dictionary defines the bible as the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament. Because of its sacred characteristics, Christians believe that the bible is the word of God and that it bears the truth about God. As such, many Christian denominations support the use of the Bible as the only flawless source of the truth about God. In this course, the bible interpretation has been discussed in depth and it is amazing how this flawless source of “the truth” about God has been interpreted differently. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether it was God’s intention that people read the same verse of the bible and come out with different interpretation about what it is saying. The message intended for delivery is the same and it is the intention of God that we have the same understanding of His words. However, different people seem to apply different rules or standards for interpreting the bible. This course has opened my understanding in various fronts regarding the subject of understanding the bible within its own context. I find it essential to get to know the truth about the Bible within its own context. One thing I have learnt is that in order to get the correct understanding of the bible, the Bible must be read carefully, with appropriate attention paid to each detail of the context. It is important that the bible is read for its plain and obvious meaning because God has a purpose for what the bible says. Many people build interest on a bible verse around the petty subject about who says it what, where was it is said, when was it is said, how it was said, to whom it was said and why it was said, without concerning themselves with the context in which the words were said. By seeking to understand the right context of the text, we get to make the right interpretation. The bible text and verses must not be wrested out of context and made to mean something foreign to the original meaning of the text. The second thing I have learnt is that the Bible should be understood to communicate factual and historical fact. Many people study the bible to find a sermon in it but not to discover the writer’s intended message. In some parts of the bible it is never easy to understand some contents literally and this creates a contradiction with a known fact or another scripture. In some case, a figure of speech is likely being employed. A figure of speech is a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect. This is used in many places within the bible to make it easy for the reader to relate with everyday experience. It is in the interest of the person reading the bible to understand the context in which the figure of speech is used in order to make the right interpretation of the bible. Thirdly, I have learnt the principles of bible interpretation. One of the very most important of this is that in order to interpret the bible correctly, words must not be abstracted from their context. The second principle that is similar to this is that verses must not be abstracted from their context. These are the simplest of the principles but despite their simplicity, they are frequently

PS-1002: Eassy ignored in interpreting the Bible text. I have learnt this is very key and important aspect of reading the bible. If a bible text or a verse is abstracted from the context of the bible itself, there is likely to be misinterpretation and this is how cults are borne. Because it will mean that the reader interprets the bible to meets selfish need. I have also leant that it is important to be meticulous in the study of the bible. God does not honor bible study for the sake of it. He wants us to show great attention to detail within the context, be very careful and precise when interpreting the bible. This is because; God will not open the understanding of those who are merely curious. Your heart must have a commitment to learn, to know and to act on the knowledge found in Scripture. We read the bible prayerfully and faithfully so that God is able to work in us proper understanding of His word it His awesome exactitude and accord. Finally I have learnt that Biblical passages need to be interpreted according to the intention of the author and in the context in which the statement is made. Interpretation must be distinguished from application. One must be sensitive to what type of literature one is in and how this may or may not apply to a believer in the church age. Interpreting the Bible is sometimes hard work but it’s always worth the cost. The proper interpretation of the bible has long been a source of debate because many people consider the process too subjective. The Bible is not some piece of legislation where everyone weighs in on their opinion as to what implication the law may have on the public. God simply intends to offer absolute truth and it follows that every passage of the bible has only one intended meaning and only one correct interpretation revealed to those in the right spirit. In conclusion, this course has taught me a lot about the bible interpretation. I have learned so much more than I ever thought I would, and actually enjoyed doing so. The one aspects of this course that I enjoyed most is the book report. This is not to say that I did not enjoy the rest of the course, but the fact that it was such a challenging aspect and new to me for that matter, made it so interesting. I want to read more and understand the bible interpretation more. God bless you.