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Interpretive Lenses Why We Often Talk Past each Other

Interpretive Lenses Why We Often Talk Past each Other.

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Interpretive Lenses Why We Often Talk Past each Other

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  1. Interpretive LensesWhy We Often Talk Past each Other

  2. Introduction: My name is Dave Earp. I am an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. I do not lead a church but am instead called by God at this time to online ministry and small group ministry. Please note that my view is the less popular Side B view ….

  3. Now before you run for the hills…

  4. I’m not here to change anyone’s views but to help us understand where we are coming from ….. I am politically in favor of gay marriage. I believe lgbt folks have as much right to religious freedom as I do.

  5. I do not believe God condemns people for having different viewpoints when they are honestly seeking His will. I do believe that God is most concerned with our heartfelt response to Him. I regard people here as my brothers and sisters in Christ.

  6. Note … if you are Side B .. be aware that I may take you closer to Side A in this discussion then you might be comfortable with … And …in fact … if we have time … I may give my own take on where I think a Side A might potential fit in more conservative ideologies.

  7. Some might ask … why would I do that if I am Side B … Why would I equip people on the “other” side?

  8. -Because we come to the table as equals.-Because we come to the table as brothers and sisters in Christ.-Because we come to the table to help one another in our spiritual journey.

  9. Together we are trying to find out what God wants on this and many other questions.

  10. Example of sides from Joshua…

  11. The Fall of Jericho13 And then this, while Joshua was there near Jericho: He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword. Joshua stepped up to him and said, “Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?”

  12. 14 He said, “Neither. I am the commander of God’s army. I’ve just arrived.” Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped.

  13. www.comingout4christians.net

  14. What is an interpretive lens?…

  15. • An interpretive lens is what we use to interpret scripture and/or church doctrine• An interpretive lens is how we see and perceive and understand God.

  16. • It is through our interpretive lens that we perceive and determine God’s will and call in our lives.• It is through our interpretive lens that we test speakers we are listening to or books we are reading • It is through our interpretive lens that we establish our personal spiritual foundation.

  17. • We are (typically) most comfortable when we are operating within our own personal interpretive lens.

  18. Where does out interpretive lens come from?-Its not developed overnight -It is a life-long process

  19. The development of our interpretive lens can include…-our upbringing -the faith of our parents … -our church’s tradition and teachings -our own personal study -our own academic study -our own life experiences

  20. Key point: Every one of us has an interpretive lens whether we realize it or not … everyone one of us interprets scripture whether we are an inerrant literalist or a liberation theologian.

  21. So why do we have trouble coming to the table? …..

  22. How does one’s interpretive lens change?

  23. What is a crisis event ?

  24. What is a crisis event ? A crisis event is when something happens to you in life that causes you to question your own lens, beliefs, and /or reevaluate your relationship with God.

  25. What are some faith crisis events that you have had? (one sentence descriptions please)

  26. So …lets talk about basic interpretive lenses and methods of interpretation.

  27. Theology without empathy is bad theology

  28. So I recommend if you are dialoging with someone that you share the GCN DVDThrough My Eyes

  29. So we are going to start with basic differences in approach to the bible and then go to some specific interpretation methods that the different approaches use to some degree.

  30. Synchronic Approach

  31. Synchronic Approach-Biblical text is unchanged with time ….-What we have today is what the Holy Spirit wanted us to have.-The texts are accurate / close enough to convey the original intent … to convey God’s will and plan to us.-There is little to no need to spend time figuring out how the texts originated … specifically how they may have changed with time.-Cultural influence is recognized but not assumed.

  32. Diachronic Approach (Historical Critical)Diachronic means: changing with time …. The texts we have were altered over time and prone to cultural influence.They may not be the original writings …. Texts written later to address specific situations that occurred well after the events covered in the text.

  33. Hermeneutics of suspicion-Biblical text has value in applying to life today.-Biblical text (hopelessy) tainted by culture of the day.-Seeks to liberate the truths of the text from the culture it was written in.

  34. SynchronicWhat you seeis what we aresupposed to have. Interpret what you seewithout ignoring cultural context. Hermeneuticsof suspicionText taintedby bad maledominant culture Rescue/liberatescripture fromits culture Diachronic HistoricalCriticalWhat wasreally said? How did thetext come to be? Inerrant Literalist (Synchronic) God said it … I believe it …. That settles it Black and white thinking Little regard for cultural context

  35. If you want to unpack this more then see this book Elements of Biblical Exegesis(again … its on my webpage)

  36. Now I want to cover some universal interpretation methods that are used across the spectrum

  37. In our initial approach to scripture we must ask: -What did it mean to the people then?(interpretation has to make sense in their context)-What does it mean today? …

  38. -Genre-Cultural /Historical Context-Things to ignore …. Things to take note of-Define all words-Be aware of figures of speech (hyperbole)-Arguments from silence-Apply overarching principles

  39. Genre

  40. GenreWhat type of writing is it ?

  41. Genre possibilities..-Law-Prophecy-Psalm-Poetry-Gospel-Letter-Apocalyptic

  42. Cultural and Historical Context

  43. Cultural and Historical ContextWho is speaking Who is the audienceWhere is this in the biblical storyWhat does the audience know and not know at this time in historyWhat does the audience believe relative to this story?

  44. Things to ignore….- man made titles … they are not part of the original letter-chapter numbers and verse numbers … they … also … have been added

  45. Words to look for…-thus-therefore-for-if-but-because of this

  46. 21 … submitting to one another in the fear of God.Marriage—Christ and the Church22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5 example …

  47. The Christian Household21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

  48. Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.God’s Righteous JudgmentRomans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

  49. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

  50. Ignore ….- man made titles … they are not part of the original letter-chapter numbers and verse numbers … they … also … have been added

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