Biblical Interpretation Final Exam-
Graded A
Can a single text have more than one meaning? Why or why not? (Another way of
asking the question is: Is there one "right" interpretation for a given passage of
Scripture?) - correct answer-"Meaning is complex and determinate." (Brown) It can have
several layers of meaningWhat it meant (original)What it meant over time (expanded,
redemptive-historical)What it means now (application, re-contextualization)
What are the benefits to an author-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Recognizes that God speaks at particular points in redemptive history
The Bible is culturally situated.
Recognizes that authors are purposeful, so we look for their theological aims.
Provides guardrails for responsible interpretation
Mirrors our day-to-day experience, because we want to be understood
What are the costs to an author-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Passage not necessarily relevant for today. May not get to application if we only
focus on what author meant then.
Drives an artificial wedge between meaning and application.
Leads to a detached, objective view of interpretation
No necessary connection to Christ
Fails to acknowledge the dual authorship of Scripture. Divine meaning is deep and
broad, and the original author may not have known all that God intended the passage to
mean.
What are the benefits to a text-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Recognizes literary aspects of scripture (grammar, genre, etc.)
Recognizes that language arises and is used in a specific social and historical context.
Prompts understanding meaning of words.
Recognizes the possibility of contemporary relevance. God's Word is for us today.
Meaning of text endures.
What are the costs to a text-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Ignores dual authorship. God is behind the words we read in scripture.
Minimizes the historicity of the text
Reader is the center of interpretation. Reader becomes king.
What are the benefits to a reader-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Recognizes that we come with pre-suppositions. There will be some level of
subjectivity. We bring ourselves to the biblical text.
, Highlights contemporary significance
Serves as gateway to further explore author's meaning
Welcomes us to bring our questions and issues to the text
What are the costs to a reader-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Reader can become autonomous and unbridled relativism could result
No truth. It is only what seems right to me.
Is the Bible's presentation of historical events biased? Why or why not? - correct
answer-Yes. It is divinely biased. It is God's interpretation on reality. The bible is not a
comprehensive history of the world. We have the history and interpretation that God
wants us to have. He authorized what the human authors wrote. Biblical writing is
always theological; it is God's explanation of redemptive events.
Did Matthew take Hosea out of context when he quoted Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15?
Why or why not? - correct answer-He is not using it out of context but moving beyond
the literal or "original" context to tie it to our Savior. While in Hosea's original context,
the verse doesn't have a prophetic feel to it, Matthew uses it that way, because he
wants the reader to make a connection between the Israel and Jesus.
Does every text of Scripture speak explicitly of Jesus? Why or why not? - correct
answer-No. Interpreting redemptive-historically is not allegory. Unlike Augustine did in
Proverbs 31, we do not find Christ explicitly in every verse. We want to look more
broadly.
What does Flemming name as the four "criteria for authentic contextualization" of the
gospel? - correct answer-The biblical witness to what God has done in Jesus Christ
must be central to our application of Scripture.
Application is Spirit-guided
Does my application ring true for the church in different settings other than my own?
Does my application bear fruit in the furtherance of Christian mission and the
transformation of individuals and the community?
Describe Richard Hays's four step "diagnostic checklist" for the use of Scripture in
ethics. (4 - DSHP) - correct answer-Descriptive task: reading the texts carefully. What
texts have been chosen? How accurate is the interpretation of the text in its original
setting? (passages included, not included effect conclusions.)
Synthetic task: placing text in canonical context. How broadly have you gone in your
use of Scripture? Have you used passages that only deal with the problem? Have you
used any that are in tension with your position? What focal images/themes to you use?
Hermeneutical Task: relating the text to our situation.What is the mode of appeal to the
text?Rules: Is Scriptures giving a rule or commandment? (10
Commandments)Principals: more general framework out of which to make specific
decisions (greatest commands)Paradigms: How does character in Scripture show us
exemplary or non-exemplary conduct? (Good Samaritan/ Ananias & Sapphira)Symbolic
world: what are the categories through which God wants us to interpret life? (Rom 1 -
Graded A
Can a single text have more than one meaning? Why or why not? (Another way of
asking the question is: Is there one "right" interpretation for a given passage of
Scripture?) - correct answer-"Meaning is complex and determinate." (Brown) It can have
several layers of meaningWhat it meant (original)What it meant over time (expanded,
redemptive-historical)What it means now (application, re-contextualization)
What are the benefits to an author-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Recognizes that God speaks at particular points in redemptive history
The Bible is culturally situated.
Recognizes that authors are purposeful, so we look for their theological aims.
Provides guardrails for responsible interpretation
Mirrors our day-to-day experience, because we want to be understood
What are the costs to an author-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Passage not necessarily relevant for today. May not get to application if we only
focus on what author meant then.
Drives an artificial wedge between meaning and application.
Leads to a detached, objective view of interpretation
No necessary connection to Christ
Fails to acknowledge the dual authorship of Scripture. Divine meaning is deep and
broad, and the original author may not have known all that God intended the passage to
mean.
What are the benefits to a text-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Recognizes literary aspects of scripture (grammar, genre, etc.)
Recognizes that language arises and is used in a specific social and historical context.
Prompts understanding meaning of words.
Recognizes the possibility of contemporary relevance. God's Word is for us today.
Meaning of text endures.
What are the costs to a text-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Ignores dual authorship. God is behind the words we read in scripture.
Minimizes the historicity of the text
Reader is the center of interpretation. Reader becomes king.
What are the benefits to a reader-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Recognizes that we come with pre-suppositions. There will be some level of
subjectivity. We bring ourselves to the biblical text.
, Highlights contemporary significance
Serves as gateway to further explore author's meaning
Welcomes us to bring our questions and issues to the text
What are the costs to a reader-centered approach to biblical interpretation? - correct
answer-Reader can become autonomous and unbridled relativism could result
No truth. It is only what seems right to me.
Is the Bible's presentation of historical events biased? Why or why not? - correct
answer-Yes. It is divinely biased. It is God's interpretation on reality. The bible is not a
comprehensive history of the world. We have the history and interpretation that God
wants us to have. He authorized what the human authors wrote. Biblical writing is
always theological; it is God's explanation of redemptive events.
Did Matthew take Hosea out of context when he quoted Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15?
Why or why not? - correct answer-He is not using it out of context but moving beyond
the literal or "original" context to tie it to our Savior. While in Hosea's original context,
the verse doesn't have a prophetic feel to it, Matthew uses it that way, because he
wants the reader to make a connection between the Israel and Jesus.
Does every text of Scripture speak explicitly of Jesus? Why or why not? - correct
answer-No. Interpreting redemptive-historically is not allegory. Unlike Augustine did in
Proverbs 31, we do not find Christ explicitly in every verse. We want to look more
broadly.
What does Flemming name as the four "criteria for authentic contextualization" of the
gospel? - correct answer-The biblical witness to what God has done in Jesus Christ
must be central to our application of Scripture.
Application is Spirit-guided
Does my application ring true for the church in different settings other than my own?
Does my application bear fruit in the furtherance of Christian mission and the
transformation of individuals and the community?
Describe Richard Hays's four step "diagnostic checklist" for the use of Scripture in
ethics. (4 - DSHP) - correct answer-Descriptive task: reading the texts carefully. What
texts have been chosen? How accurate is the interpretation of the text in its original
setting? (passages included, not included effect conclusions.)
Synthetic task: placing text in canonical context. How broadly have you gone in your
use of Scripture? Have you used passages that only deal with the problem? Have you
used any that are in tension with your position? What focal images/themes to you use?
Hermeneutical Task: relating the text to our situation.What is the mode of appeal to the
text?Rules: Is Scriptures giving a rule or commandment? (10
Commandments)Principals: more general framework out of which to make specific
decisions (greatest commands)Paradigms: How does character in Scripture show us
exemplary or non-exemplary conduct? (Good Samaritan/ Ananias & Sapphira)Symbolic
world: what are the categories through which God wants us to interpret life? (Rom 1 -
