How to interpret the Bible - Hermeneutic

Click on here to get a larger image. Great overview tool on the books of the Bible

Component 2: Grammar

Having considered the nature of specific genre, we now look at grammatical analysis. What is grammar? Grammar is the system of a language. It is the “rules” applied to how words are put together. The irony is of course no language has rules, except for the language “Esperanto”, which is an invented language. It was created to serve as a universal second language to foster peace and international understanding. If we use the word "rules", like programming rules, somebody has to create the rules of programming before we can program. In the same way, it may sound like somebody created a rule of language and then starts to speak the language and make meaning out of it. But we know languages started by people making sounds which then later evolved in to words, phrases and sentences. No commonly-spoken language is ever fixed in concrete. All languages change over time and a great example of it is English itself which borrowed many words from different languages. What we call "grammar" is simply a reflection of a language at a particular time and this is an important part of interpreting the Bible according to the original intention of the writer.

We don’t have to study grammar to learn a language. When we were young, we started speaking even before we learnt that there is such thing call grammar. Of course, we learnt by modelling after what we heard and read. That’s why Malaysian English can only be understood fully by another Malaysian. Attached at the end of this post is a great joke about Singlish. Have a good laugh! But if we are serious about learning a foreign language, then grammar can help us learn a language more quickly and more efficiently. Grammar is a help tool to understand a language better. Once you mastered it, you can comprehend many things without consulting anyone.

It is logical therefore in bible hermeneutics to examine grammar properly since it is inherently more consistent than the remaining elements of the interpretive process. The way a sentence is structured does not change. Subjects, verbs, objects, and modifiers are the tools of communication. But it is important to note that even if you know how a word functions in a given sentence, it does not by itself give you the meaning of the passage. Often the grammar is like a signpost or a map that points you to or provides insight into the meaning of the text. For e.g. the word “saved” does not only refers to spiritual salvation but it could mean one being physical healed or delivered from a dangerous situation.

Words also evolve over time. What it means at one time may mean another at a different time. Consider the word “gay”. Earlier, it means “happy” or “cheery”. Now it also means someone who is a homosexual. What diverse meanings! Therefore word studies help the interpreter to trace the development of a word from its beginnings to the time period of the particular writing under consideration. So in interpreting, one must consider the period from which it is written and from there what the author actually meant within the context and grammar. Another example, whenever you hear the phrase “You are God’s temple” from the Scripture, the ‘you’ is always plural. The implication is vast because it points to the importance of the congregational life of the church and not merely an individualistic faith.

“Be filled with the Spirit” has a continuous tense, which if rightly translated would mean, keep on being filled, which suggest a far more different meaning than just a one time filling. What this means is that grammatical analysis also covers grammatical structure which deals with arrangement of terms within a given passage of Scripture which will reveal a relationship of words that shows purpose, result, time, concession, means, manner, condition, comparison, and contrast are indicated by adverbs and adjectives. Phrases and clauses will also indicate these relationships.

I was told DUMC is a church where good English is spoken during preaching. What I think this means is that people appreciate the fact that grammar is used well (I hope). :) We don’t usually think about grammar although it is used everyday. We are not conscious of grammatical analysis although our brains interpret the meaning of the sentences we hear at lightning speed. But to a foreign or earlier language at a different time, grammatical analysis is crucial to the hermeneutical process. While we take care to understand each word, phrase, or clause, the ultimate purpose is to understand the Author (God) or author's intended meaning. We fit the jigsaw puzzle pieces until the full picture is seen. Grammar will not solve everything but it will certainly help us converge to the possibilities. There are a few different words for “love” in Greek. Which one does it mean? Agape, phileo, storge or eros? In getting the answer firstly to the meaning of an individual word would lead to the understanding of the sentence and hence the passage.

Singlish Joke:

The English did invent the English Language, but they cannot use it effectively (as few words as possible) when communicating their intentions.

Just compare these few phrases that Singaporeans and Britons use to say the same thing:

Returning a Call...

Britons: Hello, this is John Travolta. Did anyone page me a few

moments ago?

S'poreans: Hallo! Who page?

When someone is in the way...

Britons: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?

Singaporeans: S kews !

When someone offers to pay...

Britons: Hey, put your wallet away, this drink is on me.

Singaporeans: No nid.

When asking for permission...

Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to

enter through this door?

Singaporeans: (while pointing at door) Can or not?

When asking to be excused...

Britons: If you would excuse me for a moment, I have to go to the gents/ladies. Please carry on without me, it would only take a moment.

Singaporeans: Toy lert, toy lert.

When entertaining...

Britons: Please make yourself right at home.

Singaporeans: Don't shy, leh!

When doubting someone...

Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.

Singaporeans: Where got?

When declining an offer...

Britons: I'd prefer not to do that, if you don't mind.

Singaporeans: Doe waaaan.

When deciding on a plan of action...

Britons: What do you propose we do now that the movie's sold out and all the restaurants are closed?

Singaporeans: So how?

When disagreeing on a topic of discussion...

Britons: Err. Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you're coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about.....

Singaporeans: You mad, ha?

Entertaining customer....

Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.

S'poreans: No Stock!

When asking someone to lower their voice...

Britons: Excuse me, but could you please lower your voice, I'm trying to concentrate over here.

Singaporeans: OOei! Shaddap !!

When asking someone if he/she knows you...

Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time. Do I know you?

Singaporeans: See what see?

Journalling Chain

In my last regular fortnightly MAG meeting (Mentoring and Accountability Group - about 10 men), our discussion centered around a 'holy discontent' with the lack of discipline in journalling for some. They started well in the year and sort of waning currently. Statistically, this seems to be the case for the church as a whole as well. The spirit is willing but the flesh weak! This is where discipline and accountability steps in. This discontent resulted in strict accountability by holding each person accountable everyday for the next 30 days. We caution each other that although we are to guard against legalism, we also recognize the need for harsh discipline "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Co 9:27)

The idea is not so much the task of journalling but spending regular daily time with God everyday. An indispensable manna from heaven which is sufficient for each day Because we are by nature lazy and the sinful body resist what is spiritual and good (Romans 7), we will always be in that battle between our spirit and our flesh. This is where being a part of the Body of Christ means, that we are to help and encourage one another. This would include rebuking, correcting and encouraging when necessary.

So as of 26 Sep, we devise a system of accountability for five men who seriously want to do something about their daily time with God. A will sms B when he has done his journalling. B will likewise do the same to C, and C to D, and finally D to E.

E will then sms me, being the leader of this MAG. So I eagerly wait for a daily sms from E, which to their benefit, I have been receiving an sms everyday from E since 26 Sep, that is now almost two weeks! Well done, brothers!

Something more interesting is this. B cannot sms C (and so on in the chain) until these two conditions are fulfilled.

1. B has received an sms from A.

2. B has himself done his journaling.

This chain can only be completed when everyone fulfill the two conditions. This means, anyone not doing his part will break the chain. The pressure is on, but it is a good pressure.

Someone else in the MAG, F, who himself has found journalling an enriching experience, decides to throw in a further encouraging incentive. I will forward E's daily sms to F everytime I receive it. If F receives this everyday for 30 days, he will take us all out for a big makan (feast)!

Now, that's the most encouraging and generous gesture yet!

In fact, a group of leaders from one subzone in PJ North 1 who heard this testimony in our leaders' meeting last Tuesday, decided to give this sms accountability system a go. It has worked for them now in the last four days. I hope they will keep it up for 30 days!

So, help yourself, spend daily time God!

How to interpret the Bible - Hermeneutic

Someone posted this comment here:

Not only should we consider the word meaning and context we should also consult the grammar.Often people focus on just the meaning of the word by itself. Many times the context and grammar will actually change the meaning of the word, sometimes only slightly.

I thought it would be good for me to help some of you in the whole area of biblical interpretation in the next few posts. This may be helpful to those of you faithfully reading and journaling your thoughts through our Bible Reading Plan.

How do we read the Bible for all its worth? We are to read it with a wholistic approach to biblical method of interpretation. Remember the story of the six blind men who was brought to the zoo to help them experience by touch what an elephant is. Each blind man felt a different part of an elephant and came to his own conclusion what an elephant is. The man who touched the body said the elephant is like a wall. The second man who touched the tusk said the elephant is like a spear. The third thought the trunk is like a snake. The fourth man held the leg and exclaimed it’s like a tree trunk. The fifth man who touched the ear said surely the elephant is like a big fan. The last man said they are all wrong because upon touching the tail, he said the elephant is really like the rope. Who’s right? They are all right in their own perspective but certainly not adequate to understand what the elephant really is. Each man had one of the few defining traits of an elephant.

In the same way, we must be careful not to be like the blind men! There are five critical components in discovering the writers’ intended meaning. In writers, I also mean to include the One who inspired the writers. These five components include literature, grammar, history, context, and theology. Each of these components is a defining trait of the Bible books.

Component 1: Literature

We start any study by asking what type of literature it is. There are seven distinct types or genre: narrative, prophecy, wisdom, psalm, gospel, epistle and apocalyptic. Each type of literature has specific defining traits. If we attempt to interpret a verse or paragraph, we must ask ourselves what defining trait this is.

a. Narrative literature (e.g. Exodus), as the name implies, are narratives texts of the writer to convey a story with facts, accounts and even biographies of certain individuals from a theological perspective. Often, we are to take everything at face value as they are descriptive.

b. Prophetic literature (e.g. Isaiah) is literally conveying what God actually said to the people about a particular issue. A response is expected from the people who will determine God’s action towards them whether present or future.

c. Poetic literature (e.g. Song of Solomon) is an expression of the writer’s heart, emotions, mind and spirit.

d. Gospel literature (e.g. Matthew) describes and documents the earthly life of Jesus Christ, his teachings and historical timeline.

e. Epistolary literature (e.g. Galatians) are personal letters written to either churches or individuals to encourage, reason, defend, correct, rebuke or to teach and present ideas, concepts, doctrines, etc.

f. Wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs) as the name suggests teaches basic truth concerning how one can live wisely.

g. Apocalyptic literature (e.g. Revelation) – this would probably be the hardest to understand as it points often to the future. It is really about a message of hope to God's people in a time of trials and tribulation and not to give up because things will be way better in the end. It is written in different styles: figures of speech, narrative, poetry, and prophetic utterances.

A great student and reader of the Bible would not attempt to discover the meaning of a verse without a full understanding of these traits. Otherwise he will make errors in interpretation. This is as good as using the Bible like some kind of horoscopic book where we pick and interpret the verses that we like for our convenience.

Reminds me of a funny story which some of you may have heard: "A man received an unexpected sum of money and he is toying with the idea of spending it on himself or giving it to mission. He knows the right thing to do but he also wants to indulge in himself. He has a hidden agenda. The man asked God for a sign, so with his eyes closed he opened the bible randomly and placed his finger on a page, and it reads: Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21) This can’t be right? He closed the Bible and try again. "And Judas hanged himself". (Matthew 27:5) The man quickly closed the bible and decided to do it again, and when he placed his finger on another page of the bible, it read: "Go and do likewise". (Luke 10:37) :)

I will go to component two of grammar in the next post.

2 Timothy 1 - I know whom I have believed

2 Timothy 1:12-14 (NIV)

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

It really hit me today during devotion when Paul told his spiritual son Timothy "I know whom I have believed." I almost heard Paul said to me, "DO YOU?" On hindsight, I know it's the Holy Spirit. :)

There is such a certainty of faith and believe in Paul's mind and spirit, or rather a great certainly. (Philippians 3:10-11) "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

I find these words in Philippians amazing. There's no hint that he has arrived in the knowledge of Christ. He says he wants more .. and more ... Feel the tentativeness. In other words, he's saying "I don't yet quite know for sure." Yet due to his desperate and immense desire to know His Lord, he can truly say "I know whom I have believed."

"DO YOU?"

Psalms 42 (NIV)

^1 As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God.

^2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

1 Tim 6:20-21 - The threat of Gnosticism

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV)

²⁰Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.

Grace be with you.

What are these opposing ideas called knowledge? This was addressed extensively in the letters of Apostle John. John's readers were confronted with an early form of Gnosticism and here Paul warned Timothy about this. So what is Gnosticism?

This is one of the most dangerous heresies of the early church in the first two centuries. In a nutshell, it teaches an unbiblical dualism that says anything spirit in nature is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. The truth is, we are to hold things spiritual and material both in a right and biblical manner. Paul said God "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Tim 6:17d) Without trying to spiritualise everything, Paul is talking about material things as well that God has provided for our enjoyment and they are not evil in themselves. For e.g. money is a neutral tool, but the love of it is sin when it leads to covetousness and greed, and some have wandered from the faith. (1 Tim 6:10) 1 Tim 6 is worthwhile reading for those who are wealthy. There are great wealth stewardship teaching there!

Coming back to Gnosticism. False teachings arise when truth is taken to mean something else. Let me sum up for you in a simple way the major errors of Gnosticism:

1. Spirit is good and matter evil. Therefore man's body is evil. While we agree that we constantly fight with our flesh (Romans 7:7-25), we can through this body be used for good. There is no necessity to have this dualism that pit one against the other. If this body is evil, why then do we need to take care of it. Do you see where this is heading if I continue along this logic. See point 4 & 5.
2. Salvation is not through faith in Christ but by an escape from the body through special knowledge (that's what Paul warned Timothy about). The Greek word for knowledge is "gnosis", hence Gnosticism.
3. Christ's humanity is denied. If we hold the doctrines of Christ in a biblical way, we know our Lord is fully God and fully human. Therefore we use terms like the "Deity of Christ" and the "Humanity of Christ". He is not half man, half God. He is fully man and fully God. Same concept with Trinity, God fully Father, fully Son and fully Spirit, but yet one God. Gnosticism took this and suggest two ways of looking at the deity and humanity of Christ. (1) Christ only seemed to have a body, that means it is in some sense a virtual body (this is called Docetism, from the Greek dokeo "to seem") (2) Christ was joined with this man called Jesus at baptism and left him before he died (this is called Cerinthianism, after a man called Cerinthus.). Cerinthianism was the main view of the day to the readers Apostle John was addressing.
4. Since the body is evil, it needs to be treated harshly. This leads to asceticism that Paul addressed to the Colossians (2:21-23). This leads to the denying of the regeneration of our spirit that can lead to the proper use and place of our human body for the glory of God.
5. On the other hand, this dualism can also lead to licentiousness (meaning, unrestrained indulgence in sexual pleasure.) Since our body is evil and our spirit good, it doesn't matter what we do to our bodies and there will be no moral consequence. You see how deceptive this can be where we can be sitting in church worshipping God and yet indulging in all kind of sexual sins and immoral behaviors and conducts the other 6 days of the week.

We are to guard against false teachings. Half truths are often more dangerous than outright lies. You can easily detect outright lies, but not the former. To guard against this, we must therefore know the Word of God well. So keep reading and studying. Don't give up! :)