Continuing on from the last overview post…
Let’s continue with the two Bolded portions: OBSERVATION and INTERPRETATION!
Overview Steps to Inductive Study
- Prayer
- Observation
- Interpretation
- Transcultural Truth
- Application
Observation – What does it say?
Start with PRAYER, then, go through this first step in observing.
Think of OBSERVATION as the beautiful frame in which the transformational truth will be seen.
WHAT TYPE OF LITERATURE is it (a letter, poetry, history, narration, etc.)?
WHO wrote it? To whom was it written? Who else is mentioned?
WHY was it written (from the Scripture itself)?
WHEN was it written (is there a significance, a feast or festival)? Where was it written?
WHAT is the passage about (in context)?
WHAT is right BEFORE this passage? WHAT is right AFTER this passage?
CONTEXT is CRITICAL for accurate OBSERVATION!
Interpretation – What it meant to the original recipients?
Once the foundational questions are answered in the first stage of observation, the meaning of the passage begins to flow. It is when one skips observation and jumps right into interpretation of Scripture that it is most likely out of context, and can be colored with presuppositions or emotions at the time to interpret the meaning rather than allowing Scripture to speak for itself.
It is in interpretation that other study tools can be utilized such as commentaries, concordances, lexicons, cultural background references, and word studies, etc. This is also the step to incorporate cross-references, looking at other Scripture that is similar or referencing the same topic, to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. Note that some genres that include parables and allegories may need additional focus, but are also very rich in content!
Interpretationincludes focusing more intently on the WHY was it written (from the Scripture itself). Is there a main theme or focus of the passage?
Think of INTERPRETATION as the beautiful painting in which the transformational truth will be seen.
CONTEXT is CRITICAL for accurate INTERPRETATION!
Here are a few online tools if you want to start exploring!
Online Tools: http://preceptaustin.org/summary_of_references.htm
Online commentaries: http://preceptaustin.org/commentaries_by_verse.htm
Online Lexicon: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=1
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
Look tomorrow for Part 3: TRANSCULTURAL TRUTH and APPLICATION
