Principles for Correct Biblical Interpretation
John Wycliffe's Principles for Interpretation
John Wycliffe's (1324-1384) gave us these principles for correct Biblical interpretation.
1. What does it say? "Money is the root of all evil" 1 Timothy 6:10 (what does it REALLY say?)
2. To whom is it written? "Behold I stand at the door and knock" Revelation 3:20
3. Of whom is it speaking? "May the peoples praise you O God" Psalm 67 (who are 'peoples'?)
4. At what time or when was it written? Isaiah 1:15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. (after how many generations?)
5. Where did it happen? "How blessed will be the one who dashes your children against a rock" Psalm 137
6. What were the circumstances? Jeremiah 20:14 Cursed be the day when I was born; let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! (what has just happened to this man?)
7. Why was it written? John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
8. What is the context? Matthew 10:35 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (read the entire chapter to get the context)
One very important additional principle for correct interpretation is to let the Bible interpret itself or to look at the entire counsel of the Bible on an issue before coming to a conclusion. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Is this teaching that Jesus is created? What about John 1:1 and 1:14? What about the rest of the context?)
John Wycliffe's (1324-1384) gave us these principles for correct Biblical interpretation.
1. What does it say? "Money is the root of all evil" 1 Timothy 6:10 (what does it REALLY say?)
2. To whom is it written? "Behold I stand at the door and knock" Revelation 3:20
3. Of whom is it speaking? "May the peoples praise you O God" Psalm 67 (who are 'peoples'?)
4. At what time or when was it written? Isaiah 1:15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. (after how many generations?)
5. Where did it happen? "How blessed will be the one who dashes your children against a rock" Psalm 137
6. What were the circumstances? Jeremiah 20:14 Cursed be the day when I was born; let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! (what has just happened to this man?)
7. Why was it written? John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
8. What is the context? Matthew 10:35 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (read the entire chapter to get the context)
One very important additional principle for correct interpretation is to let the Bible interpret itself or to look at the entire counsel of the Bible on an issue before coming to a conclusion. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Is this teaching that Jesus is created? What about John 1:1 and 1:14? What about the rest of the context?)
posted by CarbonChris at 8:24 AM
2 Comments:
"What About John 1:1?"
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Today, an important part of Bible study is the comparison of translations. Regarding their comparative value, Miles Coverdale (b.1488-d.1568), who produced the first complete printed translation of the Bible into English, wrote: "one translation declareth, openeth and illustrateth another, and ... in many cases one is a plain commentary unto another."
The King James Version translators had also appreciated the work of early translators, for even upon their cover page they explained that their own work had been, "Translated out of the Original Tongues and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised."
For many, John 1:1 plainly declares Jesus (the Word) is God. And yet, few are aware of the number of other ways in which hundreds of Biblical Theologians, Scholars and Translators alike have, down thru the centuries, chosen to render this verse - as something other than, "and the Word was God."
John 1:1 may be the most discussed, explained and/or debated scripture of any in the Bible. After 15 years study, there is soon to be released an Extensive Annotated Bibliography, providing the dedicated student of the Bible a sampling of what has been offered by many, well respected Bible scholars, that is, as to the many appropriate, alternative renditions of this most controversial scripture, John 1:1.
Agape: john1one@earthlink.net
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"Good Companion Books" is dedicated to publishing well researched, informative books, on certain key Biblical subjects.
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That's a great point. It might fall under "What does it say?" - as a subpart, but I'll add this point at the end of the post later this week when I get the chance.
Thanks John, take care
Chris
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