From Now to Then and Back Discussion

Week 3 - Alex

Week 3 - Alex

by Alex Nagy -
Number of replies: 2

The most compelling reason for needing a process of interpretation for me is to fully understand the context of what I'm reading. The time, culture, and how the stories applied to them in that time help me better understand what I'm ready and what I can gain from it.

I don't believe I've seen anything like it but have heard the theory before. It's good to get a better understanding of it to hopefully help me glean more from what I read. I feel it's so easy to read scripture and not understand a thing I've read.

There are a couple of aspects of context that I think are missed regularly. Where does the passage begin and end, what ancient customs or worldviews inform the text, and how did the wider society regard the issue discussed are the three that really stood out to me. The challenge I see when trying to teach from scripture during a sermon is the time to really breakdown the scripture to explain all of these things. I've personally always enjoyed when a pastor gives the historical backing and cultural side of the scripture or the people being described in that book.

I'm really hoping to take these things and apply them to how I read the bible and how I teach from the bible.

In reply to Alex Nagy

Re: Week 3 - Alex

by Jim Damman -
I am right there with you, Alex. I crave a good "unpacking" of the context of scripture from the sermon stage! Even better if there are maps or ancient artifacts involved!

And you are not alone. I can get lost in text when it comes to the Bible and leave a reading totally lost as to what I just read...
In reply to Alex Nagy

Re: Week 3 - Alex

by Ashley Duval -
Hi Alex,

"The challenge I see when trying to teach from scripture during a sermon is the time to really breakdown the scripture to explain all of these things"...110% yes. So often after writing an outline for submission, our writing team will come back to me to say "This is a Bible study or a sermon series, not a sermon". The question becomes how to explain and teach the FULLNESS of what a passage is saying, the context that it is in, while also giving time to bring levity and application that any person can relate to. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will always have to ask myself if what I'm including points back and supports the Big Idea- and if it does not directly support the Big Idea I have to save it for later. Definitely a struggle!