From Now to Then and Back Discussion

Week 3 - Bobby Francis

Week 3 - Bobby Francis

by Bobby Francis -
Number of replies: 2

Which of the reasons for needing a process of interpretation is the most compelling or helpful for understanding the Bible?  

-I most appreciated the topic of cultural relevance/details.  This was a big frustration to me early on as a young Christ follower attending a more conservative style church.  There were so many instances of sermons and teachings where the 1, 2, 3, 4 step process of interpretation were not fully followed!  So much was just demanded that you believe with no real explanation.  And sadly, a bigger portion of the “non-essentials” were preached and taught more from preference than principle.  The David & Goliath example is a perfect one!  I always felt like saying out loud, “a literal 9 foot tall giant warrior isn’t the same as the emotional challenges someone has at work!” Haha!  The lack of following the step by step process to interpreting Scripture in a healthy way was very much a stumbling block for the first almost decade of my faith.

Have you ever seen anything like the Fourfold Approach to interpreting Scripture? Is anything in that approach new to you? 

-It was new to me a couple decades ago.  It took me being frustrated enough to ask questions of the spiritual leaders I had at the time.  Honestly, their lack of solid answers led me to seeking other perspectives and resources outside of our denomination.

Which aspect of context do you see most ignored when it comes to modern interpretation of the Bible? 

-Definitely the Contemporary Application.  I find it personally very frustrating when I hear Bible Study authors take “leaps” in application to our modern day circumstances based on principles found in some passages.  What I mean is:  The Old Testament Story that can often be the basis for a successfully marketed Bible Study for the average Christian may not necessarily be what that particular story is about.  I think this happens a lot in modern Christianity and our desire for the next great thing.  A great deal of our “application” today is too much about us!  Like, no dude… that sermon or that teaching totally missed the point!  Don’t take that story from the Bible and make it about the one tiny principle that the character in the story learned through it.  Pay attention to the Characteristics of GOD that the story teaches us about or reminds us about.


In reply to Bobby Francis

Re: Week 3 - Bobby Francis

by Jorden Gemuend -
Bobby, it's great to be able to gain insight into your ministry past and present by reading through your post here! I find it very interesting that you had this experience of frustration as a young Christian because true biblical interpretation, or perhaps mis-interpretation was happening. I also find it interesting that you even related it to being a part of a denomination. Having really developed my adult faith in primarily non-denominational settings I can absolutely point to a sermon here or there that I feel "stretched" it's biblical interpretation, but for the most part I have felt pretty good about the teachings I've listened to.

To that point, reading your experience almost makes me nervous, as though I am either naive or just plain blind to my own misuse of biblical interpretation. With us both having opportunities to teach, do you ever feel doubtful or uneasy about a point or reference you are trying to drive home?

Finally, you mention "contemporary application" as being most ignored. That got me thinking about someone who has issue with the common use of Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you...). This popular verse is used everywhere, all the time, to bring hope and trust in God, and yet this person points out that this was being told in a very specific scenario to a very specific audience - the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon. Since hearing this person's argument, I've always found myself both agreeing and disagreeing with their trouble with this. On one hand, this was said for a very specific situation. On the other hand, it does reveal God's character of having good plans for his people and being trustworthy.
In reply to Bobby Francis

Re: Week 3 - Bobby Francis

by Ashley Duval -
Bobby,

I had not read your post before including my discussion but as I read through the spec to context most ignored I agree! I often struggle when writing to each myself because I trend towards the opposite, overemphasizing the original application without always drawing towards how it relates to modern day application. However, as our lead pastor often reminds me, we have to take the original application and make it relatable and understandable to any person today. I think my struggle comes from viewing so many sermons and hearing numerous teachings that I feel water down the context or try to link parrallels to current day situations to the point where the intent is left in the dark altogether. Often we forget that the Bible is one continuous story about God rather than a go to "self help" book. Is it the best help? Yes! But we are fighting an increasingly "me" centered culture that first needs to hear how the Gospel directly applies to them, while also teaching non Christians WHY they want to care about the characteristics of God and who HE is. This may sound like a rant but these are the struggles that I navigate, personally.