How do we know what Scripture means? In today’s episode, I share Professor of Old Testament John Walton’s five principles for faithful reading. These are the principles that I try to work under when I write Bible studies.
I reference the following:*
Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John H. Walton
The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart
Principles for Faithful Bible Interpretation
Here are the five principles for faithful interpretation from Old Testament scholar, John Walton (from his book, Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation).
“The author’s message carries the authority of Scripture, and of God.”
“The author’s message is couched in his language and culture.” As authors were inspired by God, they wrote within specific genres of the time (law, narrative, prophecy, wisdom literature, poetry) that don’t always correspond to our modern-day genres. They also chose specific words that don’t always map easily onto another language.
“Our accountability in interpretation is to track with the author in the text that he produced.” The text can’t mean what the author could never have intended!
“Our interpretation should be supported with evidence that can identify the author’s literary intentions.” This includes “linguistic, literary, cultural, historical, and theological” examination.
“Our task is to find our place in God’s story, which he has communicated so that we can know him and be in relationship with him, thereby becoming whole-hearted participants in his plans and purposes as he has revealed them in Scripture.” We get to know God by knowing his stories, just as we do with each other!
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