Contents
- How to Understand the Bible?
- 1) Primary Interpretation: This is the foundational approach towards the Scripture.
- 2) Practical Applications: These are the diverse ways the Scripture can be applied in our daily lives.
- 3) Prophetic Revelation: Many passages also offer insights into promises, future events and prophecies.
- The Right Focus At the Right Moment
How to Understand the Bible? Back to contents ↑
Most people have a hard time to understand God's Word. They think it is a book that really can't be well understood. It has however many layers of wisdom that can only be understood with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
On this page we aim to make you aware of the multiple interpretations that are known to us: it's helpful to consider that each passage in the Bible can be interpreted in three main ways, as highlighted by Dr. M.R. DeHaan in the introduction to ‘Daniel the Prophet’. Below we try to give a few examples of each domain and hope that you will get the picture.
1) Primary Interpretation: This is the foundational approach towards the Scripture. Back to contents ↑
Key verses: Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30b
“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
This example links the Kingdom of God to repentance and believing the gospel.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
This explains the basic concept that the absence of repentance leads to perishment.
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
This shows that nobody is exempt from repentance.
Here we took a foundational appoach to understand these texts, which makes it a Primary Interpretation. It help us to understand the basic concepts, in this case about repentance.
2) Practical Applications: These are the diverse ways the Scripture can be applied in our daily lives. Back to contents ↑
Key verses: 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13; Corinthians 7:10
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Here we read about a personal call for regular repentance, so that our relationshipt with Jesus gets restored.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
This is a personal warning about what happens when we cover our sins and what happens when we confess our sins.
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
This text contrasts Godly sorrow with worldly sorrow and its personal results.
These pracital approaches lead to be better personal understanding in your own life and the lives of the people around you.
3) Prophetic Revelation: Many passages also offer insights into promises, future events and prophecies. Back to contents ↑
Key verses: Joel 2:12-13; Zechariah 1:3; Revelation 2:5
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
This is a prophetic call for national and personal renewal.
“Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”
This promises God's presence as the result of turning away from evil.
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
This prophetic message shows the need for churches specifically in the end times.
The Right Focus At the Right Moment Back to contents ↑
Approaching the Bible solely through its Primary Interpretation can lead to a rigid orthodoxy, lacking in vitality and warmth. Focusing only on Practical Applications might result in losing sight of the Scripture's true intent, though it can be beneficial in day-to-day life. Similarly, exclusively concentrating on Prophetic Revelation can narrow our understanding and might lead to a dogmatic view that may be doctrinally sound yet lacking in practical effectiveness and warmth in personal experience, making it less helpful to others.
In our study, we aim to balance these three interpretive layers, deepening our understanding and application of God's Word.
On our journey we will try to discover new and old paths by jumping from one application to the other, often without mentioning it. We hope that these applications help you when you study the Bible for yourself!