Level Up
May 5, 2024
Grasping God’s Word by Duvall & Hays
Step 1: Grasping the text in their town
Exegesis – what did it mean there and then?
Read the text carefully and observe it: the words, the grammar, and the context: literary, historical, cultural
Then synthesize the meaning into one or two sentences write out what it meant to the biblical audience, using past tense verbs.
Practice: God commanded the Israelites in Joshua 1 to …
Jesus encouraged his disciples in John 17 by…
Step 2: Measuring the width of the river to cross
What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
Culture
Language
Situation
Time
Covenant
Think about our Joshua 1 passage again – the Hebrew-speaking people of Israel are preparing to enter the Promised Land . Moses has just died and Joshua has been appointed to lead the conquest of the land. We are not entering or conquering the Promised Land. We are not the new leaders of the nation of Israel. We are not under the old covenant.
Step 3: Crossing the principlizing bridge
[Yes, that is how Duvall & Hays spell the word.]
What is the theological principle in this text?
Hint: it is part of the meaning (from Step 1)
What are the similarities between the situation of the biblical audience and our own?
This can help us find the theological principle that becomes the bridge by which we can cross over the river of barriers.
Also in this step: enter the parts-whole spiral comparing this text with the whole Bible (what we called interpreting Scripture by Scripture before)
Think about our Joshua 1 passage again – we are also the people of God, in a covenant relationship (but the new covenant), some of us are in leadership positions in the church, we are seeking to obey the will of God and accomplish what he has commanded us to do.
Criteria for the theological principle(s):
The principle should be:
• Reflected in the text
• Timeless and not tied to a specific situation
• Not culturally bound
• Corresponds to the teaching of the rest of Scripture
• Relevant to both the biblical (then) and contemporary (now) audience
Write out the principle in one or two sentences, using present tense verbs. So we might come up with something like: To be effective in serving God and successful in the task to which he has called us, we must draw strength and courage from his presence. We must also be obedient to God’s Word, meditating on it constantly.
Step 4: Grasping the text in our town
How should individual Christians today apply the theological principle in their lives?
Different people will be able to apply the same principle in slightly different ways depending on:
• our current life situation
• where we are in our relationship with God
Think about our Joshua 1 passage again – how might you apply our principles? If God calls you to a scary new ministry, like helping in Kids World, be strong and courageous, knowing God’s presence will be with you, and be obedient, keeping a focus on the Word.