The Interpretive Journey
What do you do with many parts of the Bible that you do not understand? Do you desire to understand more of God’s Word? To understand what the Bible means today we must first understand what it meant to the biblical audience. To name a few things we are separated from the biblical audience by culture, customs, language, situation, and time.
The goal is to move from the world of the biblical audience to the world of today. There are 4 basic steps to the Interpretive Journey.
- Step1: Grasping the Text in their Town-The question that is asked in this step is what did the text mean to the biblical audience?
- Step 2: Measuring the Width of the River to Cross-The question that is asked in this step is what are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
- Step 3: Crossing the Principlizing Bridge-The question that is asked in this step is what is the theological principle in the text?
- Step 4: Grasping the Text in Our Town-The question that is asked in this step is how should Christians today apply the theological principle in their lives?
An Example of the Interpretive Journey using Joshua 1:1-9 (ESV)
1After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2"Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Step1: What did the text mean to the biblical audience?
God commanded Joshua, the new leader of Israel, to draw strength and courage from His empowering presence, to be obedient to the law of Moses, and to mediate on the law so that he would be successful in the conquest of the Promised Land.
Step 2: What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
We are not leaders of the nation Israel (although some of us may be leaders in the church). We are not embarking on the conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land. We are not under the old covenant of law.
Step 3: What is the theological principle in this text?
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: How should individual Christians today apply the theological principle in their lives?
There are numerous possible applications. Here are a few suggested ones.
- Spend more time meditating on God’s Word by listening to Christian music as you ride in your car.
- If God calls you to a new, scary ministry, such as teaching fourth grade Sunday school, then be strengthened and encouraged by his empowering presence. Be obedient, keeping a focus on the Scriptures.
- If you are in church leadership position, realize that successful Christian leadership requires strength and courage that flows from the presence of God.
