Who Controls the Meaning?

Our approach to interpreting the Bible focuses on authorial intent rather than reader response. God has communicated with us through the Scriptures. He has worked through human authors to convey his meaning to us through the text. As readers we do not create the meaning; rather, we seek to find the meaning that has already been replaced into the text by the author (both divine and human). This is why careful reading, context, historical background, word studies, translations, and genre are so important. these are the items we must grapple with if we are to grasp the intended meaning of the author.