Narrative Theology: Strengths and Weaknesses

Overview Jesus said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." — Matthew 13:52 BSB Narrative theology is an a…

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New Testament Use of Allegory

Overview "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down as a warning for us, on whom the end of the ages has come." — 1 Corinthians 10:11 BSB Allegory in the New Testament refers to the interpretation of biblical narratives, part…

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Old Testament in the New Testament: A Study

Overview "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4 BSB The relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament stands…

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One Meaning Multiple Applications

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB. The principle of one meaning with multiple applications is fundamental to sound biblical interpre…

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Original Audience of Biblical Books

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB. Understanding the original audience of biblical books is essential to accurate biblical interpre…

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Outline Method of Bible Study

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB The outline method of Bible study is a systematic approach to understanding Scripture by identi…

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Parallelism in the Psalms Explained

Overview "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." — Psalm 19:1 BSB Parallelism in the Psalms is a foundational poetic device that shapes how the Hebrew scriptures communicate truth about God, worship, and human experie…

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Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Romans

Overview "For whatever was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." — Romans 15:4 BSB Paul's epistle to the Romans represents one of the most theo…

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Plain Sense Reading of Scripture

Overview "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." — Romans 10:17 BSB Plain sense reading of Scripture is the hermeneutical approach that interprets biblical texts according to their straightforward, ordinary, grammatical, and historic…

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Practical Exegesis for Non-Scholars

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB. Practical exegesis for non-scholars is the disciplined approach to understanding Scripture wit…

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Presuppositions We Bring to Scripture

Overview "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." — 1 Corinthians 13:12 BSB Every reader of Scripture brings invisible assumptions, prior b…

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Principles for Applying Commands Today

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB. Christians often face the challenge of determining how Old Testament laws, New Testament instruc…

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Progressive Revelation: New Light on Old Texts

Overview "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." — 1 Corinthians 13:12 BSB Progressive revelation refers to God's unfolding disclosure of His t…

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Propositional Truth in Scripture

Overview "Jesus said to them, 'If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" — John 8:31-32 BSB Propositional truth in Scripture refers to the affirmations and declarations that God makes …

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Questions to Ask of Any Bible Passage

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB Proper interpretation of Scripture requires asking deliberate, systematic questions of every pass…

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Reader-Response Criticism: A Biblical Response

Overview "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." — Proverbs 30:5 BSB Reader-response criticism is a hermeneutical approach that emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning from a biblical text, rather than …

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Reading Plans That Work

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 BSB A reading plan is a s…

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Recognizing Hyperbole in Scripture

Overview Jesus said to them, "If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." — Matthew 5:29 BSB Hyperbole is a figure of speech that…

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Recognizing Idioms in Scripture

Overview "The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it." — Proverbs 18:15 BSB Understanding biblical idioms is essential to accurate Scripture interpretation. An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be derive…

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Redemptive-Historical Method of Interpretation

Overview "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." — 1 Corinthians 13:12 BSB The redemptive-historical method of interpretation is an approach to…

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Rhetorical Criticism of New Testament Letters

Overview "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." — Colossians 3:12 BSB. Rhetorical criticism of New Testament letters is the disciplined examination of how the…

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Scripture Interprets Scripture (The Analogy of Faith)

This article explains the biblical principle that Scripture is its own interpreter. The analogy of faith, also called the analogy of Scripture, means that unclear passages must be interpreted in light of clear passages, and that no portion of Scripture can be interpreted in a way that contradicts another portion. The Bible is a unified, divinely inspired whole, and it does not contradict itself. Therefore, the clearer passages shed light on the less clear, and the whole counsel of God must be considered when interpreting any single verse.

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Sentence Diagramming for Bible Study

Overview "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 BSB Sentence diagramming is…

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Septuagint (LXX) and Its Importance

Overview "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" — Romans 10:17 BSB. The Septuagint, commonly designated as the LXX, represents one of the most significant ancient translations of the Hebrew scriptures, produced in Koine Greek d…

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Single Authorial Intention of Scripture

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB. The doctrine of single authorial intention in Scripture affirms that God Himself is the ultimate …

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Skills Every Bible Student Needs

Overview "Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 BSB Effective Bible study requires developing foundational skills that enable believers to understand Scripture a…

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Source Criticism and Its Problems

Overview Jesus said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures or the power of God." — Matthew 22:29 BSB. Source criticism is a hermeneutical approach that attempts to identify and isolate the presumed original documents, oral traditions, a…

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Spirit of the Law vs Letter of the Law

Overview "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." — Mark 2:27 BSB The distinction between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law represents a fundamental principle in biblical interpretation and Christian living. The letter of the law…

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Structural Analysis of Biblical Books

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB Understanding the structural analysis of biblical books is essential for accurate interpretation…

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Studying Scripture Inductively

Overview "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." — 2 Timothy 3:16 BSB Inductive Bible study is a method of examining Scripture by observing what the text directly st…

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