Basic Principles of Bible Interpretation

As we study the scriptures, or anything else for that matter, we need to do some objective evaluating of the content. Here are some guidelines:

1) Who wrote it? (Author) Is this person speaking for God, or themselves, or for a position or belief they are trying to re-enforce or question?

2) To whom was it written? (Audience) Believer or non-believer? Those under law or under grace? To those in authority or to the common man?

3) What was the social situation? (Environmental Context) What city? What is the history of the region? What was going on politically, religiously, financially at the time?

4) When was this written? (Age Context) Was this written under Law or under Grace? Pre-Resurrection or Post-Resurrection?

5) What is the practical application for us, since we, as believers, now live in the age of grace? (Application)

6) Review the passage before and after the scripture being studied. Remember, in the original there were no chapter breaks, passage numbers or even punctuation or capitalizations.

7) Study key words according to their original definition. A Strong’s Concordance, referencing the King James Version, is an invaluable resource, as is a good interlinear reference, which gives a modern-day translation with a “straight-rendering” or “word-for-word” translation of the original language, whether Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek).

Does what I have learned from this passage cause me to depend on God, or on myself (the strength of my emotions, will or intellect). I have found this a good test to see whether I have interpreted a passage according to grace or from a law mentality, which begets legalism and death.

9) When using outside references, dictionaries, expositories, etc., use as great a variety as possible, as often these individual works are written to enforce a viewpoint, approach, belief, doctrine or denomination.

10) When studying scripture, use as many versions and translations as possible, as each will have a nuance that may give further revelation by the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment. This also trains us to become interpreters, rather than simply sponges that absorb the surface layer.

These are just a few criteria to keep in mind whenever we study the scripture, regardless of what version we use. This is important because we want to handle the scriptures rightly, and not be putting words in God’s mouth. In this way, we can have confidence that as the Holy Spirit brings the words to life, He is doing so according to His will, and not because it’s something we want to hear, or have heard from someone else.

PREPARE Internet Radio ~ LAUNCHING THIS THURSDAY [5/17]!

We all need to be able to experientially recognize, test and act on what the Spirit is saying to us as individuals, so much of what we will be addressing through the blog and through the call-in internet radio program will be geared toward building confidence in our ability to hear His voice through practical exercises and conversation. We will be discussing a wide range of topics, from relationships, finances and politics to entertainment, fashion and humor, as real world examples of how we can know God’s voice in every situation.

Join us Thursdays and Saturdays, or if you can’t be at your computer for the live broadcasts, podcasts will be available at BTR. And don’t forget to send us any topics or questions you’d like addressed on the show.

“See” you then!

Dianne (dianne@grace2you.com)

Get Ready, Stay Ready!

For those who have been experiencing a sense of anticipation, it is time to put your affairs in order so that nothing is lost and there is no hesitation when your orders to move are delivered.

Don’t worry that you don’t know what is coming, and don’t feel prepared. Daddy has been making you ready, and you will hear and know at the time of your calling.

Once you’ve finished that which you know you should be doing, check with Counselor to see if there is anything you’ve missed; not because you’ve missed something, but so you will know going into this next thing that you are free to devote your full attention to your future and He will oversee your past.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Authors in both the old covenant and new testament used a variety of phrases and names to attempt to translate the diversity of God’s character into terms we could relate to, culturally and socially; Johovah Jireh, God Our Provider. El Elyon, God Most High. Paraclete, Comforter.

But as a spirit being, you already know God fully as He is. As we are healed, and learn to walk in greater understanding and freedom, that spiritual knowledge becomes more and more accessible to our mind, will and emotions and even our natural senses. The more we cooperate with Him, and rest in Him, the more we let Him fill the character needs we rely on others to fill in our lives – lover, planner, truth-teller. We all need as well a good and faithful father, older brother and guidance counselor.

Ask now if there is any area where He is prevented from relating to you as He chooses. If the answer is Yes, test the source (Is that you, Lord). If Yes, ask for specifics, and ask what you need to do or what lies you are believing that need to be addressed so He can be free to present Himself to your entire being any way He chooses. If No, identify the source of the obstruction and deal with it as He directs until He assures you He has freedom in your life. If He responds No, no problems here! Just say Thanks, Dad, and enjoy your day.

Welcome

Welcome to Prepare, a blog for Dianne Thomas Ministries

Our purpose for this blog is to share with others what God has shared with us, especially regarding how to fulfill God’s three-fold purpose for us today:

1. To Be Fully Healed and Made Whole in Spirit, Soul and Body
2. To Cooperate with God as He exposes our Flesh, and Consumes It
3. To Know God Intimately on His Terms, Spirit to Spirit

We all need to be able to experientially recognize, test and act on what the Spirit is saying to us as individuals, so much of what we will be addressing on this blog and through the call-in internet radio program will be geared toward building confidence in our ability to hear His voice through practical exercises and conversation. We will be discussing a wide range of topics, from relationships, finances and politics to entertainment, fashion and humor, as real world examples of how we can know God’s voice in every situation.

Our approach to fulfilling the above purposes is likely different from what you have encountered elsewhere. The three books in “The Eternal Life Series”: Practical Christianity, Getting Healed & Knowing God, were written as a foundation for an on-going discussion of the simplicity of knowing God now. We will be building upon what is written in these books, so it is helpful to be familiar with their contents. If you have not been receiving the newsletters, or need a refresher, the books can be purchased here or under Resources above.

We continue to look for ways to use every available venue as the Lord directs. The Prepare blog is just one aspect of the fulfillment of His present direction. Future plans for expanding our outreach will be posted here and through “A Bit of Grace” Newsletter. If you have not already signed up for the newsletter you can do so here. We will also be installing FeedBurner on this site, so that entries can be automatically emailed to subscribers on a daily basis. “A Bit of Grace” Newsletters will also be posted on this blog.

Healing

We fully expect the Lord to heal both physically and emotionally through this ministry. For all of our sakes, we have arranged with the Lord that He will never ask for a “test of faith” in order to receive a healing. This is especially true in the area of seeking or sustaining medical supervision or medications. Instead we will together seek His direction in conjunction with whatever medical supervision is being given in order to achieve His desired outcome.

Registration

Only registered Prepare users can leave comments on this site. Registration is now open and you can sign up here. We reserve the right to close registration at any time and to deny registration as necessary.

Comments

Please, no religious jargon. Put your thoughts, questions, comments and feedback in your own words. Yes, this means restricting scripture references and quoting of other’s ideas or words. What is the Lord saying to YOU?

Additional Guidelines and Policies will be posted as necessary.

Welcome to Prepare — make yourself at home,

Dianne Thomas