This week, we will focus on the transforming Word of Life, Scripture, and why we need not only to LEARN this story but fall in love with it. The person who first ignited a passion for Scripture in me was Tremper Longman III, in his book Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind. Today I bring an excerpt from a review of his book, Understanding the Old Testament, in which the author summarizes some of the key principles of reading the Bible, specifically the Old Testament. Let’s fall in love with our core narrative all over again:
What are the keys to understanding the Old Testament?
Addressing his first question, Longman surveys attractions in the Old Testament (gripping stories, heart-wrenching poems, images of God, guidance for life, background to the New Testament, pp. 13-17) as well as obstacles to understanding it (length and diversity, antiquity, cultural distances, position in the history of redemption, pp. 17-22). Longman than provides nine principles for interpreting the Old Testament accurately:
- Discover the author’s intended meaning (p. 23).
- Read Scripture in its context (p. 32).
- Identify the genre of the book and passage (p. 39).
- Consider the historical and cultural background of the Bible (p. 47).
- Consider the grammar and structure within the passage (p. 48).
- Interpret experience in the light of Scripture, not Scripture in the light of experience (p. 50).
- Always seek the full counsel of Scripture (p. 51).
- Discover how the scripture passage presents Jesus Christ (p. 52).
- Be open-minded and tolerant of other interpretations (p. 53).
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