The worldview is analyzed in Historical, Cultural, and Religious Context each expressing the experience of the author at his time of life. The Historical Context is further divided by two different aspects; the “broad historical context” examines the big picture history surrounding the author and his life, and the “immediate historical context” looks at the exact time of the author’s existence [1].
One of the most common uses of the Historical Context by Professional Theologists will always be steering inquirers through biblical, political, cultural and physical aspects of the existence of the state of Israel. God’s Chosen People are central to both the Old Testament’s records of their covenanted relationships with God that leads to the New Testament covenant between God and mankind through his son Jesus Christ. Prophecy contained within Scripture is deeply connected to God’s relationship with the people that He once led to the Promised Land, and even in the New Testament prophecy, Israel is often central to its message.
Modern-day political and religious tensions swirl precariously through Israel. It is a major site of three important religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Palestine nationalists and Palestinian Christians claim rights to the same land given by God to the Israelite Jews. Muslims built the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat As-Sakhrah), an Islamic holy site built around Abraham’s foundation stone, upon the most holy ground of Jewish heritage, the Temple Mount.The resulting conflicts between many generations of Jews, Muslims, and Christians, as well as Israeli and Palestinian nationalists, have created a powder keg of tensions, threatening to erupt into unstoppable conflicts without warning. Interference and support of the government of Palestinians by most of the Islamic Middle East and the support of the right for Israel’s statehood and existence by the United States government complicates negotiations of land and human rights in the area. These conflicts seem always at the center of national news, churning aggressive posturing and escalating violence against the various factions and nations.
These conflicts are not restricted to nationalistic concerns; religious folk struggle more over the crowded Holy Land than do its occupants and government foes and supporters. The Christian issues that conflict are usually boiled down to two different interpretations of prophecy within Scripture. One view supports the existence of Israel and thinks that God has future prophetically revealed intentions for His Chosen People. The other position supports the Palestinian effort to reacquire land in already established Jewish places with the idea that Christians replaced the Chosen People of God.
Professional Theologists must understand all sides of these conflicts. They do not have the luxury of teaching their personal belief that is usually formed by denominational views. Nor do their opinions lie hidden from the majority of Christians in ivory towers of higher learning. Professional Theologists stand in the gap and need to understand many different ideas that are sometimes correctly and sometimes wrongly inserted into the interpretation of prophetic Scripture. That is the reason the broad Historical Context is so important in the teachings developed by Professional Theologists for seeking students and strong representation of correct exegesis of Scripture to inform conflicting sides with the actual reflections contained within the Word of God.
Professional Theologists must also carefully teach the immediate Historical Context in order to portray the authors’ worldviews and the circumstances framing their words. Every interpretive effort must include the examination of Scripture in Historical Context to find the full Truth of God’s Word, especially in the literal exegesis of the writings of authors in their time.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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