The relevance of Scripture is an application obstacle. This problem requires an interpreter to determine how Scripture should be applied to modern-day times.
Dr. Heiser points 2 Timothy 3:16 shows that Scripture is profitable for personal application in modern-day [1]. But, he charges that it does not reflect the totality of Scripture to be applicable; rather, he suggests that though all Scripture applies in “some way” to modern day people, that degree varies depending upon which Scripture is referenced [2].
Exegesis efforts by interpreters establish relevance, not by modern-day connections that seem possible, but real examples of relevant Scripture that leaves no doubt to its applicability. Dr. Heiser’s example of Old Testament laws, and how those laws apply, illustrates the obstacle of relevance; but, there are many scattered throughout Scripture today that are hot topics of social debate, such as homosexuality, abortion, and racism. Scripture relevance is affected by the New Testament emphasis and de-emphasis of the law, as well as the accounts of the Early Church practices that possibly change as modern-day develops deeper ideas concerning the Word of God.
Dr. Heiser looks to the Book of Acts, and its reflection of how the Early Church did things as being either descriptive or prescriptive. He points out that descriptive relevance looks toward historical actions and prescriptive relevance requires duplicate actions [3]. Should we do things like Scripture relates, or is it an example that needs amplification and changed in modern day? It is this sense that relevance becomes a possible problem in the interpretation to reach the full Truth of God.
Some scholars think an easy tool for preventing mistakes in establishing relevance is to answer the standard questions of who, what, when, where, how, and why. The Holman Bible Handbook lists the often misinterpreted Philippians 4:13 to be aided by this approach for relevance:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Christians often quote this Scripture to express that exceptional faith in Christ will help Christians to do supernatural tasks of strength. But, when the questions of who, what, when, where, how, and why are applied, interpreters recognize that it is not that at all [4]. Rather, it is Paul reassuring his readers that though he is confined to prison and facing his execution, he is surviving, and that survival is attributed to his faith. Though misinterpretations and faulty ideas of escaping persecution are sometimes attributed to Philippians 4:13, the relevance of the passage shows that even the strongest Christians have endured tremendous persecution and oppression that has led to their deaths. Faith did not rescue them; faith assured them. Without the application of relevance discovery that valuable piece of interpretation would be lost by many.
The same type of difficulties in interpretation occur in the process of understanding the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus, with all its old laws, is often thought to be irrelevant to modern-day spirituality. Early church fathers applied an allegorical interpretation, and rejected its historical context; the spiritual sense of Leviticus became the central point in their interpretation efforts [5].
But, when the relevance of this Scripture is searched to determine the original author’s intentions, the historical and cultural context is enhanced [6]. New discoveries in archaeology have given scholars new information concerning the life and times of when Leviticus was written. Light is shed upon Leviticus, and allows for a better analysis. An examination of the paragraphs that precede and follow each passage, and close examination of grammar and literary structure also contribute to relevance. When this careful and diligent approach is utilized, the relevance of text reveals more of God’s Truth than it does without that effort.
Bibliography
Dockery, David S., Trent C. Butler, Christopher L. Church et al. Holman Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992.
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Rooker, Mark F. Leviticus. Vol. 3A The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2000.
Footnotes
[1] Michael S. Heiser, BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software), 00:24.
[2] Ibid., 00:42.
[3] Ibid., 01:21.
[4] David S. Dockery, Trent C. Butler, Christopher L. Church et al., Holman Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992), 95.
[5] Mark F. Rooker, Leviticus, The New American Commentary, vol. 3A (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2000), 43.
[6] Ibid.
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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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