We Believe The purpose of GENESIS is to begin the story of the Covenant.. The purpose of EXODUS is to explain how Gods presence came to dwell among his chosen people Israel. The Purpose of Leviticus is to tell the people how to preserve Gods presence among them The Purpose of Numbers is to contrast the faithfulness of God with the faithlessness and rebellion of Israel. Israels Mission Statement, Values, By-laws One God, one people, one sanctuary, one lawOne God, one people, one sanctuary, one law Gods law impacts every area of life, and all law is rooted in the 10 commandmentsGods law impacts every area of life, and all law is rooted in the 10 commandments Obedience is only the beginning of what is expected from God- God wants relationshipObedience is only the beginning of what is expected from God- God wants relationship Gods people are to love him (6:4-8)Gods people are to love him (6:4-8) Israels Mission Statement, Values, By-laws One God, one people, one sanctuary, one lawOne God, one people, one sanctuary, one law Gods law impacts every area of life, and all law is rooted in the 10 commandmentsGods law impacts every area of life, and all law is rooted in the 10 commandments Obedience is only the beginning of what is expected from God- God wants relationshipObedience is only the beginning of what is expected from God- God wants relationship Gods people are to love him (6:4-8)Gods people are to love him (6:4-8) God is Faithful & expects his people to be faithfulGod is Faithful & expects his people to be faithful God Is oneGod Is one God is concerned with justiceGod is concerned with justice God blesses those who are faithful- and punishes those who disobeyGod blesses those who are faithful- and punishes those who disobey Big Idea of Leviticus Did you know Did you know that the structure of the book of Deuteronomy is closely associated with that of a Near Eastern vassal treaty of the Mosaic age? A vassal treaty declared that, though a nation had been captured, they were free but must pay homage to the capturing King. Moses was relating this concept to the Hebrews relationship with God The purpose of DEUTERONOMY is to summarize and renew the covenant in preparation for entering the land. God brings Israel into the land God brings Israel into the land Giving Israelites victory over inhabitants of the land (Jericho) Giving Israelites victory over inhabitants of the land (Jericho) Distributing the land among clans for settlement Distributing the land among clans for settlement God kept his promise, giving the land he had promised to Abraham many centuries earlier. God is the one who brings victory; there is no foe that can withstand him. God expects obedience The purpose of JOSHUA is to show how God kept his covenant promise to give the land to Israel. Remember, We interpret the Bible every time we find something in the Bible! Why do we have so many different interpretations of Scripture?Why do we have so many different interpretations of Scripture? How do you know when to interpret a passage literally or not?How do you know when to interpret a passage literally or not? We can twist and turn meaning to fit our agendas- how do we know what is true?We can twist and turn meaning to fit our agendas- how do we know what is true? How Do Groups Come to Such a Different Interpretation of Texts Than Christianity? Mormons Jehovahs Witnesses IslamEtc. How Do Christians Come to Different Conclusions About Texts on Such Issues As: Submission, Foot Washing, Head Covering for Women, Baptism, Lords Supper How Do Christians Interpret Some Passages as Important for Us Today, and Ignore Others? Hate your Family, Rich Man and Possessions, Nicodemis and Born Again historical events written thousands of years agohistorical events written thousands of years ago dramatically different culturedramatically different culture written in foreign languageswritten in foreign languages 1.Play By the Rules The SAME Rules (Table Games- or Sports) How Can Mormons Interpret Something So Differently? We cannot escape our biass Are preconceived notions avoidable?? Draw a Picture of God Imagine verse thru a mature believers eyes vs. non-believer or baby 2. Acknowledge and Recognize Your Biass A. Culturally B. Theologically do your best to draw meaning from the text (seek the authors intended meaning), not superimpose meaning onto the text we interpret as a Christian/Evangelical not a blank slate 3. See the verse as a part of the whole Every word is a part of verse- verse a part of a paragraph- paragraph a part of a chapter book NT/OT the whole Bible the whole tells a story (see D.A. Carson) if we would understand the parts, our wisest course is to get to know the whole J.I. Packer 4. Assume A Literal Interpretation First Which means assume a plain, clear, ordinary, primary sense of a word or phrase- as opposed to figurative use 5. Consider the Author: Who was the writer?Who was the writer? To whom is it written?To whom is it written? Why was he saying it?Why was he saying it? What was his original intended message?What was his original intended message? Is the use of a particular word, phrase, verb tense, etc. significant in this instance?Is the use of a particular word, phrase, verb tense, etc. significant in this instance? 6. Consider the literary genre is it: Historical? (Acts)Historical? (Acts) Dramatic epic? (Job)Dramatic epic? (Job) LegalLegal NarrativeNarrative PropheticProphetic Poetry? (Psalms)Poetry? (Psalms) Wise Sayings? (Proverbs) (Absolutes?)Wise Sayings? (Proverbs) (Absolutes?) Apocalyptic Writing? (Revelation)Apocalyptic Writing? (Revelation) 7. Pay Attention to Context Immediate ContextImmediate Context Broader ContextBroader Context Historical Setting or Cultural ContextHistorical Setting or Cultural Context Social Context (particular people & particular occasion)Social Context (particular people & particular occasion) 8. Consider Grammatical Context The nuances of the original language 9. Use the Rest of Scripture to Shed Light on the Verse or Passage A. (John 1:1; Gen 1:5 yom +number) B. Be Careful About Absolutizing What is Said or Commanded Only Once (washing of the feet vs. Baptism or The Lords Supper) 10. Check it Out Through Prayer & the Holy Spirit With trusted teachers, leaders, use commentaries, lexicons, handbook to the Bible, use more than one translation, etc.