Excellent and thought provoking discussion. I think you all did a great job in fleshing out what authorial intent actually is when it comes to Scripture....it has both a limited human element and a transcendent divine element that goes beyond the immediate context. It's not choose your own adventure when trying to ascertain this broader divine intent, but rather a lifetime of careful study and meditation in community. To me this is part of what makes the Bible so beautiful and compelling.
This was an interesting discussion, but as an American speaker of English who will never be a scholar of the original languages, I am left feeling that I am helpless to fully understand scripture. I have to rely on the people who translated the Bible, and beyond comparison among various versions as I study, I will never have the confidence to agree or disagree with some points mentioned in this podcast. I’ve tried my whole life to read scripture “better”; this podcast kind of left me feeling that, rather than “the truth”, I am looking at a moving target based on each person’s understanding of the big picture and whether or not they have a ph.d in the original languages. This makes me sad for new students of scripture, and even experienced students who may now be feeling that they need to question their lives as compared to scripture in different ways. What if I’m wrong is a valid question, but after listening to this session I was left discouraged about ever knowing the answer to that question. The shorter summary of my ramble is, while I appreciate the discussion, I am suddenly discouraged in a way that depresses me. I used to feel my understanding would increase with more time in the word; now the thought crossed my mind that I can never understand, so why bother if i cannot know the truth? I trust God more than that, of course, but I kind of wish I hadn’t listened to this one. Sorry.
Sandra, I'm so sorry that this episode left you feeling that way. I can say, however, that I've definitely had that feeling many times and it is actually a very important part of the learning process. You hit the nail on the head when you said, "Trust God." That's the key and the goal.
The whole purpose of Bible study is not to figure everything out and have all the right answers. That's how I started out reading the Bible. But none of us will ever get there. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. But that's actually good, because it leaves us feeling humbled and small.
When we feel humble and small, poor in spirit, then we come to Christ and find his rich blessings. So, if Bible study leaves us feeling weak, foolish, desperately in need of his grace and blessings...if it leaves us more determined than ever to throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus...then, we are studying the Bible correctly.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. So, if we end up in a place where we say, "I feel like I know less now than I knew before, but I am more determined than ever to imitate Jesus and love like he loves," then we are on the right track, sister.
It does get discouraging. I've been there. I want to have it all figured out. And, like you, I'll probably never be an expert in these ancient languages. I have to rely on translators and my brothers and sisters around the world to help me figure it out. None of us can do it on our own, it takes all of us, working together to teach each other and encourage each other.
But what really matters is that we have faith in Jesus and strive to love like him. We don't have to Bible "scholars," we just have to be followers of Jesus. May he continue to bless you on your journey, sister!
Seems to think he has apostolic grace and authority to go beyond what is written.
Why do you say that?
Great discussion…deep thoughts on how to be better students of God’s vision for mankind through his inspired word. Thank you
Excellent and thought provoking discussion. I think you all did a great job in fleshing out what authorial intent actually is when it comes to Scripture....it has both a limited human element and a transcendent divine element that goes beyond the immediate context. It's not choose your own adventure when trying to ascertain this broader divine intent, but rather a lifetime of careful study and meditation in community. To me this is part of what makes the Bible so beautiful and compelling.
This was an interesting discussion, but as an American speaker of English who will never be a scholar of the original languages, I am left feeling that I am helpless to fully understand scripture. I have to rely on the people who translated the Bible, and beyond comparison among various versions as I study, I will never have the confidence to agree or disagree with some points mentioned in this podcast. I’ve tried my whole life to read scripture “better”; this podcast kind of left me feeling that, rather than “the truth”, I am looking at a moving target based on each person’s understanding of the big picture and whether or not they have a ph.d in the original languages. This makes me sad for new students of scripture, and even experienced students who may now be feeling that they need to question their lives as compared to scripture in different ways. What if I’m wrong is a valid question, but after listening to this session I was left discouraged about ever knowing the answer to that question. The shorter summary of my ramble is, while I appreciate the discussion, I am suddenly discouraged in a way that depresses me. I used to feel my understanding would increase with more time in the word; now the thought crossed my mind that I can never understand, so why bother if i cannot know the truth? I trust God more than that, of course, but I kind of wish I hadn’t listened to this one. Sorry.
Sandra, I'm so sorry that this episode left you feeling that way. I can say, however, that I've definitely had that feeling many times and it is actually a very important part of the learning process. You hit the nail on the head when you said, "Trust God." That's the key and the goal.
The whole purpose of Bible study is not to figure everything out and have all the right answers. That's how I started out reading the Bible. But none of us will ever get there. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. But that's actually good, because it leaves us feeling humbled and small.
When we feel humble and small, poor in spirit, then we come to Christ and find his rich blessings. So, if Bible study leaves us feeling weak, foolish, desperately in need of his grace and blessings...if it leaves us more determined than ever to throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus...then, we are studying the Bible correctly.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. So, if we end up in a place where we say, "I feel like I know less now than I knew before, but I am more determined than ever to imitate Jesus and love like he loves," then we are on the right track, sister.
It does get discouraging. I've been there. I want to have it all figured out. And, like you, I'll probably never be an expert in these ancient languages. I have to rely on translators and my brothers and sisters around the world to help me figure it out. None of us can do it on our own, it takes all of us, working together to teach each other and encourage each other.
But what really matters is that we have faith in Jesus and strive to love like him. We don't have to Bible "scholars," we just have to be followers of Jesus. May he continue to bless you on your journey, sister!