Bridging Biblical Contexts: Understanding Scripture Today

 

Summary

In this session, we explored the complex relationship between the Bible and the culture in which it was written, and how this affects our understanding and application of Scripture today. The challenge lies in bridging the historical and cultural gap between the ancient biblical world and our modern context. This involves not only understanding the text but also discerning how to apply its teachings in a way that is faithful to its original intent and relevant to our current circumstances.

One of the key issues we face is the problem of trans-cultural communication. This is evident in both foreign mission fields and within our own diverse cultural settings. For instance, translating biblical concepts into languages and cultures that have no frame of reference for them can be incredibly challenging. Similarly, interpreting biblical imagery, such as Jesus' parables about sheep and shepherds, can be difficult for those who have never experienced an agricultural setting.

A specific example discussed was the episode of Jesus cursing the fig tree. Without understanding the cultural and botanical context of fig trees in Palestine, this story can be puzzling. However, when we learn that certain fig trees bear fruit out of season, the story becomes an object lesson about hypocrisy, illustrating the danger of having the appearance of righteousness without the substance.

The broader question is how to discern which parts of the Bible are cultural customs and which are enduring principles. This is particularly relevant in contemporary debates, such as the role of women in the church. While some argue that certain biblical instructions were culturally specific, others see them as timeless principles. The challenge is to navigate these issues with sensitivity and fidelity to Scripture.

Ultimately, the task is to approach the Bible with both literary and historical understanding, recognizing the human element in its composition while affirming its divine inspiration. This requires a careful balance, acknowledging that some teachings are universal principles while others may be culturally bound.

Key Takeaways:

1. Trans-cultural Communication: Understanding the Bible requires bridging the cultural and historical gap between its original context and our own. This involves recognizing the challenges of translating biblical concepts into different cultural settings, both abroad and within our own diverse communities. [02:39]

2. The Fig Tree as an Object Lesson: The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree illustrates the importance of understanding cultural and botanical contexts. It serves as a powerful object lesson about hypocrisy, warning against having the appearance of righteousness without genuine substance. [09:06]

3. Principle vs. Custom: Discerning between cultural customs and enduring principles in the Bible is crucial for faithful interpretation and application. This involves recognizing that some teachings are specific to their cultural context, while others transcend time and culture. [16:51]

4. The Role of Women in the Church: The debate over the role of women in the church highlights the complexity of applying biblical teachings today. It requires careful consideration of whether certain instructions were culturally specific or intended as timeless principles. [13:01]

5. Approaching Scripture with Understanding: A responsible approach to the Bible involves acknowledging its human element while affirming its divine inspiration. This means studying the literary and historical context to discern the intended message and its relevance for today. [23:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:39] - Historical Tension and Cultural Gap
- [01:21] - Trans-cultural Communication Challenges
- [02:39] - Missionary Experiences and Cultural Translation
- [03:17] - Urban Contexts and Biblical Imagery
- [03:59] - Jesus and the Fig Tree
- [05:23] - Understanding the Fig Tree Episode
- [06:37] - Fig Tree Varieties and Object Lessons
- [08:24] - Hypocrisy and Object Lessons
- [10:27] - Interpretation vs. Application
- [11:42] - The Role of Women in the Church
- [13:43] - Biblical Restrictions and Modern Context
- [16:08] - Principle and Custom Defined
- [18:49] - The Bible as Divine Revelation
- [20:39] - Confession of Sixty-Seven Controversy
- [24:06] - Principle and Custom: A Balanced Approach
- [26:08] - Guidelines for Discerning Principle and Custom

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 11:12-14, 20-21 (The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree)
2. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 (Instructions regarding the role of women in the church)
3. Romans 12:2 (Transformation and renewal of the mind)

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the cultural and botanical context of fig trees in Palestine that helps us understand the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree? [06:37]

2. How does the sermon describe the challenge of trans-cultural communication when interpreting biblical texts? [01:21]

3. What examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the difficulty of applying biblical teachings to modern contexts, particularly regarding the role of women in the church? [13:01]

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of understanding the historical and cultural background of biblical texts? [09:56]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding the specific variety of fig tree mentioned in the sermon change the interpretation of Jesus' actions in Mark 11:12-14? [07:47]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that some biblical instructions might be cultural customs rather than enduring principles? How does this affect our interpretation of passages like 1 Timothy 2:11-12? [16:51]

3. How does Romans 12:2 relate to the sermon’s discussion on the need for transformation and renewal of the mind when interpreting Scripture in a modern context? [23:35]

4. What are the potential dangers of misinterpreting cultural customs as universal principles, as discussed in the sermon? [24:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand a biblical passage due to cultural differences. How did you resolve this, and what resources did you find helpful? [09:56]

2. How can you apply the lesson of the fig tree to your own life, ensuring that your outward appearance of faith matches your inner spiritual reality? [09:06]

3. In what ways can you become more aware of cultural biases that might affect your interpretation of Scripture? What steps can you take to address these biases? [01:21]

4. How do you discern whether a biblical teaching is a cultural custom or an enduring principle? What criteria or resources do you use to make this distinction? [16:51]

5. Consider the role of women in your church or community. How can you engage in meaningful conversations about this topic while respecting differing interpretations of Scripture? [13:01]

6. Romans 12:2 talks about renewing the mind. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure your mind is being transformed by Scripture rather than conforming to cultural norms? [23:35]

7. Identify a biblical principle that you believe is often misinterpreted as a cultural custom. How can you help others understand its true significance and application today? [24:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Bridging Cultural and Historical Gaps
Understanding the Bible requires bridging the cultural and historical gap between its original context and our own. This involves recognizing the challenges of translating biblical concepts into different cultural settings, both abroad and within our own diverse communities. The Bible was written in a time and place vastly different from our own, and its teachings were shaped by the cultural norms and historical events of that era. To faithfully interpret and apply Scripture today, we must first seek to understand the world in which it was written. This means studying the historical and cultural background of biblical texts and being aware of our own cultural biases that may affect our interpretation. [02:39]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What cultural or historical aspect of the Bible have you found challenging to understand, and how can you seek to learn more about it this week?


Day 2: Lessons from the Fig Tree
The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree illustrates the importance of understanding cultural and botanical contexts. It serves as a powerful object lesson about hypocrisy, warning against having the appearance of righteousness without genuine substance. In the biblical narrative, the fig tree appeared healthy and fruitful from a distance, but upon closer inspection, it bore no fruit. This story challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we may be projecting an image of spiritual health without the corresponding inner reality. By understanding the cultural significance of fig trees in Palestine, we gain deeper insight into the message Jesus was conveying. [09:06]

"And he said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it." (Mark 11:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life might you be projecting an image of righteousness without genuine substance? How can you begin to address this today?


Day 3: Distinguishing Principles from Customs
Discerning between cultural customs and enduring principles in the Bible is crucial for faithful interpretation and application. This involves recognizing that some teachings are specific to their cultural context, while others transcend time and culture. The challenge lies in determining which instructions were meant for a particular time and place and which are applicable to all believers throughout history. This discernment requires careful study and a willingness to engage with differing interpretations. By doing so, we can apply biblical teachings in a way that is both faithful to Scripture and relevant to our contemporary context. [16:51]

"Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (Mark 7:13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a biblical teaching that you find difficult to apply today. How can you discern whether it is a cultural custom or an enduring principle?


Day 4: The Role of Women in the Church
The debate over the role of women in the church highlights the complexity of applying biblical teachings today. It requires careful consideration of whether certain instructions were culturally specific or intended as timeless principles. This issue is particularly challenging because it involves deeply held beliefs and traditions within the church. To navigate this debate, we must approach Scripture with humility and a willingness to listen to diverse perspectives. By doing so, we can seek to understand the original intent of biblical teachings and how they might be faithfully applied in our modern context. [13:01]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: How do you view the role of women in the church, and what steps can you take to engage with this topic thoughtfully and respectfully?


Day 5: Approaching Scripture with Understanding
A responsible approach to the Bible involves acknowledging its human element while affirming its divine inspiration. This means studying the literary and historical context to discern the intended message and its relevance for today. The Bible is a complex collection of texts, written by different authors over many centuries, and it reflects the cultural and historical circumstances of its time. By approaching Scripture with both literary and historical understanding, we can better appreciate its richness and depth. This balanced approach allows us to affirm the Bible's divine inspiration while recognizing the human element in its composition. [23:35]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate both literary and historical understanding into your study of the Bible this week? What resources or tools might help you in this endeavor?

Quotes

In this session of our study of principles of biblical interpretation, we’re going to examine one of the most difficult problem areas that we face as Christians trying to understand the Bible, and that’s the question of the relationship between the Bible and the culture in which it was written. [00:00:09]

This is the broad question of what we call the problem of trans-cultural communication. Every missionary who’s ever had to function on a foreign field understands the problems of trans-cultural communication. I have a friend, for example, who was born and raised in the interior of Africa. [00:01:36]

I’ve spoken on several occasion to children who live in ghettos in the inner city, and you talk to them about the parables from the New Testament, which highlight so often on images and stories that are drawn and borrowed from an agricultural society in the first century. [00:02:57]

An example for – that we run into in New Testament interpretation that has troubled many readers of the Bible is the episode in the life and ministry of Jesus where Jesus curses a fig tree. And if you read the text there in the gospels where Jesus approaches this fig tree from a distance, we read that part of what the text says was that Jesus was hungry and He saw a fig tree in bloom, and He approached the fig tree to gather figs. [00:04:12]

The Old Testament prophets didn’t just speak with their mouths or write with their pens, but when they were communicating prophetic truths, they would often use object lessons. They would take utensils, a boiling pot, and make significance out of it, they would run naked through the streets to communicate a point; they did what we call make use of the object lesson. [00:08:39]

The question is, however, do those restrictions and do those positions that are ascribed to women apply to today? And you know how much controversy has been engendered by that debate. Churches have been split; people have been hurt. A lot of people have become very angry about the whole question. [00:12:54]

I think it would be a gross oversimplification, indeed, simplistic in the extreme to assume that those who have resisted the ordination of women, for example, in certain denominations, do so merely out of a sinful disposition of chauvinistic prejudice. [00:13:18]

Now if we can sharpen the question and sharpen the problem, we can boil it down, I think, to this: The issue focuses on one critical matter and that is, are there parts of the Bible that merely express local customs, and are there also parts of the Bible that communicate enduring principle? [00:16:18]

What we mean by a principle, a biblical principle, is a teaching or an admonition or a precept that is trans-cultural. That is, it applies to all people in all places in all ages. For example, we have a biblical principle that we ought not to be engaged in idolatry, the worship of idols. [00:16:41]

Now those who hold that position, some of them take the tact that because this all comes from the mind of God, there is no room for customs in the Bible, that everything is in – that is in the Scripture is to be applied everywhere all the time to all people, and so there’s no room at all for distinction between principle and custom, and that creates real serious problems. [00:19:06]

I think it’s simplistic to say it’s all principle or to say it’s all custom, that we would err in either direction. We have to face the fact that there are portions of Scripture that transpose over culture and there are those that don’t have any particular bearing on our culture today. [00:24:29]

To treat a principle of God as something of only having temporary significance is to do violence to the authority of our Lord. And yet at the same time, to take something that was only meant to be of temporary custom and impose it upon all people in every age is to do violence to the people of God, and it’s not easy to solve it. [00:25:25]

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Transcript
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