Discovering the Author's Intent in Biblical Texts

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding the Author's Intention

The meaning of a text is defined by the author's intention, which aligns with the biblical assumption that God's word is meant to be understood as He intended. This approach respects the integrity of the text and seeks to uncover the divine truths it holds. When we read the Bible, we are invited to step into the world of the authors, inspired by God, to grasp the truths they intended to convey. This requires us to set aside our preconceived notions and subjective interpretations, allowing the text to speak for itself. By doing so, we honor the divine inspiration behind the scriptures and open ourselves to the wisdom and knowledge they offer. [00:43]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Think of a recent Bible passage you read. How can you approach it with a fresh perspective, seeking to understand the author's original intention rather than your own interpretation?

Day 2: The Golden Rule of Reading

The golden rule of reading emphasizes the importance of understanding the author's intention, just as we desire our own intentions to be understood. This mutual respect fosters deeper knowledge and wisdom. When we engage with any text, especially the Bible, we should strive to listen attentively and empathetically, putting ourselves in the author's shoes. This approach not only enriches our understanding but also cultivates humility and respect for the text and its divine inspiration. By doing so, we align ourselves with a path of wisdom that transcends our limited perspectives. [01:39]

Proverbs 18:2 (ESV): "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."

Reflection: Consider a conversation or text where you felt misunderstood. How can this experience help you empathize with biblical authors and seek to understand their intentions more deeply?

Day 3: Embracing a Biblical Worldview

A biblical worldview acknowledges God as the absolute reality, with creation existing objectively outside our minds. This challenges modern perspectives that suggest individuals can define their own reality and meaning. By embracing this worldview, we recognize that truth is not subjective but grounded in the reality of God's creation and revelation. This perspective invites us to seek truth beyond ourselves, acknowledging that our understanding is limited and that true wisdom comes from aligning our views with God's revealed truth. [02:15]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been tempted to define your own reality. How can you realign this area with the biblical worldview that acknowledges God as the ultimate reality?

Day 4: Recognizing God's Absolute Reality

Scriptures like Exodus 3:13-14 and Hebrews 1:1-3 affirm God's existence as the ultimate reality and His role in creating and sustaining the universe, highlighting the objective nature of creation. These passages remind us that God is not a distant or abstract concept but the very foundation of all that exists. By recognizing God's absolute reality, we are called to live in a way that reflects His sovereignty and creative power, acknowledging that our lives are part of His grand design. This understanding challenges us to trust in His providence and align our lives with His purposes. [05:33]

Psalm 33:6-9 (ESV): "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge God's sovereignty in your daily life, especially in moments of uncertainty or doubt?

Day 5: Accessing Divine Mysteries

Ephesians 3:3-4 reveals the privilege of accessing divine mysteries through revelation, allowing us to perceive insights beyond our limited understanding and grow in our knowledge of Christ. This access is not a result of our own efforts but a gift of grace, inviting us to explore the depths of God's wisdom and love. As we engage with the scriptures, we are encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, trusting that He will illuminate our hearts and minds to comprehend the mysteries of God's kingdom. This journey of discovery deepens our relationship with Christ and transforms our lives. [07:50]

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV): "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."

Reflection: What is one mystery of God that you find difficult to understand? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in exploring this mystery further?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into the profound question of what constitutes the meaning of a text, particularly focusing on biblical texts. The central argument is that the meaning of a text is what the author intended to communicate through their words. This perspective is supported by several reasons, including the assumption that the Bible itself operates under this definition of meaning. The golden rule of reading suggests that just as we wish our intentions to be understood when we communicate, we should strive to understand the author's intentions when we read. This approach is not only respectful but also a humble path to greater knowledge and wisdom.

Today's discussion introduces a fourth reason: this definition of meaning aligns with a biblical worldview that acknowledges God as the absolute reality. God created and sustains a world that exists objectively outside of our minds. Therefore, when we read the Bible, our goal is not to create meaning but to discover the meaning intended by the God-inspired authors. This worldview contrasts sharply with modern perspectives that suggest individuals can define their own reality and meaning, as exemplified by Justice Anthony Kennedy's statement in a landmark court case.

The biblical worldview is further illustrated through scriptures such as Psalm 14:1, which highlights the folly of denying God's existence, and Exodus 3:13-14, where God reveals Himself as the ultimate reality, "I am Who I am." Hebrews 1:1-3 emphasizes that God, through His Son, created and upholds the universe, affirming the objective existence of creation. Ephesians 3:3-4 underscores the privilege of accessing divine mysteries through revelation, allowing us to perceive insights beyond our limited understanding.

In conclusion, the meaning of a text, particularly the Bible, is rooted in the author's intention, which exists objectively outside of our subjective interpretations. This understanding challenges us to approach reading with humility and a desire to uncover the divine truths embedded within the scriptures.

Key Takeaways

1. 14 and Hebrews 1:1-3 affirm God's existence as the ultimate reality and His role in creating and sustaining the universe, highlighting the objective nature of creation. [05:33]
5. Ephesians 3:3-4 reveals the privilege of accessing divine mysteries through revelation, allowing us to perceive insights beyond our limited understanding and grow in our knowledge of Christ.

** [05:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction to Meaning
[00:43] - Author's Intention
[01:11] - Biblical Assumptions
[01:39] - The Golden Rule of Reading
[01:57] - Humble Path to Wisdom
[02:15] - Biblical Worldview
[03:16] - Modern Perspectives
[04:53] - Scriptural Insights
[05:33] - God's Absolute Reality
[06:20] - Creation's Objective Existence
[07:13] - Access to Divine Mysteries
[08:18] - The Goal of Reading
[09:51] - Conclusion on Meaning
[10:29] - Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Psalm 14:1
Exodus 3:13-14
Hebrews 1:1-3
Ephesians 3:3-4

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Observation Questions:

According to the sermon, what is the primary definition of the meaning of a text, and how does this relate to the author's intention? [00:43]
How does the sermon describe the difference between a biblical worldview and modern perspectives on reality and meaning? [03:16]
What does Exodus 3:13-14 reveal about God's nature and existence, as discussed in the sermon? [05:33]
How does Hebrews 1:1-3 affirm the objective existence of creation according to the sermon? [06:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon suggest that understanding the author's intention in a text can lead to greater knowledge and wisdom? [01:57]
In what ways does the biblical worldview, as described in the sermon, challenge the idea that individuals can define their own reality? [02:15]
How does the concept of God as the "I am" in Exodus 3:13-14 shape our understanding of reality and existence? [05:33]
What role does divine revelation play in our understanding of the mysteries of Christ, according to Ephesians 3:3-4 and the sermon? [07:50]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you read a text, biblical or otherwise, and misunderstood the author's intention. How did that affect your understanding, and what steps can you take to improve your reading approach? [01:39]
The sermon contrasts a biblical worldview with modern perspectives on reality. How do you see these differing worldviews impacting your daily life and decisions? [03:16]
Consider the statement "I am Who I am" from Exodus 3:13-14. How does acknowledging God as the ultimate reality influence your personal faith journey? [05:33]
In what ways can you cultivate a humble approach to reading the Bible, seeking to uncover the divine truths intended by the authors? [01:57]
How can you apply the golden rule of reading in your interactions with others, ensuring that you seek to understand their intentions as you wish yours to be understood? [01:39]
Reflect on the privilege of accessing divine mysteries through revelation, as mentioned in Ephesians 3:3-4. How can this understanding deepen your relationship with Christ? [07:50]
Identify a modern perspective on reality that you encounter frequently. How can you address this perspective with a biblical worldview in your conversations and actions? [02:15]

Sermon Clips

The meaning of a text is what the author intended to communicate by his words and I'm giving reasons for it seven reasons for defining meaning as what the author intended to communicate by his words and so far we have seen these three reasons because the Bible assumes this definition of meaning. [00:00:43]

The golden rule as a reader: do unto others as you would have readers do unto you as an author. Nobody wants their intents to communicate be ignored or discounted. We want people to try to find what we're trying to communicate when we talk or write to them. [00:01:39]

This definition of meaning reflects the biblical worldview that God is absolute reality and that he created and upholds a world of reality that has objective existence outside our minds. So what's in our minds is not all that there is. [00:02:15]

The aim of reading his word is not to create meaning but to discover meaning in what the God-inspired author intended to communicate, an intention that has real objective existence outside ourselves. [00:02:39]

Psalm 14:1: The fool says in his heart there is no god, but there are people who say I will simply choose to define reality as excluding God. Once God goes, objective reality, absolute truth outside myself goes. Everything becomes malleable, twistable. [00:04:53]

Exodus 3:13-14: Moses said to God, if I come to the people of Israel and say to them the god of your fathers has sent me to you and they say what is his name, what shall I say to them? And God said to Moses, say I am Who I am. [00:05:33]

Hebrews 1:1-3: Long ago in many and various many times and in many ways God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he created the world. [00:06:20]

This God who absolutely is created the world by his son. He is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. [00:06:39]

Ephesians 3:3-4: The mystery was made known to me, Paul says, by revelation. So this God not only creates, he not only upholds, but he reveals as I have written wonder of wonders briefly. [00:07:50]

By reading this you can perceive my intention, my insight, my view, my experience of the mystery of Christ. That's got to be one of the most important sentences in the Bible about the goal of reading and what the meaning of a text is. [00:08:18]

Our goal in reading the Bible is not to see an echo of what we already know in our puny little minds. The goal is to realize there's a God out there, there are intentions that he puts in people's minds and they write them down under his inspiration. [00:09:51]

I am defining meaning of a text as what the author, the God-inspired author, intended to communicate by his words because the Bible assumes this meaning. It's the way we would want to be read, reading a text in order to discover the author's intention. [00:10:29]

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Discovering the Author's Intent in Biblical Texts

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding the Author's Intention

Day 2: The Golden Rule of Reading

Day 3: Embracing a Biblical Worldview

Day 4: Recognizing God's Absolute Reality

Day 5: Accessing Divine Mysteries

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Discovering the Author's Intent in Biblical Texts

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