Unlocking Scripture: The Power of Parallelism and Law
Summary
In our exploration of biblical interpretation, we delved into the complexities of understanding Scripture, particularly focusing on the concept of parallelism and its significance in interpreting biblical texts. We began by addressing a challenging passage from Isaiah 45:7, where God states, "I create evil." This statement, at first glance, seems to contradict the foundational Christian belief that God is not the author of evil. To resolve this, we examined the literary form known as parallelism, a common Hebrew poetic device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas to convey deeper meaning.
Parallelism comes in various forms, including synonymous, antithetic, and synthetic. Synonymous parallelism involves two lines expressing the same idea in different words, as seen in Proverbs 19:5. Antithetic parallelism contrasts opposing ideas, like in Proverbs 13:10, while synthetic parallelism builds upon ideas, creating a crescendo effect, as illustrated in Psalm 92:9. Recognizing these forms helps us interpret passages accurately, avoiding misinterpretations that arise from overlooking the poetic structure.
We also discussed the importance of distinguishing between different types of biblical laws: casuistic, apodictic, and proverbs. Casuistic law, or case law, provides guidelines for specific situations, while apodictic law presents moral absolutes, such as the Ten Commandments. Proverbs, on the other hand, offer practical wisdom rather than moral absolutes, as demonstrated by the seemingly contradictory proverbs in Proverbs 26:4-5. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for applying biblical principles appropriately in our lives.
In conclusion, recognizing literary forms and understanding the nature of biblical laws are essential tools for interpreting Scripture. These insights not only clarify challenging passages but also enrich our comprehension of God's Word, enabling us to apply its wisdom effectively in our daily lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Parallelism: Recognizing parallelism in Scripture is crucial for accurate interpretation. This literary device, common in Hebrew poetry, juxtaposes ideas to convey deeper meaning, helping us avoid misinterpretations. [02:50]
2. Types of Parallelism: Different forms of parallelism, such as synonymous, antithetic, and synthetic, each have unique interpretative rules. Understanding these forms enriches our comprehension of biblical texts. [04:02]
3. Distinguishing Biblical Laws: It's essential to differentiate between casuistic, apodictic, and proverbial laws. Each serves a distinct purpose, from providing specific guidelines to offering moral absolutes and practical wisdom. [15:03]
4. Interpreting Proverbs: Proverbs offer practical wisdom rather than moral absolutes. Recognizing this distinction prevents confusion and helps us apply their insights appropriately in various life situations. [19:17]
5. Applying Biblical Wisdom: Understanding literary forms and biblical laws enhances our ability to apply Scripture's wisdom in our lives, guiding us in making informed, spiritually sound decisions. [24:56]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Introduction to the Biblical A Priori
[01:28] - The Challenge of Isaiah 45:7
[02:50] - Understanding Parallelism
[04:02] - Types of Parallelism
[06:13] - Synonymous Parallelism in the Lord's Prayer
[06:50] - Antithetic Parallelism in Proverbs
[07:39] - Synthetic Parallelism in Psalms
[09:16] - Recognizing Poetic Structures
[09:51] - Revisiting Isaiah 45:7
[11:49] - Hebrew Understanding of Evil
[13:09] - God's Role in Calamity
[15:03] - Types of Biblical Laws
[16:22] - Case Law Explained
[17:31] - Apodictic Law and Moral Absolutes
[18:02] - Interpreting Proverbs
[19:54] - Practical Wisdom in Proverbs
[24:56] - Applying Biblical Wisdom
[26:05] - Preview of Next Session
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 45:7
2. Proverbs 19:5
3. Proverbs 26:4-5
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Observation Questions:
1. In Isaiah 45:7, God states, "I create evil." How does the sermon explain this statement in the context of parallelism? [01:28]
2. What are the different types of parallelism mentioned in the sermon, and how do they help in interpreting biblical texts? [04:02]
3. How does the sermon differentiate between casuistic, apodictic, and proverbial laws? [15:03]
4. What examples of synonymous and antithetic parallelism are provided in the sermon, and how do they illustrate these concepts? [06:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the concept of parallelism change the interpretation of challenging passages like Isaiah 45:7? [11:08]
2. In what ways do the distinctions between casuistic, apodictic, and proverbial laws affect how we apply biblical principles to modern life? [15:03]
3. How can recognizing the literary forms in Scripture, such as parallelism, enhance our comprehension of God's Word? [14:23]
4. What insights can be gained from understanding the nature of proverbs as practical wisdom rather than moral absolutes? [19:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you misinterpreted a biblical passage. How might understanding parallelism have changed your interpretation? [09:16]
2. Consider a situation in your life where distinguishing between different types of biblical laws could provide clarity. How can you apply this understanding to make a spiritually sound decision? [16:22]
3. Identify a proverb that you find challenging to apply. How can recognizing it as practical wisdom rather than a moral absolute help you use it effectively in your life? [19:54]
4. Think of a recent decision you made. How might a deeper understanding of biblical literary forms have influenced your choice? [24:56]
5. Choose one type of parallelism (synonymous, antithetic, or synthetic) and find a passage in the Bible that uses it. How does recognizing this form change your understanding of the passage?
6. Reflect on a proverb that seems contradictory to another. How can you discern when to apply each one in your life? [20:39]
7. How can you incorporate the insights from this sermon into your daily Bible study to enhance your understanding and application of Scripture? [14:23]
Devotional
Day 1: The Art of Parallelism in Scripture
Understanding parallelism in Scripture is crucial for accurate interpretation. This literary device, common in Hebrew poetry, juxtaposes ideas to convey deeper meaning, helping us avoid misinterpretations. Recognizing parallelism allows us to see the richness and depth of biblical texts, as it often reveals the nuances and layers of meaning that might be missed otherwise. By identifying the structure and form of parallelism, we can better grasp the intended message and apply it to our lives. [02:50]
"For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little." (Isaiah 28:10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a passage in the Bible that has puzzled you. How might recognizing parallelism in that passage change your understanding of it today?
Day 2: Exploring the Types of Parallelism
Different forms of parallelism, such as synonymous, antithetic, and synthetic, each have unique interpretative rules. Synonymous parallelism involves expressing the same idea in different words, antithetic parallelism contrasts opposing ideas, and synthetic parallelism builds upon ideas. Understanding these forms enriches our comprehension of biblical texts by allowing us to see how different ideas are related and how they build upon each other to convey a deeper message. This understanding can transform our reading of Scripture, making it more meaningful and applicable to our lives. [04:02]
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a verse that uses one of these types of parallelism. How does recognizing the type of parallelism enhance your understanding of the verse?
Day 3: Distinguishing Biblical Laws
It's essential to differentiate between casuistic, apodictic, and proverbial laws. Casuistic law provides guidelines for specific situations, apodictic law presents moral absolutes, and proverbs offer practical wisdom. Each serves a distinct purpose, and understanding these distinctions is crucial for applying biblical principles appropriately in our lives. By recognizing the nature of these laws, we can better discern how to live out our faith in a way that aligns with God's intentions. [15:03]
"Now these are the rules that you shall set before them." (Exodus 21:1, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a decision you need to make. Which type of biblical law might provide guidance for your situation, and how can you apply it today?
Day 4: Interpreting Proverbs with Wisdom
Proverbs offer practical wisdom rather than moral absolutes. Recognizing this distinction prevents confusion and helps us apply their insights appropriately in various life situations. Proverbs are meant to guide us in making wise choices, but they are not promises or guarantees. By understanding the nature of proverbs, we can apply their wisdom in a way that is both practical and spiritually enriching, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with discernment. [19:17]
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes." (Proverbs 26:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you need practical wisdom. How can you apply the insights from a proverb to guide your actions today?
Day 5: Applying Biblical Wisdom in Daily Life
Understanding literary forms and biblical laws enhances our ability to apply Scripture's wisdom in our lives, guiding us in making informed, spiritually sound decisions. By recognizing the structure and purpose of different biblical texts, we can better discern how to live out our faith in a way that is both meaningful and transformative. This understanding empowers us to apply God's Word effectively, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions in a way that reflects His love and truth. [24:56]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you need guidance. How can you apply the wisdom of Scripture to make a spiritually sound decision today?
Quotes
I remember reading a chapter in a volume in theology written by my mentor, Dr. G.C. Berkouwer, and the title of the chapter was, "The Biblical A Priori." Well an "a priori" is a principle that is so basic and so foundational that it ought never to be violated, and the point of Berkouwer's chapter was this: that the one basic axiom of Scripture is that we ought never, never, never, never to attribute in any other way -- in any way possible the doing of evil to God, and that it is a principle of Christianity that God is never the author of evil -- that He's utterly incapable of doing evil. [00:00:08]
To solve this problem is a simple matter if we are able to recognize the specific literary form in which that particular text comes to us. What we have here is an example of a particular kind of parallelism which is a form, a literary device, that is very commonplace to the Hebrew and found throughout the Scriptures, but we are not accustomed to it so readily in our language as the Jew was in antiquity, and so sometimes we don't recognize it when it appears, and we stumble and get caught up and run into all kinds of bear traps because of our inability to recognize a parallelism. [00:02:09]
Parallelism simply is what it suggests, where you have verses or stanzas of Scripture that are set in close proximity to each other in some form of parallel fashion. The trick, however, is that there are different kinds and different types of parallelisms; there are what we call synthetic parallelisms, synonymous parallelisms, antithetical parallelisms, and other types, and each one has its own rules for interpretation. [00:03:38]
A synonymous parallelism is a case in the text where your two lines or your two verses or your two stanzas say the same idea but in slightly different ways or slightly different forms of speech. Let's turn to the book of Proverbs, if we may, and let's go to Proverbs chapter nineteen where we can find an example of synonymous parallelism in verse five of Proverbs nineteen. We read as follows, "A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." [00:04:28]
Let's look at a different kind of parallelism for a second, at what we call antithetic or contrasting types of parallelism, where the two lines contrast one idea with another. Let's look at Proverbs now, Proverbs thirteen, verse ten: "Only by pride comes contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom." That is, pride brings trouble; the well advised or the humble brings well-being, so that you have the contrast between good and evil set in parallel forms in a balanced form. [00:06:32]
Another form of parallelism is what we call synthetic parallelism, where the -- there is kind of a rising crescendo where statements build upon one another, and we'll look at that in Psalm ninety-two. Psalm ninety-two, verse nine: "For, lo, Thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, Thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of a unicorn, and I shall be anointed with fresh oil." [00:07:42]
But it's that recognition that when we see parallelism we know we're dealing with poetry, and a flag should go up in our head that is a poetic structure that we need to be careful that we don't misinterpret it. And not only that, particularly if we recognize parallelism and we don't know what a passage means, if we have two lines, for example, that are saying substantially the same thing, we're not clear what it says in the second part. If the first part is clear, the second part is clarified by the first part. [00:09:35]
In the Old Testament, there were many, many different words for evil and for that because the Jew understood evil in lots of different ways. A calamity that befalls a nation, an earthquake, a hurricane, a defeat in war -- that was bad. You come and you say, "I have for you today bad news. We're having a terrible storm. A hurricane's coming; it's going to wipe out the city." That's bad news, but that is not the same thing as talking about moral evil or what we call sin. [00:11:49]
Now that we have used, however, some of the poetic literature, some of the wisdom literature, some examples from Proverbs of biblical style, I need to say another word about how to interpret the Proverbs, and put it in a broader context of how we interpret biblical laws and principles and precepts. And the first rule, of course, is to be able to distinguish between different kinds of laws that we find in the Bible. [00:14:35]
Casuistic law is just a fancy word for case law, and the normal form in which it's found is the form of an example or an illustration, usually with the words, "if, then." If you go back in the Old Testament, you read the line that says, "If your ox tramples down your neighbors roses, then you must pay such-and-such indemnity towards your neighbor." Now the point of case law is to give you a model, a guideline for practical judgments in the law court. [00:15:34]
But there's another principle that comes in here that is often confusing, and that's the proverb. What do we do with the proverb? How do you interpret a proverb? How do you apply a proverb as a moral principle to your life? There can be real problems here. Let's look again at Proverbs chapter twenty-six -- someday I'm going to find out the books of the Bible in order -- chapter twenty-six, verse four: "Answer not a fool according to his folly lest you also be like him." [00:18:08]
But don't confuse the proverbs with moral absolutes; they were never intended to be read that way, they were never set forth for us as the Ten Commandments were, there is a difference in how we interpret those laws, and we need to recognize it. [00:25:05]
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